I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1206 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to include the cost of applying 
to an institution of higher learning as part of the benefits provided 
under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 21, 2017 
Mr. MESSER (for himself, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. 
CONNOLLY, Mr. WALKER, Mr. YARMUTH, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Miss 
RICE of New York, Mr. RUSH, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. HECK, Mr. 
LOWENTHAL, Mr. DELANEY, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. JUDY CHU of Cali-
fornia, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. BYRNE, Mr. LOBIONDO, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. KATKO, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. 
PERLMUTTER, Mr. WITTMAN, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. MEE-
HAN, Mr. ISSA, Mrs. BUSTOS, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. THOMP-
SON of California, Mr. FASO, and Mr. FRANKS of Arizona) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to include the cost 
of applying to an institution of higher learning as part 
of the benefits provided under the Post-9/11 Educational 
Assistance Program. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Reducing Barriers for 
Veterans Education Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. COSTS OF APPLYING TO INSTITUTION OF HIGHER 
LEARNING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 33 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3315A 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 3315B. Costs of applying to institution of higher 
learning 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual entitled to edu-
cational assistance under this chapter shall also be entitled 
to educational assistance for the application fee required 
to apply to an approved program of education at an insti-
tution of higher learning. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The total amount of educational as-
sistance payable under this chapter to an individual for 
applications described in subsection (a) is the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) the total application fees charged to the in-
dividual by the institutions of higher learning; or 
‘‘(2) $750. 
‘‘(c) CHARGE AGAINST ENTITLEMENT.—The number 
of months (and any fraction thereof) of entitlement 
charged an individual under this chapter for an applica-
tion described in subsection (a) shall be determined at the 
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rate of one month for each amount that equals the amount 
determined under section 3315A(c)(2) of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 3315A the following new 
item: 
‘‘3315B. Costs of applying to institution of higher learning.’’. 
Æ 
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