(a) Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: timing; mechanism for individuals not eligible for a monthly housing stipend
(1) In general
Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (3), by striking together and all that follows through before and inserting not later than 60 days after ; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipend
In the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid—
in a lump sum calculated by multiplying—
the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and
the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and
to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.
(2) Technical corrections and conforming amendment
Such subsection is further amended—
by striking paragraphs (2) through (7) and inserting paragraphs (2) through (6) ; and
in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend after Additional assistance .
(3) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2027.
(b) Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs
(1) In general
Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended—
by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after course of study ;
in item (aa), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;
in item (bb), by striking ; and and inserting ; or ; and
by adding at the end by following new item:
an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1002 ), that is approved to participate or is participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and
(2) Applicability
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2027.
(3) Oversight
During the first six years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with State approving agencies, shall, every two years, conduct risk-based surveys or reviews of institutions approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).
(4) GAO report
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the oversight and implementation of the amendments made by paragraph (1), including—
the effectiveness of oversight activities conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and State approving agencies;
institutional compliance with applicable requirements under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code;
participation and outcomes of veterans enrolled in programs approved pursuant to section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III)(cc) of such title, as added by paragraph (1); and
any recommendations to improve oversight, program integrity, or educational outcomes for veterans.
(5) Applicability
To the extent practicable for any program requiring practical, laboratory, clinical, shop, or hands on competencies, the online portion of instruction may not substitute for the supervised in person training necessary to demonstrate such competencies.
(c) Absence from certain education due to certain service
(1) Options
Section 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following:
A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service—
withdraw from covered education;
take a leave of absence from covered education; or
subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.
(2) Conforming amendment
Such subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or takes a leave of absence and inserting , takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement .
(3) Agreement
Such section is further amended—
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d):
(d) Agreement with institution concerned
A covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education.
(4) Section heading
Such section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting Absence from certain education due to certain service .
(5) Table of sections
The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item:
(d) Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveys
Section 3693 of such title is amended—
in subsection (c)—
by striking not more than 10 business days of notice ;
by striking this section. and inserting this section— ; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and
in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.
by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d):
(d) Definitions
In this section:
The terms educational institution and training establishment have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title.
The term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
(e) Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates
(1) In general
Not later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update.
(2) School certifying official defined
The term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.