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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Summary
This bill modifies the criteria for which independent study programs can be approved for veterans' educational assistance benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs. It requires that approved independent study programs include regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors, rather than allowing purely self-paced study. The bill also clarifies that eligible institutions must be accredited institutions of higher education that participate in federal student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act. These changes take effect for educational programs beginning on or after August 1, 2025.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC)
10 cosponsors
- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN)
- Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] (R-NC)
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ] (D-AZ)
- Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL)
- Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH] (R-OH)
- Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (D-MI)
- Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL)
- Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI] (D-MI)
Actions (2)
- Apr 4, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. · senate
- Apr 4, 2025 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
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Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 4, 2025
Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Budd, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Moreno, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Scott of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025” or the “VETS Opportunity Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS UNDER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.—Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the matter before item (aa), by inserting “that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors” after “study”; and
(2) by amending item (bb) to read as follows: “(bb) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) that is participating in a student financial assistance program authorized by title IV of that Act; and”.
(b) Applicability.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2025. <all>
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