H.R. 1458

119 HR 1458 EH: Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I
 119th CONGRESS   2d Session
 H. R. 1458
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 AN ACT
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.
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  .
2.
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
(a)
In general
Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (3), by striking  together  and all that follows through  before  and inserting  not later than 60 days after ; and
(2)
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—
(A)
in a lump sum calculated by multiplying—
(i)
the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and
(ii)
the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and
(B)
to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.
 .
(b)
Technical corrections and conforming amendment
Such subsection is further amended—
(1)
by striking  paragraphs (2) through (7)  and inserting  paragraphs (2) through (6) ; and
(2)
in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting
for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend   after
Additional assistance  .
(c)
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2026.
3.
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 such title is amended—
(1)
by inserting  that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors  after  course of study ;
(2)
in item (aa), by striking  ; or  and inserting a semicolon;
(3)
in item (bb), by striking  ; and  and inserting  ; or ; and
(4)
by adding at the end by following new item:
(cc)
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 participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and
  .
(b)
Applicability
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2026.
4.
Absence from certain education due to certain service
(a)
Options
Section 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following:
(1)
A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service—
(A)
withdraw from covered education;
(B)
take a leave of absence from covered education; or
(C)
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.
 .
(b)
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 .
(c)
Agreement
Such section is further amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2)
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.
 .
(d)
Section heading
Such section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting
Absence from certain education due to certain service  .
(e)
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:
3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service.
  .
5.
Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveys
Section 3693 of such title is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
by striking  not more than 10 business days of notice ;
(B)
by striking  this section.  and inserting  this section— ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
(1)
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
(2)
in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.
 ; and
(2)
by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d):
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The terms  educational institution  and  training establishment  have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title.
(2)
The term  school certifying official  means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
 .
6.
Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates
(a)
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.
(b)
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.
7.
Extension of certain limits on payments of pension
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking  January 31, 2033  and inserting  May 31, 2034 .
     Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2026.  Kevin F. McCumber,  Clerk.