H.R. 6604 would make two changes to educational assistance programs, under which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays monthly benefits to or on behalf of students who pursue approved education or training programs, up to a maximum number of months.
Institutions offering educational programs to students receiving benefits paid by VA are required to meet departmental standards and regulatory requirements.[1] Students who do not receive credit for courses because a school closed or was disapproved and who transfer fewer than 12 credits from that school may apply to VA to have their education benefits restored for the entire period during which they were enrolled. Restored benefits are not deducted from a beneficiary’s total term of entitlement to monthly benefits. Section 2 would specify the procedure under which VA restores benefits, requiring students to certify that they transferred fewer than 12 credits and acknowledge that they are ineligible for restoration if they transfer additional credits. Because the bill does not modify eligibility for or use of educational benefits, CBO estimates that enactment would not significantly affect direct spending over the 2022-2031 period.
