Referred in Senate — H.R. 1458

IIB

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 1458

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 3, 2026

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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.

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. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 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.