US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

25 U.S.C. § 13d–2

Enrollment and general assistance payments

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior shall not disqualify from continued receipt of general assistance payments from the Bureau of Indian Affairs an otherwise eligible Indian for whom the Bureau is making or may make general assistance payments (or exclude such an individual from continued consideration in determining the amount of general assistance payments for a household) because the individual is enrolled (and is making satisfactory progress toward completion of a program or training that can reasonably be expected to lead to gainful employment) for at least half-time study or training in—
(1)
92 Stat. 132525 U.S.C. 180185 Stat. 64525 U.S.C. 640a1
1 See References in Text note below.
a college assisted by the Bureau under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (; ) or the Navajo Community College Act (; ); 
(2)
20 U.S.C. 1001 an institution of higher education or a vocational school (as defined for purposes of any program of assistance to students under the Higher Education Act of 1965 [ et seq.]);
(3)
a course the Secretary determines will lead to a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate; or
(4)
other programs or training approved by the Secretary or by tribal education, employment or training programs.
(b)

Factors not to be considered

In determining the amount of general assistance provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Secretary of the Interior shall not include consideration of—
(1)
additional expenses in connection with the study or training described in subsection (a), and
(2)
the amount of any financial assistance received by the individual as a student or trainee.
(c)

No effect on other eligibility requirements

This section does not alter any eligibility requirement for general assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs other than the requirement to be available for employment and to seek employment.

Pub. L. 100–297, title V, § 5404102 Stat. 416Pub. L. 105–244, title IX, § 901(d)112 Stat. 1828Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1045115 Stat. 2080Pub. L. 110–315, title IX, § 941(k)(2)(G)122 Stat. 3466(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 95–47192 Stat. 1325section 1801 of this titleThe Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 20 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 92–18985 Stat. 646The Navajo Community College Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is , , , which was classified to section 640a et seq. of this title, and was omitted from the Code as being of special and not general application.

Pub. L. 89–32979 Stat. 1219section 1001 of Title 20The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 28 (§ 1001 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–3152008—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978” for “the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978”.

Pub. L. 107–110, § 1045(1)2002—Subsec. (a). , added subsec. heading and introductory provisions and struck out former subsec. heading and introductory provisions. Former introductory provisions read as follows: “The Secretary of the Interior shall not disqualify from continued receipt of general assistance payments from the Bureau of Indian Affairs an otherwise eligible Indian for whom the Bureau has been making general assistance payments for at least 3 months (or exclude such an individual from continued consideration in determining the amount of general assistance payments for a household) because the individual is enrolled (and is making satisfactory progress toward completion of a program or training that can reasonably be expected to lead to gainful employment) for at least half-time study or training in—”.

Pub. L. 107–110, § 1045(2)Subsec. (a)(4). , added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “other programs or training approved by the Secretary.”

Pub. L. 105–2441998—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978” for “Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–110section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110section 6301 of Title 20Amendment by effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Education.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–244Pub. L. 105–244section 3 of Pub. L. 105–244section 1001 of Title 20Amendment by effective , except as otherwise provided in , see , set out as a note under , Education.

Effective Date

section 6303 of Pub. L. 100–297section 1071 of Title 20For effective date and applicability of section, see , set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under , Education.