US Code

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

38 U.S.C. § 3011

Basic educational assistance entitlement for service on active duty

(a)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each individual—
(1)
who—
(A)
during the period beginning , and ending , first becomes a member of the Armed Forces or first enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces and—
(i)
who (I) in the case of an individual whose obligated period of active duty is three years or more, serves at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, or (II) in the case of an individual whose obligated period of active duty is less than three years, serves at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces; or
(ii)
section 1174(i) of title 10 who serves in the Armed Forces and is discharged or released from active duty (I) for a service-connected disability, by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ), for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Secretary determines is not service connected, for hardship, or for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability and did not result from the individual’s own willful misconduct but did interfere with the individual’s performance of duty, as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy; (II) for the convenience of the Government, if, in the case of an individual with an obligated period of service of two years, the individual completes not less than 20 months of continuous active duty under that period of obligated service, or, in the case of an individual with an obligated period of service of at least three years, the individual completes not less than 30 months of continuous active duty under that period of obligated service; or (III) involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy;
(B)
as of , is eligible for educational assistance benefits under chapter 34 of this title and was on active duty at any time during the period beginning on , and ending on , continued on active duty without a break in service and—
(i)
after , serves at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces; or
(ii)
section 1174(i) of title 10 after , is discharged or released from active duty (I) for a service-connected disability, by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ), for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Secretary determines is not service connected, for hardship, or for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) of this paragraph; (II) for the convenience of the Government, if the individual completed not less than 30 months of continuous active duty after that date; or (III) involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy; or
(C)
as of , was eligible for educational assistance benefits under chapter 34 of this title and—
(i)
was not on active duty on ;
(ii)
reenlists or reenters on a period of active duty after ; and
(iii)
on or after , either—
(I)
serves at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces; or
(II)
section 1174(i) of title 10 is discharged or released from active duty (aa) for a service-connected disability, by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ), for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Secretary determines is not service connected, for hardship, or for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) of this paragraph, (bb) for the convenience of the Government, if the individual completed not less than 30 months of continuous active duty after that date, or (cc) involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy;
(2)
who completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or successfully completes (or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree, before applying for benefits under this section; and
(3)
who, after completion of the service described in clause (1) of this subsection—
(A)
continues on active duty;
(B)
is discharged from active duty with an honorable discharge;
(C)
is released after service on active duty characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service and is placed on the retired list, is transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, or is placed on the temporary disability retired list; or
(D)
section 20105 of title 10 is released from active duty for further service in a reserve component of the Armed Forces or for further service in the Space Force in a space force active status not on sustained duty under after service on active duty characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service;
is entitled to basic educational assistance under this chapter.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic pay of any individual described in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section who does not make an election under subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be reduced by $100 for each of the first 12 months that begin after the date that is 270 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training.
(2)
In the case of an individual covered by paragraph (1) who is a member of the Selected Reserve, the Secretary of Defense shall collect from the individual an amount equal to $1,200 not later than one year after completion by the individual of the two years of service on active duty providing the basis for such entitlement. The Secretary of Defense may collect such amount through reductions in basic pay in accordance with paragraph (1) or through such other method as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.
(3)
Any amount by which the basic pay of an individual is reduced under this subsection shall revert to the Treasury and shall not, for purposes of any Federal law, be considered to have been received by or to be within the control of such individual.
(c)
(1)
An individual described in subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section may make an election not to receive educational assistance under this chapter. Any such election shall be made during the 90-day period beginning on the day that is 180 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training. Any individual who makes such an election is not entitled to educational assistance under this chapter.
(2)
An individual who after , receives a commission as an officer in the Armed Forces upon graduation from the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the Coast Guard Academy is not eligible for educational assistance under this section.
(3)
section 2107 of title 10 An individual who after , receives a commission as an officer in the Armed Forces upon completion of a program of educational assistance under is not eligible for educational assistance under this section if the individual enters on active duty—
(A)
before ; or
(B)
after , and while participating in such program received more than $3,400 for each year of such participation.
(d)
(1)
For purposes of this chapter, any period of service described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection shall not be considered a part of an obligated period of active duty on which an individual’s entitlement to assistance under this section is based.
(2)
The period of service referred to in paragraph (1) is any period terminated because of a defective enlistment and induction based on—
(A)
the individual’s being a minor for purposes of service in the Armed Forces;
(B)
an erroneous enlistment or induction; or
(C)
a defective enlistment agreement.
(3)
The period of service referred to in paragraph (1) is also any period of service on active duty which an individual in the Selected Reserve was ordered to perform under section 12301, 12302, 12304, 12306, or 12307 of title 10 for a period of less than 2 years.
(e)
(1)
section 3015(g) of this title Any individual eligible for educational assistance under this section who does not make an election under subsection (c)(1) may contribute amounts for purposes of receiving an increased amount of basic educational assistance as provided for under . Such contributions shall be in addition to any reductions in the basic pay of such individual under subsection (b).
(2)
An individual covered by paragraph (1) may make the contributions authorized by that paragraph at any time while on active duty, but not more frequently than monthly.
(3)
The total amount of the contributions made by an individual under paragraph (1) may not exceed $600. Such contributions shall be made in multiples of $20.
(4)
Contributions under this subsection shall be made to the Secretary of the military department concerned. That Secretary shall deposit any amounts received as contributions under this subsection into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(f)
(1)
For the purposes of this chapter, a member referred to in paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection who serves the periods of active duty referred to in that paragraph shall be deemed to have served a continuous period of active duty the length of which is the aggregate length of the periods of active duty referred to in that paragraph.
(2)
This subsection applies to a member who—
(A)
after a period of continuous active duty of not more than 12 months, is discharged or released from active duty under subclause (I) or (III) of subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) of this section; and
(B)
after such discharge or release, reenlists or re-enters on a period of active duty.
(3)
This subsection applies to a member who after a period of continuous active duty as an enlisted member or warrant officer, and following successful completion of officer training school, is discharged in order to accept, without a break in service, a commission as an officer in the Armed Forces for a period of active duty.
(g)
section 3002(6)(A) of this title Notwithstanding , a period during which an individual is assigned full time by the Armed Forces to a civilian institution for a course of education as described in such section 3002(6)(A) shall not be considered a break in service or a break in a continuous period of active duty of the individual for the purposes of this chapter.
(h)
(1)
section 3002(6)(B) of this title Notwithstanding , a member referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection who serves the periods of active duty referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of that paragraph shall be deemed to have served a continuous period of active duty whose length is the aggregate length of the periods of active duty referred to in such subparagraphs.
(2)
This subsection applies to a member who—
(A)
during the obligated period of active duty on which entitlement to assistance under this section is based, commences pursuit of a course of education—
(i)
at a service academy; or
(ii)
at a post-secondary school for the purpose of preparation for enrollment at a service academy;
(B)
fails to complete the course of education; and
(C)
re-enters on a period of active duty.
(i)
The Secretary concerned shall inform any member of the Armed Forces who has not completed that member’s obligated period of active duty (as described in subsection (a)(1)(A)) and who indicates the intent to be discharged or released from such duty for the convenience of the Government of the minimum active duty requirements for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under this chapter. Such information shall be provided to the member in a timely manner.

Pub. L. 98–525, title VII, § 702(a)(1)98 Stat. 2554Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 674(1)99 Stat. 665Pub. L. 99–576, title III100 Stat. 3268Pub. L. 100–48, § 3(a)101 Stat. 331Pub. L. 100–689, title I102 Stat. 4162Pub. L. 101–237, title IV103 Stat. 2084Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, § 562(a)(1)104 Stat. 1573Pub. L. 102–16, § 10(a)(1)105 Stat. 55Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406Pub. L. 102–568, title III106 Stat. 4326–4328Pub. L. 103–446, title XII, § 1201(e)(10)108 Stat. 4685Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, § 1501(e)(2)(A)110 Stat. 501Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, § 556(a)110 Stat. 2528Pub. L. 105–368, title II112 Stat. 3326Pub. L. 106–117, title VII113 Stat. 1583Pub. L. 106–419, title I114 Stat. 1824Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(a)(1)115 Stat. 31Pub. L. 107–103, title I115 Stat. 982Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(d)116 Stat. 2315Pub. L. 107–330, title III, § 308(a)116 Stat. 2827Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 109(a)118 Stat. 3604Pub. L. 109–444, § 8(b)(2)120 Stat. 3313Pub. L. 109–461, title X120 Stat. 3466Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(1)122 Stat. 3529Pub. L. 116–315, title I134 Stat. 4939Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1723(c)(1)137 Stat. 675(Added , , , § 1411; amended , , ; , §§ 303(a)(1), 307(a)(1), 321(1), title VII, § 702(8), , , 3269, 3277, 3302; , , ; , §§ 102(a), 103(b)(1), 104(a), 111(a)(2)(A), (3), , , 4165, 4166, 4170, 4171; , §§ 409, 423(b)(1)(A), , , 2092; , (2), (b), , , 1574; , , ; renumbered § 3011, , , ; , §§ 302(a)(1), 303(a)(1), 304(a), 305(a), 306(a), , ; , (f)(2), , , 4687; , , ; , , ; , §§ 203(a), 207(a), , , 3328; , §§ 702(a), 704, , , 1584; , §§ 102(a)(1), 103(a), 105(a)(1), , , 1825, 1828; , (c)(1), , , 32; , §§ 105(a), 106(a), , , 983; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1004(b)(2), 1006(b), , , 3468; , , ; , §§ 1003(a), 1004, , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 5111 of this titlePrior section 3011 was renumbered .

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1227Pub. L. 86–49074 Stat. 161Pub. L. 87–825, § 5(a)76 Stat. 950Another prior section 3011, , , ; , , , related to the effective date of an award of increased compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension, prior to repeal by , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 118–31section 20105 of title 102023—Subsec. (a)(3)(D). , which directed insertion of “or for further service in the Space Force in a space force active status not on sustained duty under ” after “of the Armed Forces,”, was executed by making the insertion after “of the Armed Forces” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 116–315, § 10042021—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). , substituted “during the period beginning , and ending ” for “after ”.

Pub. L. 116–315, § 1003(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “that begin after the date that is 270 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training” for “that such individual is entitled to such pay”.

Pub. L. 116–315, § 1003(a)(1)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “Any such election shall be made during the 90-day period beginning on the day that is 180 days after the date on which the individual initially enters initial training” for “Any such election shall be made at the time the individual initially enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces”.

Pub. L. 110–317section 1174(i) of title 102008—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), (B)(ii), (C)(iii)(II). inserted “by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ),” after “service-connected disability,”.

Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b)Pub. L. 109–461Pub. L. 109–444Pub. L. 109–444section 1006(b) of Pub. L. 109–461Pub. L. 109–444section 101 of this title2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(III). , provided that as of the enactment of , the amendments made by were deemed for all purposes not to have taken effect and that ceased to be in effect. See Amendment notes below and , set out as a Coordination of Provisions With note under .

Pub. L. 109–461, § 1004(b)(2)Pub. L. 107–296, made technical amendment to directory language of . See 2002 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 109–444Pub. L. 109–461, § 1004(b)(2)Pub. L. 109–461, § 1006(b), which made amendment identical to the amendment made by , was terminated by . See Amendment notes above.

Pub. L. 108–4542004—Subsec. (b). substituted “(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic pay” for “The basic pay”, added par. (2), and designated second sentence of existing provisions as par. (3) and substituted “this subsection” for “this chapter”.

Pub. L. 107–2962002—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(I). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–296Pub. L. 109–461, § 1004(b)(2)Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(III). , as amended by , substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–296Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(III). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–330Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). struck out “on or” after “active duty”.

Pub. L. 107–296Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(iii)(II)(cc). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(a)(1)2001—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). , substituted “(I) in the case of an individual whose obligated period of active duty is three years or more, serves at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, or (II) in the case of an individual whose obligated period of active duty is less than three years, serves” for “serves an obligated period of active duty of”.

Pub. L. 107–103, § 105(a)Subsec. (a)(1)(C). , added subpar. (C).

Pub. L. 107–103, § 106(a)Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , substituted “$3,400” for “$2,000”.

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(1)(A)Subsec. (e)(2). , inserted “, but not more frequently than monthly” before period.

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(1)(B)Subsec. (e)(3). , substituted “multiples of $20” for “multiples of $4”.

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(1)(C)Subsec. (e)(4). , substituted “Secretary of the military department concerned. That” for “Secretary. The” and struck out “by the Secretary” after “any amounts received”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 103(a)(1)(A)2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). , added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: “who (I) serves, as the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty, at least three years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, or (II) in the case of an individual whose initial period of active duty is less than three years, serves at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces; or”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 103(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(II). , substituted “if, in the case of an individual with an obligated period of service of two years, the individual completes not less than 20 months of continuous active duty under that period of obligated service, or, in the case of an individual with an obligated period of service of at least three years, the individual completes not less than 30 months of continuous active duty under that period of obligated service” for “in the case of an individual who completed not less than 20 months of continuous active duty, if the initial obligated period of active duty of the individual was less than three years, or in the case of an individual who completed not less than 30 months of continuous active duty if the initial obligated period of active duty of the individual was at least three years”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 102(a)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(2). , added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “who, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) not later than—

“(A) the original ending date of the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty in the case of an individual described in clause (1)(A) of this subsection, regardless of whether the individual is discharged or released from active duty on such date; or

“(B) , in the case of an individual described in clause (1)(B) of this subsection;

except that (i) an individual described in clause (1)(B) of this subsection may meet the requirement of this clause by having successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree, and (ii) an individual described in clause (1)(A) of this subsection may meet such requirement by having successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit for) the equivalent of such 12 semester hours before the end of the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty; and”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 103(a)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “obligated period of active duty on which an individual’s entitlement to assistance under this section is based” for “individual’s initial obligated period of active duty”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 105(a)(1)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 106–419, § 102(a)(1)(B), struck out subsec. (e) which read as follows: “For the purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, an individual who was on active duty on , and who completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) before , shall be considered to have completed such requirements within the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty.”

Pub. L. 106–419, § 103(a)(3)Subsec. (h)(2)(A). , substituted “during the obligated period of active duty on which entitlement to assistance under this section is based,” for “during an initial period of active duty,”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 103(a)(4)Subsec. (i). , struck out “initial” before “obligated period”.

Pub. L. 106–117, § 702(a)(1)1999—Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “paragraph (2) or (3)” for “paragraph (2)”.

Pub. L. 106–117, § 702(a)(2)Subsec. (f)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 106–117, § 704Subsec. (i). , struck out “Federal” before “Government”.

Pub. L. 105–368, § 203(a)1998—Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit for)” for “successfully completed” in two places in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 105–368, § 207(a)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).

Pub. L. 104–201, § 556(a)(1)section 2107 of title 101996—Subsec. (c)(2). , struck out “or upon completion of a program of educational assistance under ” after “Coast Guard Academy”.

Pub. L. 104–201, § 556(a)(2)Subsec. (c)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 104–106Subsec. (d)(3). substituted “section 12301, 12302, 12304, 12306, or 12307 of title 10” for “section 672, 673, 673b, 674, or 675 of title 10”.

Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(f)(2)1994—Subsec. (e). , substituted “,” for “the end of the 24-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection”.

Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(e)(10)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “the length of which” for “whose length”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 302(a)(1)1992—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). , substituted “at any time during the period beginning on , and ending on , continued on active duty without a break in service” for “on , and without a break in service since ,”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 303(a)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted “, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section,” after “who”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 303(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 102–568, § 304(a)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 102–568, § 305(a)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 102–568, § 306(a)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).

Pub. L. 102–83section 1411 of this title1991— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–16Subsec. (a)(3). added cls. (A) to (C), redesignated former cl. (C) as (D), and struck out former cls. (A) and (B) which read as follows:

“(A) is discharged from service with an honorable discharge, is placed on the retired list, is transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, or is placed on the temporary disability retired list;

“(B) continues on active duty; or”.

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(a)(1)1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(I). , substituted “for” for “or for” and inserted “, or for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability and did not result from the individual’s own willful misconduct but did interfere with the individual’s performance of duty, as determined by the Secretary of each military department in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy” after “hardship”.

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(a)(2)Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(I). , substituted “for” for “or for” and inserted “, or for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) of this paragraph” after “hardship”.

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(b)(1)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “paragraphs (2) and (3)” for “paragraph (2)”.

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(b)(1)(A)1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), (B)(ii). , substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Pub. L. 101–237, § 409Subsec. (a)(2). , in concluding provisions, inserted cl. (i) designation and added cl. (ii).

Pub. L. 100–689, § 111(a)(2)(A)1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i)(I). , inserted “, as the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty,” after “serves”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 102(a)Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii). , inserted in subcl. (I) “, for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Administrator determines is not service connected,”, substituted a semicolon for “, or” before subcl. (II), and added subcl. (III).

Pub. L. 100–689, § 102(a)Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii). , inserted in subcl. (I) “, for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Administrator determines is not service connected,”, substituted a semicolon for “, or” before subcl. (II), and added subcl. (III).

Pub. L. 100–689, § 104(a)Subsec. (a)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “who, before completion of the service described in clause (1) of this subsection, has received a secondary school diploma (or an equivalency certificate); and”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 103(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , substituted “reduced under this chapter” for “reduced under this subsection”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 111(a)(3)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 100–481987—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). substituted “after ” for “during the period beginning on , and ending on ”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 702(8)1986—Subsec. (a). , inserted a comma after “of this section”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 321(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii)(II). , inserted “continuous” after “months of” in two places.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 307(a)(1)Subsec. (a)(1)(B). , inserted “and was on active duty on , and without a break in service since ,”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 321(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(II). , inserted “continuous” after “months of”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 303(a)(1)Subsec. (b). , substituted “Any amount by which the basic pay of an individual is reduced under this subsection shall revert to the Treasury and shall not, for purposes of any Federal law, be considered to have been received by or to be within the control of such individual” for “Amounts withheld from basic pay under this subsection shall revert to the Treasury”.

Pub. L. 99–1451985—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). struck out “and without a break in service on active duty since ,” after “chapter 34 of this title”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–315, title I, § 1003(b)134 Stat. 4939

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–317section 10 of Pub. L. 110–317section 2108 of Title 5Amendment by applicable with respect to any sole survivorship discharge granted after , see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–461, title X, § 1004(b)120 Stat. 3466, , , provided that the amendment made by section 1004(b) is effective .

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–296section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296section 101 of Title 10Amendment by effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see , set out as a note under , Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 2001 Amendments

Pub. L. 107–103, title I, § 106(b)115 Stat. 983

section 3012 of this title“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and ] shall apply with respect to educational assistance allowances paid under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(a)(2)115 Stat. 31

Public Law 106–419“The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on , immediately after the enactment of the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 ().”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(4)115 Stat. 33

Public Law 106–419114 Stat. 1828“The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and sections 3012 and 3015 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 105 of the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 (; ).”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–419, title I, § 105(c)114 Stat. 1829

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 3012 and 3015 of this title] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–117, title VII, § 702(c)113 Stat. 1583

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [] and apply with respect to an individual first appointed as a commissioned officer on or after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 203(b)112 Stat. 3326

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 3012 and 3018 to 3018C of this title] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 207(d)(1)112 Stat. 3328

section 3012 of this title“The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and ] shall take effect 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–106Pub. L. 103–337section 1501(f)(3) of Pub. L. 104–106section 113 of Title 10Amendment by effective as if included in the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act, title XVI of , as enacted on , see , set out as a note under , Armed Forces.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 302(b)106 Stat. 4327

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 3012 and 3031 of this title] shall take effect as of .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 302(b)106 Stat. 4327

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on , and apply to the payment of educational assistance for education or training pursued on or after .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 305(b)106 Stat. 4328

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 306(b)106 Stat. 4328

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on , and apply to the payment of educational assistance for education or training pursued on or after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, § 562(c)104 Stat. 1575

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1412 and 3103A [now 3012 and 5303A] of this title] shall take effect as of .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–689, title I, § 102(c)102 Stat. 4163

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1412, 1413, and 3103A [now 3012, 3013, and 5303A] of this title] shall take effect—
“(1)
as of , with respect to individuals discharged or released for a medical condition which preexisted service on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and which the Administrator determines is not service connected; and
“(2)
as of , with respect to individuals involuntarily discharged or released for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–576, title III, § 303(b)100 Stat. 3269

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 1412 [now 3012] of this title] shall apply to any reduction in basic pay made under section 1411(b) [now 3011(b)] or 1412(c) [now 3012(c)] of title 38, United States Code, after .”
, , , provided that:

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .

Transitional Provision for Individuals Discharged Between Enactment and Effective Date

Pub. L. 106–419, title I, § 105(d)114 Stat. 1830

“(1)
During the period beginning on , and ending on , an individual described in paragraph (2) may make contributions under section 3011(e) or 3012(f) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), whichever is applicable to that individual, without regard to paragraph (2) of that section and otherwise in the same manner as an individual eligible for educational assistance under chapter 30 of such title who is on active duty.
“(2)
Paragraph (1) applies in the case of an individual who—
“(A)
is discharged or released from active duty during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [] and ending on ; and
“(B)
is eligible for educational assistance under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code.”
, , , provided that:

Notification Requirement

Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 303(b)106 Stat. 4327section 3012 of this title, , , directed Secretary of each military department, not later than 60 days after , to notify each individual who was on active duty in the Armed Forces on , and who had not met the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), of the extension of the period for the completion of such requirements afforded by the amendments made by this section to this section and .