US Code

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

38 U.S.C. § 3012

Basic educational assistance entitlement for service in the Selected Reserve

(a)
Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, each individual—
(1)
who—
(A)
after , first becomes a member of the Armed Forces or first enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces and—
(i)
serves an obligated period of active duty of at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, subject to subsection (b) of this section, characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service; and
(ii)
subject to subsection (b) of this section and beginning within one year after completion of the service on active duty described in subclause (i) of this clause, serves at least four years of continuous duty in the Selected Reserve during which the individual participates satisfactorily in training as required by the Secretary concerned;
(B)
as of , is eligible for educational assistance 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 two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, subject to subsection (b) of this section, characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service; and
(ii)
after , subject to subsection (b) of this section and beginning within one year after completion of such two years of service, serves at least four continuous years in the Selected Reserve during which the individual participates satisfactorily in training as prescribed by the Secretary concerned; or
(C)
as of , was eligible for educational assistance 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 —
(I)
serves at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces, subject to subsection (b) of this section, characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service; and
(II)
subject to subsection (b) of this section and beginning within one year after completion of such two years of service, serves at least four continuous years in the Selected Reserve during which the individual participates satisfactorily in training as prescribed by the Secretary concerned;
(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)
is discharged from service with an honorable discharge, is placed on the retired list, or is transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service in the Selected Reserve characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable service; or
(B)
continues on active duty or in the Selected Reserve;
is entitled to basic educational assistance under this chapter.
(b)
(1)
(A)
section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of this titlesection 1174(i) of title 10 The requirement of two years of service under clauses (1)(A)(i) and (1)(B)(i) of subsection (a) of this section is not applicable to an individual who is discharged or released, during such two years, from active duty in the Armed Forces (i) for a service-connected disability, (ii) for a medical condition which preexisted such service on active duty and which the Secretary determines is not service connected, (iii) for hardship, (iv) in the case of an individual discharged or released after 20 months of such service, for the convenience of the Government, (v) 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, (vi) for a physical or mental condition that was not characterized as a disability, as described in , or (vii) by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ).
(B)
The requirement of four years of service under clauses (1)(A)(ii) and (1)(B)(ii) of subsection (a) of this section is not applicable to an individual—
(i)
section 1174(i) of title 10section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of this title who, during the two years of service described in clauses (1)(A)(i) and (1)(B)(i) of subsection (a) of this section, was discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces 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, or for a physical or mental condition not characterized as a disability, as described in , if the individual was obligated, at the beginning of such two years of service, to serve such four years of service;
(ii)
section 3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of this titlesection 1174(i) of title 10 who, during the four years of service described in clauses (1)(A)(ii) and (1)(B)(ii) of subsection (a) of this section, is discharged or released from service in the Selected Reserve (I) for a service-connected disability, (II) for a medical condition which preexisted the individual’s becoming a member of the Selected Reserve and which the Secretary determines is not service connected, (III) for hardship, (IV) in the case of an individual discharged or released after 30 months of such service, for the convenience of the Government, (V) 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, (VI) for a physical or mental condition not characterized as a disability, as described in , or (VII) by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ); or
(iii)
section 10143(a) of title 10 who, before completing the four years of service described in clauses (1)(A)(ii) and (1)(B)(ii) of subsection (a) of this section, ceases to be a member of the Selected Reserve during the period beginning on , and ending on , by reason of the inactivation of the person’s unit of assignment or by reason of involuntarily ceasing to be designated as a member of the Selected Reserve pursuant to .
(2)
After an individual begins service in the Selected Reserve within one year after completion of the service described in clause (A)(i) or (B)(i) of subsection (a)(1) of this section, the continuity of service of such individual as a member of the Selected Reserve shall not be considered to be broken—
(A)
by any period of time (not to exceed a maximum period prescribed by the Secretary concerned by regulation) during which the member is not able to locate a unit of the Selected Reserve of the member’s Armed Force that the member is eligible to join or that has a vacancy; or
(B)
by any other period of time (not to exceed a maximum period prescribed by the Secretary concerned by regulation) during which the member is not attached to a unit of the Selected Reserve that the Secretary concerned, pursuant to regulations, considers to be inappropriate to consider for such purpose.
(c)
(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 (d)(1) of this section shall be reduced by $100 for each of the first 12 months that such individual is entitled to such pay.
(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.
(d)
(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 at the time the individual initially enters on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces. 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.
(e)
(1)
section 3011 of this title An individual described in subclause (I) or (III) of subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii) of this section may elect entitlement to basic educational assistance under , based on an obligated period of active duty of two years, in lieu of entitlement to assistance under this section.
(2)
section 3011 of this title An individual who makes the election described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall, for all purposes of this chapter, be considered entitled to educational assistance under and not under this section. Such an election is irrevocable.
(f)
(1)
section 3015(g) of this title Any individual eligible for educational assistance under this section who does not make an election under subsection (d)(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 (c).
(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.
(g)
(1)
The Secretary concerned shall inform any member of the Armed Forces who has not completed that member’s initial service (as described in paragraph (2)) and who indicates the intent to be discharged or released from such service for the convenience of the Government of the minimum service requirements for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under this chapter. Such information shall be provided to the member in a timely manner.
(2)
The initial service referred to in paragraph (1) is the initial obligated period of active duty (described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (B)(i) of subsection (a)(1)) or the period of service in the Selected Reserve (described in subparagraphs (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) of subsection (a)(1)).

Pub. L. 98–525, title VII, § 702(a)(1)98 Stat. 2555Pub. L. 99–145, title VI, § 674(2)99 Stat. 665Pub. L. 99–576, title III100 Stat. 3269Pub. L. 100–48, § 3(b)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)(3)104 Stat. 1574Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406Pub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4419(b)106 Stat. 2718Pub. L. 102–568, title III106 Stat. 4326Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title V, § 561(m)107 Stat. 1668Pub. L. 103–446, title XII, § 1201(f)(2)108 Stat. 4687Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, § 1501(e)(2)(B)110 Stat. 501Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, § 556(b)110 Stat. 2528Pub. L. 105–368, title II112 Stat. 3326Pub. L. 106–117, title VII, § 704113 Stat. 1584Pub. L. 106–419, title I114 Stat. 1824Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(2)115 Stat. 32Pub. L. 107–103, title I115 Stat. 982Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(d)116 Stat. 2315Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 109(b)118 Stat. 3604Pub. L. 109–233, title V, § 503(3)120 Stat. 416Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(2)122 Stat. 3529(Added , , , § 1412; amended , , ; , §§ 303(a)(2), 307(a)(2), 321(2), , , 3277; , , ; , §§ 102(b)(1), 103(b)(1), 104(b), 105, 111(a)(2)(B), , , 4165, 4166, 4171; , §§ 409, 423(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), , , 2090, 2092; , , ; renumbered § 3012 and amended , (c)(1), , ; , , ; , §§ 302(a)(2), 303(a)(2), , , 4327; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 203(a), 207(b), , , 3328; , , ; , §§ 102(b), 103(b), 105(a)(2), title IV, § 404(a)(6), , , 1826, 1829, 1865; , , ; , §§ 105(b), 106(a), , , 983; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 5112 of this titlePrior section 3012 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(2)(A)section 1174(i) of title 102008—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). , substituted “, (vi)” for “, or (vi)” and inserted before period at end “, or (vii) by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in )”.

Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(2)(B)(i)section 1174(i) of title 10Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i). , inserted “by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in ),” after “service-connected disability,”.

Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II)section 1174(i) of title 10Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii). , which directed the insertion of “, or (VII) by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in )” before the period at end, was executed by making the insertion before “; or” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 110–317, § 6(c)(2)(B)(ii)(I), substituted “, (VI)” for “, or (VI)”.

Pub. L. 109–2332006—Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). struck out “on or” after “active duty”.

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

Pub. L. 107–2962002—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(v), (B)(ii)(V). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 107–103, § 105(b)2001—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). , added subpar. (C).

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

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

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(2)(B)Subsec. (f)(3). , substituted “multiples of $20” for “multiples of $4”.

Pub. L. 107–14, § 7(c)(2)(C)Subsec. (f)(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(b)(1)2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). , substituted “an obligated period of active duty of at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces” for “, as the individual’s initial obligated period of active duty, at least two years of continuous active duty in the Armed Forces”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 102(b)(1)Subsec. (a)(2). , added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “who, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, before completion of the service described in clause (1) of this subsection, has completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or an equivalency certificate), 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(b)(2)Subsec. (e)(1). , struck out “initial” before “obligated period”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 105(a)(2)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 106–419, § 102(b)(2), struck out subsec. (f) 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, § 404(a)(6)Subsec. (g)(2). , substituted “subparagraph” for “subparagraphs” in two places.

Pub. L. 106–1171999—Subsec. (g)(1). struck out “Federal” before “Government”.

Pub. L. 105–368, § 203(a)1998—Subsec. (a)(2)(i), (ii). , substituted “successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit for)” for “successfully completed”.

Pub. L. 105–368, § 207(b)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 104–106section 10143(a) of title 10section 268(b) of title 101996—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 104–201, § 556(b)(1)section 2107 of title 10Subsec. (d)(2). , struck out “or upon completion of a program of educational assistance under ” after “Coast Guard Academy”.

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

Pub. L. 103–4461994—Subsec. (f). substituted “,” for “the end of the 24-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection”.

Pub. L. 103–1601993—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 102–568, § 302(a)(2)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)(2)(A)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted “except as provided in subsection (f) of this section,” after “who,”.

Pub. L. 102–484Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii). added cl. (iii).

Pub. L. 102–568, § 303(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 1412 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I)” for “1411(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I)” in subpars. (A) and (B)(i) and (ii).

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (e). , substituted “3011” for “1411” in pars. (1) and (2).

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(a)(3)(A)1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(vi). , added cl. (vi).

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(a)(3)(B)section 1411(a)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of this titleSubsec. (b)(1)(B)(i). , substituted “disability, for” for “disability or for” and inserted “, or for a physical or mental condition not characterized as a disability, as described in ” before “if the individual”.

Pub. L. 101–510, § 562(a)(3)(C)Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii)(VI). , added subcl. (VI).

Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(a)(1)(A)1989—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), (B)(ii). , substituted “and beginning within one year after completion” for “and after completion”.

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

Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “After an individual begins service in the Selected Reserve within one year after completion of the service described in clause (A)(i) or (B)(i) of subsection (a)(1) of this section, the continuity of service of such individual as a member of the Selected Reserve” for “Continuity of service of a member in the Selected Reserve for purposes of such clauses”.

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

Pub. L. 100–689, § 102(b)(1)(B), inserted “, subject to subsection (b) of this section,”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 102(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(i). , inserted “, subject to subsection (b) of this section,”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 104(b)Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma” for “received a secondary school diploma”, and inserted “, except that an individual described in clause (1)(B) of this subsection may meet the requirement of this clause by having successfully completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree”.

Pub. L. 100–689, § 102(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The requirement of four years of service under clauses (1)(A)(ii) and (1)(B)(ii) of subsection (a) of this section is not applicable to an individual who is discharged or released from service in the Selected Reserve for a service-connected disability, for hardship, or (in the case of an individual discharged or released after three and one-half years of such service) for the convenience of the Government.”

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

Pub. L. 100–689, § 105Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).

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

Pub. L. 99–576, § 321(2)(A)1986—Subsec. (a). , substituted “subsection (d)” for “subsection (c)”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 307(a)(2)Subsec. (a)(1)(B). , inserted “and was on active duty on , and without a break in service since ,”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 321(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “such” after “three and one-half years of”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 303(a)(2)Subsec. (c). , 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 “Any amounts withheld from basic pay under this paragraph 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 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 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

section 106(a) of Pub. L. 107–103section 106(b) of Pub. L. 107–103section 3011 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to educational assistance allowances paid under this chapter for months beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 107–14section 105 of Pub. L. 106–419section 7(c)(4) of Pub. L. 107–14section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the enactment of , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

section 105(a)(2) of Pub. L. 106–419section 105(c) of Pub. L. 106–419section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

section 203(a) of Pub. L. 105–368section 203(b) of Pub. L. 105–368section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

section 207(b) of Pub. L. 105–368section 207(d)(1) of Pub. L. 105–368section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective 120 days after , see , set out as a note under .

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

section 302(a)(2) of Pub. L. 102–568section 302(b) of Pub. L. 102–568section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective as of , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–510section 562(c) of Pub. L. 101–510section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

section 102(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100–689section 102(c) of Pub. L. 100–689section 3011 of this titleAmendment by effective , with respect to individuals discharged or released for medical condition which preexisted service on active duty or in Selected Reserve and which Administrator determines is not service connected, and effective , with respect to individuals involuntarily discharged or released for convenience of Government as a result of reduction in force, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

section 303(a)(2) of Pub. L. 99–576section 303(b) of Pub. L. 99–576section 3011 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any reduction in basic pay made under subsec. (c) of this section after , see , set out as a note under .

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 .

Notification Requirement

section 303(b) of Pub. L. 102–568section 3011 of this titleFor requirement of notification of individuals on active duty in Armed Forces on , of extension of period for completion of requirements for a secondary school diploma, see , set out as a note under .