US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 3018A

Opportunity for certain active-duty personnel to enroll before being involuntarily separated from service

(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who—
(1)
section 1141 of title 10 after , is involuntarily separated (as such term is defined in ) with an honorable discharge;
(2)
before applying for benefits under this section, has completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) or has 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;
(3)
in the case of any individual who has made an election under section 3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1) of this title, withdraws such election before such separation pursuant to procedures which the Secretary of each military department shall provide in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the purpose of carrying out this section or which the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for such purpose with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy;
(4)
in the case of any person enrolled in the educational benefits program provided by chapter 32 of this title makes an irrevocable election, pursuant to procedures referred to in paragraph (3), before such separation to receive benefits under this section in lieu of benefits under such chapter 32; and
(5)
before such separation elects to receive assistance under this section pursuant to procedures referred to in paragraph (3),
is entitled to basic educational assistance under this chapter.
(b)
The basic pay of an individual described in subsection (a) shall be reduced by $1,200.
(c)
A withdrawal referred to in subsection (a)(3) is irrevocable.
(d)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (3), an individual who is enrolled in the educational benefits program provided by chapter 32 of this title and who makes the election described in subsection (a)(4) shall be disenrolled from such chapter 32 program as of the date of such election.
(2)
For each individual who is disenrolled from such program, the Secretary shall refund—
(A)
section 3223(b) of this titlesection 3222(a) of this title as provided in , to the individual the unused contributions made by the individual to the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Education Account established pursuant to ; and
(B)
section 3222(c) of this title to the Secretary of Defense the unused contributions (other than contributions made under ) made by such Secretary to the Account on behalf of such individual.
(3)
section 3222 of this titlesection 3015(f) of this title Any contribution made by the Secretary of Defense to the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Education Account pursuant to subsection (c) of on behalf of any individual referred to in paragraph (1) shall remain in such Account to make payments of benefits to such individual under .

Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, § 561(a)(1)104 Stat. 1571 Pub. L. 102–25, title VII, § 705(c)(1)105 Stat. 120 Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406 Pub. L. 103–446, title XII, § 1201(d)(4)108 Stat. 4684 Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 203(a)112 Stat. 3326 Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(d)116 Stat. 2315 Pub. L. 109–233, title V, § 503(5)120 Stat. 416 (Added , , , § 1418A; amended , , ; renumbered § 3018A and amended , (c)(1), , ; , (i)(4), , , 4688; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–233, § 503(5)(B)2006—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). , struck out “of this subsection” after “paragraph (3)”.

Pub. L. 109–233, § 503(5)(A)Subsecs. (b), (c). , struck out “of this section” after “subsection (a)” in subsec. (b) and after “subsection (a)(3)” in subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 109–233, § 503(5)(B)Subsec. (d)(1). , struck out “of this subsection” after “paragraph (3)” and after “subsection (a)(4)”.

Pub. L. 109–233, § 503(5)(B)Subsec. (d)(3). , (C), struck out “of this subsection” after “paragraph (1)” and substituted “of this title” for “of this chapter”.

Pub. L. 107–2962002—Subsec. (a)(3). substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.

Pub. L. 105–3681998—Subsec. (a)(2). substituted “successfully completed (or otherwise received academic credit for)” for “successfully completed”.

Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(i)(4)1994—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “after ,” for “after , or the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, whichever is later,”.

Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(d)(4)Subsec. (d)(3). , substituted “section 3015(f)” for “section 3015(e)”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 1418A of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–25section 1141 of title 10section 1142 of title 10Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “3011(c)(1) or 3012(d)(1)” for “1411(c)(1) or 1412(d)(1)”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (d)(2), (3). , substituted “3223(b)” for “1623(b)”, “3222(a)” for “1622(a)”, and “3222(c)” for “1622(c)” in par. (2) and “3222” for “1622” and “3015(e)” for “1415(e)” in par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

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 1998 Amendment

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