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

38 U.S.C. § 3481

Educational assistance allowance

(a)

General .—

The Secretary shall, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section and chapter 36 of this title, pay to each eligible veteran who is pursuing a program of education under this chapter an educational assistance allowance to meet, in part, the expenses of the veteran’s subsistence, tuition, fees, supplies, books, equipment, and other educational costs.
(b)

Institutional Training .—

The educational assistance allowance of an eligible veteran pursuing a program of education, other than a program exclusively by correspondence, at an educational institution shall be paid as provided in chapter 36 of this title.

Pub. L. 89–358, § 280 Stat. 17 Pub. L. 91–219, title II, § 20584 Stat. 81 Pub. L. 91–584, § 684 Stat. 1576 Pub. L. 92–540, title II, § 20286 Stat. 1079 Pub. L. 94–502, title II90 Stat. 2388 Pub. L. 97–35, title XX, § 2003(b)(4)95 Stat. 782 Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A)103 Stat. 2092 Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406 Pub. L. 109–233, title V, § 503(8)(A)120 Stat. 416 (Added , , , § 1681; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 210(2), 211(10), , , 2389; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 3481, , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1179 section 1631 of this titlesection 4(a) of Pub. L. 89–358Provisions similar to those comprising subsecs. (a), (b), (d), and (e) of this section were contained in , , , which was classified to former , prior to repeal by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 109–2332006— revised style of subsec. headings.

Pub. L. 102–83section 1681 of this title1991— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 101–2371989—Subsec. (a). substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Pub. L. 97–35, § 2003(b)(4)(A)1981—Subsec. (b). , struck out applicability to flight training program.

Pub. L. 97–35, § 2003(b)(4)(B)Subsec. (c). , struck out subsec. (c) which related to flight training.

Pub. L. 94–5021976—Subsec. (a). , §§ 210(2), 211(10), substituted “chapter 36” for “section 1780” and “the veteran’s” for “his”.

Pub. L. 94–502, § 210(2)Subsec. (b). , substituted “chapter 36” for “section 1780”.

Pub. L. 92–540section 1780 of this title1972—Subsec. (a). inserted heading and provisions requiring allowances to be paid in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section and .

Pub. L. 92–540section 1780 of this titlesection 1682 of this titleSubsec. (b). inserted heading and substituted provisions requiring allowances of an eligible veteran pursuing a program of education, other than a program exclusively by correspondence or a program of flight training, at an educational institution to be paid as provided in , for provisions requiring allowances of an eligible veteran to be paid, as provided in , only for the period of his enrollment as approved by the Administrator, but limiting such payments to veterans meeting certain specified requirements while pursuing standard college degrees.

Pub. L. 92–540Subsec. (c). inserted heading and substituted provisions relating to the payment of allowances to eligible veterans pursuing a program of education consisting exclusively of flight training, for provisions authorizing the Administrator to prescribe regulations to determine enrollment in, pursuit of, and attendance at, any program of education or course by an eligible veteran.

Pub. L. 92–540Subsec. (d). struck out subsec. (d) which related to certification to the Administrator from the eligible veteran as to his actual attendance or completion of lessons by correspondence, and from the educational institution that such veteran was enrolled in and pursuing a course of education during such period or completion of lessons by correspondence by the veteran and serviced by the institution.

Pub. L. 92–540Subsec. (e). struck out subsec. (e) which related to the prompt payment of the educational assistance allowance to the veteran.

Pub. L. 91–584section 1683 of this title1970—Subsec. (b)(2). excluded programs of apprenticeship and programs of other on-job training authorized by for educational assistance to veterans.

Pub. L. 91–219Subsec. (d). inserted provision that the Administrator may pay an educational assistance allowance representing the initial payment of an enrollment period, not exceeding one full month, upon receipt of a certificate of enrollment.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–35section 2006 of Pub. L. 97–35section 3231 of this titleAmendment by effective , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–502section 703(b) of Pub. L. 94–502section 3693 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .