US Code

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

38 U.S.C. § 3684

Reports by veterans, eligible persons, and institutions; reporting fee

(a)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the veteran or eligible person and the educational institution offering a course in which such veteran or eligible person is enrolled under chapter 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 of this title shall, without delay, report to the Secretary, in the form prescribed by the Secretary, such enrollment and any interruption or termination of the education of each such veteran or eligible person. The date of such interruption or termination will be the last date of pursuit, or, in the case of correspondence training, the last date a lesson was serviced by a school.
(2)
(A)
In the case of a program of independent study pursued on less than a half-time basis in an educational institution, the Secretary may approve a delay by the educational institution in reporting the enrollment or reenrollment of an eligible veteran or eligible person until the end of the term, quarter, or semester if the educational institution requests the delay and the Secretary determines that it is not feasible for the educational institution to monitor interruption or termination of the veteran’s or eligible person’s pursuit of such program.
(B)
An educational institution which, pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, is delaying the reporting of the enrollment or reenrollment of a veteran shall provide the veteran with notice of the delay at the time that the veteran enrolls or reenrolls.
(3)
(A)
Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, an educational institution offering courses on a term, quarter, or semester basis may certify the enrollment of a veteran who is not on active duty, or of an eligible person, in such courses for more than one term, quarter, or semester at a time, but not for a period extending beyond the end of a school year (including the summer enrollment period).
(B)
Subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any term, quarter, or semester for which the veteran or eligible person is enrolled on a less than half-time basis and shall not be construed as restricting the Secretary from requiring that an educational institution, in reporting an enrollment for more than one term, quarter, or semester, specify the dates of any intervals within or between any such terms, quarters, or semesters.
(4)
A course offered by an educational institution that does not begin on the first day of an academic term, but does begin seven or fewer days after such day, shall be treated as beginning on such day for purposes of this section.
(5)
For purposes of this subsection, the term “educational institution” may include a group, district, or consortium of separately accredited educational institutions located in the same State that are organized in a manner that facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments in such group, district, or consortium of institutions.
(b)
The Secretary, prior to making payment of a reporting fee to an educational institution, as provided for in subsection (c) of this section, shall require such institution to certify that it has exercised reasonable diligence in determining whether such institution or any course offered by such institution approved for the enrollment of veterans or eligible persons meets all of the applicable requirements of chapters 31, 34, 35, and 36 of this title and that it will, without delay, report any failure to meet any such requirement to the Secretary.
(c)
(1)
The Secretary may pay to any educational institution, or to the sponsor of a program of apprenticeship, furnishing education or training under either this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title, a reporting fee which will be in lieu of any other compensation or reimbursement for reports or certifications which such educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship is required to submit to the Secretary by law or regulation.
(2)
1
1 See Modifications of Reporting Fee Multipliers During Certain Periods notes below.
Such reporting fee shall be computed for each calendar year by multiplying $16  by the number of eligible veterans or eligible persons enrolled under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title. The reporting fee shall be paid to such educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship as soon as feasible after the end of the calendar year for which it is applicable.
(3)
section 3685 of this title No reporting fee payable to an educational institution under this subsection shall be subject to offset by the Secretary against any liability of such institution for any overpayment for which such institution may be administratively determined to be liable under unless such liability is not contested by such institution or has been upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
(4)
Public Law 111–377 Any reporting fee paid to an educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship after the date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 ()—
(A)
shall be utilized by such institution or sponsor solely for the making of certifications required under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title or for otherwise supporting programs for veterans; and
(B)
with respect to an institution that has 100 or more enrollees described in paragraph (2) may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or sponsor of a program of apprenticeship.
(5)
The reporting fee payable under this subsection shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment benefits.
(d)
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that the Department provides personnel of educational institutions who are charged with submitting reports or certifications to the Secretary under this section with assistance in preparing and submitting such reports or certifications.

Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(b)80 Stat. 22 Pub. L. 90–77, title III, § 308(a)81 Stat. 189 Pub. L. 92–540, title III, § 31586 Stat. 1084 Pub. L. 93–508, title II, § 210(2)88 Stat. 1585 Pub. L. 94–502, title V90 Stat. 2400 Pub. L. 95–202, title III, § 304(a)(1)91 Stat. 1442 Pub. L. 96–466, title III, § 343(a)94 Stat. 2198 Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(55)96 Stat. 1309 Pub. L. 99–576, title III100 Stat. 3275 Pub. L. 101–237, title IV103 Stat. 2086 Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406 Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 201(a)112 Stat. 3326 Pub. L. 106–419, title IV, § 404(a)(7)114 Stat. 1865 Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 110(d)118 Stat. 3605 Pub. L. 111–275, title X, § 1001(i)124 Stat. 2896 Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 204(a)124 Stat. 4126 Pub. L. 112–249, § 3126 Stat. 2401 Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, § 407(a)130 Stat. 1558 Pub. L. 115–48, title III131 Stat. 992 (Added , , , § 1784; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 507, 508, 513(a)(17), , , 2403; , , ; , (b)(1), title VI, § 601(e), , , 2208; , , ; , §§ 318, 319, , ; , §§ 416(a), 423(b)(1)(A), , , 2092; renumbered § 3684 and amended , (c)(1), , ; , (b), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (b), , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 304(a), 309, , , 994.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 111–377The date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), probably means the date of enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, , which was approved .

Pub. L. 112–249The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (d), is the date of enactment of , which was approved .

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1191 Pub. L. 89–358Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in , , , 1202, which was classified to former sections 1665(a) and 1765(a) of this title, prior to repeal by sections 4(a) and 3(a)(3) of , respectively.

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–48, § 3092017—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). , added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

Pub. L. 115–48, § 304(a)Subsec. (c). , amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to purpose, computation, payment, and utilization of reporting fee.

Pub. L. 114–315, § 407(a)(1)2016—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted “32, 33,” after “31,”.

Pub. L. 114–315, § 407(a)(2)Subsec. (a)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 112–2492013—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 111–3772011—Subsec. (c). substituted “multiplying $12” for “multiplying $7” and “or $15” for “or $11” and inserted after fourth sentence “Any reporting fee paid an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee after the date of the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 shall be utilized by such institution or committee solely for the making of certifications required under this chapter or chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title or for otherwise supporting programs for veterans.”

Pub. L. 111–2752010—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “34,” for “34,,”.

Pub. L. 108–4542004—Subsec. (c). substituted “or to the sponsor of a program of apprenticeship” for “or to any joint apprenticeship training committee acting as a training establishment”.

Pub. L. 106–4192000—Subsec. (c). substituted “calendar” for “calender” after “during the”.

Pub. L. 105–3681998—Subsec. (c). , in second sentence, substituted “during the calender year.” for “on October 31 of that year; except that the Secretary may, where it is established by such educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee that eligible veteran plus eligible person enrollment on such date varies more than 15 percent from the peak eligible veteran enrollment plus eligible person enrollment in such educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee during such calendar year, establish such other date as representative of the peak enrollment as may be justified for such educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.” and inserted at end “The reporting fee payable under this subsection shall be paid from amounts appropriated for readjustment benefits.”

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 1784 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (c). , substituted “3680(d)(4)” for “1780(d)(4)” and “3685” for “1785”.

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

Pub. L. 101–237, § 416(a)(1), substituted “chapter 31, 34,” for “chapter 34”.

Pub. L. 101–237, § 423(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(2)(A), (3)(B). , substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

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

Pub. L. 101–237, § 416(a)(2), inserted reference to chapter 31.

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

Pub. L. 101–237, § 416(a)(3), inserted references to chapter 31.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 3181986—Subsec. (a)(1), (2). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the” for “The”, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 99–576, § 319Subsec. (a)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 97–2951982—Subsec. (c). substituted “percent” for “per centum”.

Pub. L. 96–466, § 343(b)(1)1980—, substituted “Reports by veterans, eligible persons, and institutions” for “Reports by institutions” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 96–466, § 343(a)(1)Subsec. (a). , expanded provisions to require reports by veterans and eligible persons.

Pub. L. 96–466, § 343(a)(2)Subsec. (b). , added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).

Pub. L. 96–466Subsec. (c). , §§ 343(a)(2), 601(e), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c) and substituted “section 1780(d)(4)” for “section 1780(d)(5)”.

Pub. L. 95–202section 1785 of this title1977—Subsec. (b). substituted “$7” and “$11” for “$5” and “$6”, respectively, and inserted provision that no reporting fee payable to an educational institution under this subsection be subject to offset by the Administrator against any liability of the institution for any overpayment for which the institution may be administratively determined to be liable under unless that liability is not contested by the institution or has been upheld by a final decree of a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Pub. L. 94–5021976—Subsec. (a). , §§ 507, 513(a)(17), substituted “prescribed by the Administrator” for “prescribed by him”, and specified the date of interruption or termination as the last date of pursuit, or in the case of a correspondence school, the last date a lesson was serviced.

Pub. L. 94–502Subsec. (b). , §§ 508, 513(a)(17), substituted “$5” for “$3”, “$6” for “$4”, and “submit to the Administrator” for “submit to him”.

Pub. L. 93–5081974—Subsec. (b). extended the payment of reporting fee to educational institutions under this chapter and to joint apprenticeship training committees acting as training establishments, and in provisions relating to computation of such fee, substituted reference to this chapter for reference to chapter 36 of this title.

Pub. L. 92–540, § 315(1)1972—Subsec. (a). , inserted reference to chapter 36 of this title.

Pub. L. 92–540, § 315(1)section 1780(d)(5) of this titleSubsec. (b). , (2), (3), inserted reference to chapter 36 of this title, and substituted provisions relating to the computation of the reporting fee based on the number of eligible veterans or eligible persons enrolled under chapter 34, 35, or 36 of this title, or based on eligible veterans and eligible persons whose educational assistance checks are directed in care of such institution for temporary custody and delivery and are delivered at the time of registration as provided under , for provisions relating to the computation of such fee based on eligible veterans enrolled under chapter 34 of this title, plus the number of eligible persons enrolled under chapter 35 of this title.

Pub. L. 90–771967— provided for the reporting fee in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–48, title III, § 304(b)131 Stat. 992

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

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, § 407(b)130 Stat. 1558

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 204(c)124 Stat. 4126

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 201(c)112 Stat. 3326

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to calendar years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 416(b)103 Stat. 2086

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–466section 802(c) of Pub. L. 96–466section 3452 of this titleAmendment by section 343(a), (b)(1) of effective , except as otherwise specifically provided, see , set out as a note under .

section 601(e) of Pub. L. 96–466section 802(f) of Pub. L. 96–466section 5314 of this titleAmendment by effective , except as otherwise specifically provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

section 304(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 95–202section 304(a)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 95–202section 501 of Pub. L. 95–202section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective retroactively to , and amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–502section 703 of Pub. L. 94–502section 3693 of this titleAmendment by sections 507, 508, and 513(a)(17) of effective , , and , respectively, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–508section 503 of Pub. L. 93–508section 3452 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–77section 405 of Pub. L. 90–77section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective first day of first month which begins more than ten days after , see , set out as a note under .

Training for School Certifying Officials

Pub. L. 115–48, title III, § 305131 Stat. 992

“(a)

Training Requirement .—

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the State approving agencies, set forth requirements relating to training for school certifying officials employed by covered educational institutions offering courses of education approved under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code. If a covered educational institution does not ensure that a school certifying official employed by the educational institution meets such requirements, the Secretary may disapprove any course of education offered by such educational institution.
“(b)

Definitions .—

In this section:
“(1)
The term ‘covered educational institution’ means an educational institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using educational assistance under title 38, United States Code.
“(2)
The term ‘school certifying official’ means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
“(3)
section 3671 of title 38 The term ‘State approving agency’ means a department or agency of a State designated under , United States Code.
“(c)

Effective Date .—

This section shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Modifications of Reporting Fee Multipliers During Certain Periods

Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, § 411(b)131 Stat. 1165

section 3684(c)(2) of title 38Public Law 115–48“During the period beginning on , and ending on , , United States Code, as amended by section 304 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 () shall be applied by substituting ‘$15’ for ‘$16’.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, § 412(a)130 Stat. 1562 Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, § 411(a)131 Stat. 1165

“(a)

Through July 31, 2018.—

section 3684(c) of title 38During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [] and ending on , the second sentence of , United States Code, shall be applied—
“(1)
by substituting ‘$6’ for ‘$12’; and
“(2)
by substituting ‘$12’ for ‘$15’.”
, (b), , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Pub. L. 115–62, title IV, § 411(a)(1)(B)131 Stat. 1165 [(b) Repealed. , , .]

Pub. L. 113–175, title IV, § 406128 Stat. 1905 Pub. L. 114–58, title IV, § 410129 Stat. 535 Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, § 413130 Stat. 941 Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, § 412(c)130 Stat. 1562

“During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [] and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 [], the second sentence of section 3684(c) shall be applied—
“(1)
by substituting ‘$9’ for ‘$12’; and
“(2)
by substituting ‘$13’ for ‘$15’.”
, , , as amended by , , ; , , ; , , , provided that: