US Code

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

38 U.S.C. § 3687

Apprenticeship or other on-job training

(a)
section 3452(a)(1) of this titlesection 3501(a) of this title An eligible veteran (as defined in ) or an eligible person (as defined in ) shall be paid a training assistance allowance as prescribed by subsection (b) of this section while pursuing a full-time—
(1)
section 2 of the Act of August 16, 193729 U.S.C. 50a program of apprenticeship approved by a State approving agency as meeting the standards of apprenticeship published by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to (popularly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”) (), or
(2)
section 3677 of this title program of other on-job training approved under provisions of ,
subject to the conditions and limitations of chapters 34 and 35 of this title with respect to educational assistance.
(b)
(1)

Column I

Column

II

Column

III

Column

IV

Column V

Periods of

training

No

dependents

One

dependent

Two

dependents

More than

two

dependents

 

 

 

 

The amount in column IV, plus the following for each dependent in excess of two:

First 6 months

$274

$307

$336

     $14

Second 6 months

205

239

267

      14

Third 6 months

136

171

198

      14

Fourth and any succeeding 6-month periods

68

101

131

      14
The monthly training assistance allowance of an eligible veteran pursuing a program described under subsection (a) shall be as follows:
(2)
The monthly training assistance allowance of an eligible person pursuing a program described under subsection (a) shall be $574 for the first six months, $429 for the second six months, $285 for the third six months, and $144 for the fourth and any succeeding six-month period of training.
(3)
In any month in which an eligible veteran or person pursuing a program of apprenticeship or a program of other on-job training fails to complete one hundred and twenty hours of training in such month, the monthly training assistance allowance set forth in subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section, as applicable, shall be reduced proportionately in the proportion that the number of hours worked bears to one hundred and twenty hours rounded off to the nearest eight hours.
(c)
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms “program of apprenticeship” and “program of other on-job training” shall have the same meaning as “program of education”; and the term “training assistance allowance” shall have the same meaning as “educational assistance allowance” as set forth in chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(d)
With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates payable under subsection (b)(2) equal to the percentage by which—
(1)
the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds
(2)
such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).
(e)
(1)
For each month that an individual (as defined in paragraph (3)) is paid a training assistance allowance under subsection (a), the entitlement of the individual shall be charged at a percentage rate (rounded to the nearest percent) that is equal to the ratio of—
(A)
the training assistance allowance for the month involved, to
(B)
the monthly educational assistance allowance otherwise payable for full-time enrollment in an educational institution.
(2)
(A)
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), for any month in which an individual fails to complete 120 hours of training, the entitlement otherwise chargeable under paragraph (1) shall be reduced in the same proportion as the monthly training assistance allowance payable is reduced under subsection (b)(3).
(B)
In the case of an individual who is unemployed by reason of an emergency situation during any month, the 120-hour requirement under subparagraph (A) for that month shall be reduced proportionately to reflect the individual’s period of unemployment, except that the amount of monthly training assistance otherwise payable to the individual under subsection (b)(3) shall not be reduced.
(C)
Any period during which an individual is unemployed by reason of an emergency situation shall not—
(i)
be charged against any entitlement to educational assistance of the individual; or
(ii)
section 3695 of this title be counted against the aggregate period for which limits the receipt of educational assistance by such individual.
(D)
Any amount by which the entitlement of an individual is reduced under subparagraph (A) shall not—
(i)
be charged against any entitlement to educational assistance of the individual; or
(ii)
section 3695 of this title be counted against the aggregate period for which limits the receipt of educational assistance by such individual.
(E)
(i)
1
1 So in original. No cl. (ii) was enacted.
  In the case of an individual who fails to complete 120 hours of training during a month, but who completed more than 120 hours of training during the preceding month, the individual may apply the number of hours in excess of 120 that the individual completed for that month to the month for which the individual failed to complete 120 hours. If the addition of such excess hours results in a total of 120 hours or more, the individual shall be treated as an individual who has completed 120 hours of training for that month. Any excess hours applied to a different month under this subparagraph may only be applied to one such month.
(F)
section 3032(c)(2) of this titlesection 16131(d)(2) of title 10 This paragraph applies to amounts described in section 3313(g)(3)(B)(iv) and and .
(G)
In this paragraph:
(i)
The term “unemployed” includes being furloughed or being scheduled to work zero hours.
(ii)
The term “fails to complete 120 hours of training” means, with respect to an individual, that during any month, the individual completes at least one hour, but fewer than 120 hours, of training, including in a case in which the individual is unemployed for part of, but not the whole, month.
(3)
In this section, the term “individual” means—
(A)
section 3015(e) of this title an eligible veteran who is entitled to monthly educational assistance allowances payable under , or
(B)
section 3532(a) of this title an eligible person who is entitled to monthly educational assistance allowances payable under ,
as the case may be.

Pub. L. 92–540, title III, § 316(1)86 Stat. 1085Pub. L. 93–508, title I, § 104(2)88 Stat. 1580Pub. L. 93–602, title II, § 205(b)88 Stat. 1959Pub. L. 94–502, title V, § 501(2)90 Stat. 2398Pub. L. 95–202, title I, § 104(2)91 Stat. 1435Pub. L. 96–466, title II94 Stat. 2189Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(57)96 Stat. 1309Pub. L. 98–543, title II, § 204(2)98 Stat. 2742Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 403(b)103 Stat. 2080Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)105 Stat. 406Pub. L. 105–178, title VIII, § 8210(d)Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, § 9014(b)112 Stat. 866Pub. L. 106–419, title I, § 111(d)114 Stat. 1830Pub. L. 107–103, title I, § 102(d)115 Stat. 978Pub. L. 108–183, title III, § 302(d)117 Stat. 2659Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 102(a)118 Stat. 3600Pub. L. 117–333, § 7(a)136 Stat. 6129(Added , , , § 1787; amended , (3), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 203(3), 213(3), , , 2191; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 3687 and amended , (c)(1), , ; , as added , , ; , (f)(2), , , 1831; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 90–77, title III, § 304(a)81 Stat. 186Pub. L. 91–219, title I, § 103(e)84 Stat. 77Pub. L. 91–584, § 784 Stat. 1576section 401(6) of Pub. L. 92–540Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in former section 1683, as added by , , ; amended , , ; , , , prior to repeal by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–3332023—Subsec. (e)(2). added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2), which read as follows: “For any month in which an individual fails to complete 120 hours of training, the entitlement otherwise chargeable under paragraph (1) shall be reduced in the same proportion as the monthly training assistance allowance payable is reduced under subsection (b)(3).”

Pub. L. 108–4542004—Subsec. (e). added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 108–1832003—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “shall be $574 for the first six months, $429 for the second six months, $285 for the third six months, and $144 for the fourth and any succeeding six-month period of training.” for “shall be $488 for the first six months, $365 for the second six months, $242 for the third six months, and $122 for the fourth and any succeeding six-month periods of training.”

Pub. L. 107–1032001—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “$488” for “$428”, “$365” for “$320”, “$242” for “$212”, and “$122” for “$107”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 111(d)2000—Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “$428” for “$353”, “$320” for “$264”, “$212” for “$175”, and “$107” for “$88”.

Pub. L. 106–419, § 111(f)(2)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 105–178, § 8210(d)Pub. L. 105–206, § 9014(b)1998—Subsec. (b)(2). , as added by , substituted “$353” for “$294”, “$264” for “$220”, “$175” for “$146”, and “$88” for “$73”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 1787 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1)Subsec. (a). , substituted “3452(a)(1)” for “1652(a)(1)” and “3501(a)” for “1701(a)” in introductory provisions and “3677” for “1777” in par. (2).

Pub. L. 101–2371989—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “$294 for the first six months, $220 for the second six months, $146 for the third six months, and $73 for the fourth and any succeeding six-month periods of training” for “computed at the rate prescribed in paragraph (1) of this subsection for an eligible veteran with no dependents pursuing such a course”.

Pub. L. 98–5431984—Subsec. (b)(1). increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from $249, $186, $124 and $62 to $274, $205, $136, and $68; in column III from $279, $217, $155, and $92 to $307, $239, $171, and $101; in column IV from $305, $243, $180, and $119 to $336, $267, $198 and $131; in column V from $13, $13, $13 and $13 to $14, $14, $14 and $14, respectively.

Pub. L. 97–295section 2 of the Act of August 16, 193729 U.S.C. 50asection 50a of title 291982—Subsec. (a). substituted “ (popularly known as the ‘National Apprenticeship Act’) ()” for “” in cl. (1), and inserted “of this title” after “34 and 35” in provisions following cl. (2).

Pub. L. 96–466, § 213(3)1980—Subsec. (b)(1). , increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from $237, $177, $119, and $59 to $249, $186, $124, and $62; in column III from $267, $207, $148, and $88 to $279, $217, $155, and $92; in column IV from $291, $232, $172, and $113 to $305, $243, $180, and $119, respectively.

Pub. L. 96–466, § 203(3), increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from $226, $169, $113, and $56 to $237, $177, $119, and $59; in column III from $254, $197, $141, and $84 to $267, $207, $148, and $88; in column IV from $277, $221, $164, and $108 to $291, $232, $172, and $113; in column V from $12, $12, $12, and $12 to $13, $13, $13, and $13, respectively.

Pub. L. 95–2021977—Subsec. (b)(1). increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from $212, $159, $106, and $53 to $226, $169, $113, and $56; in column III from $238, $185, $132, and $79 to $254, $197, $141, and $84; in column IV from $260, $207, $154, and $101 to $277, $221, $164, and $108; in column V from $11, $11, $11, and $11 to $12, $12, $12, and $12, respectively.

Pub. L. 94–5021976—Subsec. (b)(1). increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from “$196”, “$147”, “$98”, and “$49” to “$212”, “$159”, “$106”, and “$53”; in column III from “$220”, “$171”, “$122”, and “$73” to “$238”, “$185”, “$132”, and “$79”; in column IV from “$240”, “$191”, “$142”, and “$93” to “$260”, “$207”, “$154”, and “$101”; and in column V from “$10”, “$10”, “$10”, and “$10” to “$11”, “$11”, “$11”, and “$11”, respectively.

Pub. L. 93–6021975—Subsec. (b)(1). increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from “$189”, “$142”, “$95”, and “$47” to “$196”, “$147”, “$98”, and “$49”; in column III from “$212”, “$164”, “$117”, “$70” to “$220”, “$171”, “$122”, and “$73”; in column IV from “$232”, “$184”, “$137”, and “$90” to “$240”, “$191”, “$142”, and “$93”; and in column V from “$9”, “$9”, “$9”, and “$9” to “$10”, “$10”, “$10”, and “$10”, respectively.

Pub. L. 93–508, § 104(2)1974—Subsec. (b)(1). , increased monthly training assistance allowance of eligible veterans in column II from “$160, $120, $80, and $40” to “$189, $142, $95, and $47”; in column III from “$179, $139, $99, and $59” to “$212, $164, $117, and $70”; in column IV from “$196, $156, $116, and $76” to “$232, $184, $137, and $90”; and in column V from “$8, $8, $8, and $8” to “$9, $9, $9, and $9”, respectively.

Pub. L. 93–508, § 104(3)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “computed at the rate prescribed in paragraph (1) of this subsection for an eligible veteran with no dependents pursuing such a course” for “(A) $160 during the first six-month period, (B) $120 during the second six-month period, (C) $80 during the third six-month period, and (D) $40 during the fourth and any succeeding six-month period”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 102(b)118 Stat. 3600

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to months beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–183section 3687(b)(2) of this titlesection 302(e) of Pub. L. 108–183section 3532 of this titleAmendment by effective , and applicable with respect to educational assistance allowances payable under chapter 35 and for months beginning on or after that date, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–103section 102(e) of Pub. L. 107–103section 3532 of this titleAmendment by effective , and applicable with respect to educational assistance allowances payable under chapter 35 of this title and subsec. (b)(2) of this section for months beginning on or after that date, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

section 111(d) of Pub. L. 106–419section 111(e) of Pub. L. 106–419section 3532 of this titleAmendment by effective , and applicable with respect to educational assistance allowances paid under chapter 35 of title 38 for months after October 2000, see , set out as a note under .

section 111(f)(3) of Pub. L. 106–419section 3564 of this titleSubsec. (d) of this section effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1998 Amendments

Pub. L. 105–206Pub. L. 105–178Pub. L. 105–178section 9016 of Pub. L. 105–206section 101 of Title 23Title IX of effective simultaneously with enactment of and to be treated as included in at time of enactment, see , set out as a note under , Highways.

Pub. L. 105–178section 8210(e) of Pub. L. 105–178section 3532 of this titleAmendment by effective , and applicable with respect to educational assistance allowances paid for months after September 1998, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–237section 403(c) of Pub. L. 101–237section 3532 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–543section 205 of Pub. L. 98–543section 3108 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–466section 802(b) of Pub. L. 96–466section 3482 of this titleAmendment by sections 203(3) and 213(3) of effective , and , respectively, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–202section 501 of Pub. L. 95–202section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective retroactively to , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

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

Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–602section 206 of Pub. L. 93–602section 3482 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–508section 501 of Pub. L. 93–508section 3482 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

section 601(a) of Pub. L. 92–540section 3482 of this titleSection effective , except for those veterans and eligible persons in training on , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1972 Amendment note under .

Apprenticeship or On-Job Training Requirements

Pub. L. 116–315, title I, § 1106134 Stat. 4965Pub. L. 117–76, § 5(e)135 Stat. 1520Pub. L. 117–333, § 7(b)136 Stat. 6130section 7(a) of Pub. L. 117–333, , , as amended by , , , which temporarily substituted provisions for subsec. (e)(2) of this section, regarding entitlement reduction requirements in cases of unemployed individuals who failed to complete 120 hours of training, was repealed by , , . See subsec. (e)(2) of this section, as amended by .

Increase in Benefit for Individuals Pursuing Apprenticeship or On-Job Training; Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance

Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 103(c)118 Stat. 3601

“(1)
section 3687 of title 38 For months beginning on or after , and before , subsection (b)(2) of , United States Code, shall be applied as if—
“(A)
the reference to ‘$574 for the first six months’ were a reference to ‘$650 for the first six months’;
“(B)
the reference to ‘$429 for the second six months’ were a reference to ‘$507 for the second six months’; and
“(C)
the reference to ‘$285 for the third six months’ were a reference to ‘$366 for the third six months’.
“(2)
Subsection (d) of such section 3687 shall not apply with respect to the provisions of paragraph (1) for months occurring during fiscal year 2006.
“(3)
For months beginning on or after , the Secretary shall carry out subsection (b)(2) of such section 3687 as if paragraphs (1) and (2) were not enacted into law.”
, , , provided that:

Termination of Eligibility Period

section 604 of Pub. L. 92–540Termination of eligibility period for a wife or widow, or an eligible person eight years from , see .