In General .—
An individual is eligible to participate in the Program, as determined by the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Department, if the individual—
section 7602 of this titlesection 7402(b) of this title is accepted for enrollment or enrolled (as described in ) in a program of study at an accredited educational institution, school, or training program leading to a terminal degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling that would meet the education requirements for appointment to a position under ; and
enters into an agreement with the Secretary under subsection (c).
Priority .—
In selecting individuals to participate in the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to the following individuals:
An individual who agrees to be employed by a Vet Center located in a community that is—
42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3) designated as a medically underserved population under section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (); and
in a State with a per capita population of veterans of more than five percent according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics and the Bureau of the Census.
An individual who is a veteran.
Agreement .—
section 7604 of this titleAn agreement between the Secretary and a participant in the Program shall (in addition to the requirements set forth in ) include the following:
section 7602(a) of this title An agreement by the Secretary to provide the participant with a scholarship under the Program for a specified number of school years during which the participant pursues a program of study described in subsection (a)(1) that meets the requirements set forth in .
An agreement by the participant to serve as a full-time employee of the Department at a Vet Center for a six-year period following the completion by the participant of such program of study (in this subchapter referred to as the “period of obligated service”).
Vet Center Defined .—
section 1712A(h) of this titleIn this section, the term “Vet Center” has the meaning given that term in .
Pub. L. 116–171, title V, § 502(a)134 Stat. 815 (Added , , .)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
section 502(c) of Pub. L. 116–171section 7698 of this titleSecretary of Veterans Affairs to begin awarding scholarships under this subchapter for programs of study beginning no later than one year after , see , set out as a note under .