Veteran's Choice Act

Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014

Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, requires Veterans Affairs to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty at public institutions of higher learning if the schools charge qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.

Virginia State University complies with the Section 702 of the Veteran Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 and will grant in-state tuition to veterans and their dependents who qualify under the Code.  Virginia Code also makes provision for granting in-state tuition to certain military-related students.  For more information, see the attached information FAQ Sheet or inquire at the Office of Military Affairs at 804-504-7028. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c) 

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning to a covered individual pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which the public institution of higher learning is located if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for the covered individual at a rate that is higher than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution is  located, regardless of the covered individual’s State of residence.
   
   
2. For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual as follows:
   
   
   • A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service less than three years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned.
     
     
   • An individual who is entitled to assistance under section 3311(b)(9) or 3319 of this title by virtue of such individual’s relationship to a veteran described in subparagraph (A).
     
     
3. If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (2)(A) or (2)(B) a covered individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same public institution of higher learning while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution of higher learning, any course so pursued by the covered individual at that institution of higher learning while so continuously enrolled shall also be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1).
   
   
4. It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher learning requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution to demonstrate an intent, by means other than satisfying a physical presence requirement, to establish residency in the State in which the institution is located, or to satisfy other requirements not relating to the establishment of residency, in order to be charged tuition and fees for that course at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State.
   
   
5. The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate.
   
   
6. Disapproval under paragraph (1) shall apply only with respect to educational assistance under chapters 30 and 33 of this title.’’