S.Amdt. 5310

1. Adds SEC. 556. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED AMOUNTS OF TUITION AND SIMILAR ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES at the end of subtitle D of title V

   Adds a section

   In S. 3001 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   "2016. Service academies: payment of costs of foreign visitors for international cooperation; expenses of cadets and midshipmen in certain travel or study abroad.".

   Inserted: SEC. 556. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED AMOUNTS OF TUITION AND SIMILAR ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

   Inserted: (a) Increase in Authorized Amounts.--The maximum amounts of advanced education assistance providable to an individual under section 2005 of title 10, United States Code, and of tuition payable for an individual for off-duty training or education under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, shall, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, be the applicable amounts as follows:

   Inserted: (1) In the case of tuition--

   Inserted: (A) not more than $350 per credit hour; and

   Inserted: (B) not more than $6,300 per year.

   Inserted: (2) In the case of the stipend for books--

   Inserted: (A) not more than $300 per semester; and

   Inserted: (B) not more than $700 per year.

   Inserted: (b) Increase in Receipt of Assistance.--The Secretary of Defense shall take appropriate actions to achieve the objective of increasing the number of members of the Armed Forces provided advanced education assistance under section 2005 of title 10, United States Code, and of the number of individuals for whom tuition is paid for off-duty training or education under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, including individuals who are also in receipt of post-9/11 veterans educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, by a number equal to 25 percent of the number of members provided such assistance or for whom such tuition is paid, as the case may be, as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

   Inserted: (c) Report on Actions to Facilitate Retention Through Pursuit of Post-Secondary Degrees by Members of the Armed Forces.--

   Inserted: (1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committee a report on the actions being taken by the Secretary to enhance retention by assisting members of the Armed Forces in making progress toward receipt of associates', bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees from accredited institutions of higher education (including Department of Defense professional military education schools) while continuing their careers in the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

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   Inserted: (A) A description of the actions proposed to be taken by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (b).

   Inserted: (B) An assessment by each Secretary concerned of the projected effects on usage of in-service educational programs, and the effects on retention of officers and enlisted members of the Armed Forces through fiscal year 2011, of changes to post-service educational benefits under chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code, and chapters 1606 and 1607 of title 10, United States Code.

   Inserted: (C) Such recommendations as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate for other actions to enhance retention and assist members of the Armed Forces in making progress toward receipt of associates' degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees while continuing their careers in the Armed Forces, including--

   Inserted: (i) modifications of policies on tuition assistance;

   Inserted: (ii) the extension of sabbaticals from service in the Armed Forces for educational purposes;

   Inserted: (iii) the provision of associates-level, bachelor-level, master-level, or doctoral-level courses of education by the military departments and through accredited civilian institutions of higher education; and

   Inserted: (iv) additional or enhanced payments of educational expenses for associates-level bachelor-level, master-level, and doctoral-level courses by the military departments or jointly by the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

   Inserted: (3) Consultation.--In developing recommendations under paragraph (2)(B) for the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle D of title V, add the following:

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As printed