H.R. 6194House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 11:28 AM UTC

The bill lets the Department of Veterans Affairs continue providing education benefits to veterans even when a college program switches to online learning because of an emergency or health crisis. It treats the distance‑learning version of the program the same as the in‑person version for purposes such as housing stipends and subsistence allowances. The rule applies only for a limited time in 2020.

Key Provisions

If a veteran‑approved program moves from on‑site to distance learning due to an emergency or health situation, the VA can keep giving the same education assistance benefits.
Benefits that can continue include monthly housing stipends (Chapter 33) and subsistence allowances (Chapter 31).
The temporary authority is effective from March 1, 2020, through December 21, 2020.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

July 13, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 11, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

July 13, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 11, 2020

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6194

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 11, 2020

Mr. David P. Roe of Tennessee introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

Continuation of Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits for certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations

(a)

In general

In the case of a program of education approved by a State approving agency, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs when acting in the role of a State approving agency, that is converted from being offered on-site at an educational institution to being offered by distance learning by reason of an emergency or health-related situation, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may continue to provide educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary without regard to such conversion, including with respect to paying any—

(1)

monthly housing stipends under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code; or

(2)

payments or subsistence allowances under chapter 31 of such title.

(b)

Applicability period

Subsection (a) shall apply during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on December 21, 2020.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term educational institution has the meaning given that term in section 3452 of title 38, United States Code, and includes an institution of higher learning (as defined in such section).

(2)

The term program of education has the meaning given that term in section 3002 of title 38, United States Code.

(3)

The term State approving agency has the meaning given that term in section 3671 of title 38, United States Code.