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S. 1308Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sponsored by Thom TillisSen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Introduced April 4, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM UTC

The VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 changes the rules for VA educational assistance by tightening the definition of approved independent‑study programs. It requires that such programs involve frequent, meaningful contact between students and teachers, and limits eligibility to colleges that receive Title IV federal student aid. The changes take effect for any academic term starting after August 1, 2025, affecting veterans who use VA education benefits.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new requirement that any independent‑study program covered by VA education benefits must include regular and substantive interaction between the student and the instructor.
  • Specifies that eligible institutions for these programs must be higher‑education schools that participate in a Title IV student financial assistance program under the Higher Education Act.
  • The new rules apply to any quarter, semester, or term that begins on or after August 1, 2025.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 4, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 4, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 4, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 4, 2025

II

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1308

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 4, 2025

Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Budd, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Moreno, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Scott of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025.

2.

Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in the matter before item (aa), by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after study; and

(2)

by amending item (bb) to read as follows:

(bb)

an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) that is participating in a student financial assistance program authorized by title IV of that Act; and

.

(b)

Applicability

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2025.