S. 3503Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)Enacted

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.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 11:35 AM UTC

The bill lets the Secretary of Veterans Affairs keep providing education benefits to veterans even when a school program switches to online learning because of an emergency or health crisis. It treats the online version the same as the in‑person version for things like housing stipends and other allowances, but only for a set time period in 2020.

Key Provisions

If a VA‑approved education program moves to distance learning due to an emergency or health‑related situation, the VA can continue to pay veterans the same benefits they would receive for on‑campus study, including monthly housing stipends and other subsistence allowances.
This continuation of benefits applies only from March 1, 2020 through December 21, 2020.
The bill defines key terms such as “educational institution,” “program of education,” and “State approving agency” consistent with existing VA law.
The act is designated as an emergency requirement for budgetary purposes under the Pay‑As‑You‑Go rules.

Legislative Activity

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11 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 116-128.

March 21, 2020

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 16, 2020

SenateFloor

Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1762; text: CR S1762)

March 16, 2020

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

March 17, 2020

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

March 19, 2020 • 9:02 AM

HouseFloor

Mr. Raskin asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

March 19, 2020 • 9:04 AM

HouseFloor

Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H1709-1710)

March 19, 2020 • 9:04 AM

SenateFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

March 19, 2020 • 9:04 AM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1710)

March 19, 2020 • 9:04 AM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

March 19, 2020 • 9:04 AM

President

Presented to President.

March 20, 2020

Became Law

Signed by President.

March 21, 2020

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 116-128.

March 21, 2020

Bill Text

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America

2d Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty

S. 3503

AN ACT

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 chapters 30, 31, 32, and 35 of such title and chapters 1606 and 1607 of title 10, United States Code.

(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)

Educational institution

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)

Program of education

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

(3)

State approving agency

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

Emergency designations

(a)

In general

This Act is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).

(b)

Designation in Senate

In the Senate, this Act is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate