Collapse to view only § 3674. Reimbursement of expenses
- § 3670. Scope of approval
- § 3671. Designation
- § 3672. Approval of courses
- § 3672A. Uniform application
- § 3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of activities
- § 3673A. Risk-based surveys
- § 3674. Reimbursement of expenses
- § 3674A. Evaluations of agency performance; qualifications and performance of agency personnel
- § 3675. Approval of accredited courses
- § 3676. Approval of nonaccredited courses
- § 3677. Approval of training on the job
- § 3678. Notice of approval of courses
- § 3679. Disapproval of courses
§ 3670. Scope of approval
(a) A course approved under and for the purposes of this chapter shall be deemed approved for the purposes of chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(b) Any course approved under chapter 33 of this title, prior to February 1, 1965, under subchapter VII of chapter 35 of this title, prior to March 3, 1966, and not disapproved under section 3483, section 1656 (as in effect prior to February 1, 1965), or section 3679 of this title, shall be deemed approved for the purposes of this chapter.
(Added Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(5), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 20, § 1770; amended Pub. L. 92–540, title IV, § 403(1), Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1090; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(49), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1308; renumbered § 3670 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406.)
§ 3671. Designation
(a) Unless otherwise established by the law of the State concerned, the chief executive of each State is requested to create or designate a State department or agency as the “State approving agency” for such State for the purposes of this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(b)
(1) If any State fails or declines to create or designate a State approving agency, or fails to enter into an agreement under section 3674(a), the provisions of this chapter which refer to the State approving agency shall, with respect to such State, be deemed to refer to the Secretary.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in the case of courses subject to approval by the Secretary under section 3672 of this title, the provisions of this chapter which refer to a State approving agency shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary.
(c) The Secretary may not recognize a State department or agency as the State approving agency for a State for purposes of this chapter if such department or agency is administered at, or colocated with, a university or university system that offers courses or programs of education that are subject to approval under this chapter by the State approving agency for that State.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 158, § 1771; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(6), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 20; Pub. L. 92–540, title IV, § 403(2), Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1090; Pub. L. 94–502, title V, § 513(a)(1), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 100–323, § 13(b)(4), May 20, 1988, 102 Stat. 573; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3671 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 203(a)(2)(B), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4125; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, § 1024(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4960; Pub. L. 117–16, § 4, June 8, 2021, 135 Stat. 283.)
§ 3672. Approval of courses
(a) An eligible person or veteran shall receive the benefits of this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title while enrolled in a course of education offered by an educational institution only if (1) such course is approved as provided in this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title by the State approving agency for the State where such educational institution is located, or by the Secretary, or (2) such course is approved (A) for the enrollment of the particular individual under the provisions of section 3536 of this title or (B) for special restorative training under subchapter V of chapter 35 of this title. Approval of courses by State approving agencies shall be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title and such other regulations and policies as the State approving agency may adopt. Each State approving agency shall furnish the Secretary with a current list of educational institutions specifying courses which it has approved, and, in addition to such list, it shall furnish such other information to the Secretary as it and the Secretary may determine to be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title. Each State approving agency shall notify the Secretary of the disapproval of any course previously approved and shall set forth the reasons for such disapproval.
(b)
(1) The Secretary shall be responsible for the approval of courses of education offered by any agency of the Federal Government authorized under other laws to supervise such education. The Secretary may approve any course in any other educational institution in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(2)
(A) Subject to sections 3675(b)(1) and (b)(2), 3680A, 3684, and 3696 of this title, a program of education is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, determines that the program is one of the following programs:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) or (D), an accredited standard college degree program offered at a public or not-for-profit proprietary educational institution that—(I) is accredited by an agency or association recognized for that purpose by the Secretary of Education; and(II) is approved and participates in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), unless the Secretary has waived the requirement to participate in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
(ii) A flight training course approved by the Federal Aviation Administration that is offered by a certified pilot school that possesses a valid Federal Aviation Administration pilot school certificate.
(iii) An apprenticeship program registered with the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) of the Employment Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937 (popularly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
(iv) A program leading to a secondary school diploma offered by a secondary school approved in the State in which it is operating.
(B) A licensure test offered by a Federal, State, or local government is deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter.
(C) A course that is described in both subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph and in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) of this title shall not be deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter unless—
(i) a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, determines that the course meets the applicable criteria in such paragraphs; or
(ii) the Secretary issues a waiver for such course under section 3676(f)(1) of this title.
(D) A program that is described in subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph and offered by an educational institution that is at risk of losing accreditation shall not be deemed to be approved for purposes of this chapter. For purposes of this subparagraph, an educational institution is at risk of losing accreditation if that educational institution has received from the relevant accrediting agency or association a notice described in section 3673(e)(2)(D) of this title.
(c)
(1)
(A) The State approving agency for a multi-State apprenticeship program is—
(i) for purposes of approval of the program, the State approving agency for the State in which the headquarters of the apprenticeship program is located; and
(ii) for all other purposes, the State approving agency for the State in which the apprenticeship program takes place.
(B) In this paragraph, the term “multi-State apprenticeship program” means a non-Federal apprenticeship program operating in more than one State that meets the minimum national program standards, as developed by the Department of Labor.
(2) The period of a program of apprenticeship may be determined based upon a specific period of time (commonly referred to as a “time-based program”), based upon the demonstration of successful mastery of skills (commonly referred to as a “competency-based program”), or based upon a combination thereof.
(3)
(A) In the case of a competency-based program of apprenticeship, State approving agencies shall determine the period for which payment may be made for such a program under chapters 30 and 35 of this title and chapter 1606 of title 10. In determining the period of such a program, State approving agencies shall take into consideration the approximate term of the program recommended in registered apprenticeship program standards recognized by the Secretary of Labor.
(B) The sponsor of a competency-based program of apprenticeship shall provide notice to the State approving agency involved of any such standards that may apply to the program and the proposed approximate period of training under the program.
(4) The sponsor of a competency-based program of apprenticeship shall notify the Secretary upon the successful completion of a program of apprenticeship by an individual under chapter 30 or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10, as the case may be.
(d)
(1) Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary and State approving agencies shall actively promote the development of apprenticeship and on the job training programs for the purposes of sections 3677 and 3687 of this title and shall utilize the services of disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists under section 4103A of this title to promote the development of such programs. The Secretary of Labor shall provide assistance and services to the Secretary, and to State approving agencies, to increase the use of apprenticeships.
(2) In conjunction with outreach services provided by the Secretary under chapter 77 of this title for education and training benefits, each State approving agency shall conduct outreach programs and provide outreach services to eligible persons and veterans about education and training benefits available under applicable Federal and State law.
(e) A program of education exclusively by correspondence, and the correspondence portion of a combination correspondence-residence course leading to a vocational objective, that is offered by an educational institution (as defined in section 3452(c) of this title) may be approved only if (1) the educational institution is accredited by an entity recognized by the Secretary of Education, and (2) at least 50 percent of those pursuing such a program or course require six months or more to complete the program or course.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 158, § 1772; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(7), (8), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 20, 21; Pub. L. 91–219, title II, § 211, Mar. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 92–540, title IV, § 403(3)–(5), Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1090; Pub. L. 96–466, title V, § 502, Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(50), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1308; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3672 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 605(a)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4671; Pub. L. 107–103, title III, § 303, Dec. 27, 2001, 115 Stat. 992; Pub. L. 108–454, title I, §§ 104(a),(b), 110(b), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3601, 3602, 3605; Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 203(a)(1), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4124; Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, §§ 408(a), 409(d), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1558, 1560; Pub. L. 115–89, § 2, Nov. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 1279; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, §§ 1012(a), 1015(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4942, 4945.)
§ 3672A. Uniform application
(a)In General.—
(1) The Secretary, in partnership with State approving agencies, educational institutions, and training establishments, shall require the use of a uniform application by any educational institution or training establishment seeking the approval of a new course of education under this chapter.
(2) The Secretary shall maintain one uniform application for institutions of higher learning and one such application for other educational institutions and training establishments.
(3) In the case of any State that uses approval criteria not covered by a uniform application under this section, the State approving agency for that State shall require the use of the uniform application and may require the submittal of additional information.
(b)Requirements.—The uniform application required under subsection (a) shall meet the following requirements:
(1) A requirement that the appropriate executive of the educational institution or training establishment seeking the approval of a course of education attests on behalf of the educational institution or training establishment that the educational institution or training establishment—
(A) is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the approval of courses of education under this chapter; and
(B) during the five-year period preceding the date of the application—
(i) has not been subject to, or been party to a contract with any individual or entity that has been subject to, any adverse administrative or judicial action that—(I) related to the instruction or training, including with respect to the quality of education, provided by the institution or establishment; and(II) resulted in a fine or penalty in an amount equal to or more than five percent of the amount of funding provided to the institution or establishment under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the fiscal year preceding the year in which the application is submitted; or
(ii) has not employed an individual, or been party to a contract with any individual or entity, that has been convicted of a Federal fraud charge related to the instruction or training provided by the institution or establishment.
(2) In the case of any educational institution or training establishment that is not participating in title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), a requirement for the inclusion of—
(A) a copy of—
(i) the articles of incorporation filed on behalf of the institution or establishment or proof of licensing to operate as an educational institution or training establishment in the State where the institution or establishment is located; and
(ii) the financial position of the institution or establishment, as prepared by an appropriate third-party entity; or
(B) other adequate evidence, as determined by the Secretary, that the institution or establishment is authorized to provide post-secondary education or training in the State where the institution or establishment is located.
(3) In the case of any course of education that is offered by an educational institution or training establishment that has never offered a course of education that was approved under this chapter, a requirement for the inclusion of information about the course of education covered by the application, including—
(A) the number of students who have entered and graduated from the course during the preceding two-year period; and
(B) if available, the cohort default rate for funds provided to the institution or establishment under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
(4) In the case of any educational institution or training establishment that is not an institution of higher learning, a requirement for the inclusion of—
(A) a list of individuals who will serve as fully qualified instructors for the course of education, as of the date of the application, and an attestation that such individuals—
(i) have a degree or other training, as appropriate, in the field of the course;
(ii) effectively teach the skills offered under the course; and
(iii) have demonstrated relevant industry experience in the field of the course; and
(B) a list of individuals who will serve as career services employees for students enrolled in the course and an attestation that such individuals are skilled at identifying professions in the relevant industry that are in need of new employees to hire, tailoring the course of education to meet market needs, and identifying the employers likely to hire graduates.
(c)Requirements for State Approving Agencies.—During the approval process with respect to a uniform application submitted by an educational institution or training establishment, a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, shall contact the Secretary of Education to determine whether the course of education subject to such approval process has withdrawn, or been denied or suspended, from receiving for benefits under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
(d)Appropriate Executive.—In this section, the appropriate executive of an educational institution or training establishment is a senior executive official, senior administrator, owner, or operator designated by the institution or establishment.
(Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 11(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6132.)
§ 3673. Approval activities: cooperation and coordination of activities
(a)Cooperation in Activities.—The Secretary and each State approving agency shall take cognizance of the fact that definite duties, functions, and responsibilities are conferred upon the Secretary and each State approving agency under the educational programs established under this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title. To assure that such programs are effectively and efficiently administered, the cooperation of the Secretary and the State approving agencies is essential. It is necessary to establish an exchange of information pertaining to activities of educational institutions, and particular attention should be given to the enforcement of approval standards, enforcement of enrollment restrictions, and fraudulent and other criminal activities on the part of persons connected with educational institutions in which eligible persons or veterans are enrolled under this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(b)Coordination of Activities.—The Secretary shall take appropriate actions to ensure the coordination of approval activities performed by State approving agencies under this chapter and chapters 34 and 35 of this title and approval activities performed by the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and other entities in order to reduce overlap and improve efficiency in the performance of such activities.
(c)Availability of Information Material.—The Secretary will furnish the State approving agencies with copies of such Department of Veterans Affairs informational material as may aid them in carrying out chapters 34 and 35 of this title.
(d)Use of State Approving Agencies for Oversight Activities.—The Secretary shall utilize the services of a State approving agency for conducting a risk-based survey developed under section 3673A of this title and other such oversight purposes as the Secretary, in consultation with the State approving agencies, considers appropriate without regard to whether the Secretary or the agency approved the courses offered in the State concerned.
(e)Notice of Government Action.—
(1)
(A) If the Secretary receives notice described in paragraph (2), or otherwise becomes aware of an action or event described in paragraph (3), with respect to an educational institution, the Secretary shall transmit such notice or provide notice of such action or event to the State approving agency for the State where the educational institution is located by not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such notice or becomes aware of such action or event.
(B) If a State approving agency receives notice as described in paragraph (2), or otherwise becomes aware of an action or event described in paragraph (3), with respect to an educational institution, other than from the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the State approving agency shall immediately notify the Secretary.
(C) Not later than 60 days after the date on which a State approving agency receives notice under subparagraph (A), receives notice as described in subparagraph (B), or becomes aware as described in such subparagraph, as the case may be, regarding an educational institution, such State approving agency shall—
(i) complete a risk-based survey of such educational institution; and
(ii) provide the Secretary with—(I) a complete report on the findings of the State approving agency with respect to the risk-based survey completed under clause (i) and any actions taken as a result of such findings; and(II) any supporting documentation and pertinent records.
(2) Notice described in this paragraph is any of the following:
(A) Notice from the Secretary of Education of an event under paragraph (3)(A).
(B) Notice of an event under paragraph (3)(B).
(C) Notice from a State of an action taken by that State under paragraph (3)(C).
(D) Notice provided by an accrediting agency or association of an action described in paragraph (3)(D) taken by that agency or association.
(E) Notice that the Secretary of Education has placed the educational institution on provisional certification status.
(3) An action or event under this paragraph is any of the following:
(A) The receipt by an educational institution of payments under the heightened cash monitoring level 2 payment method pursuant to section 487(c)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094).
(B) Punitive action taken by the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, or any other Federal department or agency for misconduct or misleading marketing practices that would violate the standards defined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(C) Punitive action taken by a State against an educational institution.
(D) The loss, or risk of loss, by an educational institution of an accreditation from an accrediting agency or association, including notice of probation, suspension, an order to show cause relating to the educational institution’s academic policies and practices or to its financial stability, or revocation of accreditation.
(E) The placement of an educational institution on provisional certification status by the Secretary of Education.
(4) If a State approving agency disapproves or suspends an educational institution, the State approving agency shall provide notice of such disapproval or suspension to the Secretary and to all other State approving agencies.
(5) This subsection shall be carried out using amounts made available pursuant to section 3674(a)(4) of this title as long as such amounts remain available.
(6) For each notice transmitted or provided to a State approving agency under paragraph (1) with respect to an educational institution, the Secretary shall ensure the careful review of—
(A) to the extent possible, the action that gave rise to such notice; and
(B) any other action against the educational institution by any Federal or State government entity or by the educational institution’s accreditor.
(7) In this subsection, the term “risk-based survey” means the risk-based survey developed under section 3673A of this title.
(f)Outreach Activities.—
(1) A State approving agency may conduct outreach activities if—
(A) the State approving agency has properly conducted its enforcement and approval of courses and programs of education under this chapter; and
(B) funds are still available to do so.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a State approving agency shall be considered to have properly conducted its enforcement and approval of courses and programs of education under this chapter if the State approving agency has—
(A) met fulfilled 1
1 So in original.
its requirements pursuant to the applicable cooperative agreements between the State approving agency and the Department relating to the oversight and approval of courses and programs of education under this chapter; and(B) completed a risk-based survey of any course or program of education determined to be of questionable quality or at risk by any Federal or State agency or any accrediting agency.
(3) Outreach activities conducted under paragraph (1) shall be carried out using amounts derived from amounts not specifically appropriated to carry out this subsection.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 158, § 1773; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(7), (11), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 20, 21; Pub. L. 92–540, title IV, § 403(6), Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1090; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(51), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1308; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3673, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 110–389, title III, § 326(a)(1), (2)(A), (3), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4169; Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 203(b), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4125; Pub. L. 115–48, title III, § 310, Aug. 16, 2017, 131 Stat. 994; Pub. L. 115–62, title V, § 501(a), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1165; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, §§ 1013(b)(1), 1014(a), 1023, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4943, 4959.)
§ 3673A. Risk-based surveys
(a)Development Required.—The Secretary, in partnership with State approving agencies, shall develop a risk-based survey for oversight of educational institutions with courses and programs of education approved under this chapter.
(b)Scope.—
(1) The scope of the risk-based survey developed under subsection (a) shall be determined by the Secretary, in partnership with the State approving agency.
(2) At a minimum the scope determined under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) Rapid increase in veteran enrollment.
(B) Rapid increase in tuition and fees.
(C) Complaints tracked and published with the mechanism required by section 3698(b)(2) from students pursuing programs of education with educational assistance furnished under laws administered by the Secretary, based on severity or volume of the complaints.
(D) Compliance with section 3680A(d)(1) of this title.
(E) Veteran completion rates.
(F) Indicators of financial stability.
(G) Review of the advertising and recruiting practices of the educational institution, including those by third-party contractors of the educational institution.
(H) Matters for which the Federal Government or a State Government brings an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against an educational institution, including matters in cases in which the Federal Government or the State comes to a settled agreement on such matters outside of the court.
(c)Database.—The Secretary, in partnership with the State approving agencies under this chapter, shall establish a searchable database or use an existing system, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to serve as a central repository for information required for or collected during site visits for the risk-based survey developed under subsection (a), so as to improve future oversight of educational institutions with programs of education approved under this chapter.
(d)Notice.—To the maximum amount feasible, the Secretary, or a State approving agency, as applicable, shall provide not more than one business day of notice to an educational institution before conducting a targeted risk-based survey of the institution under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 116–315, title I, § 1013(a)(1), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4942; amended Pub. L. 117–16, § 7(a)(3), (b)(1), June 8, 2021, 135 Stat. 285; Pub. L. 117–333, § 12(a), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6134.)
§ 3674. Reimbursement of expenses
(a)
(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts or agreements with State and local agencies to pay such State and local agencies for reasonable and necessary expenses of salary and travel incurred by employees of such agencies and an allowance for administrative expenses in accordance with the formula contained in subsection (b) of this section in (A) rendering necessary services in ascertaining the qualifications of educational institutions for furnishing courses of education to eligible persons or veterans under this chapter and chapters 30 through 35 of this title and chapter 106 of title 10, and in the supervision of such educational institutions, and (B) furnishing, at the request of the Secretary, any other services in connection with such chapters. Each such contract or agreement shall be conditioned upon compliance with the standards and provisions of such chapters. The Secretary may also reimburse such agencies for work performed by their subcontractors where such work has a direct relationship to the requirements of such chapters, and has had the prior approval of the Secretary.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall make payments to State and local agencies, out of amounts in the Department of Veterans Affairs readjustment benefits account and amounts appropriated to the Secretary, for the reasonable and necessary expenses of salary and travel incurred by employees of such agencies in carrying out contracts or agreements entered into under this section, for expenses approved by the Secretary that are incurred in carrying out activities described in section 3674A(a)(3) of this title (except for administrative overhead expenses allocated to such activities), and for the allowance for administrative expenses described in subsection (b).
(B) The Secretary shall make such a payment to an agency within a reasonable time after the agency has submitted a report pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(C) Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the amount of any such payment made to an agency for any period shall be equal to the amount of the reasonable and necessary expenses of salary and travel certified by such agency for such period in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection plus the allowance for administrative expenses described in subsection (b) and the amount of expenses approved by the Secretary that are incurred in carrying out activities described in section 3674A(a)(3) of this title for such period (except for administrative overhead expenses allocated to such activities).
(3) Each State and local agency with which a contract or agreement is entered into under this section shall submit to the Secretary on a monthly or quarterly basis, as determined by the agency, a report containing a certification of the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for salary and travel by such agency under such contract or agreement for the period covered by the report. The report shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Secretary.
(4) In addition to amounts made available under paragraph (5), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year.
(5)
(A) The total amount made available under this section for fiscal year 2018 shall be $21,000,000 and for fiscal year 2019 and thereafter shall be $23,000,000.
(B) Beginning in fiscal year 2019, whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) as a result of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary shall, effective on the date of such increase in benefit amounts, increase the amount in effect under subparagraph (A), as in effect immediately prior to the date of such increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act, by the same percentage as the percentage by which such benefit amounts are increased.
(b) The allowance for administrative expenses incurred pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be paid in accordance with the following formula:
Total salary cost reimbursable under this section | Allowable for administrative expense |
|---|---|
$5,000 or less | $693. |
Over $5,000 but not exceeding $10,000 | $1,247. |
Over $10,000 but not exceeding $35,000 | $1,247 for the first $10,000, plus $1,155 for each additional $5,000 or fraction thereof. |
Over $35,000 but not exceeding $40,000 | $7,548. |
Over $40,000 but not exceeding $75,000 | $7,548 for the first $40,000, plus $999 for each additional $5,000 or fraction thereof. |
Over $75,000 but not exceeding $80,000 | $14,969. |
Over $80,000 | $14,969 for the first $80,000, plus $872 for each additional $5,000 or fraction thereof. |
(c) Each State and local agency with which the Secretary contracts or enters into an agreement under subsection (a) of this section shall report to the Secretary periodically, but not less often than annually, as determined by the Secretary, on the activities in the preceding twelve months (or the period which has elapsed since the last report under this subsection was submitted) carried out under such contract or agreement. Each such report shall describe, in such detail as the Secretary shall prescribe, services performed and determinations made in connection with ascertaining the qualifications of educational institutions in connection with this chapter and chapters 32, 34, and 35 of this title and in supervising such institutions.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 159, § 1774; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(7), (8), (11), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 20, 21; Pub. L. 90–631, § 4, Oct. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 1334; Pub. L. 92–540, title IV, § 403(7), 411, Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1090, 1092; Pub. L. 93–508, title II, § 210(1), Dec. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1584; Pub. L. 94–502, title V, § 503, Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2399; Pub. L. 95–202, title III, § 303, Nov. 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 1441; Pub. L. 96–466, title II, §§ 203(1), 213(1), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2188, 2190; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(51), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1308; Pub. L. 100–323, § 13(a)(1), (b)(5), May 20, 1988, 102 Stat. 571, 573; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, §§ 414, 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2085, 2092; Pub. L. 102–16, § 10(a)(7), Mar. 22, 1991, 105 Stat. 56; renumbered § 3674 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 606(a)(1), (b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4672; Pub. L. 106–419, title I, § 123, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1837; Pub. L. 107–14, § 8(a)(7), June 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 107–330, title III, § 301, Dec. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 2824; Pub. L. 110–252, title V, § 5005, June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2379; Pub. L. 115–48, title III, § 301(a), Aug. 16, 2017, 131 Stat. 989.)
§ 3674A. Evaluations of agency performance; qualifications and performance of agency personnel
(a) The Secretary shall—
(1)
(A) conduct, in conjunction with State approving agencies, an annual evaluation of each State approving agency on the basis of standards developed by the Secretary in conjunction with the State approving agencies, and (B) provide each such agency an opportunity to comment on the evaluation;
(2) take into account the results of annual evaluations carried out under paragraph (1) when negotiating the terms and conditions of a contract or agreement under section 3674 of this title;
(3) cooperate with State approving agencies in developing and implementing a uniform national curriculum, to the extent practicable, for training new employees and for continuing the training of employees of such agencies, and sponsor, with the agencies, such training and continuation of training; and
(4) prescribe prototype qualification and performance standards, developed in conjunction with State approving agencies, for use by such agencies in the development of qualification and performance standards for State approving agency personnel carrying out approval responsibilities under a contract or agreement entered into under section 3674(a).
(b)
(1) Each State approving agency carrying out a contract or agreement with the Secretary under section 3674(a) of this title shall—
(A) apply qualification and performance standards based on the standards developed under subsection (a)(4); and
(B) make available to any person, upon request, the criteria used to carry out its functions under a contract or agreement entered into under section 3674(a) of this title.
(2) In developing and applying standards described in subsection (a)(4), the State approving agency may take into consideration the State’s merit system requirements and other local requirements and conditions.
(3) The Secretary shall provide assistance in developing such standards to a State approving agency that requests it.
(Added Pub. L. 100–323, § 13(b)(1)(A), May 20, 1988, 102 Stat. 572, § 1774A; amended Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3674A and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 606(c), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4672; Pub. L. 105–368, title X, § 1005(b)(8), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3365; Pub. L. 107–14, § 8(a)(8), June 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 35.)
§ 3675. Approval of accredited courses
(a)
(1) A State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, may approve accredited programs (including non-degree accredited programs) not covered by section 3672 of this title when—
(A) such courses have been accredited and approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association;
(B) such courses are conducted under the Act of February 23, 1917 (20 U.S.C. 11 et seq.); 1
1 See References in Text note below.
(C) such courses are accepted by the State department of education for credit for a teacher’s certificate or a teacher’s degree; or
(D) such courses are approved by the State as meeting the requirement of regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under sections 1819(f)(2)(A)(i) and 1919(f)(2)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(f)(2)(A)(i) and 1396r(f)(2)(A)(i)).
(2)
(A) For the purposes of this chapter, the Secretary of Education shall publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations which that Secretary determines to be reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by an educational institution.
(B) Except as provided in section 3672(e) of this title, a State approving agency may utilize the accreditation of any accrediting association or agency listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph for approval of courses specifically accredited and approved by such accrediting association or agency.
(3)
(A) An educational institution shall submit an application for approval of courses to the appropriate State approving agency. In making application for approval, the institution (other than an elementary school or secondary school) shall transmit to the State approving agency copies of its catalog or bulletin which must be certified as true and correct in span and policy by an authorized representative of the institution.
(B) Each catalog or bulletin transmitted by an institution under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall—
(i) state with specificity the requirements of the institution with respect to graduation;
(ii) include the information required under paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 3676(b) of this title; and
(iii) include any attendance standards of the institution, if the institution has and enforces such standards.
(b) As a condition of approval under this section, the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, must find the following:
(1) The educational institution keeps adequate records, as prescribed by the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency, to show the progress and grades of the eligible person or veteran and to show that satisfactory standards relating to progress and conduct are enforced.
(2) The educational institution maintains a written record of the previous education and training of the eligible person or veteran that clearly indicates that appropriate credit has been given by the educational institution for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately.
(3) The educational institution and its approved courses meet the criteria of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (14), (15), and (16) of section 3676(c) of this title (or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f)(1) of section 3676 of this title).
(4) The educational institution is approved and participates in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or the Secretary has waived the requirement under this paragraph with respect to an educational institution and submits to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives notice of such waiver.
(c)
(1) A State approving agency may approve the entrepreneurship courses offered by a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term “entrepreneurship course” means a non-degree, non-credit course of business education that enables or assists a person to start or enhance a small business concern (as defined pursuant to section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (
(3) Subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) shall not apply to—
(A) an entrepreneurship course offered by a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses; and
(B) a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses by reason of such provider offering one or more entrepreneurship courses.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses shall maintain such records as the Secretary determines to be necessary to comply with reporting requirements that apply under section 3684(a)(1) of this title with respect to eligible persons and veterans enrolled in an entrepreneurship course offered by the provider.
(d)
(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on any waivers issued pursuant to subsection (b)(4) or section 3672(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title.
(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the year covered by the report, the following:
(A) The name of each educational institution for which a waiver was issued.
(B) The justification for each such waiver.
(C) The total number of waivers issued.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 159, § 1775; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(8), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 94–502, title V, §§ 504, 513(a)(2), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2399, 2402; Pub. L. 96–466, title VIII, § 801(d), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2216; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3675 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 312, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4330; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 605(a)(2)(A), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4672; Pub. L. 104–275, title I, § 103(c), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3326; Pub. L. 108–183, title III, § 305(a), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2660; Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 110(c)(1), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3605; Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 203(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4125; Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, §§ 408(b), 409(c), 410(b), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1558, 1560, 1561; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, § 1015(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4945.)
§ 3676. Approval of nonaccredited courses
(a) No course of education which has not been approved by a State approving agency pursuant to section 3675 of this title, which is offered by a public or private, profit or nonprofit, educational institution shall be approved for the purposes of this chapter unless the educational institution offering such course submits to the appropriate State approving agency a written application for approval of such course in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Such application shall be accompanied by not less than two copies of the current catalog or bulletin which is certified as true and correct in span and policy by an authorized owner or official and includes the following:
(1) Identifying data, such as volume number and date of publication;
(2) Names of the institution and its governing body, officials and faculty;
(3) A calendar of the institution showing legal holidays, beginning and ending date of each quarter, term, or semester, and other important dates;
(4) Institution policy and regulations on enrollment with respect to enrollment dates and specific entrance requirements for each course;
(5) Institution policy and regulations relative to leave, absences, class cuts, makeup work, tardiness and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance;
(6) Institution policy and regulations relative to standards of progress required of the student by the institution (this policy will define the grading system of the institution, the minimum grades considered satisfactory, conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory grades or progress and a description of the probationary period, if any, allowed by the institution, and conditions of reentrance for those students dismissed for unsatisfactory progress. A statement will be made regarding progress records kept by the institution and furnished the student);
(7) Institution policy and regulations relating to student conduct and conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct;
(8) Detailed schedules of fees, charges for tuition, books, supplies, tools, student activities, laboratory fees, service charges, rentals, deposits, and all other charges;
(9) Policy and regulations of the institution relative to the refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges in the event the student does not enter the course or withdraws or is discontinued therefrom;
(10) A description of the available space, facilities, and equipment;
(11) A course outline for each course for which approval is requested, showing subjects or units in the course, type of work or skill to be learned, and approximate time and clock hours to be spent on each subject or unit; and
(12) Policy and regulations of the institution relative to granting credit for previous educational training.
(c) The appropriate State approving agency may approve the application of such institution when the institution and its non-accredited courses are found upon investigation to have met the following criteria:
(1) The courses, curriculum, and instruction are consistent in quality, span, and length with similar courses in public schools and other private schools in the State, with recognized accepted standards.
(2) There is in the institution adequate space, equipment, instructional material, and instructor personnel to provide training of good quality.
(3) Educational and experience qualifications of directors, administrators, and instructors are adequate.
(4) The institution maintains a written record of the previous education and training of the eligible person and clearly indicates that appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately and the eligible person so notified.
(5) A copy of the course outline, schedule of tuition, fees, and other charges, regulations pertaining to absence, grading policy, and rules of operation and conduct will be furnished the eligible person upon enrollment.
(6) Upon completion of training, the eligible person is given a certificate by the institution indicating the approved course and indicating that training was satisfactorily completed.
(7) Adequate records as prescribed by the State approving agency are kept to show attendance and progress or grades, and satisfactory standards relating to attendance, progress, and conduct are enforced.
(8) The institution complies with all local, city, county, municipal, State, and Federal regulations, such as fire codes, building and sanitation codes. The State approving agency may require such evidence of compliance as is deemed necessary.
(9) The institution is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its commitments for training.
(10) The institution, and any entity that owns the institution, does not engage in substantial misrepresentation described in section 3696(e) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title. The institution shall not be deemed to have met this requirement until the State approving agency—(A) has ascertained that no Federal department or agency has taken a punitive action, not including a settlement agreement, against the school for misleading or deceptive practices;
(B) has, if such an order has been issued, given due weight to that fact; and
(C) has reviewed the complete record of advertising, sales, or enrollment materials (and copies thereof) used by or on behalf of the institution during the preceding 12-month period.
(11) The institution does not exceed its enrollment limitations as established by the State approving agency.
(12) The institution’s administrators, directors, owners, and instructors are of good reputation and character.
(13) The institution has and maintains a policy for the refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges in the event the eligible person fails to enter the course or withdraws or is discontinued therefrom at any time before completion and—
(A) in the case of an institution (other than (i) a Federal, State, or local Government institution or (ii) an institution described in subparagraph (B)), such policy provides that the amount charged to the eligible person for tuition, fees, and other charges for a portion of the course shall not exceed the approximate pro rata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to its total length; or
(B) in the case of an institution that is a nonaccredited public educational institution, the institution has and maintains a refund policy regarding the unused portion of tuition, fees, and other charges that is substantially the same as the refund policy followed by accredited public educational institutions located within the same State as such institution.
(14) In the case of a course designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State, the course—
(A) meets all instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements of such State; and
(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accredited by a specialized accrediting agency for programs of legal education or association recognized by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b), from which recipients of law degrees from such accredited programs are eligible to sit for a bar examination in any State.
(15) In the case of a course designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a board or agency of a State in an occupation that requires approval, licensure, or certification, the course—
(A) meets such standards; and
(B) in the case of a course designed to prepare an individual for licensure to practice law in a State, is accredited by a specialized accrediting agency for programs of legal education or association recognized by the Secretary of Education under subpart 2 of part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b), from which recipients of law degrees from such accredited programs are eligible to sit for a bar examination in any State.
(16) Such additional criteria as may be deemed necessary by the State approving agency if the Secretary, in consultation with the State approving agency and pursuant to regulations prescribed to carry out this paragraph, determines such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably.
(d) The Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, the requirements of subsection (c)(13) of this section in the case of an educational institution which—
(1) is a college, university, or similar institution offering postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree,
(2) is operated by an agency of a State or of a unit of local government,
(3) is located within such State or, in the case of an institution operated by an agency of a unit of local government, within the boundaries of the area over which such unit has taxing jurisdiction, and
(4) is a candidate for accreditation by a regional accrediting association,
if the Secretary determines, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, that such requirements would work an undue administrative hardship because the total amount of tuition, fees, and other charges at such institution is nominal.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a course of education shall not be approved under this section if it is to be pursued in whole or in part by independent study.
(f)
(1) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (14) or (15) of subsection (c) in the case of a course of education offered by an educational institution (either accredited or not accredited) if the Secretary determines all of the following:
(A) The educational institution is not accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education.
(B) The course did not meet the requirements of such paragraph at any time during the 2-year period preceding the date of the waiver.
(C) The waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs.
(D) The educational institution does not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance.
(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary issues a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress notice of such waiver and a justification for issuing such waiver.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 159, § 1776; amended Pub. L. 89–358, § 3(a)(9), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 97–66, title VI, § 606, Oct. 17, 1981, 95 Stat. 1037; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3676 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), (c)(1), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 102–568, title III, § 313(a)(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4331; Pub. L. 109–461, title III, § 303, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3428; Pub. L. 110–389, title III, § 322, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4168; Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, §§ 409(a), (b), 410(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1559, 1561; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, §§ 1016(a), 1020(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4945, 4958.)
§ 3677. Approval of training on the job
(a) Any State approving agency may approve a program of training on the job (other than a program of apprenticeship) only when it finds that the job which is the objective of the training is one in which progression and appointment to the next higher classification are based upon skills learned through organized and supervised training on the job and not on such factors as length of service and normal turnover, and that the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section are met.
(b)
(1) The training establishment offering training which is desired to be approved for the purposes of this chapter must submit to the appropriate State approving agency a written application for approval which, in addition to furnishing such information as is required by the State approving agency, contains a certification that—
(A) the wages to be paid the eligible veteran or person (i) upon entrance into training, are not less than wages paid nonveterans in the same training position and are at least 50 per centum of the wages paid for the job for which the veteran or person is to be trained, and (ii) such wages will be increased in regular periodic increments until, not later than the last full month of the training period, they will be at least 85 per centum of the wages paid for the job for which such eligible veteran or person is being trained; and
(B) there is reasonable certainty that the job for which the eligible veteran or person is to be trained will be available to the veteran or person at the end of the training period.
(2) The requirement under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to a training establishment operated by the United States or by a State or local government.
(3) The requirement for certification under paragraph (1) shall not apply to training described in section 3452(e)(2) of this title.
(c) As a condition for approving a program of training on the job (other than a program of apprenticeship) the State approving agency must find upon investigation that the following criteria are met:
(1) The training span of the course is adequate to qualify the eligible veteran or person for appointment to the job for which the veteran or person is to be trained.
(2) The job customarily requires full-time training for a period of not less than six months and not more than two years.
(3) The length of the training period is not longer than that customarily required by the training establishments in the community to provide an eligible veteran or person with the required skills, arrange for the acquiring of job knowledge, technical information, and other facts which the eligible veteran or person will need to learn in order to become competent on the job for which the veteran or person is being trained.
(4) Provision is made for related instruction for the individual eligible veteran or person who may need it.
(5) There is in the training establishment adequate space, equipment, instructional material, and instructor personnel to provide satisfactory training on the job.
(6) Adequate records are kept to show the progress made by each eligible veteran or person toward such veteran’s or person’s job objective.
(7) No course of training will be considered bona fide if given to an eligible veteran or person who is already qualified by training and experience for the job.
(8) A signed copy of the training agreement for each eligible veteran or person, including the training program and wage scale as approved by the State approving agency, is provided to the veteran or person and to the Secretary and the State approving agency by the employer.
(9) That the course meets such other criteria as may be established by the State approving agency.
(d)
(1) The Secretary may conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary operates a program of training on the job under this section for a period (notwithstanding subsection (c)(2)) of up to three years in duration to train employees of the Department to become qualified adjudicators of claims for compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pension.
(2)
(A) Not later than three years after the implementation of the pilot project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an initial report on the pilot project. The report shall include an assessment of the usefulness of the program in recruiting and retaining of personnel of the Department as well as an assessment of the value of the program as a training program.
(B) Not later than 18 months after the date on which the initial report under subparagraph (A) is submitted, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot project. The final report shall include recommendations of the Secretary with respect to continuation of the pilot project and with respect to expansion of the types of claims for which the extended period of on the job training is available to train such employees.
(Added Pub. L. 90–77, title III, § 304(d), Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 186, § 1777; amended Pub. L. 91–219, title II, § 212, Mar. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 92–540, title III, § 314, Oct. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 1084; Pub. L. 94–502, title V, § 513(a)(3), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3677, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 105–368, title II, § 205(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3327; Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 108, Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3604; Pub. L. 110–389, title III, § 325, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4169.)
§ 3678. Notice of approval of courses
The State approving agency, upon determining that an educational institution has complied with all the requirements of this chapter, will issue a letter to such institution setting forth the courses which have been approved for the purposes of this chapter, and will furnish an official copy of such letter and any subsequent amendments to the Secretary. The letter of approval shall be accompanied by a copy of the catalog or bulletin of the institution, as approved by the State approving agency, and shall contain the following information:
(1) date of letter and effective date of approval of courses;
(2) proper address and name of each educational institution;
(3) authority for approval and conditions of approval, referring specifically to the approved catalog or bulletin published by the educational institution;
(4) name of each course approved;
(5) where applicable, enrollment limitations such as maximum numbers authorized and student-teacher ratio;
(6) signature of responsible official of State approving agency; and
(7) such other fair and reasonable provisions as are considered necessary by the appropriate State approving agency.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 162, § 1777; renumbered § 1778, Pub. L. 90–77, title III, § 304(d), Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 186; amended Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3678, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406.)
§ 3679. Disapproval of courses
(a)
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), any course approved for the purposes of this chapter which fails to meet any of the requirements of this chapter (including failure to comply with a risk-based survey under this chapter or secure an affirmation of approval by the appropriate State approving agency following the survey) shall be immediately disapproved by the Secretary or the appropriate State approving agency. An educational institution which has its courses disapproved by the Secretary or a State approving agency will be notified of such disapproval by a certified or registered letter of notification and a return receipt secured.
(2) In the case of a course of education that would be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the reason that the Secretary of Education withdraws the recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved course of education under this chapter for a period not to exceed 18 months from the date of the withdrawal of recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall provide to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice of the status of the course of education.
(3) In this section, the term “risk-based survey” means a risk-based survey developed under section 3673A(a) of this title.
(b) Each State approving agency shall notify the Secretary of each course which it has disapproved under this section. The Secretary shall notify the State approving agency of the Secretary’s disapproval of any educational institution under chapter 31 of this title.
(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 if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for covered individuals who are pursuing the course with educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 of this title while living in the State in which the institution is located 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) A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active military, naval, air, or space service.
(B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under—
(i)section 3311(b)(8) of this title; or
(ii)section 3319 of this title by virtue of the individual’s relationship to—(I) a veteran described in subparagraph (A); or(II) a member of the uniformed services described in section 3319(b) of this title who is serving on active duty.
(C) An individual who is entitled to rehabilitation under section 3102(a) of this title.
(D) An individual who is entitled to assistance under section 3510 of this title.
(3) If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (2)(A), (2)(B), or (2)(C) 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)
(A) 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.
(B) To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall make publicly available on the internet website of the Department a database explaining any requirements described in subparagraph (A) that are established by a public institution of higher learning for an individual to be charged tuition and fees at a rate that is equal to or less than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for residents of the State in which the institution is located. The Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by such an institution that does not provide the Secretary—
(i) an initial explanation of such requirements; and
(ii) not later than 90 days after the date on which any such requirements change, the updated requirements.
(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, 31, 33, and 35 of this title.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Secretary or the applicable State approving agency shall disapprove a course of education described in paragraph (14) or (15) of section 3676(c) of this title unless the educational institution providing the course of education—
(1) publicly discloses any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or examinations, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation; and
(2) makes each disclosure required by paragraph (1) in a manner that the Secretary considers prominent (as specified by the Secretary in regulations prescribed for purposes of this subsection).
(e)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, beginning on August 1, 2019, a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall disapprove a course of education provided by an educational institution that has in effect a policy that is inconsistent with any of the following:
(A) A policy that permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31, 33, or 35 of this title and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
(i) The date on which the Secretary provides payment for such course of education to such institution.
(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date on which the educational institution certifies for tuition and fees following receipt from the student such certificate of eligibility.
(B) A policy that ensures that the educational institution will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
33, or 35 of this title.(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31 1 33, or 35 of this title.
(3) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(4) It shall not be inconsistent with a policy described in paragraph (1) for an educational institution to require a covered individual to take the following additional actions:
(A) Submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance not later than the first day of a course of education for which the individual has indicated the individual wishes to use the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance.
(B) Submit a written request to use such entitlement.
(C) Provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.
(f)
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (5), a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall take an action described in paragraph (4)(A) if the State approving agency or the Secretary, when acting in the role of the State approving agency, determines that an educational institution does not perform any of the following:
(A) Prior to the enrollment of a covered individual in a course of education at the educational institution, provide the individual with a form that contains information personalized to the individual that describes—
(i) the estimated total cost of the course, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and any other additional costs;
(ii) an estimate of the cost for living expenses for students enrolled in the course;
(iii) the amount of the costs under clauses (i) and (ii) that are covered by the educational assistance provided to the individual under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, as the case may be;
(iv) the type and amount of Federal financial aid not administered by the Secretary and financial aid offered by the institution that the individual may qualify to receive;
(v) an estimate of the amount of student loan debt the individual would have upon graduation;
(vi) information regarding graduation rates;
(vii) job-placement rates for graduates of the course, if available;
(viii) information regarding the acceptance by the institution of transfer of credits, including military credits;
(ix) any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or examinations, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation; and
(x) other information to facilitate comparison by the individual of aid packages offered by different educational institutions.
(B) Not later than 15 days after the date on which the institution (or the governing body of the institution) determines tuition rates and fees for an academic year that is different than the amount being charged by the institution, provide a covered individual enrolled in a course of education at the educational institution with the form under subparagraph (A) that contains updated information.
(C) Maintain policies to—
(i) inform each covered individual enrolled in a course of education at the educational institution of the availability of Federal financial aid not administered by the Secretary and financial aid offered by the institution; and
(ii) alert such individual of the potential eligibility of the individual for such financial aid before packaging or arranging student loans or alternative financing programs for the individual.
(D) Maintain policies to—
(i) prohibit the automatic renewal of a covered individual in courses and programs of education; and
(ii) ensure that each covered individual approves of the enrollment of the individual in a course.
(E) Provide to a covered individual enrolled in a course of education at the educational institution with information regarding the requirements to graduate from such course, including, to the maximum extent practicable, information regarding when required classes will be offered and a timeline to graduate.
(F) With respect to an accredited educational institution, obtain the approval of the accrediting agency for each new course or program of the institution before enrolling covered individuals in such courses or programs if the accrediting agency determines that such approval is appropriate under the substantive change requirements of the accrediting agency regarding the quality, objectives, scope, or control of the institution.
(G) Maintain a policy that—
(i) ensures that members of the Armed Forces, including the reserve components and the National Guard, who enroll in a course of education at the educational institution may be readmitted at such institution if such members are temporarily unavailable or have to suspend such enrollment by reason of serving in the Armed Forces; and
(ii) otherwise accommodates such members during short absences by reason of such service.
(H) Designate an employee of the educational institution to serve as a point of contact for covered individuals and the family of such individuals needing assistance with respect to academic counseling, financial counseling, disability counseling, and other information regarding completing a course of education at such institution, including by referring such individuals and family to the appropriate persons for such counseling and information.
(2) Except as provided by paragraph (5), a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall take an action described in paragraph (4)(A) if the State approving agency, the Secretary, or any Federal agency, determines that an educational institution, or any person with whom the institution has an agreement to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, recruiting or admissions services, does any of the following:
(A) Carries out deceptive or persistent recruiting techniques, including on military installations, that may include—
(i) misrepresentation (as defined in section 3696(e)(2)(B) 2
2 See References in Text note below.
of this title) or payment of incentive compensation;(ii) during any one-month period making three or more unsolicited contacts to a covered individual, including contacts by phone, email, or in-person; or
(iii) engaging in same-day recruitment and registration.
(B) Provides a commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance.
(C) In determining whether a violation of subparagraph (B) has occurred, the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the place of the State approving agency, shall construe the requirements of this paragraph in accordance with the regulations and guidance prescribed by the Secretary of Education under section 487(a)(20) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(20)).
(3) A State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall take an action described in paragraph (4)(A) if the State approving agency or the Secretary, when acting in the role of the State approving agency, determines that an educational institution is the subject of a negative action made by the accrediting agency that accredits the institution, including any of the following:
(A) Accreditor sanctions.
(B) Accreditation probation.
(C) The loss of accreditation or candidacy for accreditation.
(4)
(A) An action described in this subparagraph is any of the following:
(i) Submitting to the Secretary a recommendation that the Secretary publish a warning on the internet website of the Department described in section 3698(c)(2) of this title, or such other similar internet website of the Department, that describes how an educational institution is failing to meet a requirement under paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(ii) Suspending the approval of the courses and programs of education offered by the educational institution by disapproving new enrollments of eligible veterans and eligible persons in each course or program of education offered by that educational institution.
(iii) Revoking the approval of the courses and programs of education offered by the educational institution by disapproving all enrollments of eligible veterans and eligible persons in each course or program of education offered by that educational institution 3
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
(B)
(i) The Secretary shall establish guidelines to ensure that the actions described in subparagraph (A) are applied in a proportional and uniform manner by State approving agencies, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency.
(ii) Each State approving agency and the Secretary, when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall adhere to the guidelines established under clause (i).
(C) The State approving agency, in consultation with the Secretary, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, may limit an action described in subparagraph (A)(ii) to individuals not enrolled at the educational institution before the period described in such subparagraph.
(5)
(A) The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) or waive the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect to an educational institution for a one-academic-year period beginning in August of the year in which the waiver is made. A single educational institution may not receive waivers under this paragraph for more than 2 consecutive academic years.
(B) To be considered for a waiver under this paragraph, an educational institution shall submit to the Secretary an application prior to the first day of the academic year for which the waiver is sought.
(6) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the following reports:
(A) A report, which shall be made publicly available, that includes the following:
(i) A summary of each action described in paragraph (4)(A) made during the year covered by the report, including—(I) the name of the educational institution;(II) the type of action taken;(III) the rationale for the action, including how the educational institution was not in compliance with this subsection;(IV) the length of time that the educational institution was not in such compliance; and(V) whether the educational institution was also not in compliance with this subsection during any of the 2 years prior to the year covered by the report.
(ii) A summary and justifications for the waivers made under paragraph (5) during the year covered by the report, including the total number of waivers each educational institution has received.
(B) A report containing the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to any legislative actions the Secretary determines appropriate to ensure that this subsection is carried out in a manner that is consistent with the requirements that educational institutions must meet for purposes of other departments or agencies of the Federal Government.
(7) This subsection shall not apply to an educational institution—
(A) located in a foreign country; or
(B) that provides to a covered individual consumer information regarding costs of the program of education (including financial aid available to such covered individual) using a form or template developed by the Secretary of Education.
(8) In this subsection, the term “covered individual” means an individual who is pursuing a course of education at an educational institution under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10.
(Added Pub. L. 88–126, § 1, Sept. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 162, § 1778; renumbered § 1779, Pub. L. 90–77, title III, § 304(d), Aug. 31, 1967, 81 Stat. 186; amended Pub. L. 94–502, title V, § 513(a)(4), Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 101–237, title IV, § 423(b)(1)(A), (2), Dec. 18, 1989, 103 Stat. 2092; renumbered § 3679, Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 111–377, title II, § 203(d), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4126; Pub. L. 113–146, title VII, § 702(a), Aug. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 1796; Pub. L. 113–175, title IV, § 409(i), Sept. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 1908; Pub. L. 114–228, title IV, § 415, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 941; Pub. L. 114–315, title IV, §§ 409(e), 417(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1560, 1565; Pub. L. 115–48, title I, § 105(c)(7), Aug. 16, 2017, 131 Stat. 976; Pub. L. 115–251, title III, § 301(a), Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3178; Pub. L. 115–407, title I, § 103(a), Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5369; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 926(a)(46), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830; Pub. L. 116–315, title I, §§ 1005(a), 1017(a), 1018(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4939, 4946; Pub. L. 117–16, §§ 6, 7(a)(4), June 8, 2021, 135 Stat. 284, 285; Pub. L. 117–68, § 2(a), (b), Nov. 30, 2021, 135 Stat. 1493; Pub. L. 117–76, § 3(b)(1), Dec. 21, 2021, 135 Stat. 1518.)