Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§3201 Purpose
Title 38 › Part PART III— - READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS › Chapter CHAPTER 32— - POST-VIETNAM ERA VETERANS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS › § 3201
Summary
Provides education benefits to people who joined the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976 and before July 1, 1985. It also helps young people afford schooling and supports the all‑volunteer military.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §3201
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
It is the purpose of this chapter (1) to provide educational assistance to those men and women who enter the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, (2) to assist young men and women in obtaining an education they might not otherwise be able to afford, and (3) to promote and assist the all volunteer military program of the United States by attracting qualified men and women to serve in the Armed Forces.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Prior section 3201 was renumbered section 5501 of this title.
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 1601 of this title as this section. 1986—Pub. L. 99–576 inserted “and before July 1, 1985,”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
section 406 of title IV of Pub. L. 94–502 provided that: “The provisions of this title [enacting this chapter, amending section 1652, 1661, and 1662 [now 3452, 3461, and 3462] of this title and section 725s of former Title 31, Money and Finance, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 3221 of this title] shall become effective on January 1, 1977.”
Short Title
For
Short Title
s of Pub. L. 94–502, and title IV of Pub. L. 94–502, which enacted this chapter, see
Short Title
of 1976
Amendments
note set out under section 101 of this title. Enrollment in Program Before April 1, 1987 Pub. L. 99–576, title III, § 309(c), (d), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3270, provided that: “(c) Exception.—Notwithstanding the
Amendments
made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 1602 and 1621 [now 3202 and 3221] of this title], any individual on active duty in the Armed Forces who was eligible on
June 30, 1985, to enroll in the program established by chapter 32 of title 38, United States Code, may enroll, before
April 1, 1987, in such program. “(d) Notice Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall carry out activities for the purpose of notifying, to the maximum extent feasible, individuals described in subsection (c) of the opportunity provided by such subsection.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 3201
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73