VA Proposes Easier Rules for Veterans' STEM Scholarship Extensions
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The VA is updating rules to make the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship easier to use. This scholarship gives eligible veterans up to nine extra months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for STEM degrees or certain health care training. Comments on these changes are open until March 16, 2026, so veterans and students should check it out soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Up to 9 Months and $30,000 Per Recipient
An eligible individual may receive up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits under the STEM Scholarship, not to exceed $30,000 per person. Annual program funding limits are $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, $75,000,000 for fiscal years 2020–2022, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year.
Eligibility Expanded to Dual Degrees and Clinical Training
VA expanded who can get the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship to include people enrolled in dual degree programs that include an undergraduate STEM degree and people enrolled in covered clinical training programs for health care professionals. The Isakson-Roe Act changes apply to terms beginning on or after January 5, 2021.
STEM Months Don’t Count Toward 48-Month Cap
Additional months of assistance received under the STEM Scholarship do not count toward the 48-month aggregate benefits limitation under 38 U.S.C. 3695(a).
New Application, Timing, and Use Rules
You must apply for the STEM Scholarship using the electronic VA Form 22-10203; a portion must be completed by the School Certifying Official within 12 months. VA will select candidates from monthly cohorts on the 7th of each month. Recipients must begin using the benefit within six months of selection or the scholarship is forfeited, and benefits must be used within two years of the award's beginning date.
Priority Order When Funds Are Insufficient
If VA lacks funds in a fiscal year to award all eligible applicants, for terms beginning on or after January 5, 2021 VA will prioritize applicants in this order: (1) undergraduate STEM degree students; (2) individuals in programs leading to a teaching certificate; (3) dual degree students pursuing undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees; (4) those with an undergraduate STEM degree in covered clinical training; (5) those with a graduate STEM degree in covered clinical training; and (6) all other eligible individuals. Within each group, VA will prioritize applicants with the most remaining required credit hours.
STEM Scholarship Benefits Cannot Be Transferred
If you receive additional benefits under the STEM Scholarship, you cannot transfer those additional benefits to your dependents; transfer of the additional STEM Scholarship assistance is prohibited under 38 U.S.C. 3320(e).
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