§2006a Assistance for Education and Training: Availability of Certain Assistance for Use Only for Certain Programs of Education

Summary

Starting August 1, 2014, people eligible for Department of Defense education benefits may use those benefits only for programs that meet certain rules. The program must be an eligible program under section 481 of the Higher Education Act and be offered by a college that has and follows a program participation agreement under section 487. Programs that prepare students for a state license or certification are allowed only if they meet the state's required curriculum. Programs that prepare students for jobs that require state approval or licensure are allowed only if the state board or agency approves or licenses the program. The Secretary of Defense can allow other programs by regulation if the program is accredited by a nationally or regionally recognized agency (as recognized by the Department of Education), was not eligible in the most recent two-year period, is judged by the Secretary to help the goals of the DoD education programs or the students, and the school does not pay commissions, bonuses, or other incentives tied to enrolling students or awarding financial aid (except for recruiting foreign students who live outside the U.S. and are not eligible for Federal student aid). The DoD education programs covered here include: the spouse education and training assistance program under section 1784a; the authority to pay tuition for off-duty training or education under section 2007; the Selected Reserve educational assistance program under chapter 1606; the reserve component education assistance under chapter 1607; and any other DoD education or training assistance the Secretary designates by rule. “Institution of higher education” means the term as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1002).