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Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-110

§3318 Additional Assistance: Relocation or Travel Assistance for Individual Relocating or Traveling Significant Distance for Pursuit of a Program of Education

Title 38 › PART III — READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS › CHAPTER 33 — POST–9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE › SUBCHAPTER II — EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE › § 3318

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Provides a one-time $500 payment to people who are eligible for education benefits under this law and who live in counties with under seven people per square mile, according to the latest Census. To qualify they must either move at least 500 miles to attend school or have to fly because there are no roads or other travel options. Proof of residence can be a DD Form 214, the most recent federal tax return, or other documents the Secretary allows. The payment is made only once and does not reduce any other education benefits.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §3318

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Additional Assistance.—
Each individual described in subsection (b) shall be paid additional assistance under this section in the amount of $500.
(b)Covered Individuals.—
An individual described in this subsection is any individual entitled to educational assistance under this chapter—
(1)who resides in a county (or similar entity utilized by the Bureau of the Census) with less than seven persons per square mile, according to the most recent decennial Census; and
(2)who—
(A)physically relocates a distance of at least 500 miles in order to pursue a program of education for which the individual utilizes educational assistance under this chapter; or
(B)travels by air to physically attend an institution of higher learning for pursuit of such a program of education because the individual cannot travel to such institution by automobile or other established form of transportation due to an absence of road or other infrastructure.
(c)Proof of Residence.—
For purposes of subsection (b)(1), an individual may demonstrate the individual’s place of residence utilizing any of the following:
(1)DD Form 214, Certification of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
(2)The most recent Federal income tax return.
(3)Such other evidence as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this section.
(d)Single Payment of Assistance.—
An individual is entitled to only one payment of additional assistance under this section.
(e)No Charge Against Entitlement.—
Any amount paid an individual under this section is in addition to any other educational assistance benefits provided the individual under this chapter.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–275 substituted “higher learning” for “higher education”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Aug. 1, 2009, see section 5003(d) of Pub. L. 110–252, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2008 Amendment note under section 16163 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 3318

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110