§3699C High Technology Program

Summary

Creates a program that lets certain veterans and soon-to-be veterans enroll in short, non-degree tech training that teaches skills employers want. Up to 4,000 people can join each year. The VA pays education benefits equal to the amounts in section 3313(c)(1), including rules for housing payments and for distance or less-than-half-time programs. A person can get help for a second program only if the second program starts at least 18 months after they finish the first and they use chapter 33 benefits for that second program. The VA will not pay a housing stipend for any month when the person is already getting a housing stipend under chapter 33. The VA will make contracts with qualified training providers and pay each provider 25% of tuition when a student enrolls, 25% at graduation, and the remaining 50% after one of three things happens: the graduate works 180 days in the program field (starting no later than 180 days after graduation), the graduate works for the provider for one year, or the graduate enrolls in more schooling in that field. A qualified provider must use expert instructors, have run the program at least one year, charge covered individuals no more than others, and meet approval rules that include job-placement rates. The VA will prefer providers whose programs place at least 70% of graduates into full-time jobs in the field within 180 days, or providers that will refund tuition if a graduate does not get such a job. Using this program may reduce any remaining education entitlement under chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 at the rate of one month charged for each month of help received; if someone has no remaining entitlement, the help is extra. Applicants must get clear notice about how their entitlement will be used and receive an award letter if approved. Schools where more than 85% of students have tuition paid by the school or the VA generally cannot enroll new covered individuals, though the VA can waive that rule and must report such waivers. The VA must collect data, consult as needed, and send yearly reports with program numbers, completion and employment results, salaries, and other metrics. Covered individual means a veteran with at least 36 months active duty, discharged other than dishonorable and under age 62, or a service member expected to become such a veteran within 180 days. A high-technology program is a non-degree course, 6–28 weeks long, teaching topics like programming, software, media apps, data processing, or information sciences. The VA cannot pay for programs that start after September 30, 2027.