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Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102

§7655 Breach of Agreement; Liability

Title 38 › PART V — BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES › CHAPTER 76 — HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM › SUBCHAPTER V — STIPEND PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE › § 7655

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

You must repay the government if you receive or received a reserve stipend and then fail to do the required service. If active duty (including active-duty training) kept you from doing the service, you may perform it after that duty. The Secretary may waive the duty for reasons beyond your control or if a waiver benefits you and the government. Any debt must be paid within one year.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §7655

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Subject to paragraph (2), an individual who is receiving or has received a reserve member stipend under this subchapter and who fails to perform the service for which the individual is obligated under section 7654 of this title shall be liable to the United States in an amount determined in accordance with section 7617(c)(1) of this title.
(2)An individual who, as a result of performing active duty (including active duty for training), is unable to perform the service for which the individual is obligated under section 7654 of this title shall be permitted to perform that service upon completion of the active duty service (or active duty for training). The Secretary may, by regulation, waive the requirement for the performance of the service for which the individual is obligated under section 7654 of this title in any case in which the Secretary determines that the individual is unable to perform the service for reasons beyond the control of the individual or in any case in which the waiver would be in the best interest of the individual and the United States.
(b)Any amount owed the United States under subsection (a) of this section shall be paid to the United States during the one-year period beginning on the date of the breach of the agreement.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(b)(1), renumbered section 4355 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “7654” for “4354” and “7617(c)(1)” for “4317(c)(1)”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–40, § 402(d)(1), substituted “7654” for “4354” in two places.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 7655

Title 38, Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102