[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 1458 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1458 To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 21, 2025 Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025'' or the ``VETS Opportunity Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS UNDER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of title 38, United States Code (as amended by the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 138 Stat. 2773)), is further amended-- (1) by inserting ``that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors'' after ``course of study''; (2) in item (aa), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; (3) in item (bb), by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``; or''; and (4) by adding at the end by following new item: ``(cc) an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and''. (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2025. <all>