HR4594-119

What This Bill Does

The Military Learning for Credit Act lets individuals entitled to veterans educational assistance use those benefits for covered examinations and assessments that can provide credit toward degrees awarded by institutions of higher learning for approved programs of education. Covered benefits include chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, and 35 of title 38 and other education assistance connected to a veteran's Armed Forces service. The payable amount for an exam or assessment is capped at the lesser of the amount charged by the administering entity or $500. The entitlement charge equals the exam or assessment cost divided by the monthly veterans education assistance rate available to the person at the time of the exam. The bill states that charging entitlement under a VA-administered education law for this purpose does not affect entitlement under a Defense Department education law, including the Tuition Assistance Program. The practical effect is to make prior-learning, placement, and credit-for-experience assessments easier to finance through existing GI Bill-style benefits.

Who Benefits and How

Veterans using education benefits benefit from up to $500 in coverage for examinations or assessments that can earn degree credit. Eligible dependents using chapter 35 benefits benefit from the same exam and assessment authority. Institutions of higher learning benefit if more veteran students seek credit toward approved degree programs. Prior-learning assessment providers benefit from a new veterans education benefit payment stream.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Department of Veterans Affairs must administer payment and entitlement charging for covered examinations and assessments. Veterans using the authority spend a portion of education entitlement based on exam cost and monthly benefit rate. Exam administrators must charge and document eligible examination or assessment costs. Education-benefit counselors must explain how the $500 cap and entitlement charge interact with other benefits.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes veterans educational assistance for covered examinations and assessments that award degree credit.
• Limits payment to the lesser of the charged amount or $500.
• Requires entitlement charges based on exam cost divided by the monthly education-benefit rate.
• Protects Department of Defense Tuition Assistance entitlement from being affected by a VA benefit charge.
• Applies to title 38 chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and other service-connected education assistance.