Improvements to assistance for certain flight training and other programs of education

(a)

Use of entitlement for private pilot’s licenses

Section 3034(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1) by striking the semicolon and inserting the following: and is required for the course of education being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of a degree); and; (2)by striking paragraph (2); and (3)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). (b)

Accelerated payments for flight training

Section 3313 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(l)

Accelerated payments for certain flight training

(1)

Payments

An individual enrolled in a program of education pursued at a vocational school or institution of higher learning in which flight training is required to earn the degree being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of such a degree) may elect to receive accelerated payments of amounts for tuition and fees determined under subsection (c). The amount of each accelerated payment shall be an amount equal to twice the amount for tuition and fee so determined under such subsection, but the total amount of such payments may not exceed the total amount of tuition and fees for the program of education. The amount of monthly stipends shall be determined in accordance with such subsection (c) and may not be accelerated under this paragraph. (2)

Educational counseling

An individual may make an election under paragraph (1) only if the individual receives educational counseling under section 3697A(a) of this title. (3)

Charge against entitlement

The number of months of entitlement charged an individual for accelerated payments made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be determined at the rate of 2 months for each month in which such an accelerated payment is made.

(c)

Flight training at public institutions

Subsection (c)(1)(A) of such section 3313 is amended— (1)in clause (i)— (A)by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; (B)by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning and inserting (I) Subject to subclause (II), in the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning not described in clause (ii)(II)(bb); and (C)by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(II)In determining the actual net cost for in-State tuition and fees pursuant to subclause (I), the Secretary may not pay for tuition and fees relating to flight training.

; and

(2)in clause (ii)— (A)in subclause (I), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively; (B)in subclause (II), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively; (C)by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; (D)by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning and inserting (I) In the case of a program of education described in subclause (II); and (E)by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(II)A program of education described in this subclause is any of the following: (aa)A program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning. (bb)A program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning in which flight training is required to earn the degree being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of such a degree).

(d)

Certain programs of education carried out under contract

Section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (c)(2)(E), is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(cc)A program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning in which the public institution of higher learning enters into a contract or agreement with an entity (other than another public institution of higher learning) to provide such program of education or a portion of such program of education.

(e)

Application

(1)

In general

Except as provided by paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2)

Special rule for current students

In the case of an individual who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is using educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a course of education that includes a program of education described in item (bb) or (cc) of section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsections (c) and (d), respectively, the amendment made by such subsection shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Provision of inscriptions for spouses and children on certain headstones and markers furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(j) (1)In addition to any other authority under this section, in the case of an individual whose grave is not in a covered cemetery (as that term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) and for whom the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) or (d), the Secretary, if feasible and upon request, may replace the headstone or marker to add an inscription for the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child of such individual following the death of the surviving spouse or eligible dependent child. (2)If the spouse or eligible dependent child of an individual referred to in paragraph (1) predeceases the individual, the Secretary may, if feasible and upon request, include an inscription for the spouse or dependent child on the headstone or marker furnished for the individual under subsection (a) or (d).

(b)

Application

Subsection (j) of section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to an individual who dies on or after October 1, 2019.