November 12, 2025
Mr. Horsford introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide additional entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to certain veterans and members of the Armed Forces who require extra time to complete remedial and deficiency courses, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Transfer Extension Act of 2025
or the VET Extension Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
Individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs who require remedial and deficiency courses exhaust their entitlement before completing a program of education with such assistance.
(2)
Members of the Armed Forces who are entitled to educational assistance under such program and who do not have dependents while serving as members of the Armed Forces are not able to transfer their entitlement to such assistance when they come to have dependents.
Sec. 3. Increase in duration of educational assistance under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program for completion of remedial and deficiency courses
(a) In general
Section 3312 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(d) Increase for pursuit of remedial and deficiency courses
(1) In general
In the case of an individual who is eligible under paragraph (2), the number of months of educational assistance under section 3313 of this title to which the individual is entitled under this section is increased by the lesser of the following:
(A)
15 months.
(B)
The number of months required to complete the remedial and deficiency courses necessary to complete the program of education the individual is pursuing on a full-time basis, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Eligibility
For purposes of this section, an eligible individual is an individual who—
(A)
was entitled to educational assistance under section 3311 of this title but has used all of such individual’s entitlement;
(B)
during the 180-day period preceding the date of the determination of eligibility under this subsection, used any of such entitlement; and
(C)
is pursuing the completion of a program of education at an institution of higher learning and—
(i)
has completed, or attempted to complete, a remedial or deficiency course necessary to complete such program of education; and
(ii)
requires more than the standard 120 semester (or 180 quarter) credit hours for completion of such program of education.
(3) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A)
The term institution of higher learning has the meaning given such term in section 3452 of this title.
(B)
The term remedial or deficiency course means a course offered by an institution of higher learning that is designed to overcome a deficiency.
(b) Conforming amendments
Title 38, United States Code, is further amended—
(1)
in section 3312(a), by striking subsections (b) and (c)
and inserting subsections (b), (c), and (d)
; and
(2)
in section 3695, by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(d)
Notwithstanding subsection (a), in the case of an individual who is entitled to additional months of educational assistance under section 3312(d) of this title, the aggregate period for which such individual may receive assistance under two or more of the provisions of law referred to in such subsection may not exceed the sum of—
(1)
48 months (or the part-time equivalent thereof), and
(2)
the number of months of entitlement received by such individual under section 3312(d) of this title.
Sec. 4. Increased flexibility in transfer of entitlement to educational assistance under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program
Section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (e)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting such subparagraphs appropriately;
(B)
in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking An
and inserting the following:
(1) In general
An; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
(2) Timing of designation
An individual who does not have an eligible dependent may elect to transfer a portion of the individual’s entitlement to an unspecified future dependent. In the case of such an election, the individual shall make the designations required by paragraph (1) when the individual comes to have an eligible dependent to whom the individual would like to transfer entitlement under this section.; and
(2)
in subsection (f)—
(A)
by striking paragraph (1);
(B)
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
(C)
in paragraph (1)(A), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by inserting , including by designating a new dependent or dependents to whom to transfer the individual’s entitlement
before the period.