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..