10 U.S.C. § 16163

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 16163 - Eligibility for educational assistance

(a) ELIGIBILITY.-On or after September 11, 2001, a member of a reserve component is entitled to educational assistance under this chapter if the member-

(1) served on active duty in support of a contingency operation for 90 consecutive days or more; or

(2) in the case of a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the United States, performed full time National Guard duty under section 502(f) of title 32 for 90 consecutive days or more when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for the purpose of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds.

(b) DISABLED MEMBERS.-Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements in subsection (a), a member who was ordered to active service as prescribed under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) but is released from duty before completing 90 consecutive days because of an injury, illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty shall be entitled to educational assistance under this chapter at the rate prescribed in section 16162(c)(4)(A) of this title.

(c) WRITTEN NOTIFICATION.-

(1) Each member who becomes entitled to educational assistance under subsection (a) shall be given a statement in writing prior to release from active service that summarizes the provisions of this chapter and stating clearly and prominently the substance of section 16165 of this title as such section may apply to the member.

(2) At the request of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary concerned shall transmit a notice of entitlement for each such member to that Secretary.

(d) BAR FROM DUAL ELIGIBILITY.-A member who qualifies for educational assistance under this chapter may not receive credit for such service under both the program established by chapter 30 of title 38 and the program established by this chapter but shall make an irrevocable election (in such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) as to the program to which such service is to be credited.

(e) BAR FROM DUPLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE.-

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an individual entitled to educational assistance under this chapter who is also eligible for educational assistance under chapter 1606 of this title, chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38, or under the Hostage Relief Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-449; 5 U.S.C. 5561 note) may not receive assistance under more than one such program and shall elect (in such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may prescribe) under which program the member elects to receive educational assistance.

(2) The restriction on duplication of educational assistance under paragraph (1) does not apply to the entitlement of educational assistance under section 16131(i) of this title.

10 U.S.C. § 16163

Added Pub. L. 108-375, div. A, title V, §527(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1892; amended Pub. L. 109-163, div. A, title V, §540(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3251; Pub. L. 110-252, §5003(b)(1)(C), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2375; Pub. L. 111-84, div. A, title X, §1073(a)(36), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2474.

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Hostage Relief Act of 1980, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is Pub. L. 96-449, Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1967, as amended, which was formerly set out as a note under section 5561 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

AMENDMENTS2009-Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111-84 substituted "such program" for "such programs".2008-Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 110-252 inserted "33," after "32,". 2006-Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 109-163 substituted "Secretary of Veterans Affairs" for "Secretary concerned".

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 110-252, §5003(d), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2378, provided that: "This section [enacting chapter 33 of Title 38, Veterans' Benefits, amending this section and sections 3033, 3485, 3688 to 3690, 3692, 3695, 3697, and 3697A of Title 38, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 3301 of Title 38] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2009."

Air National Guard of the United States: The term "Air National Guard of the United States" means the reserve component of the Air Force all of whose members are members of the Air National Guard.
Army National Guard of the United States: The term "Army National Guard of the United States" means the reserve component of the Army all of whose members are members of the Army National Guard.
National Guard: The term "National Guard" means the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Secretary concerned: The term "Secretary concerned" means-(A) the Secretary of the Army, with respect to matters concerning the Army;(B) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to matters concerning the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard when it is operating as a service in the Department of the Navy;(C) the Secretary of the Air Force, with respect to matters concerning the Air Force and the Space Force; and(D) the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy.
active duty: The term "active duty" means full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, including sustained duty in the Space Force. Such term includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned. Such term does not include full-time National Guard duty.
active service: The term "active service" means service on active duty or full-time National Guard duty.
contingency operation: The term "contingency operation" means a military operation that-(A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense as an operation in which members of the armed forces are or may become involved in military actions, operations, or hostilities against an enemy of the United States or against an opposing military force; or(B) results in the call or order to, or retention on, active duty of members of the uniformed services under section 688, 12301(a), 12302, 12304, 12304a, 12305, or 12406 of this title, chapter 13 of this title, section 3713 of title 14, or any other provision of law during a war or during a national emergency declared by the President or Congress.