S.Amdt. 3263

SA 3263, submitted by Mr. Coons and Ms. Ernst, aims to add a section to title X of bill S. 2296. The purpose of this amendment is to allow individuals entitled to veterans educational assistance to use those funds to pay for covered examinations and assessments. These are used to receive credit toward degrees from institutions of higher learning for approved programs of education.

The amendment specifies that:

• Covered examinations and assessments include the National Career Readiness Certificate examination and assessments by an institution of higher learning of a student's portfolio or written narrative that demonstrates prior military training or learning.

• Eligible assistance includes educational assistance under Chapters 30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code, and Chapters 1606 and 1607 of title 10, United States Code.

• Payment limits are set to the amount charged by the entity administering the test or $500, whichever is less.

• Entitlement charges are calculated by dividing the cost of the exam or assessment by the individual's monthly rate of veterans educational assistance.

• Protections are included so that charges for assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs do not affect entitlement to assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Defense, such as the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program.