S 4237 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the eligibility requirements for transfer of unused entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 26, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies the eligibility requirements for transferring unused educational entitlement, increasing the required service from six years to ten years, and allows for transfers at any time while serving.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319(b)

  An individual referred to in subsection (a) is any member of the uniformed services who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section, has completed at least— → An individual referred to in subsection (a) is an individual who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section--

  This change updates the definition of eligible individuals for entitlement transfer.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319(b)

  (1) six years of service in the Armed Forces and enters into an agreement to serve at least four more years as a member of the uniformed services; or → (1) has completed at least 10 years of service in the uniformed services, not fewer than six of which were service in the Armed Forces;

  This change raises the required service for eligibility from six to ten years.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319(b)

  (2) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j). → (2) is a member of the uniformed services who-- (A) is not an individual described in paragraph (1); (B) has served at least six years in the Armed Forces; and (C) enters into an agreement to serve as a member of the uniformed services for a period that is no less than the difference between-- (i) 10 years; and (ii) the period the individual has already served in the uniformed services; or

  This change adds an alternative eligibility pathway for members not meeting the primary 10-year requirement.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319(f)(1)

  an individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces when the transfer is executed. → an individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement at any time.

  This change allows an individual to transfer educational assistance entitlement at any time, not just while actively serving.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319(g)

  A dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section may not commence the use of the transferred entitlement until— (1) in the case of entitlement transferred to a spouse, the completion by the individual making the transfer of at least— (A) six years of service in the Armed Forces; or (B) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j); or (2) in the case of entitlement transferred to a child, both— (A) the completion by the individual making the transfer of at least— (i) ten years of service in the Armed Forces; or (ii) the years of service as determined in regulations pursuant to subsection (j); and (B) either— (i) the completion by the child of the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or (ii) the attainment by the child of 18 years of age. → If a dependent to whom entitlement to educational assistance is transferred under this section is a child, the dependent may not commence the use of the transferred entitlement until either-- (1) the completion by the child of the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or (2) the attainment by the child of 18 years of age.

  This change simplifies the commencement of use requirements specifically for child dependents.

• 38 U.S.C. § 3319

  the provisions of this section shall be amended by striking subsection (k);

  This change removes subsection (k), streamlining the law.

Action History

1. March 26, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 26, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsors

• Richard Blumenthal · Primary

Subjects