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S 1308119th CongressIn Committee
VETS Opportunity Act of 2025
Introduced: Apr 4, 2025
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 would tighten the criteria for approving independent study programs under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education programs. Specifically, it requires that independent study offerings used with VA educational benefits include regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. It also narrows eligibility to institutions of higher education that participate in a Title IV federal student aid program (as defined by the Higher Education Act). The changes apply to any academic term beginning on or after August 1, 2025. The bill was introduced in the Senate by a group of senators led by Sen. Tillis.
Key Points
- 1Requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors for independent study programs used with VA education benefits.
- 2Limits eligible institutions to those that are higher education institutions defined by the Higher Education Act and that participate in Title IV federal student aid programs.
- 3Applies to terms (quarters/semesters) beginning on or after August 1, 2025.
- 4Replaces/updates the current criteria for approval of certain independent study programs under VA education benefit programs.
- 5The bill is titled the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 (VETS Opportunity Act of 2025).
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: Veterans and servicemembers using VA education benefits who enroll in independent study programs.Secondary group/area affected: Institutions of higher education that offer independent study programs and seek VA benefit eligibility; these institutions will need Title IV participation and to implement regular/ substantive instructor contact.Additional impacts: May affect the availability of certain distance/independent study options for VA beneficiaries, increase accountability and program oversight for VA education benefits, and potentially influence how online or non-traditional programs structure student-instructor interactions.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025