VA Benefits and CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions

The information on this page is updated regularly. 

This guidance provides general information as it pertains to COVID-19 and Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. THECB staff will update this guidance as we receive additional information. In addition to this guidance, please consult THECB’s Coronavirus Update for Higher Education page for state and federal information on COVID-19 and higher education. The information on this page is updated daily.

Veterans’ Education Benefits

How will veterans’ educational benefits be impacted by a transition from residential to distance learning due to COVID-19?

On March 21, President Trump signed into law legislation (S. 3503) designed to ensure that veterans using GI Bill benefits in higher education are not adversely impacted as institutions convert courses from on-site to distance learning. Current requirements reduce a beneficiary’s housing allowance if he or she attends higher education via online instruction. S. 3503 allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive this restriction and continue benefits payments at existing levels through December 21, 2020.

As a result of this legislation, institutions do NOT need to submit enrollment adjustments to the VA when the conversion to distance learning is the only factor. Institutions are encouraged to monitor the VA’s Education and Training webpage for information and announcements regarding educational benefits during the national emergency, and to direct any inquiries to the agency’s Education Liaison Representatives for Texas.

Contact

Inquiries should be directed to Ginger Gossman.

Email Ginger