This bill lets veterans and other eligible learners use their VA education benefits to pay for exams or assessments that help them earn college credit toward a degree. The benefit can cover the test fee up to the actual cost or $500, whichever is less . Using this option will reduce your remaining VA education entitlement by a small amount based on the test cost divided by your monthly benefit rate, but it does not affect any separate education benefits you may have from the Department of Defense, like Tuition Assistance . The exams must be for credit at approved colleges or universities and tied to approved programs of education .

Key points:

• Who is affected: Veterans and other eligible individuals using VA education benefits for approved college programs .
• What changes: VA benefits can be used to pay for exams/assessments that award credit toward a degree .
• Limit per exam: Up to the actual fee or $500, whichever is less .
• How it counts: Your entitlement is charged proportionally based on the exam cost and your monthly rate; DoD education benefits are not affected .
• Where it applies: Institutions of higher learning in approved programs of education .