38 USC § 3605 - Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s3605"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 3605 - Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "3605"
section_name: "Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal"
chapter_number: 36
chapter_name: "ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "EMERGENCY SITUATIONS"
part_number: "III"
part_name: "READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 2(a)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6125.)"
---


# § 3605. Payment of educational assistance in cases of withdrawal

**(a)** **In General.—** In the case of any individual who withdraws from a program of education or training, other than a program by correspondence, in an educational institution under chapter 31, 34, or 35 of this title for a covered reason during the period of an emergency situation, the Secretary shall find mitigating circumstances for purposes of section 3680(a)(1)(C)(ii) of this title.

**(b)** **Covered Reason.—** In this section, the term “covered reason” means any reason related to an emergency situation, including—

**(1)** illness, quarantine, or social distancing requirements;

**(2)** issues associated with accessibility;

**(3)** access or availability of childcare;

**(4)** providing care for a family member or cohabitants;

**(5)** change of location or residence due to the emergency situation or associated school closures;

**(6)** employment changes or financial hardship; and

**(7)** issues associated with changes in format or medium of instruction.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 2(a)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6125.)