Rule2024-18345
Bar to Approval
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 19, 2024
Effective
September 18, 2024
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern VA's administration of educational assistance programs to implement a provision of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, which requires a State Approving Agency (SAA), or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (when acting as the SAA), to disapprove programs of education provided by educational institutions that do not permit individuals using benefits under certain VA educational assistance programs to attend or participate in courses while awaiting payment from VA or that impose a penalty on an individual for failure to meet financial obligations due to a delayed VA payment. VA is also implementing a provision that allows educational institutions to require a claimant using educational benefits to submit certain documents and to pay certain fees or charges if VA delays payment and ultimately pays less than what an educational institution anticipated receiving.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66991-66995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18345]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
38 CFR Part 21
RIN 2900-AQ99
Bar to Approval
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its
regulations that govern VA's administration of educational assistance
programs to implement a provision of the Veterans Benefits and
Transition Act of 2018, which requires a State Approving Agency (SAA),
or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (when acting as the SAA), to
disapprove programs of education provided by educational institutions
that do not permit individuals using benefits under certain VA
educational assistance programs to attend or participate in courses
while awaiting payment from VA or that impose a penalty on an
individual for failure to meet financial obligations due to a delayed
VA payment. VA is also implementing a provision that allows educational
institutions to require a claimant using educational benefits to submit
certain documents and to pay certain fees or charges if VA delays
payment and ultimately pays less than what an educational institution
anticipated receiving.
DATES:
Effective date: This rule is effective September 18, 2024.
Applicability date: The provisions of this final rule shall apply
to all terms that began on or after August 1, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Alphonso, Assistant Director,
Policy and Procedures, Education Service, Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9800.
(This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 27, 2023, VA published a
proposed rule in the Federal Register at 88 FR 12293 to amend its
regulations to require an SAA, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
when acting as an SAA, to disapprove programs of education that do not
permit individuals using benefits under either Chapter 31 or Chapter 33
to attend or participate in courses while awaiting payment from VA, and
to implement other provisions of the Veterans Benefits and Transition
Act of 2018, Public Law 115-407. The 60-day comment period ended on
April 28, 2023.
VA received comments from five commenters in response to the
proposed
[[Page 66992]]
rule. While all commenters expressed some support for this rule, some
requested additional information about its provisions or about
implementation procedures. Further, some commenters stated that the
rulemaking may have adverse effects on stakeholders. The comments are
addressed below. In addition, we have included an applicability date in
this final rule to conform to 38 U.S.C. 3679(e)(1) and to make clear
that we have been applying, and will continue to apply, the statutory
requirements reflected in this rule to all terms that began on or after
August 1, 2019, and we have also included a technical edit in new 38
CFR 21.4269(d)(1)(i).
Changes to Section 103
One commenter requested that VA clarify changes it is making to
section 103 of Public Law 115-407. As we stated in the proposed rule,
section 103 added subsection (e) to 38 U.S.C. 3679, among other things,
to require an SAA, or VA when acting as an SAA, to disapprove programs
of education that do not permit individuals using Chapter 31 or Chapter
33 benefits to attend or participate in courses while awaiting payment
from VA, a requirement not previously in the law. The commenter appears
to be conflating public laws enacted by Congress and regulations
promulgated by agencies such as VA. This rulemaking implements section
103 at 38 CFR 21.4269; VA is not making any changes to section 103 of
Public Law 115-407 because VA has no authority to change laws.
VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
Release of Financial Aid Funds
One commenter requested clarification regarding the release of a
student's financial aid funds while the educational institution awaits
tuition and fees payments from VA. Section 3679(e)(1)(B) provides that
educational institutions are prohibited from employing policies
requiring students to borrow additional funds to pay tuition and fees
so the institutions are paid in advance of VA benefit payments while
the institutions await VA payments. As the commenter noted, the law
does not address educational institutions' obligations with regard to
the release of financial aid funds. The use of Federal student
financial aid is administered by the Department of Education (ED).
Therefore, ED would be in the best position to answer questions
concerning the use and release of financial aid funds.
VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
Chapter 35 Beneficiary
One commenter requested additional clarification regarding the
application of this rulemaking to Chapter 35 recipients. Section
3679(e), as added by section 103 of Public Law 115-407, requires
schools to maintain certain policies applicable only to Chapter 31 and
33 beneficiaries. Effective November 30, 2021 (applicable to academic
periods beginning August 1, 2022), Public Law 117-68 revised section
3679(e) to require schools to maintain the policies with regard to
Chapter 35 beneficiaries as well. VA does not pay tuition and fees to
schools under Chapter 35, but instead pays a statutory flat rate
directly to Chapter 35 beneficiaries. 38 U.S.C. 3532. Consequently,
schools do not need to certify Chapter 35 tuition and fee payments, and
students do not need to demonstrate to the school entitlement to
Chapter 35 benefits. Thus, regardless of the statutory revision, there
are no school policies about restricting Chapter 35 program
participation or imposing a penalty for delayed VA payment of Chapter
35 benefits that would be relevant to Chapter 35 beneficiaries.
Nonetheless, in light of the statutory revision, we understand the
commenter's confusion. Accordingly, to make it clear that the
regulatory requirement would in theory apply to Chapter 35
beneficiaries, and for consistency with the authorizing statute, we are
adding ``chapter 35'' in the final rule where applicable.
Enrollment Manager for Eligibility Verification
One commenter requested additional clarification regarding the
definition of ``certificate of eligibility,'' specifically with regard
to the newly released VA system Enrollment Manager (EM), a modernized
platform used by school certifying officials (SCO), and its role in
certifying student enrollments and verifying a students' eligibility
for VA education benefits. As we explained in the proposed rule, we
interpret section 3679(e)'s reference to ``certificate of eligibility''
as not referring to a specific VA document that could serve as
eligibility documentation but, rather, as referring to any
authoritative documentation provided by VA that serves to verify
eligibility under Chapter 31 or 33. While EM allows SCOs to access a
Chapter 33 student's entitlement information, such access is limited. A
student's information is only accessible through EM if the student has
allowed such access. Per 38 U.S.C. 3699A(b), a student may elect not to
provide their entitlement information to a school through EM.
Furthermore, the EM platform does not provide entitlement information
for Chapter 31 student beneficiaries. Nonetheless, an SCO's use of EM
to verify a student's remaining Chapter 33 benefits is an acceptable
form of authoritative documentation for Chapter 33 beneficiaries who
have not exercised their right under section 3699A(b) to block the
sharing of their information with schools. Thus, we have clarified its
acceptability in the final rule at Sec. 21.4269(a)(1).
Administrative Burdens
One commenter described the many benefits of the new rule but
expressed a number of concerns, including a potential increase in the
administrative burden on both educational institutions and VA. The
commenter stated that educational institutions may be required to
change or update their policies and that VA would require more funding
to ensure educational institutions' compliance with the rule. VA does
not believe that there will be increased administrative burdens
associated with this rule. SAAs are generally responsible for the
approval or disapproval of education and training programs in their
respective states. According to VA's internal compliance records,
implementation of section 3679(e) has not created an additional
administrative burden on SAAs. Since August 1, 2019, the date VA began
implementing the statutory provision, no educational institution has
been disapproved due to a violation of section 3679(e), and additional
Federal funds have not been required to enforce this provision.
Also, while educational institutions are required to provide notice
to enrolled and prospective students of any information required for
certification of students' enrollment in addition to the information
enumerated in their online or print catalogs, VA surveyed multiple
educational institutions and found that all have an online catalog that
can be easily updated with this required notice in approximately two
hours, per data provided by these schools. Consequently, we believe
that the provisions of this rule do not pose an undue administrative
burden on educational institutions. And there would be no additional
burden on VA because, as stated, SAAs, rather than VA, are generally
responsible for the approval or disapproval of education and training
programs.
Therefore, VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
[[Page 66993]]
Program Options
Two commenters expressed concern that there could be a reduction in
the number of educational program options available to Veterans because
non-compliant educational institutions will be disapproved by SAAs.
While we understand that if a school is disapproved, options for
Veteran students will decrease, VA compliance records show that no
educational institutions have been disapproved due to a violation of
section 3679(e) since August 1, 2019, when VA began implementing this
law. Moreover, there is unlikely to be an increase in disapprovals
because schools that are approved to receive GI Bill benefits generally
receive a percent of their revenue, which can be substantial, from VA
payments, and therefore, they have an incentive to comply with the law
and maintain their approval. Thus, we do not believe that the rule will
result in fewer educational opportunities for Veterans.
Relatedly, one commenter stated that SAAs should not automatically
disapprove programs that are non-compliant and suggested alternative
enforcement mechanisms that would not limit educational opportunities.
Although statutory authority requires disapproval of schools for
failure to comply with the requirements of section 3679(e)(1), SAAs do
not ``automatically'' disapprove non-compliant programs for violating
section 3679(e)(1). If an SAA determines that an educational
institution is not in compliance with this provision, the appropriate
corrective action most often is suspension of the approval of a course
for new enrollments, in accordance with 38 CFR 21.4259. Under Sec.
21.4259(a), the SAA gives the educational institution 60 days to come
into compliance. Additionally, section 3679(e)(3) gives the Secretary
discretionary authority to waive the requirements of section
3679(e)(1). In this final rule, VA is requiring in Sec. 21.4269(c)
that an educational institution request a waiver within the same 60-day
period, to ensure that an SAA does not withdraw approval when waiver
may be warranted. Only if the educational institution does not come
into compliance or request a waiver within 60 days will the SAA
withdraw approval under section 3679. Further, if an SAA determines an
educational institution's non-compliance is due to reasons outside of
the educational institution's direct control (e.g., action is required
by the state legislature), the SAA may recommend that the educational
institution request a waiver from VA. Because disapprovals are not
automatic, as the commenter suggests, and because they serve as a
disincentive to non-compliance limiting the number of disapprovals,
they are unlikely to restrict Veterans' educational training options.
Accordingly, to ensure that educational institutions are aware that
they must apply for a waiver within the 60-day period following a
determination of non-compliance, VA is including this requirement in
Sec. 21.4269(c).
Restoration of Entitlement
One commenter expressed concern regarding the burden students
enrolled in educational institutions that are disapproved due to non-
compliance under section 3679(e) would have to bear and suggested
restoring entitlement to educational benefits for these students.
Section 3699 provides VA with authority to restore entitlement when an
educational institution or program has closed or has been disapproved
due to a change in law or VA regulations. Also, the Veterans Eligible
to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act, Public Law 117-297, which
modified this provision, made it easier for students to apply for
restoration of entitlement. Specifically, for any covered closure or
disapproval on or after December 27, 2022, students do not need to
enroll in a new school prior to applying for restoration of benefits.
Hence, if a training institution has been disapproved due to a
violation of section 3679(e), affected students may not lose their
entitlement in certain circumstances.
VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
Intent To Use Benefits
One commenter requested that VA change the term ``request'' to
``notice'' in Sec. 21.4269(d)(1)(ii), because if a student submits a
``request'' to use their GI Bill benefits at a specific educational
institution instead of a ``notice,'' the educational institution may
deny the student's request. The commenter also requested that VA create
a uniform form a student can use to inform an educational institution
that they intend to use their GI Bill benefits. Section 3679(e)(4)(B)
states that a student must ``[s]ubmit a written request to use such
entitlement'' (emphasis added). We are parroting the statutory language
in our regulation to ensure proper implementation and avoid
misinterpretations. In any event, approved educational institutions
lack the authority to deny an eligible student's request to use their
VA benefits for a GI Bill approved program as long as the eligible
student has remaining entitlement.
Further, we believe that requiring a student to use a form
developed by VA would increase their administrative burden and could
make it harder for them to obtain relief, i.e., schools could attempt
to withhold benefits if a student does not submit the correct form. VA
disagrees with the commenter and, in fact, believes it is beneficial
for students to be permitted to use any type of notification to request
use of entitlement, and not be limited to a specific Federal Government
form when dealing directly with a non-government educational
institution.
Accordingly, VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
Expected VA Funding
One commenter asked that VA clarify why there would be a cost
difference between the amount of funds expected by an educational
institution from VA and the amount of funds the educational institution
receives. The certificate of eligibility that VA issues as proof of a
student's eligibility for educational benefits includes the number of
months of entitlement but does not contain ``an itemization of the
amount of benefits allocated to a student for tuition and fees,
housing, and supplies'' as the commenter suggested. The amount of
payment is dependent on the program of education a student is enrolled
in, any statutory caps on certain VA benefits, and the student
beneficiary's benefit level. Not all Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries
qualify at the 100% benefit level, which means that not all
beneficiaries receive full payment. A school likely would not be able
to calculate the VA payment amount for a beneficiary who is eligible
for benefits at a percentage less than 100% and, thus, would not know
in advance how much to expect to receive from VA on behalf of this
beneficiary.
VA makes no changes to the rule based on this comment.
Executive Orders 12866, 13563 and 14094
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) directs
agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety effects, and other advantages;
distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving
Regulation and Regulatory Review) emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules,
and
[[Page 66994]]
promoting flexibility. Executive Order 14094 (Executive Order on
Modernizing Regulatory Review) supplements and reaffirms the
principles, structures, and definitions governing contemporary
regulatory review established in Executive Order 12866 of September 30,
1993 (Regulatory Planning and Review), and Executive Order 13563 of
January 18, 2011 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review). The
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this
rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order
12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094. The Regulatory Impact
Analysis associated with this rulemaking can be found as a supporting
document at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs hereby certifies that this final
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Although this final rule includes
provisions that entail costs to training institutions, such as the loss
of late fees that institutions are prohibited from assessing when a
student is unable to meet financial obligations to the institution, and
the cost of publication of the requirements for submitting additional
information needed for certifying enrollment, the provisions merely
restate existing provisions of statute, and thus will have no
additional impact on such small entities. Therefore, under 5 U.S.C.
605(b), the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604 do not apply.
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C.
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for
inflation) in any one year. This final rule will have no such effect on
State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This final rule includes a provision constituting a new collection
of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501-3521). The new collection of information requires approval by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assignment of an OMB Control
Number. Accordingly, under 44 U.S.C. 3507(d), VA submitted a copy of
this rulemaking action to OMB for review and approval. VA received no
comments on the new collection of information.
An OMB Control Number of 2900-0925 has been assigned to the new
collection of information associated with this final rule. Assignment
of this OMB control number is not an approval to conduct or sponsor an
information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. In
accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the new collection of information
associated with this rulemaking is not approved by OMB at this time.
OMB's approval of the new collection of information will occur within
30 days after the final rulemaking publishes. If OMB does not approve
the new collection of information as requested, VA will immediately
remove the provision containing a new collection of information or take
such other action as is directed by OMB.
The new collection of information associated with this rulemaking
contained in 38 CFR 21.4269 is described immediately following this
paragraph, under its respective title.
Title: Publishing of Requirement to Submit Additional Information
Necessary for Certification of Enrollment.
OMB Control No: 2900-0925.
CFR Provision: 38 CFR 21.4269(d)(1)(iii).
<bullet> Summary of collection of information: This new collection
of information in Sec. 21.4269(d)(1)(iii) will require educational
institutions to give notice to enrolled and potential students of any
information in addition to the information already enumerated in their
catalogs that the educational institution requires for certification of
claimants' enrollment. The educational institutions will be required to
publish any additional information, after it is approved by the SAA, in
their online or print catalogs.
<bullet> Description of need for information and proposed use of
information: The information collected will be used by VA to facilitate
VA's oversight of educational institutions and to ensure their
compliance with Sec. 21.4269.
<bullet> Description of likely respondents: Educational
institutions.
<bullet> Estimated total number of respondents: 16,084 educational
institutions.
<bullet> Estimated frequency of responses: Once.
<bullet> Estimated average burden per response: Two hours or less.
<bullet> Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden:
VA estimates the total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden to be
32,168 burden hours. Using the annual number of responses, VA estimates
a total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden of 32,168 hours for
respondents.
<bullet> Estimated cost to respondents per year: VA estimates the
annual cost to respondents to be $901,025.68 (16,084 respondents per
year x 2 hours per application x $28.01*).
* To estimate the total information collection burden cost, VA used
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median hourly wage for ``all
occupations'' of $28.01 per hour. This information is available at:
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#13-0000">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#13-0000</a>.
Assistance Listing
The Assistance Listing numbers and titles for the programs affected
by this document are: 64.027, Post-9/11 Veterans Educational
Assistance; 64.028, Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance; 64.032,
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve; Reserve Educational Assistance
Program; 64.117, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance;
64.120, Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance; 64.124, All-
Volunteer Force Educational Assistance.
Severability
The purpose of this section is to clarify the agency's intent with
respect to the severability of provisions of this final rule. Each
provision that the agency is promulgating is capable of operating
independently. If any provision of this rule is determined by judicial
review or operation of law to be invalid, that partial invalidation
will not render the remainder of this rule invalid. Likewise, if the
application of any portion of this rule to a particular circumstance is
determined to be invalid, the agency intends that the rule remain
applicable to all other circumstances.
Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (known as the Congressional Review Act) (5 U.S.C.
801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
designated this rule as not satisfying the criteria under 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 21
Administrative practice and procedure, Armed forces, Claims,
Colleges and universities, Education, Employment, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Schools,
[[Page 66995]]
Veterans, Vocational education, Vocational rehabilitation.
Signing Authority
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on August 12, 2024, and authorized the undersigned to sign and
submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Luvenia Potts,
Regulations Development Coordinator, Office of Regulation Policy &
Management, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Veterans
Affairs amends 38 CFR part 21 as set forth below:
PART 21--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION
Subpart D--Administration of Educational Assistance Programs
0
1. The authority citation for part 21, subpart D continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2141 note, ch. 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501(a),
chs. 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and as noted in specific sections
0
2. Add Sec. 21.4269 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.4269 Bar to approval.
(a) Beginning on August 1, 2019, a State approving agency, or the
Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall
disapprove a program of education provided by an educational
institution that has in effect a policy that is inconsistent with any
of the following:
(1) A policy that permits any covered individual to attend or
participate in the program of education during the period beginning on
the date on which the individual provides to the educational
institution any verifiable and authoritative VA document demonstrating
entitlement to educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31,
chapter 33, or chapter 35 (such as a decision or notice of decision on
entitlement, letter from VA, updated award letter from VA, or print-out
of eligibility (statement of benefits) from a web-based VA system or
beneficiary portal to include verification through VA's secure
information technology system in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 3699A if an
individual has provided authorization to obtain remaining entitlement
information), and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
(i) The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date on which the
educational institution certifies tuition and fees following receipt of
the verifiable and authoritative VA document proving entitlement to
educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31, chapter 33, or
chapter 35.
(2) A policy that ensures an educational institution will not
impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial
of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or
the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on
any covered individual because of the individual's inability to meet
his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed
disbursement of a payment to be provided by VA under 38 U.S.C. chapter
31, chapter 33, or chapter 35.
(b) For purposes of this section, a covered individual is any
individual who is entitled to educational assistance under 38 U.S.C.
chapter 31, chapter 33, or chapter 35.
(c) The Secretary (or designee) may waive such requirements of
paragraph (a) of this section as the Secretary (or designee) considers
appropriate. An educational institution must apply for a waiver within
60 days of the SAA determination that an educational institution is not
in compliance with paragraph (a).
(d) It shall not be inconsistent with a policy described in
paragraph (a) of this section for an educational institution:
(1) To require a covered individual to take the following
additional actions:
(i) Submit any verifiable and authoritative VA document to prove
entitlement to educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31,
chapter 33, or chapter 35 (as described in paragraph (a)(1)) not later
than the first day of a program of education for which the individual
has indicated the individual wishes to use the individual's entitlement
to educational assistance.
(ii) Submit a written request to use such entitlement.
(iii) Provide additional information necessary to the proper
certification of enrollment by the educational institution. If an
educational institution intends to require additional information
necessary for proper certification of enrollment, any such requirement
must be included in the school's published catalog and also must be
approved by the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in
the role of the State approving agency, as being necessary for proper
certification and not overly burdensome to submit.
(2) In a case in which a covered individual is unable to meet a
financial obligation to an educational institution due to the delayed
disbursement of a payment to be provided by VA under 38 U.S.C. chapter
31, chapter 33, or chapter 35 and the amount of such disbursement is
less than the educational institution anticipated, to require
additional payment of or impose a fee for the amount that is the
difference between the amount of the financial obligation and the
amount of the disbursement.
(i) Such additional payment may include the amount of a financial
obligation associated with charges for which VA does not pay benefits
(e.g., room and board, any portion of tuition for which a claimant does
not qualify).
(ii) An educational institution may utilize its standard debt
collection policies for these amounts, including the assessment of late
fees.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3679(e))
[FR Doc. 2024-18345 Filed 8-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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