H.R. 1527 — Reforming Education for Veterans Act

This section amends servicemember protections under 38 U.S.C. 3691A for absence from VA-funded higher education (i.e., courses paid for with GI Bill or similar benefits) due to military service orders by (1) adding as a third option—alongside withdrawal or leave of absence—an agreement with the institution to complete the course to the institution's satisfaction and (2) prohibiting adverse actions (e.g., failing grades, GPA reductions, unexcused absences, or financial penalties) for entering such an agreement. Agreements are permitted only if the servicemember has completed at least half of the course. (Thus, servicemembers more than halfway through a term gain flexibility to negotiate completion terms rather than receiving an incomplete grade or full withdrawal with tuition refund.)

This section modifies Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compliance survey requirements for educational institutions and training establishments (i.e., schools approved for GI Bill benefits under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, U.S. Code) with at least 20 enrolled veterans or eligible persons as follows: (1) requires that multi-campus institutions or establishments complete only one survey if a single school certifying official certifies veteran enrollment for all campuses; (2) revises pre-survey notice periods to not more than 15 business days (from 10 business days) for institutions or establishments with a time stamp database collection feature and maintains 10 business days for all others; and (3) defines the term "school certifying official" as an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the institution.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify all school certifying officials (i.e., employees of educational institutions with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollments) not later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook.