Pub. L. 94-502, tit. III, sec. 302

Sec. 302. Section 1701 (a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraphs: “(10) For the purposes of this chapter and chapter 36 of this title, the term ‘institution of higher learning’ means a college, university, or similar institution, including a technical or business school, offering postsecondary level academic instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree if the school is empowered by the appropriate State education authority under State law to grant an associate or higher degree. When there is no State law to authorize the granting of a degree, the school may be recognized as an institution of higher learning if it is accredited for degree programs by a recognized accrediting agency. Such term shall also include a hospital offering educational programs at the postsecondary level without regard to whether the hospital grants a post secondary degree. “(11) For the purposes of this chapter and chapter 36 of this title, the term ‘standard college degree’ means an associate or higher degree awarded by (A) an institution of higher learning that is accredited as a collegiate institution by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency; or (B) an institution of higher learning that is a ‘candidate’ for accreditation as that term is used by the regional or national 90 STAT. 2390accrediting agencies; or (C) an institution of higher learning upon completion of a course which is accredited by an agency recognized to accredit specialized degree-level programs. For the purpose of this section, the accrediting agency must be one recognized by the Commissioner of Education under the provisions of section 1775 of this title.”.