UNIFORM REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY BEFORE APPLICATION FOR MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS.

SEC. 102. UNIFORM REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY BEFORE APPLICATION FOR MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS. (a) Active Duty Program.—(1) Section 3011 is amended— (A) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph (2): “(2) who completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or successfully completes (or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree, before applying for benefits under this section; and”; and (B) by striking subsection (e). (2) Section 3017(a)(l)(A)(ii) is amended by striking “clause (2)(A)” and inserting “clause (2)”. (b) Selected Reserve Program.—Section 3012 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph (2): 114 STAT. 1825 “(2) who completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or successfully completes (or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree, before applying for benefits under this section; and”; and (2) by striking subsection (f). (c) Withdrawal of Election Not To Enroll.—Paragraph(4) of section 3018(b) is amended to read as follows: “(4) before applying for benefits under this section— “(A) completes the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate); or “(B) successfully completes (or otherwise receives academic credit for) the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree; and”. (d) Educational Assistance Program for Members of Selected Reserve.—Paragraph (2) of section 16132(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(2) before applying for benefits under this section, has completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma (or an equivalency certificate);”. (e) Delimiting Period.—(1) In the case of an individual described in paragraph (2), with respect to the time limitation under section 3031 of title 38, United States Code, for use of eligibility and entitlement of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of such title, the 10-year period applicable under such section shall begin on the later of— (A) the date of the enactment of this Act; or (B) the date of the individual’s last discharge or release from active duty. (2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an individual who— (A) before the date of the enactment of this Act, was not eligible for such basic educational assistance by reason of the requirement of a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate) as a condition of eligibility for such assistance as in effect on the date preceding the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) becomes entitled to basic educational assistance under section 3011(a)(2), 3012(a)(2), or 3018(b)(4) of title 38, United States Code, by reason of the amendments made by this section.