Senate Passes Bill to Restore 85-15 Rule

Inside Higher Ed

Meghan Brink

August 11, 2022

The Senate passed a bipartisan bill that clarifies an exception to the 85-15 rule, a law that requires colleges to enroll at least 15 percent of students who are not veterans that receive federal military funding to pay for college in each academic program offered.

The bill is expected to pass in the House when it meets during its August recess to vote on the Inflation Reduction Act.

Under the 85-15 rules, colleges must submit an annual report to the Department of Veterans Affairs on the number of students who receive VA benefits to ensure they stay within this threshold. If a program violates the rule, veterans enrolled will lose their GI benefits that cover tuition, fees and other costs. The rule was intended to prevent veterans from using their GI benefits toward unsatisfactory programs.