Purpose — Us Code Code § 3451
Us Code Code § 3451 — Purpose. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 3451. Purpose
The Congress of the United States hereby declares that the education program created by this chapter is for the purpose of (1) enhancing and making more attractive service in the Armed Forces of the United States, (2) extending the benefits of a higher education to qualified and deserving young persons who might not otherwise be able to afford such an education, (3) providing vocational readjustment and restoring lost educational opportunities to those service men and women whose careers have been interrupted or impeded by reason of active duty after January 31, 1955, and (4) aiding such persons in attaining the vocational and educational status which they might normally have aspired to and obtained had they not served their country.
(Added Pub. L. 89–358, §2, Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 12, §1651; renumbered §3451, Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 406.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those comprising clauses (3) and (4) of this section were contained in Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1175, which was classified to former section 1601(c) of this title, prior to repeal by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 89–358.
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 1651 of this title as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Pub. L. 89–358, §12(a), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 28, provided that: "Except as otherwise specifically provided, the provisions of this Act [see Tables for classification] shall take effect on the date of its enactment [Mar. 3, 1966], but no educational assistance allowance shall be payable under chapter 34 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 2 of this Act, for any period before June 1, 1966, nor for the month of June 1966, unless (1) the eligible veteran commenced the pursuit of the course of education on or after June 1, 1966, or (2) the pursuit of such course continued through June 30, 1966."
Savings Provision
Pub. L. 89–358, §4(b), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 23, provided that: "Nothing in this Act or any amendment or repeal made by it [see Tables for classification], shall affect any right or liability (civil or criminal) which matured under chapter 33 of this title 38 before the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 3, 1966]: and all offenses committed, and all penalties and forfeitures incurred, under any provision of law amended or repealed by this Act, may be punished or recovered, as the case may be, in the same manner and with the same effect as if such amendments or repeals had not been made."
About This Section
38 U.S.C. § 3451 is part of Title 38 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 38 U.S.C. § 3451. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.