article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as ``The VA Vision Scholars Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) Establishment of Program.--Part V of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter: ``CHAPTER 80--VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ``Sec. ``8001. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose. ``8002. Application and acceptance. ``8003. Amount of assistance; duration. ``8004. Agreement. ``8005. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of agreement. ``Sec. 8001. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose ``(a) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a scholarship program to provide financial assistance in accordance with this chapter to an individual-- ``(1) who is accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or a dual degree or certification in both such areas, at an accredited (as determined by the Secretary) educational institution that is in a State; and ``(2) who enters into an agreement with the Secretary as described in section 8004 of this title. ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the scholarship program established under this chapter is to increase the supply of qualified blind rehabilitation specialists for the Department and the Nation. ``(c) Outreach.--The Secretary shall publicize the scholarship program established under this chapter to educational institutions throughout the United States, with an emphasis on disseminating information to such institutions with high numbers of Hispanic students and to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. ``Sec. 8002. Application and acceptance ``(a) Application.--(1) To apply and participate in the scholarship program under this chapter, an individual shall submit to the Secretary an application for such participation together with an agreement described in section 8004 of this title under which the participant agrees to serve a period of obligated service in the Department as provided in the agreement in return for payment of educational assistance as provided in the agreement. ``(2) In distributing application forms and agreement forms to individuals desiring to participate in the scholarship program, the Secretary shall include with such forms the following: ``(A) A fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose agreement is accepted) by the Secretary. ``(B) A full description of the terms and conditions that apply to participation in the scholarship program and service in the Department. ``(b) Approval.--(1) Upon the Secretary's approval of an individual's participation in the scholarship program, the Secretary shall, in writing, promptly notify the individual of that acceptance. ``(2) An individual becomes a participant in the scholarship program upon such approval by the Secretary. ``Sec. 8003. Amount of assistance; duration ``(a) Amount of Assistance.--The amount of the financial assistance provided for an individual under this chapter shall be the amount determined by the Secretary as being necessary to pay the tuition and fees of the individual. In the case of an individual enrolled in a program of study leading to a dual degree or certification in both the areas of study described in section 8001(a)(1) of this title, the tuition and fees shall not exceed the amounts necessary for the minimum number of credit hours to achieve such dual certification or degree. ``(b) Relationship to Other Assistance.--Financial assistance may be provided to an individual under this chapter to supplement other educational assistance to the extent that the total amount of educational assistance received by the individual during an academic year does not exceed the total tuition and fees for such academic year. ``(c) Maximum Amount of Assistance.--(1) In no case may the total amount of assistance provided under this chapter for an academic year to an individual who is a full-time student exceed $15,000. ``(2) In the case of an individual who is a part-time student, the total amount of assistance provided under this chapter shall bear the same ratio to the amount that would be paid under paragraph (1) if the participant were a full-time student in the program of study being pursued by the individual as the coursework carried by the individual to full-time coursework in that program of study. ``(3) In no case may the total amount of assistance provided to an individual under this chapter exceed $45,000. ``(d) Maximum Duration of Assistance.--The Secretary may provide financial assistance to an individual under this chapter for not more than six years. ``Sec. 8004. Agreement ``An agreement between the Secretary and a participant in the scholarship program under this chapter shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following: ``(1) The Secretary's agreement to provide the participant with financial assistance as authorized under this chapter. ``(2) The participant's agreement-- ``(A) to accept such financial assistance; ``(B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the program of study described in section 8001(a)(1) of this chapter; ``(C) while enrolled in such program, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the educational institution offering such program under regulations prescribed by the Secretary); and ``(D) after completion of the program, to serve as a full-time employee in the Department for a period of three years, to be served within the first six years after the participant has completed such program and received a degree or certificate described in section 8001(a)(1) of this chapter. ``(3) Such other terms and conditions that the Secretary determines appropriate for carrying out this chapter. ``Sec. 8005. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of agreement ``(a) In General.--An individual who receives educational assistance under this chapter shall repay to the Secretary an amount equal to the unearned portion of such assistance if the individual fails to satisfy the requirements of the agreement entered into under section 8004 of this title, except in circumstances authorized by the Secretary. ``(b) Amount of Repayment.--The Secretary shall establish, by regulations, procedures for determining the amount of the repayment required under this section and the circumstances under which an exception to the required repayment may be granted. ``(c) Waiver or Suspension of Compliance.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations providing for the waiver or suspension of any obligation of an individual for service or payment under this chapter (or an agreement under this chapter) whenever noncompliance by the individual is due to circumstances beyond the control of the individual or whenever the Secretary determines that the waiver or suspension of compliance is in the best interest of the United States. ``(d) Obligation as Debt to United States.--An obligation to repay the Secretary under this section is, for all purposes, a debt owed the United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 does not discharge a person from such debt if the discharge order is entered less than five years after the date of the termination of the agreement or contract on which the debt is based.''. (b) Clerical Amendments.--The tables of chapters at the beginning of title 38, and of part V of title 38, are each amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item: ``80. Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility 8001.''. Professionals Education Assistance Program. (c) Effective Date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
summary: VA Vision Scholars Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for, or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both; and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires pro rate repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend such repayment whenever noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States.