(a) General rule.--Within 180 days of the effective date of this section, a public institution of higher education shall provide veteran students with preference in course scheduling pursuant to guidelines developed by the Department of Education under subsection (b).

(b) Guidelines.--Within 90 days of the effective date of this section, the Department of Education, in consultation with public institutions of higher education, shall develop guidelines under which public institutions of higher education shall provide preference in course scheduling to veteran students.

(c) Existing policies.--If, within 180 days of the effective date of this section, a public institution of higher education has established and implemented a policy under which veteran students are provided with preference in course scheduling, the public institution of higher education shall be considered to be in compliance with subsection (a).