VFW Looks for Accountability in G.I. Bill Funds - Share Your Stories

This week the VFW called into question certain institutions of higher learning for reaping the benefits of the robust Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, while failing to deliver quality educational outcomes for student-veterans.

Since the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill rolled out in August of 2009, the VFW has heard anecdotally from veterans that certain schools have spent considerable time and effort recruiting students eligible for military and veterans' educational benefits, only for these students to become victims of predatory institutions with no intention of delivering on the promises of a quality education once enrolled.

Over the last few months, the VFW has joined in on meetings and roundtables with leaders in Congress and veterans' advocates to better understand the situation facing affected student-veterans. The gravity of the situation has left many in the veterans' community with a bitter taste in their mouths, ready to take action against those responsible.

This week, the VFW sent letters to leaders in both the Senate and House, asking for accountability in how not only G.I. Bill, but also Department of Defense Tuition Assistance, or TA, dollars are used.

In his letters to Congress, VFW National Legislative Service Director Ray Kelley pointed out that the departments of Education, Defense and Veterans Affairs need to strengthen fractured and relaxed policies on usage of G.I. Bill and TA funds to ensure that disingenuous institutions are deterred from exploiting student-veterans, and held accountable should they continue to do so.

"A fractured American education system has offered more lenience to institutions that wish to collect federal tax dollars, yet consistently fail to deliver quality outcomes," said Kelley. "Reports of impropriety in education, coupled with daunting unemployment number for our veterans make this a national priority."

The VFW has decided to champion this issue because both G.I. Bill and TA funds are paid for by the American taxpayer as an earned benefit to help members of the military and veterans receive the job skills they need to compete in the civilian workforce.

"G.I. Bill and TA funds are not part of a free market, available to line someone's pockets," said Kelley. "These are funds specifically set aside to train a new generation of Americans with proven leadership capabilities to drive our economic growth."

The VFW played a key role in passing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and VFW leaders say they have a vested interest in ensuring the funds are used properly; particularly during lean economic times.

"If these funds are going to waste, then the VFW is concerned they will quickly go away," said Kelley. "That would be a tremendous disservice to our veterans, which is why the VFW will do everything in our power to ensure that these benefits are used effectively."

In the coming weeks, the VFW will work with partners within the veterans' advocacy community in an effort to raise awareness of this issue among student-veterans and among leaders in Washington.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a disingenuous institution of higher learning, the VFW wants to hear your story. Please feel free to share your experiences with us through the comments section on this blog.

Please note that if you do not have a Google or Blogger account, you can still comment as "Anonymous" in the field provided below. If you would like the VFW to reach out to you about your personal experience, please include a valid email address or phone number. You can also share your story with the VFW through the "Contact Us" page on the VFW national website by Clicking Here.

The VFW will continue to advocate on behalf of student-veterans affected by predatory and disingenuous schools. This issue will be heating up once Congress returns from its summer recess in September, so please check back regularly for updates.

(Images: Top: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions hosted a roundtable on accountability in veterans' education with leaders from the military, veterans, and education communities in July. Photo by Ryan Gallucci. Bottom: VFW's full letter to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash.)