Are Veterans Benefits being exploited by enterprising schools?

SGT James Elphick — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:32:24 -0400

There has been discussion about for-profit colleges taking advantage of Veterans with their post 9/11 GI Bill and then the Veterans not being able to find work. Now a new twist on the story. Programs that are overcharging Veterans and driving their business essentially on the post 9/11 GI Bill
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/taxpayers-stuck-with-the-tab-as-helicopter-flight-schools-exploit-gi-bill-loophole/ar-AA9SSw9

Taxpayers stuck with the tab as helicopter flight schools exploit GI Bill loophole

For some flight schools that train helicopter pilots, the GI Bill that took effect in 2009 was a windfall the government never intended. Helicopter schools had been struggling financially, and the bill excluded them from direct funding. But after finding a loophole in the law that allows them to charge unlimited fees for training military veterans, the schools rapidly expanded. They now collect tens of millions a year in taxpayer dollars.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Mar 17 at 2015 6:22 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:22:04 -0400

SGT James Elphick, good FYI, I will definitely pass on to my contacts. Appreciate the heads up.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 17 at 2015 6:31 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:31:17 -0400

I actually had interest in flight training (fixed as opposed to rotary). I'm only 60% Post GI, so the fees would be insane for me.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 8:50 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 20:50:35 -0400

I've seen several of these types of programs crop up (I work in higher ed) and somehow, we (and apparently anyone at the VA) are powerless to make them stop their unscrupulous practices... I was working with Veterans programs in Montana and there was a school that offered flight training for Veterans receiving education benefits (specifically the Post-9/11 GI Bill). The tuition and fees ALWAYS seemed to be more for Vets...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 2:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 02:55:21 -0400

Not good but the process of exploitation is hardly confined to the GI Bill despite the excess here.. At Drum, I recall rent prices would rise to the dollar with the release of BAH rates for the year. Any thoughts on how to deter this sort of opportunism if at all?

Response by CAPT Stu Merrill made Mar 18 at 2015 11:43 AM

CAPT Stu Merrill — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:43:11 -0400

Sure - they might be. For decades haven't payday loan shops, used car lots, and tattoo parlors dotted the landscape outside of every military base. For new academic institutions that call to be best for tourism assistance or post-9/11 GI Bill just like the storefronts outside of the base, we must each conduct our due diligence and buyer be ware.

Response by SGT Howard Badillo made Mar 18 at 2015 11:47 AM

SGT Howard Badillo — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:47:44 -0400

There's a new law effective 01 July 2015 that allows out-of-state student veterans to be charged in-state tuition by the instutition: (scroll to second to the last column) https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2450
The way I see it, colleges today runs more like a business or is a business where colleges market themselves via ads. Now, whether you believe colleges are really out there for your GI Bill or really help you grow (or both) is up to you.

S.2450 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and...

Summary of S.2450 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014

Response by Amn Kim Bloodgood made May 26 at 2016 7:55 AM

Amn Kim Bloodgood — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:55:36 -0400

There are many for-profits that run their marketing campaigns to Post 9/11 recipients. Absolutely true! BUT then there are those schools (like in the article) that have contracted with public institutions so that they could get more money out of the VA. This is a HUGE issue!

My personal opinion is to look at accredited public institutions - do the research and then choose the school. DO NOT just look at the WEAMS listing and assume that it is a good school. These schools and other educational programs are approved through criteria in the law 38 CFR Part 21, Subpart D - Administration of Educational Assistance Programs. - the more you know the better...