Posted on Mar 17, 2015
Are Veterans Benefits being exploited by enterprising schools?
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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
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/taxpayers-stuck-with-the-tab-as-helicopter-flight-schools-exploit-gi-bill-loophole/ar-AA9SSw9
Education
GI Bill
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 7
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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...
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Amn Kim Bloodgood
That's not right. The law clearly states that veterans cannot be treated differently or charged differently than their regular students. That program should have been reported to the Montana State Approving Agency and/or Federal VA to be investigated. That's what is supposed to happen and then the school can be suspended if found to be true either permanently or for a period of time. I, too, work in high ed, but did a stint with a State Approving Agency and we checked stuff like this all the time!
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PO3 (Join to see)
Amn Kim Bloodgood - Yes, that is how things are SUPPOSED to work, but the reality is that rarely happens.
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Amn Kim Bloodgood
PO3 (Join to see) - I agree. But I also know when I worked in that job I had lots to do so trying to find schools with bad practices was not easy. I depended heavily on student veterans to call with a concern. If they don't make the call and question if a school has the right to do "the thing" then it is difficult to stop what is going on.
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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.
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
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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.
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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?
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SGT James Elphick
Well in the case mentioned above they could close the loophole that allows for there to be no cap on fees. With things like rent prices rising to exactly BAH, that unfortunately is much harder as BAH is supposed to be at or around market value. For the most part though I think it is about information being disseminated and Veterans and the community knowing what will bring the best outcomes for all parties.
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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.
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SGT James Elphick, good FYI, I will definitely pass on to my contacts. Appreciate the heads up.
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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...
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...
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