BOOKING ADVISORY

Contact:  Ana Cobian; ana.cobian@wardcirclestrategies.com; 323-360-1827

MARINE CORPS VETERAN WARNS PROPOSED GI BILL CHANGES COULD HURT KANSAS VETERANS

Kansas is home to approximately 175,000 veterans, including many transitioning from Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth & McConnell Air Force Base into higher education and civilian careers

Available for Interviews

William Hubbard, Veterans Policy Leader and Marine Veteran

KANSAS — As Congress considers sweeping changes to veterans’ education benefits ahead of the July 4 holiday, Marine Corps Veteran and veterans policy leader William Hubbard is available to explain how the legislation could affect the more than 175,000 Kansas veterans who have earned GI Bill benefits through military service.

On June 24, a coalition representing millions of veterans, students, and consumers—including Veterans Education Success, National Consumer Law Center, UnidosUS, The Institute for College Access & Success, and other leading organizations—urged Congress to remove provisions they say would weaken accountability in the GI Bill while adding the bipartisan Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act, which would restore earned education benefits to veterans who were defrauded by schools.

Coalition Letter:
 Google Drive link here

According to the coalition, the pending legislation would:

  • Expand GI Bill eligibility to higher-risk, unaccredited online independent-study trade programs.
  • Spend billions of taxpayer dollars on housing benefit changes that fail to solve existing inequities.
  • Leave out bipartisan legislation that would restore GI Bill benefits to veterans who lost them after attending schools found to have engaged in fraud or serious misconduct.

Hubbard says Congress is moving faster to expand and change GI Bill benefits than to restore benefits for veterans who were already cheated by bad schools.

“This is the wrong moment to weaken the GI Bill,” Hubbard said. “Veterans earned these benefits in uniform for themselves and their families. Congress should strengthen quality safeguards and restore benefits to veterans who were cheated—not create new opportunities for predatory programs.”

Why This Matters in Kansas

Kansas is home to approximately 175,000 veterans, many of whom rely on the GI Bill to attend colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs, and trade schools.

Veteran Population

  • Estimated veteran population: ~175,000
  • Target media markets:
    • Kansas City (Kansas side) – ~45,000 veterans
    • Wichita – ~35,000 veterans
    • Topeka – ~15,000 veterans
  • Military presence: Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, McConnell Air Force Base.
  • Approximately 175,000 Kansas veterans have earned education benefits, and many transition from military service into Kansas colleges, universities, and technical training programs.

William Hubbard Can Discuss

  • What the proposed House and Senate bills would change for Louisiana veterans.
  • Why a coalition representing millions of veterans, students, and consumers is urging Congress to revise the legislation.
  • Why veterans’ organizations say Congress should prioritize restoring benefits to veterans who were defrauded by schools.
  • Concerns about expanding GI Bill eligibility to unaccredited online independent-study trade programs.
  • Why veterans fought for years to close the 90/10 loophole—and why some believe these proposals could reverse that progress.
  • Whether proposed housing allowance changes actually help student veterans.
  • What veterans and military families in Louisiana should know before Congress votes.
  • Why protecting the quality and integrity of the GI Bill matters for both veterans and taxpayers.

Fast Facts

  • 15.8 million veterans live in the United States.
  • Nearly 1 million veterans and military family members use GI Bill education benefits each year.
  • More than 175,000 veterans live in Kansas.
  • 62% of today’s student veterans are first-generation college students.
  • 47% have children.
  • 47% are married.
  • Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped millions of veterans pursue higher education, career training, apprenticeships, and the American middle class.

Available Guest

William Hubbard
Vice President for Veterans & Military Policy
Veterans Education Success

  • Marine Corps Veteran
  • National advocate for student veterans and military-connected families
  • Frequent congressional witness on veterans’ higher education policy

About Veterans Education Success

Veterans Education Success is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the GI Bill and advancing the postsecondary success of veterans, service members, and military families.

MARINE CORPS VETERAN WARNS PROPOSED GI BILL CHANGES COULD HURT KANSAS VETERANS