Center for Responsible Lending Report: The State of For-Profit Colleges
Data in this research provides a snapshot of the for-profit sector at a critical moment, as federal student loan payments have been paused during the pandemic. Because of the payment pause, sector-by-sector comparisons related to [...]
Military.com: Student Veterans Battle for GI Bill Benefits at MIT, Another School Fighting the VA
Will Hubbard, vice president for veterans and military policy for Veterans Education Success, a GI Bill advocacy group in Washington, D.C., told Military.com that the MIT and Howard situations are a bad combination of the [...]
Our Letter Support The Build Back Better Bill’s Investments In Higher Education
November 17, 2021 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker United States House of Representatives S-221, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Majority Leader United States Senate S-221, The Capitol Washington, DC 20510 Dear [...]
Our Statement for the Record: Committee Hearing To Consider Pending Legislation Submitted To The Committee On Veterans’ Affairs U.S. Senate
STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD COMMITTEE HEARING TO CONSIDER PENDING LEGISLATION SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS U.S. SENATE November 17, 2021 Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the Committee: We appreciate the [...]
Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill Procedural Update – Prohibitions on Advertising, Sales, and Enrollment Practices
Greetings Educational Institutions, Section 1020 of P.L. 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, and section 7(a)(5) of P.L. 117-16, Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran [...]
Republic Report: California Opens Fraud Trial Against College Now Owned by Arizona
The advocacy group Veterans Education Success has received more than 100 complaints from Ashford students, with concerns covering recruiting, the quality of education, tuition costs, transferability of credits, and job placement. Read the full story at [...]
Lee Daily: Student Loan Forgiveness Education Department Erased $2 Billion in Debt for 30,000 Borrowers
The former director of military and consumer protection at Veterans Education Success, Mike Saunders said “As the burden of student loan debt has impacted ever-larger swathes of American society, the U.S. military has seen more [...]
CBS News: Lender charged 200% interest to military families for pawn loans, CFPB says
U.S. military families are being socked with annual interest rates sometimes exceeding 200% on pawn loans they've taken out from a Texas company, a violation of a federal law that caps how much lenders can [...]
The Los Angeles Times Editorial: USC tarnishes its reputation again, this time with for-profit recruitment tactics
Editorial: USC tarnishes its reputation again, this time with for-profit recruitment tactics BY THE TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD NOV. 12, 2021 It can be hard to keep up with the scandals and missteps at USC. In just the [...]
CNBC: Struggles for veterans with student debt continue under Biden administration
“We want them to get through the borrower defense backlog,” said Christopher Madaio, vice president for legal affairs at the nonprofit Veterans Education Success. Many other defrauded veterans need more guidance and support just applying [...]
The New York Times: Democrats’ Bill Would Deny For-Profit College Students Extra Aid
The problem of high debt and low wages is by no means limited to proprietary schools. But unlike other sectors, for-profit colleges are beholden to shareholders and have been found to hike up tuition to match [...]
Background on the Protect the GI Bill Act: Understanding Section 1016 In 2016, a unanimous Congress enacted the Career Ready Student Veterans Act, preventing GI Bill funding to be wasted at education programs which leave [...]
Press Release: AG Healey Secures Over $1 Million In Relief For Students Under Settlement With For- Profit School In Pittsfield
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2021 AG HEALEY SECURES OVER $1 MILLION IN RELIEF FOR STUDENTS UNDER SETTLEMENT WITH FOR- PROFIT SCHOOL IN PITTSFIELD The Mildred Elley School Resolves Allegations that it Failed to Follow [...]
Wall Street Journal: USC Pushed a $115,000 Online Degree. Graduates Got Low Salaries, Huge Debts
The nonprofit school used its status-symbol image to attract students across the country, including low-income minority students it targeted for recruitment, often with aggressive tactics. Most students piled on debt to afford the tuition, which [...]
The Arizona Daily Star: Accreditor: UA Global Campus’ Academic Improvement Plan ‘Seriously Inadequate’
Chris Madaio is vice president of legal affairs for Veterans Education Success, a national advocacy group for student veterans. He said the organization has received more than 100 complaints from veterans about Ashford and warned [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Greg Engle Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Greg Engle U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel November 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Greg Engle and I’m a veteran from Orlando, Florida. I spent 10 years active Air force and [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Joshua Queen Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Joshua Queen U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel November 2021 My name is Joshua Queen, and I am an Air Force veteran. I grew up poor and in an environment surrounded by [...]
Our Media Advisory: CA Attorney General Trial Starts Monday 11/8 Against For-Profit College Ashford U For Defrauding Students – Especially Veterans
Media Advisory & Backgrounder: Higher Ed & Veterans Story Contacts: Carrie Wofford, President, carrie@vetsedsuccess.org Christopher Madaio, VP for Legal Affairs, chris@vetsedsuccess.org CA ATTORNEY GENERAL TRIAL STARTS MONDAY 11/8 AGAINST FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE ASHFORD U FOR [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Christopher Glock Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Christopher Glock U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel November 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Chris Glock and I am a veteran from Colorado. I joined the Marine Corps following 9/11 and [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Jarrod Thoma Testimony to the Department of Education
Jarrod Thoma Testimony U.S Education Department November 2021 Good afternoon, my name is Jarrod Thoma, I am a Veteran of the U.S. Army, from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thank you for the opportunity to offer my [...]
Our Letter to the Education Department on Keeping the 90/10 Loophole Closed
November 3, 2021 U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 2C188, Washington, DC 20202 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Negotiated Rulemaking Committee; Public Hearings (Docket ID ED-2021-OPE-0077) To Whom It May Concern: In [...]
Our Letter To Congress Supporting the Promoting Advancement for Transit Help (PATH) to College Act
The Honorable Peter DeFazio Chairman U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Sam Graves Ranking Member U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure United States Senate Washington, [...]
NowThis News: What the Student Loan Forgiveness Reboot Means For You
"My total principle balance was about, I think, $76,000 to get through my undergraduate degree. After all the payments and all of the time, I owe $104,000," says veteran Jeffrey Spencer. "Congress made a promise, [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Kolin Wilkins Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Veteran Kolin Wilkins U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel October 2021 My name is Kolin Wilkins. I medically retired from the US Army in 2015 and currently live in Texas. I enrolled [...]
Swords to Plowshares Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Good afternoon, to the officials and staff of the Department of Education. My name is Victor Inzunza. I'm a Marine Corps veteran and I serve as a Policy Analyst at Swords to Plowshares. Our agency was [...]
Blue Star Families Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Good morning, officials and staff of the Department of Education. My name is Nick Wooldridge, and I am the Policy and Outreach Fellow at Blue Star Families. I am speaking on behalf of the families [...]
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Of America (IAVA) Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Statement of Kaitlynne Hetrick, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Of America before the Department of Education October 27, 2021 Good Morning, on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America’s [...]
The American Legion Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Remarks from David Proferes Policy Coordinator, Veterans Employment & Education Division The American Legion Before the Public Hearing “Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2021-22” October 26th, 2021 On behalf of National Commander Paul Dillard and the [...]
Children’s Advocacy Institute Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
TESTIMONY OF CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY INSTITUTE URGING STRONG REGULATIONS FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROTECT FOSTER YOUTH FROM PREDATORY USE OF CHAFEE/ETV BENEFITS October 26, 2021 Thank you for your diligent work to promulgate strong [...]
Travis Manion Foundation Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Hugo Lentze, Travis Manion Foundation October 27, 10:06 AM Good morning, and thank you for the chance to be here today. My name is Hugo Lentze, and I have the honor of serving as the [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Carlette Satterwhite Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Testimony of Carlette Satterwhite U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel October 2021 Good afternoon, my name is Dr. Carlette Satterwhite, and I’m a veteran from Austin, Texas. I’m here today to tell you about [...]
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Ashlynne Haycock, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) October 27, 10:15 AM Good Morning, my name is Ashlynne Haycock and I serve as the Deputy Director of Policy at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors [...]
Military Officers Association of America Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Cory Titus, Military Officers Association of America October 27, 10:18 AM Good morning to the Department of Education officials and staff. My name is Cory Titus, and I am the Military Officers Association of America’s [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Jonathan Banasihan Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Jonathan Banasihan, Veteran Good afternoon, my name is Jonathan Banasihan. I am a Navy veteran with deployments in operations supporting Iraq and Afghanistan. I am here to express my support for the closure of the [...]
American G.I. Forum Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Luis Vasquez-Contes, American G.I. Forum October 26, 2:36 PM Good afternoon, to the leaders and staff members of the Department of Education. My name is Luis Vasquez-Contes, and I’ve had the honor of serving in [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Jesse Cruz Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Testimony of Jesse Cruz U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel October 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Jesse Cruz and I’m a U.S. Army veteran from Atascosa, Texas. I decided to use my GI [...]
Jewish War Veterans Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
Ken Greenberg, Jewish War Veterans October 26, 2:36 PM Thank you to the officials and staff of the Department of Education. My name is Ken Greenberg and I am the National Executive Director of the [...]
Our Testimony on the 90/10 Loophole at the Department of Education Hearings
William Hubbard, Veterans Education Success October 26 2:26 PM Hello, and thank you for the time to present here today. I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with the hard-working staff and leadership of the [...]
Our Media Advisory: Veterans Organizations To Push Back Against For-Profit Colleges As Dept Of Ed Implements Closing Of Loophole That Incentivizes For-Profit Colleges To Prey On Veterans
VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS TO PUSH BACK AGAINST FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES AS DEPT OF ED IMPLEMENTS CLOSING OF LOOPHOLE THAT INCENTIVIZES FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES TO PREY ON VETERANS INDIVIDUAL VETERANS WHO WERE SCAMMED OUT OF GI BILL BENEFITS BY FOR-PROFIT [...]
Our Blog in Military.com: What to Do About Your GI Bill or Veterans Education Benefits If Your School Closes
The following blog was published by Military.com. If you're a veteran and you just found out your school (or program) is closing, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has disapproved it, it can [...]
Inside Higher Ed: New Law Threatens International Recruiting Model
“Engaging in processes that we view as unacceptable or corrupt here in the U.S. just because those practices are taking place overseas will change the nature of the university itself,” said Barmak Nassirian, a longtime [...]
Our Interview on the Policy Vets Podcast with Former Secretary Shulkin
Our Vice Presidents, Chris Madaio and Will Hubbard, joined former VA Secretary David Shulkin and Policy Vets Executive Director Lou Celli on their podcast to talk about our work standing up for the GI Bill and [...]
Our Letter to the VA Advisory Committee on Education
October 18, 2021 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 Via electronic submission to EDUSTAENG.VBAVACO@va.gov Re: Advisory Committee on Education Meeting October 19-20 Dear Members of [...]
News Nation USA: Student Loan Reforms Stand on Horizon in Negotiated Rulemaking
“Every one of the issues on the table is critically important and quite consequential for specific segments of the borrower population,” said Barmak Nassirian, vice president for higher education policy at Veterans Education Success, a [...]