Oral Testimony to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on the Topic of “Red Tape at VA”
ORAL TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM HUBBARD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR VETERANS & MILITARY POLICY PRESENTED TO THE U.S. HOUSE VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ON THE TOPIC OF “LESS IS MORE: THE IMPACT OF BUREAUCRATIC [...]
Our Statement for the Record for a House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Oversight Hearing
TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM HUBBARD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR VETERANS & MILITARY POLICY SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. HOUSE VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ON THE TOPIC OF “LESS IS MORE: THE IMPACT OF BUREAUCRATIC RED [...]
Statement on Fake Letter
RE: Fake Letter with Subject Line “5 Star CDL Training” To Whom It May Concern: It has come to our attention that you may have received a letter purporting to be from Veterans Education Success [...]
Coalition letter to the Education Department regarding quality and accountability rulemaking
The Honorable James Kvaal Under Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20202 August 31, 2023 Dear Under Secretary Kvaal: As the Department of Education proceeds with establishing a [...]
Our Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court On the Merits of GI Bill Benefits for Multiple Periods of Service
Veterans Education Success filed an amicus brief supporting that where a veteran has multiple periods of service, the veteran may qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The brief [...]
Coalition Letter to the House Education Committee re: lowering college costs and increasing value
July 26, 2023 The Honorable Burgess Owens Chairman, House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development The Honorable Frederica S. Wilson Ranking Member, House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Dear Chairman Owens and [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations’ Letter on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Amendment
July 20, 2023 Senator Tom Carper 513 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 SUBJ: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Amendment Dear Senator Carper, The undersigned organizations serving service members, veterans, and [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding Hussian College
July 19, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Re: Hussian College Closing Dear Director Garcia, We write to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the appropriate [...]
Our Follow-Up to VA re: Risk-Based Survey SOPs
July 10, 2023 James Ruhlman, Deputy Director Program Management Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Dear Mr. Ruhlman, In response to concerns we raised about the standard operating procedures for the risk-based surveys as [...]
Battling GI Fraud and Scam schools
Hear the full podcast at First News on demand with WRGA's Tony McIntosh here.
Veterans Should Have the Right to Use Their Hard-Earned Educational Benefits
"We are pleased the Supreme Court granted cert as this case raises important questions regarding veterans’ rights when they have qualified for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. When veterans serve their country [...]
Our Press Release: Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action Contains Puzzling Logic That Will Fail To Ensure Racial Diversity in the Armed Forces Officer Ranks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Will Hubbard (703) 379-3822 SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CONTAINS PUZZLING LOGIC THAT WILL FAIL TO ENSURE RACIAL DIVERSITY IN THE ARMED FORCES OFFICER RANKS Jun 29, 2023– In the [...]
Our Press Release: Largest Post 9/11 GI Bill Fraud Case Yields Guilty Please
Contact: Ana Cobian: (323) 360.1827 [email protected] LARGEST POST 9/11 GI BILL FRAUD CASE YIELDS GUILTY PLEAS SERVES AS TRAGIC WAKE UP CALL: VA NEEDS STRONGER AUTHORITY & OVERSIGHT US Taxpayers & Student Veterans Scammed Out [...]
Our Press Release: Veterans Should Have the Right to Use Their Hard-Earned Educational Benefits
Assignment Desk Team, You may have heard about the potential purchase of the University of Phoenix by the University of Idaho System. I wanted to share this opportunity to interview a legal expert leading a [...]
University of Phoenix has a checkered past. Did U of I make an ‘enormously risky’ move?
Blaming students for poor results is a tactic for-profit schools use, said Barmak Nassirian, a longtime higher education policy analyst who works for Veterans Education Success. When predatory institutions have a pattern of low graduation [...]
Our Letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on the Marine Corps Excess Leave Program
June 21, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Re: Marine Corps Excess Leave Program Policy Dear Director Garcia, We write to advise the Department of Veterans Affairs that [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations’ Letter to the Department of Education on Rulemaking (Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment, Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability, Certification Procedures, Ability to Benefit)
June 20, 2023 Secretary Miguel Cardona U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, DC 20202 RE: Docket ID ED-2023-OPE-0089 Dear Mr. Secretary, The undersigned organizations representing servicemembers, veterans, military families, and survivors are [...]
Our Letter to the Education Dept. on the Gainful Employment and Related Regulations
June 20, 2023 The Honorable Nasser H. Paydar, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education Re: Docket ID ED–2023–OPE–0089 Dear Assistant Secretary Paydar, I write to submit comments on behalf of Veterans [...]
Our Letter to VA regarding the VETS Credit Act
June 14, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Re: School closings and GI Bill Restoration information Dear Director Garcia, As you requested in our meeting on May 24, [...]
Letter Reply from VA re: Risk-Based Survey SOPs (June 15, 2023)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Veterans Benefits Administration Washington, D.C. 20420 June 15, 2023 Carrie Wofford, President Veterans Education Success 1501 K St., Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms. Wofford: Thank you for your letter, [...]
Our Statement for the Record on the June 14, 2023, Legislative Hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY 118TH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION June 14, 2023 Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Levin, and Members of the Subcommittee: We [...]
Our Review of a Report on Housing Allowances for Fully Online Post-9/11 GI Bill Beneficiaries
Hypothesis in Search of Evidence: Housing Allowances for Fully Online Post-9/11 GI Bill Beneficiaries A March 2023 Urban Institute paper on Post-9/11 housing allowances is a hypothesis in search of evidence, and much of the [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Zack Fenton Testimony to the Department of Education
Good morning. I’m Zack Fenton, I’m an Army veteran, and I would like to share some details about my experience at IntelliTec College. I enrolled in an automotive program in early 2020. I specifically shared [...]
Our Follow-Up Letter to the Department of Education regarding proposed new Borrower Defense to Repayment Application
June 16, 2023 U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203 Washington, DC 20202-8240 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal Forms (Docket No. ED-2023-SCC-0024) Comment Request 5/17/2023 [...]
Our Follow-Up to VA re: Risk-Based Survey SOPs
June 1, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Re: Risk-Based Surveys Dear Director Garcia: Thank you for your response to our previous letter concerning the implementation of risk-based [...]
US veterans defrauded by for-profit universities fight to restore benefits
"When the Department of Ed finds out there was wrongdoing, that actually has no bearing on whether the students who are veterans are going to get their money back, because they’re using GI Bill dollars,” [...]
U of I’s purchase of University of Phoenix fraught with red flags. Here are ones we know
A day after the public learned of the proposed deal, the Idaho State Board of Education authorized the creation of a not-for-profit to purchase the for-profit University of Phoenix on behalf of the University of Idaho.
Our Press Release: Letter from Veterans & Higher Ed Advocates Ask University of Idaho to Reconsider University of Phoenix Purchase in Light of the Business’ Consumer Protection Legal Liabilities
Assignment Desk Team, You may have heard about the potential purchase of the University of Phoenix by the University of Idaho System. I wanted to share this opportunity to interview a legal expert leading a [...]
Our Press Release: Nationally Known Policy Expert Available for Comment/Context on the Imminent Release of U.S. Department of Education Proposed Rules On “Gainful Employment,” Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability, and Certification
MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Ana Cobian - 323.360.1827 [email protected] Nationally Known Policy Expert Available for Comment/Context on the Imminent Release of U.S. Department of Education Proposed Rules On “Gainful Employment,” Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability, and Certification [...]
Proposal for Idaho to purchase University of Phoenix should stop in its tracks
The Idaho State Board of Education made a stunning announcement Wednesday afternoon: The following day, it would “consider a proposal by the University of Idaho to create a not-for-profit entity to acquire the University of Phoenix.” The proposal was listed as an action item, meaning with almost no public debate, the board could act Thursday.
University of Phoenix to be acquired by University of Idaho nonprofit
"Della Justice, vice president of legal affairs at Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group that spoke out against the Arkansas-Phoenix deal, said she was dismayed with the Idaho board’s decision. “We are disappointed that the [...]
Coalition Letter Urging Congress to Pass the College Transparency Act
Coalition letter strongly urging Congress to pass the bicameral, bipartisan College Transparency Act (S. 1349 / H.R. 2957).
Our Press Release: Experienced Veterans Advocate Joins Team at Veterans Education Success
For Immediate Release May 15, 2023 Experienced Veterans Advocate Joins Team at Veterans Education Success Former Legislative Counsel and Senior Associate, Advaith Thampi, J.D. Washington, D.C. – Veterans Education Success is pleased to announce that [...]
Statement for the Record Submitted to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs 118th Congress, First Session
Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the Committee: We thank you for the opportunity to share this statement for consideration during this hearing, which includes many notable bills addressing topics in higher education [...]
Our Letter to the Dept of Education Regarding Accreditation and State Authorization Rulemaking
April 24, 2023 Ashley Clark U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 2C–185 Washington, DC 20202 RE: Docket ID ED–2023–OPE–0039 Dear Ms. Clark, I am pleased to submit comments in response to the [...]
Potential deal to buy University of Phoenix draws scrutiny in Arkansas
"If [Phoenix] becomes affiliated with Arkansas, we’re concerned that the documented bad practices at Phoenix would continue under the banner of a major university system,” said Della Justice, vice president of legal affairs at Veterans [...]
Website posing as fake Massachusetts university draws attention of authorities
"These types of schemes and bad-acting for-profit colleges tend to target first-generation and veteran students, said Della Justice, vice president for legal affairs at Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit that advocates for veteran students using [...]
Wilmington Veteran Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] WILMINGTON VETERAN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of being defrauded [...]
Jacksonville Veteran Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] JACKSONVILLE VETERAN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of being defrauded [...]
Old Forge, PA Veteran Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] OLD FORGE, PA VETERAN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of [...]
Detroit Veteran Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] DETROIT VETERAN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of being defrauded [...]
Heartland, TX Veteran Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] HEARTLAND, TX VETERAN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of being [...]
Kentucky Army Spouse Testifies About Sham College – Calls for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] FT. CAMPBELL, KY ARMY SPOUSE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake [...]
Defrauded Veterans Testify About Sham Colleges – Call for Reforms
Contact: Ana Cobian (323) 360-1827 [email protected] LEGAL EXPERT AND STUDENT VETERANS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Defrauded Veterans Speak Out About Sham Colleges & Need to Strengthen Accreditation & Licensing to Protect Students WASHINGTON, DC—In the wake of [...]
Our Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding GI Bill Benefits for Multiple Periods of Service
Veterans Education Success filed an amicus brief supporting that where a veteran has multiple periods of service, the veteran may qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The case is Rudisill v. Wilkie before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Education Department Will Terminate Aid to Florida Career College
The U.S. Department of Education announced today it will stop providing federal student grant and loan payments to Florida Career College (FCC), a for-profit school whose predatory practices Republic Report helped expose in a May 2020 investigation.
Veterans burned by for profit colleges fight for their lost GI Bill benefits
“Veterans get disproportionately victimized primarily because they disproportionately represent all of the characteristics of your nontraditional students,” said Barmak Nassirian, vice president for higher education policy at Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group focused on [...]
Our Letter to VA regarding Florida Career College’s Loss of Title IV Approval
April 13, 2023 Betsy Wickham, Bureau Chief State Approving Agency Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Via email David Salgado, Director Veterans Education Program Texas Veterans Commission Via email Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Glen Stroman Testimony to the Department of Education
Good morning/afternoon. I’m Glen Stroman, and I am a veteran who attended Grand Canyon University to earn my doctorate. I am a teacher and I have advised students on college choices, so I did my [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Nicholas Whatley Testimony to the Department of Education
Hello, I am Nicholas Whatley and I am a Navy Veteran. In about 2017 I enrolled in Hallmark University’s Airframe and Powerplant Technology Associate’s program to get my civilian aviation certification. I was there for [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Tyler Dean Testimony to the Department of Education
Hello, my name is Tyler Dean. I am an Air Force veteran. I enrolled in Keiser University’s online accelerated Applied Engineering degree in 2021 to become an engineer. Keiser’s admissions counselors knew I wanted to [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Deborah Butrim Testimony to the Department of Education
Good morning/afternoon. I’m Deborah Butrim, and I served in the Army for 20 years. Towards the end of my service, I enrolled in a PhD program at Walden University. I was going to enroll at [...]
Our Testimony on Accreditation and State Authorization at the Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking Hearings
My name is Della Justice and I am Vice President for Legal Affairs with Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit research, policy, and student-veteran advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. We work on a bipartisan basis [...]
Military Spouse Submission: Jasmine Thomas Testimony to the Department of Education
Hello, my name is Jasmine Thomas. I’m an active-duty army spouse that is stationed in Fort Campbell, KY. I am a stay-at-home mother of two and I attended Fortis Institute, a for profit school in [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Ashley Beverly Testimony to the Department of Education
Good morning. My name is Ashley Beverly. I’m a Navy veteran and I have been a social worker for seven years. I decided I wanted to get my doctorate in Clinical Social Work, so I [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Quenton Ross Testimony to the Department of Education
Hello, my name is Quenton Ross. I’m a disabled Navy veteran. I’m here to tell you that I did not get the high quality education that Full Sail University promised. Before leaving the Navy I [...]
Our Letter to the Department of Education regarding proposed new Borrower Defense to Repayment Application
April 3, 2023 U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203 Washington, DC 20202-8240 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal Forms (Docket No. ED-2023-SCC-0024) To Whom It [...]
Coalition Letter on Third Party Servicer Guidance
March 30, 2023 Annmarie Weisman Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education Re: Docket ID ED-2022-OPE-0103 Submitted electronically via regulations.gov Dear Deputy Assistant Secretary Weisman, On [...]
Our Statement for the Record on the March 30, 2023, Legislative Hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Levin, and Members of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Committee on Veterans Affairs: We thank you for the opportunity to share our views regarding legislation under consideration by the [...]
Major Step Forward in Justice for Veterans – Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Bill Drops
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ana Cobian (323)360-1827 [email protected] “Major Step Forward in Justice Long Overdue for Student Veterans” as New Bill: Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act Drops House Veterans Affairs to Hold Thursday Hearing on [...]
Coalition Letter on Maryland 90/10
March 27, 2023 Emily A. A. Dow, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Academic Affairs Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) 6 N. Liberty St., 10th Fl. Baltimore, MD 21201 By Email Dear Dr. Dow, The undersigned organizations, [...]
Univ. of Phoenix is the Top Recipient of GI Bill Funding
"These large for-profit college chains have massive recruiting efforts focused on veterans,” Carrie Wofford, president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success, told USA Today. “They hire lots of salesmen and hold lots of events [...]
This controversial, for-profit college has received $1.6B in GI Bill funds, the most of any school
Carrie Wofford, president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success, is not surprised. For years her group has tracked schools that aggressively enroll veterans, checking to see whether they are delivering quality education. “These large for-profit [...]
University of Arkansas System Moves Closer to Deal with University of Phoenix
The University of Arkansas System is in talks with the University of Phoenix on a possible affiliation deal, as an Arkansas nonprofit is set to buy the for-profit university. KUAF's Daniel Caruth hears from UA System officials and critics about what an affiliation could mean.
Our Letter to the Dept. of Education RE: Online Program Managers and Bundled Service’s Guidance
March 16, 2023 Ashley Clark U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, DC 20202 RE: Docket ID ED-2023-OPE-0030 Dear Ms. Clark, I write to submit comments on behalf of Veterans Education Success in [...]
Letter Reply from VA re: Risk-Based Survey SOPs (March 16, 2023)
March 16, 2023 Carrie Wofford, President Veterans Education Success 1501 K St., Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms. Wofford: Thank you for your letter, dated March 7, 2023, to the Department of Veterans Affairs [...]
U.S. 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 train military veterans completely at government expense, with no cap on what they can charge, the schools rapidly expanded. They now collect tens of millions a year in taxpayer dollars.
Our Testimony at the Department of Education’s Virtual Hearing on Incentive Compensation Guidance
My name is Barmak Nassirian and I serve as Vice President for Higher Education Policy with Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit research, policy, and student veteran advocacy organization. We work on a non-partisan basis to [...]
Our Letter to VA re Risk-Based Survey SOPs
March 7, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veteran Benefits Administration Via email Re: Risk-Based Surveys Dear Director Garcia: We thank you and your team at the Education Service for making progress towards [...]
Statement for the Record: Legislative Priorities Submitted to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs
STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES SUBMITTED TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS AFFAIRS 118TH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION March 7, 2023 Chairmen Tester and Bost, Ranking Members Moran and Takano, and Members of [...]
Our Oral Comment to NACIQI Regarding the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)- Winter 2023 Meeting
Good morning. I am Allison Muth, a Senior Attorney with Veterans Education Success. We work on a bipartisan basis to advance higher education success for veterans, service members, and military families, and to protect the [...]
Our Oral Comment to NACIQI Regarding the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)- Winter 2023 Meeting
Good afternoon. As some of you know, I am Allison Muth, and I am a Senior Attorney with Veterans Education Success. We work on a bipartisan basis to advance higher education success for veterans, service [...]
Our Oral Comment to NACIQI Regarding the Middle States Commission on Higher Education- Winter 2023 Meeting
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you again. As I shared earlier, I am Allison Muth, and I am a Senior Attorney with Veterans Education Success. We work on a bipartisan basis to [...]
Our Oral Comment to NACIQI Regarding the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)- Winter 2023 Meeting
Good morning. I am Allison Muth, and I am a Senior Attorney with Veterans Education Success. We work on a bipartisan basis to advance higher education success for veterans, service members, and military families, and [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding Additional Information about ASA College
February 28, 2023 William Clarke, Veterans Program Manager Bureau of Veterans Education New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Via email Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veteran Benefits Administration Via email Re: ASA [...]
Veterans’ group warns against a Phoenix deal; UA System president defends moving forward
Coalition members include the Center for American Progress, New America Higher Education Program, Project on Predatory Student Lending, The Institute for College Access & Success, Veterans Education Success, attorney David Halperin, and Robert Shireman, a [...]
Career-training companies scoop up federal funds with little oversight
The United States spends untold millions on workforce training programs. Many don’t help people find jobs.
Letter from Rep. Buchanan urging VA to update its guidance on GI Bill restoration after closed schools
Letter from Vern Buchanan writing to urge President Biden and Secretary McDonough to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs update its guidance to help prevent student veterans from losing access to valuable G.I. Bill credits
Letter From Veteran & Higher Ed Advocates Asks University Of Arkansas To Reconsider University Of Phoenix Purchase In Light Of The Business’ Consumer Protection Legal Liabilities
Contact: Ana Cobian - 323.360.1827 MEDIA ADVISORY - LEGAL/VETERAN EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT/CONTEXT LETTER FROM VETERAN & HIGHER ED ADVOCATES ASKS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS TO RECONSIDER UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX PURCHASE IN LIGHT OF THE BUSINESS’ [...]
Coalition Letter to the University of Arkansas Trustees regarding the potential purchase of the University of Phoenix
February 15, 2023 Board of Trustees University of Arkansas via email C.C. Gibson III Chairman Board of Trustees University of Arkansas RE: University of Arkansas System and University of Phoenix Dear Chairman Gibson and Trustees, [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding January 12, 2023 Meeting and Feedback Tool
February 15, 2023 Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veteran Benefits Administration Via email Re: Our January 12, 2023 Meeting and Feedback Tool Dear Director Garcia, Thank you again for your time and help [...]
Our Letter to the Dept. of Education re: “Low-Financial-Value” Colleges
VES comments on behalf of Veterans Education Success in response to the Department of Education’s Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Public Transparency for Low-Financial-Value Postsecondary Programs, published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2023.
Veterans & Military Organizations’ Letter to the Dept. of Education re: “Low-Financial-Value” Colleges
The undersigned military and veteran organizations write to provide comments on the above-referenced Request for Information (RFI). We agree with the Department that low-financial-value programs “may cause particularly acute harm for student loan borrowers who may struggle to repay their debts after discovering too late that their postsecondary programs did not adequately prepare them for the workforce” and that “taxpayers also shoulder the costs.” We write specifically regarding the impact on student veterans and military-connected students.
Coalition Letter for Higher Education Accountability Priorities
As 40 organizations working on behalf of students, consumers, veterans, faculty and staff, civil rights advocates, and researchers concerned about unaffordable student debts and predatory practices, we write to share our coalition’s higher education priorities. As Congress continues to consider long-overdue reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and to evaluate other higher education proposals, we strongly urge you to support policies that better protect students - especially low-income students and students of color - and the taxpayers who invest in them.
Letter to NC-SARA re: Proposal to Elevate SARA’s Consumer Protection Standards
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), administered by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), lowers barriers for schools to offer online programs in multiple states, easing the way for institutions to expand the reach of their online programs. SARA’s impact is immense - almost 6 million students were enrolled in online programs at more than 2,300 SARA participating schools in Fall 2020, including 1.6 million students enrolled in online programs based outside of their state.1 Every state except for California is a SARA member. 2 However, the agreement’s standards set an extremely low bar for consumer protection, leaving millions of online students vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous schools.
GAO: Higher Education: Higher Education: Department of Education Should Improve Enforcement Procedures Regarding Substantial Misrepresentation by Colleges
If colleges provide inaccurate or misleading information about, for example, their students' ability to transfer course credits to another college or qualify for a specific certification after graduation, students may have difficulty completing their degree, [...]
The Christian Post: DOJ seeks to recover money bilked from veterans by House of Prayer schools
In testimony on GI Bill modernization before the House Veterans Affairs Committee last July, William Hubbard, vice president for Veterans & Military Policy at Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group focused on advancing higher education success for service [...]
WTOC: FBI raided Hinesville church over possible VA fraud, according to court documents
Veterans Education Success, a non-profit that helps service members further their education, says they’ve been raising concerns over the school for years. Sending letters to the VA and Georgia’s State Approving Agency in 2020. “We [...]
Military News: Feds Try to Seize Money, Property from Church Accused of Multimillion-Dollar Scheme Targeting Vets
The investigation was spurred in 2020 after Veterans Education Success, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that lobbies on military education issues, raised concerns about the church to the VA and lawmakers. "All veterans should feel [...]
WRDW: Raided church accused in multimillion-dollar VA fraud scheme
A nonprofit said it had been warning about these facilities for years. Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit that helps veterans find educational opportunities, says the House of Prayer churches committed fraud by taking GI Bill [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding Living Arts College Closure
January 10, 2022 Timothy D. Freeman, Executive Director North Carolina State Approving Agency Via email Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service Veterans Benefits Administration Via email Re: Living Arts College Closure Dear Mr. Garcia [...]
Court Watch: Exclusive: Church Preyed on Veterans and Stole Millions, says DOJ
In 2020, Veterans Success Education, a nonprofit which advocates for higher education standards for military members and their families sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs asking the agency to investigate what it [...]
The August Chronicle: DOJ: House of Prayer Christian Church swindled $22+ million in VA benefits
In August 2020, Veterans Education Success, an advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., asked the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Georgia Veterans Service to investigate alleged abuses of the GI Bill program by [...]
Our Letter to VA with Additional Information Regarding Bay State College
January 9, 2023, George O’Connor Assistant Commissioner for Academic & Veterans Affairs Department of Higher Education Commonwealth of Massachusetts Via email Joseph L. Garcia, Executive Director Education Service. Veteran Benefits Administration Via email Re: Bay State College Dear Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Garcia...
The Untold Story of Warren Seavey and His Students
At the close of World War II, a renegade professor admitted a wave of returning veterans to Harvard Law, even though some had questionable credentials and others didn’t even apply. They’d be called “the best class there ever was.
The Chronicle: Washington Bible College Linked to Alleged ‘Cult’ Loses GI Bill Approval After FBI Raid
A Tacoma seminary program associated with a chain of churches raided by the FBI earlier this year has lost approval to receive federal Veterans Affairs education funds. Former members have described the chain as a cult that defrauds soldiers.
Stars and Stripes: Tacoma bible college linked to alleged ‘cult’ loses GI Bill approval after FBI raid
A Tacoma seminary program associated with a chain of churches raided by the FBI earlier this year has lost approval to receive federal Veterans Affairs education funds. Former members have described the chain as a cult that defrauds soldiers.
GI Bill fix for vets enrolled in defunct schools heads to White House
“VA should not be making it harder for student veterans to use their benefits and get back on track to their educational goals with unnecessary requirements,” said Will Hubbard, vice president for veterans and military [...]
Our Press Release: Senate Passes Important “VETS Credit Act” Unanimously, Bill Heads to the President for Signature
December 21, 2022 Contact: Will Hubbard VP for Veterans & Military Policy [email protected] (703) 379-3822 PRESS RELEASE: Senate Passes Important “VETS Credit Act” Unanimously, Bill Heads to the President for Signature Today, we celebrate the [...]
Veterans Eligible to Transfer School Credit Act (HR 6604): School Closure Benefits Restoration
The devastating trend of school closures continues to negatively affect student veterans, leaving them with questions about their GI Bill benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inappropriately set a requirement for veterans to [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding the 85/15 Rule Federal Register Notice
We write to submit comments on the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the above-referenced 85/15 Rule published in the October 12, 2022 issue of the Federal Register.
Our Letter to the Department of Education on the Council on Occupational Education.
VES advocacy letter on behalf of students and veterans in higher education in response to the call for third-party comments announced on November 14, 2022, in the Department of Education’s Notice Accrediting Agencies Currently Undergoing Review for the Purpose of Recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education. 1 Our comments concern the Council on Occupational Education (“COE”) and the senior Department official’s (SDO) decision letter dated October 27, 2021, requiring COE to come into compliance with 34 C.F.R. Part 602 within 12 months and to submit a compliance report within 30 days thereafter.
VA: Conflicting Interests Certification for Proprietary Schools
PURPOSE: This form informs individuals that the law has restrictions concerning any potential conflict of interest.
VA Report to Appropriations 2018 CTR – State Accrediting Agency Oversight
Despite adequate statutory and regulatory provisions, VA has identified additional steps that can be taken to further strengthen SAA compliance with the conflict of interest laws and regulations and ensure SAAs are aware of ethics rules.
The Hidden Loophole: How Predatory Offshore Medical Schools are Partnering with U.S. Universities to Access Federal Student Aid Funds
For-profit, offshore Caribbean medical schools that are not eligible to participate in Federal Student Aid’s Direct Loan Program are taking advantage of a regulatory loophole to obtain Title IV, Higher Education Act (HEA) funds. In this report, we discuss how these predatory, offshore medical schools, partnering with American schools, are taking advantage of students to syphon Title IV funds, and call on the U.S. Department of Education to implement policies to address the regulatory loophole and protect students and preserve the integrity of the Title IV program.
Can Information and Advising Affect Postsecondary Participation and Attainment for Non-Traditional Students?
Lack of information and advising prior to college matriculation may contribute to poor postsecondary outcomes among non-traditional students. We conducted a large-scale, multi-arm field experiment with the U.S. Army to investigate whether a package of research-based personalized information and access to advising affects postsecondary choices and attainment among a large non-traditional adult population. We find no impact of the intervention on whether veterans enroll in college, on the quality of their college enrollment, or on their persistence in college. Our results suggest that influencing non-traditional populations’ educational decisions and outcomes will require substantially more intensive programs.
VA FOIA Request Response RE: SAA requests for waivers of 38 USC 3683
VA's Agency Decision to VES' September 14, 2022, request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, submitted to the Veterans Benefits Administration Central Office (VBACO) FOIA Office, for access to records regarding information on whether any current State Approving Agencies employees have requested, received, or been denied a waiver under Sec. 3683, which prohibits SAA employees from receiving wages, salaries, gifts, profits, dividends, or services from a for-profit school.
U.S. Department of Education Renews Contracts with Troubled For-Profit Colleges
A new Student Defense analysis reveals that the U.S. Department of Education - through both decisions and inaction - continues to allow predatory institutions to scam students and taxpayers with impunity and without rebuke. This analysis comes nearly two years after Student Defense called on the Biden Administration to use civil law enforcement authorities to better protect student loan borrowers.
Letter to VA Regarding Bay State College
November 21, 2022 George O’Connor, Assistant Commissioner for Academic & Veterans Affairs Department of Higher Education Commonwealth of Massachusetts Via email Joshua Jacobs, Senior Advisor for Policy Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary [...]
Letter to VA Regarding Florida Career College
November 21, 2022 Betsy Wickham, Bureau Chief State Approving Agency Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Via email David Salgado, Director Veterans Education Program Texas Veterans Commission Via email Joshua Jacobs, Senior Advisor for Policy Performing [...]
Letter to VA Regarding Full Sail University
November 21, 2022 Betsy Wickham, Bureau Chief State Approving Agency Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Via email Joshua Jacobs, Senior Advisor for Policy Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary for Benefits Veterans Benefits [...]
Letter to VA Regarding ASA College
November 21, 2022 William Clarke, Veterans Program Manager Bureau of Veterans Education New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Via email Joshua Jacobs, Senior Advisor for Policy Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary [...]
The Potential of the G.I. Bill and the Need to Combat Fraud in the Program
By Will Hubbard The following op-ed was published in The Ripon Society. It’s time to fulfill America’s promise to our veterans They finally found John Gibson, a Georgia Congressman, after a frantic statewide search. The year [...]
Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the process by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines whether an educational institution meets requirements relating to the percentage of students who receive educational assistance [...]
Our Letter to VA Regarding Eastern Gateway Community College
Ms. Samantha Erickson SAA Director Ohio Department for Veterans Services 77 South High Street, 7th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 via email Mr. Josh Jacobs Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Veterans Benefits Administration 810 Vermont Ave. [...]
You Don’t Have to Be a Veteran to Be a Great Veteran Supporter in Higher Ed
The idea of a student going straight from high school through college is outdated, said Hubbard; adding: "What want to see is a modernization of policies and procedures that allows us to account for and [...]
Our Press Release: Congress to Restore Rapid Retraining Assistance Benefits For Veterans of Disapproved Programs
Washington, D.C., May 19, 2022 – Last night, veterans advocates applauded congressional action to restore emergency education benefits of veterans who attended programs that were disapproved or closed. In March, the U.S. Department of Veterans [...]
Buchanan Bill to Help Student Veterans Approved by House VA Committee
William Hubbard, vice president for veteran and military policy at Veterans Education Success, said, "We thank Congressman Buchanan for championing this bipartisan solution for student veterans. When facing the difficult situation of a closed school, [...]
Our Press Release: First-Ever Consensus Reached on 90/10 Rule at U.S. Dept. of Education Rulemaking
Contacts: Will Hubbard VP for Veterans & Military Policy Veterans Education Success Barmak Nassirian VP for Higher Education Policy Veterans Education Success PRESS RELEASE: First-Ever Consensus Reached on 90/10 Rule at U.S. Dept. of [...]
Buchanan Introduces Bill to Help Student Veterans
William Hubbard, the Vice President for Veteran and Military Policy at Veterans Education Success said, "When a student veteran faces the collapse of their school, added layers of bureaucracy only serve to worsen an already [...]
How does virtual learning impact students in higher education?
In 2020, the pandemic pushed millions of college students around the world into virtual learning. As the new academic year begins, many colleges in the U.S. are poised to bring students back to campus, but a large amount of uncertainty remains. Some institutions will undoubtedly continue to offer online or hybrid classes, even as in-person instruction resumes. At the same time, low vaccination rates, new coronavirus variants, and travel restrictions for international students may mean a return to fully online instruction for some U.S. students and many more around the world.
DeVry Letter in Support of California’s Closing the 90/10 Loophole
DeVry University joined veterans organizations in calling for legislation to close the 90/10 loophole and stop targeting veterans (which DeVry did voluntarily in 2016)
Our Veterans Advocate Tyson Manker Speaks at NYC Consumer Affairs Panel
Video of advocate Tyson Manker speaking at NYC Consumer Affairs Panel about student debt among veterans, and the dire need to improve protections around the Post 9/11 GIBill
The Century Foundation: Encouraging Innovation & Preventing Abuse in For-Profit Higher Education
The Century Foundation is a progressive, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to foster opportunity, reduce inequality, and promote security at home and abroad.
Our Tweets: Student Veterans Lobby Day
VES Tweets about Student veterans Lobby Day in the Oregon capitol, organized and lead by VES State Policy Manager, Ramond Curtis
An Act To Ensure the Integrity of For-profit Colleges
The 129th Maine legislature unanimously passes bill requiring better oversight of for-profit colleges passes unanimously.
Testimony of Veteran Stephanie Stiefel before the California Assembly
Testimony by US Army veteran, Stephanie Stiefel, at California State Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing on AB 1343 – Revising the 90/10 Rule, April 9th, 2019.
NBC Nightly News: Veterans Could Be First to Pay as DeVos Rolls Back For-Profit College Oversight
Veterans Education Success was honored to be interviewed by NBC News for their expose on how for-profit colleges target veterans with fraud. We also provided both whistleblowers and veterans to be interviewed. The full NBC [...]
NYS Senate Public Hearing on Higher Education
Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education Chair: Senator Toby Ann Stavisky Public Hearing: To explore ways to review oversight over for-profit schools in order to better inform students, parents and consumers about for-profit education schools. - April, 2019
Veterans and Military Service Organization Letter of Support: AB 1343- Revising the 90/10 Rule
16 leading national VSO and MSO write letter to the California Assembly Committee on Education in support of closing the 90/10 loophole.
Veterans and Military Service Organization Letter of Support: Closing the 90/10 Loophole in New York State
16 leading national VSO and MSO write letter to the New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education in support of closing the 90/10 loophole.
Veterans and Military Service Organization Letter of Support: HB 2976 – Closing the 90/10 Loophole
16 leading national VSO and MSO write letter to the Oregon House Committee on Education in support of closing the 90/10 loophole
New York Post Letter to the Editor by our State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis
“Veterans organizations, including the American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Association of the US Navy, and a dozen others are calling on Albany to enact Gov. Cuomo’s "For-Profit College Accountability Act”
Testimony of Student Veteran Jay Hernandez
Testimony of Jay Hernandez before the Oregon House Committee on Education at the hearing on HB 2976 - Veterans Private Education Protection Act: "I lost a year of education benefits that I could be going towards earning a Masters" March, 2019
Testimony of our State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis Before Oregon House of Representatives
VES State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis testimony before the Oregon House Committee on Veterans Private Education Protection Act: HB 2976 - March, 2019
Our State Policy Manager Testifies at Education Committee Hearing
Video of Oregon State House of Representatives Committee on Education hearing: HB 2976 - Veterans Private Education Protection Act, March 2019
Testimony of Student Veteran Ryan Preston
Testimony of Ryan Preston before the Oregon House of Representatives Committee on Education at the hearing on HB 2976 - Veterans Private Education Protection Act: "I received a total of 2 online job leads and then the university reps tried forcing me to sign a release of liability so they would not be obligated to assist me in finding employment" March, 2019
Veteran and Military Organizations Support Proposed California Regulation
Letter from 21 national organizations representing veterans, active-duty military, and students in support of proposed rule-making to title 12 of California Code of Regulations regarding CSAAVE title 38 approval of postsecondary institutions
Letter of Support from The American Legion
The American Legion Department of New York writes in support of Gov. Cuomo’s “For Profit Accountability Act”
Testimony of Our State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis
Testimony in support of Gov. Cuomo's "For-Profit College Accountability Act” before the NY state Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee by VES State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis: "New York can prevent predatory practices and bad outcomes by implementing strong policies that hold for-profit colleges accountable to the students and taxpayers they have an obligation to serve." March, 2019
One of our college whistleblowers, Eric Dean, a former Ashford University admissions rep, spoke at a press conference to announce the legislation
One of our college whistleblowers, Eric Dean, a former Ashford University admissions rep, spoke at a press conference to announce legislation https://twitter.com/GIBillRights/status/1100823267210870785
Politico Morning Education: The group Veterans Education Success has released a brief
The group Veterans Education Success has released a brief that encourages the Education Department to consider lessons learned from GI Bill usage as it weighs regulatory changes. Read the full story: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2019/02/25/gun-control-bill-heads-to-the-house-floor-this-week-399378
Washington Post: Veterans Groups Ask VA Secretary to Keep GI Benefits Out of the Hands of Predatory Colleges
“The veterans we serve are understandably angry when they discover that the very consumer fraud they faced at a predatory school is one the VA knew about but approved for GI Bill benefits anyway,” said [...]
Testimony of Student Veteran Cynthia Castellon before Maryland State Senate
Testimony regarding predatory practices by veteran Cynthia Castellon before Maryland State Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee: "I was lied to and manipulated into using my Post 9/11 GI Bill, AND taking out unnecessary loans, just so Everest could make a profit" February, 2019
Testimony of Student Veteran Michael Miedzinkski before Maryland State Senate
Testimony regarding predatory practices by veteran Michael Miedzinkski before Maryland State Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee: "I was recruited at a college transfer fair at the community college I was attending. After a number of red flags, I began to realize I had made a mistake" February, 2019
Testimony of Our State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis before Maryland State Senate
Testimony regarding predatory practices by VES State Policy Manager Ramond Curtis before Maryland State Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee: "Maryland’s 157 for-profit colleges and career schools offer a variety of career-oriented programs, ranging from courses in medical billing to programs in building trades. We know that these institutions are crossing ethical and legal lines to boost their veteran enrollment across the country." February, 2019
Testimony of Student Veteran Zachary Hastie
Testimony of Zachary Hastie before the Joint Legislative Hearing on Higher Education: "I trusted that my interests as a veteran and a student were being put first, but it was a mistake" January, 2019
Testimony of Student Veteran Michelle Kernizan
Testimony of Michele Kernizan, of Suffern NY: "I was misled by a for-profit college that has put a financial strain and burden on my financial life"
Testimony by our Director of Military and Consumer Policy Mike Saunders
Testimony before New York State Policymakers by Mike Saunders, VES Director of Military and Consumer Policy: "Veterans Education Success has received more than 4,000 complaints from veterans who were deceived or defrauded by a for-profit college. Many of them are from New York"
Our president in Sacramento to meet with California policymakers
VES President, Carrie Wofford, meets with California Lawmakers in Sacramento to discuss how CA state officials can better protect veterans' education benefits. - December, 2018
Advocates Worry That Changes To GI Bill Will Make Pilot Crisis Worse
For example, in the Stars and Stripes article, Will Hubbard, vice president of Student Veterans of America is quoted as saying, "While some veterans choose to pursue a vocation in flight programs, these programs continue to [...]
Our Advocate Speaks at NYC Press Conference
Advocate Tyson Manker Speaks at NYC Press Conference about the importance of accurate GI Bill information
Children’s Advocacy Institute: Failing U: Do State Laws Protect Our Veterans and Other Students From For-Profit Postsecondary Predators?
The Children’s Advocacy Institute's mission is to improve the health, safety, development, and well-being of children and youth. Their goal is to ensure that children’s interests are represented effectively whenever government makes policy and budget decisions.