The Hill: If you can buy a university for $1, you’ll likely get what you pay for
By Will Hubbard The following op-ed was published in The Hill. This past month, thousands of student veterans found themselves opening their email inboxes only to find out their school had lost eligibility for the GI Bill, [...]
Whistleblower Submission: Lisa Houck Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Lisa Houck, and I was employed in the admissions department at Hesser College, which was a for-profit school owned by Kaplan that is no longer open. I worked there from [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Paola Santiago Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Paola Santiago and I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army. I am here today because DeVry’s false advertising led me to waste my time and hard-earned benefits at a school [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Damian Pearsall Testimony to the Department of Education
Good morning. My name is Damian Pearsall and I’m a Navy Veteran. I graduated from the Art Institute of Indianapolis in their fashion design program. During recruitment, the school misrepresented the job prospects for its [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Brendan Mullican Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon, my name is Brendan Mullican and I am a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Iraq War. I decided to use my GI Bill benefits to earn a bachelor’s degree [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Kenneth Shaw Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon, my name is Kenneth Shaw. I served in the Navy and the Army. I attended Argosy University’s Dallas campus from 2013 to 2018 in their online business program. I completed all courses in [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Bernard Hilton Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon, my name is Bernard Hilton, and I'm a Marine Corps veteran having served 22 years. In 2014, I enrolled in a two-year program at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College in Scottsdale, Arizona. One [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Allison Johnson Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Allison Johnson and I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army. I am here today because I want you to know how for-profit colleges like Keiser University take advantage of disabled [...]
Our Oral Testimony to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI)
James Haynes, Veterans Education Success Oral Testimony National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity February 24, 2022 Good afternoon, my name is James Haynes and I am the Federal Policy Director for Veterans Education [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Linda Lopez Testimony to the Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking Public Comment of Linda Lopez February 18, 2022 Good afternoon. My name is Linda Lopez. I graduated from University of Oregon at 58 years old, and I’m currently working [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Daniel Dresen Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Veteran Daniel Dresen U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel February 2022 Good afternoon, my name is Daniel Dresen and I’m a US Army National Guard veteran from North Highland, California. After serving [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Jenica King Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Jenica King and I’m an Army veteran and the spouse of an active duty servicemember. I used my GI Bill to attend Ashford University. One reason I went there is [...]
Student Veteran Submission: John Roberts Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is John Roberts, and I am an Army veteran. I was trained to fly helicopters, and when I retired, I wanted to earn my certification to fly airplanes. Liberty University was [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Ryan McKenzie Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Ryan McKenzie and I’m an Army veteran who attended DeVry University online. When I contacted DeVry, I was working long hours at a factory and needed to provide a better [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Alphi Coleman Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Alphi Black and I’m an Army veteran who used my GI Bill to attend the University of Phoenix. I graduated in 2018, but this did not provide the fulfillment and [...]
Whistleblower Submission: Dr. Mary Ann Markey Testimony to the Department of Education
Testimony of Dr. Mary Ann Markey U.S. Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel January 2022 Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Mary Ann Markey, and I have been teaching for Grand Canyon University since 2010, [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Randy Diel Testimony to the Department of Education
My name is Randy Diel and I’m an Army veteran who attended American InterContinental University. As I was finishing my bachelors degree in computer information systems, the school convinced me to continue my education through [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Sean Braunstein Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Sean Braunstein. I am an Army veteran and recipient of educational benefits that I earned while serving our country on active duty. I am here to tell my story in [...]
Our Letter to the Department of Education on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
January 20, 2022 Dr. Herman Bounds Director Accreditation Group, Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 RE: Call for Comments 86 FR 71251, Document Number 2021-27095 Submitted [...]
Our Letter to the Department of Education on the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
January 20, 2022 Dr. Herman Bounds Director Accreditation Group, Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 RE: Call for Comments 86 FR 71251, Document Number 2021-27095 Submitted [...]
Our Letter to the Department of Education on the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, Senior College and University Commission (WASCSR)
January 20, 2022 Dr. Herman Bounds Director Accreditation Group, Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 RE: Call for Comments 86 FR 71251, Document Number 2021-27095 Submitted [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Jonelle Daugherty Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon. My name is Jonelle Daugherty, and I am a Navy reservist. I started pursuing a PhD in Sports and Performance Psychology in 2014 at University of the Rockies. In 2018, University of the [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Myrna Figueroa Lopez Testimony to the Department of Education
Good afternoon, my name is Myrna Figeruoa Lopez and I’m an Air Force veteran from Puyallup, Washington. I am also a single mom who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and PTSD. After a difficult divorce, I [...]
Student Veteran Submission: David Reyasbautista Testimony to the Department of Education
Good Afternoon. My name is David Reyasbautista. I am a Marine Corps veteran and am here to tell my story in the hope that you make sure others do not experience what happened to me [...]
Our Letter to The U.S. Department of Education on their Renewed Recognition of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
September 20, 2021 The Honorable Miguel Cardona, Ed.D. Secretary U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary Cardona, We submit this letter on behalf of the undersigned organizations to urge [...]
Our Letter to the Office of Postsecondary Education Regarding Accrediting the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
August 15, 2021 Herman Bounds Director of Accreditation Group Office of Postsecondary education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Accrediting Agencies Currently Undergoing Review for [...]
Our Letter to the Office of Postsecondary Education Regarding Accrediting SACSCOC
August 15, 2021 Herman Bounds Director of Accreditation Group Office of Postsecondary education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Accrediting Agencies Currently Undergoing Review for [...]
Our Testimony to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
Barmak Nassirian, Veterans Education Success Written Testimony National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity July 27-29, 2021 My name is Barmak Nassirian and I serve as the Vice President for Higher Education Policy at [...]
Letter From 5 Higher Ed Organizations to The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements on Distance Education
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements President/CEO and Board of Directors 3005 Center Green Drive Boulder, Colorado 80301 July 26, 2021 Re: Proposed 21st Century Guidelines for Distance Education Dear President Williams and Members [...]
Letter From 5 Higher Ed Organizations to The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements on Student Protection
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements President/CEO and Board of Directors 3005 Center Green Drive Suite 130 Boulder, Colorado 80301 July 26, 2021 Re: Call for Policy Proposals Dear President Williams and Members of [...]
Letter From 12 Organizations to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202 Dear Dr. Cooper: This letter is submitted on behalf of the 12 undersigned organizations to commend [...]
Our Testimony to the Education Department (NACIQI) on the Accreditor ACICS
Testimony of James Haynes Federal Policy Manager, Veterans Education Success U.S. Department of Education National Advisory Council on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Review of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) [...]
Our letter to NC-SARA re: state reciprocity rules to protect student veterans
Our letter, with our higher education allies, to the NC-SARA leadership regarding state reciprocity rules to protect student veterans.
Coalition letter to the Education Department re: ACICS accreditor
November 20, 2020 Herman Bounds, Director, Accreditation Group Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20202 Re: Petition for Renewal of Recognition, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and [...]
Letter from Ten Higher Education Organizations to the Department of Education about ACICS
September 11, 2020 Herman Bounds, Director, Accreditation Group Office of Postsecondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20202 Re: Petition for Renewal of Recognition, Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and [...]
Our Comment on Proposed NC-SARA Manual Modifications
Attn: Board of NC-SARA re: Proposed Clarification Modification E - Discontinued Programs To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ramond Curtis, I am the State Policy Manager for Veterans Education Success. We work on [...]
Letter from Us and Three Higher Education Groups on Proposed NC-SARA Manual Modifications
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements President/CEO and Board of Directors 3005 Center Green Drive Suite 130 Boulder, Colorado 80301 September 11, 2020 Re: Proposed NC-SARA Manual Modification Comments Dear President Williams and Members [...]
Our Testimony to the Education Dept. NACIQI Hearing on Accreditors
Testimony of Walter Ochinko Research Director, Veterans Education Success U.S. Department of Education National Advisory Council on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Review of the Higher Learning Commission July 29, 2020 Thank you for the [...]
Comment from Nine Higher Education Groups on the Higher Learning Commission’s Proposed Standards and Policy Revisions
Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley President Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604 May 25, 2020 Dear Dr. Gellman-Danley and the Higher Learning Commission, Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment [...]
Letter to the Education Department Urging it Revoke Recognition of ACICS as an Accreditor
March 24, 2020 Herman Bounds Director, Accreditation Group U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20002 Dear Mr. Bounds: On February 27, 2018, twenty-nine Veterans and Military Service Organizations wrote to ask [...]
Our letter urging stronger accreditor oversight of colleges
Letter to the Office of Post Secondary Education About Proposed Rules for Accrediting Agencies.
We submitted a formal “Third Party Comment” regarding the accreditor ACICS to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
We ask you to please review the following two letters regarding ACICS. The concerns of Veterans and Military Service Organizations regarding ACICS still stand:
Opening a Dangerous Floodgate: A Former For-Profit College Executive Says the Education Department Shouldn’t Weaken College Oversight
Thomas Corbett, a former for-profit college executive, speaks out against plans by the U.S. Department of Education to weaken requirements for oversight of college quality.
Advice for Accreditors
Recruiting practices by institutions of higher learning is an area fraught with deceptive and misleading practices, due to a number of competing incentives. While veteran recruiting practices differ from civilian recruiting in some respects – [...]
Press Release: Veterans Education Success Finds ACICS-Approved Schools Remain Among Nation’s Worst
October 12, 2018 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford | (202) 838-5050 Veterans Education Success Finds ACICS-Approved Schools Remain Among Nation’s Worst Discredited agency receives failing marks after temporary reinstatement; Students continue to fare worse [...]
Student Outcomes at Colleges Approved by the Accreditor ACICS
Veterans Education Success analyzed the most recent U.S. Department of Education (Department) data to determine student outcomes at the approximately 100 schools still accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS [...]
Our Letter Requesting Oversight of For-Profit College Conversions
VES public comment regarding oversight of college accreditors to US Education Department's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
30 Veterans and Military Organizations Ask the Education Department Not to Reinstate ACICS
30 Veterans and Military Service Organizations ask the Education Department not to reinstate Accredited Council for Independent Colleges and Schools https://vetsedsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/feb-2018-acics-vso-letter.pdf
Our 2nd Submission to Ashford’s Accreditor
In Februrary 2018, VES submitted additional information to Ashford's accreditor.
Our Submission to Ashford’s Accreditor
VES filed a formal 3rd party comment to Ashford's accreditor
Education Department Hearing: Video of Tanya Ang, Veterans Education Success
Good morning. I am Tanya Ang, Director of Policy and Outreach at Veterans Education Success. Our mission is to protect and defend the integrity and priority of the GI Bill and other federal education programs [...]
Education Department Hearing: Testimony of Tanya Ang, Veterans Education Success
Good morning. I am Tanya Ang, Director of Policy and Outreach at Veterans Education Success. Our mission is to protect and defend the integrity and priority of the GI Bill and other federal education programs [...]
Public Comment to Education Department Re: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Letter to Education Department's National Advisory Council on Institutional Quality and Integrity regarding Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Veterans Education Success Hails Final Passage of Career Ready Student Veterans Act, Thanks Sens. Blumenthal, Cassidy, Tillis, and Reps. Miller and Takano
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Walter Ochinko, Policy Director Carrie Wofford, President December 12, 2016 SENATE PASSES CAREER READY STUDENT VETERANS ACT Legislation Headed to President’s Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. – Veterans Education Success (VES) today hailed the [...]
Press Release: Veterans Service Organizations and Student Veterans Offer Testimony, Urge De-Authorization of Dysfunctional College Accreditation Agency
June 23, 2016 For Immediate Release Contact: Dominic Slowey Carrie Wofford Veterans Service Organizations and Student Veterans Offer Testimony, Urge De-Authorization of Dysfunctional College Accreditation Agency ACICS’s multiple failures have allowed predatory for-profit colleges to [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations Write Regarding the Renewal of ACICS as an Accreditor
We write to bring to your attention the problem of veterans targeted by predatory colleges using deceptive and aggressive recruiting tactics to attend particularly low quality schools with terrible student outcomes. While the Department of [...]