Statement of Carrie Wofford on the Cancellation of California Community Colleges’ Agreement with For-Profit School – American Public University System (APUS)
For Immediate Release: Contact: Carrie Wofford, President of Veterans Education Success: Carrie@vetsedsuccess.org Veterans Education Success (VES) Statement on the Cancellation of California Community Colleges’ Agreement with For-Profit School - American Public University System (APUS) Sacramento, [...]
Student Submission: Dr. Mary Ann Markey’s Testimony
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 Submission: Randy Diel’s Testimony
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 Submission: Sean Braunstein’s Testimony
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 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 Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) on Their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Public University System (APUS)
January 14, 2022 Chancellor Eloy Oakley Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office 1102 Q Street, 6th Floor Sacramento, CA 95811 RE: Concerns Regarding the MOU Signed Between the CCCCO and APUS Dear [...]
Statement from Barmak Nassirian on President Biden’s Executive Order on PSLF and Student Loans
Statement from Barmak Nassirian Vice President for Higher Education Policy, Veterans Education Success on President Biden’s Executive Order Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government December 13, 2021 "We appreciate [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Our Press Release: Local Veterans Testify to Education Department to Call for New Solutions to Help Veterans Scammed by For-Profit Colleges
STORIES OF HOW NEW SOLUTIONS ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO HELP VETERANS SCAMMED BY FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES I’m writing to share elements of a compelling story I hope you’ll consider doing on the issue of veterans’ being [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 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 [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Victoria Torres Testimony to the Department of Education
My name is Victoria Torres and I live in Miami. I always wanted to be a midwife but those dreams were ruined for me by a for-profit school called Med Academy. When I asked the [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Kendrick Harrison Testimony to the Department of Education
Kendrick Harrison, Veteran Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 8, 2021 Good afternoon, my name is Kendrick Harrison and I am a military veteran, entrepreneur, and a father of four. I am also a former [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Brian Whitehead Testimony to the Department of Education
Brian Whitehead, Veteran Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 7, 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Brian Whitehead and I am from Loganville, GA. I served in the U.S. Army from 2000-2005. After I left [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Joshua Blumm Testimony to the Department of Education
Joshua Blumm, Veteran Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 6, 2021 My name is Joshua Blumm, I’m from Chico, California, and I am the son of a U.S. Marine veteran. I decided I wanted to [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Nicole Wilson Testimony to the Department of Education
Nicole Wilson, Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 6, 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Nicole Wilson and I’m from Akron, Ohio. I have served off and on from 2002 through 2020, serving active duty [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Tasha Berkhalter Testimony to the Department of Education
Tasha Berkhalter, Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 6, 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Tasha Berkhalter and I am an Army veteran from Lima, Ohio. After serving in the Army for more than 5 [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Michelle Poitier Testimony to the Department of Education
Michelle Poitier, Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 5, 2021 Good afternoon, my name is Michelle Poitier and I’m a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years. I am here today to [...]
Student Veteran Submission: Stephanie Stiefel Testimony to the Department of Education
Stephanie Stiefel, Veteran Testimony U.S. Education Department October 5, 2021 Good afternoon. My name is Stephanie Stiefel. I am here today to tell my story in the hope that what happened to me will not [...]
Letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on Agency Information Collection Activity and the Assurance of Compliance with 85 Percent Enrollment Ratios
September 24, 2021 Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 Submitted via electronic portal Re: Agency Information Collection Activity: Statement of Assurance of Compliance with 85 Percent Enrollment Ratios, 86 FR [...]
Coalition Letter to California’s Governor Newsom in Support for SB 802
September 16, 2021 The Honorable Gavin Newsom, Governor Office of the Governor 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento CA, 95814 SB 802 (Roth) – Request for Signature Dear Governor Newsom: We represent a group of [...]
Letter to US Department of Education on Joint Federal State Oversight
September 10, 2021 Beth Grebeldinger U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid 830 First Street NE Room 113F4 Washington, DC 20202 RE: Joint Federal State Oversight (Docket ID ED-2021-OS-0107) Dear Ms. Grebeldinger: Thank you for [...]
Summary of Veteran and Servicemember Student Complaints about Perdoceo Education Corporation
I. Introduction This memo analyzes and provides representative examples of over 500 complaints from military-connected students who attended schools owned by the Perdoceo Education Corporation, formerly known as the Career Education Corporation and referred to [...]
Our Letter to Howard University Regarding the DC SAA Suspension Lift
August 31, 2021 Sent via email Dr. Glenn Phillips Howard University 2400 Sixth Street NW Washington, D.C. 20059 Dear Dr. Phillips, We are pleased that the suspension imposed by the Washington, D.C. State Approving Agency [...]
Letter From 22 Organizations to the US Department of Education On Nomination For Affordability and Student Loan Committee
Vanessa Gomez U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 2C179 Washington, DC 20202 Docket ID ED-2021-OPE-0077 August 31, 2021 Dear Ms. Gomez, The undersigned veterans and military service organizations write to make the [...]
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 [...]
Letter to Education Department Regarding Adtalem Walden University Acquisition
July 21, 2021 The Honorable Miguel Cardona, Ed.D. Secretary U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave SW Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary Cardona: We write to express concern regarding Adtalem’s proposed acquisition of Walden University [...]
Letter from The Nation’s Leading Military and Veteran-Serving Organizations to California Legislators on Assembly Joint Resolution No. 12
Good morning, Nearly 20 veterans organizations oppose AJR-12, and for good reason. This is contrary to information shared by the California-Accredited Law Schools and their lobbyists (ref. letters attached). Despite all the arguments their lobbyists [...]
Our Testimony to the Federal Trade Commission during July Open Commission Meeting
James Haynes, Veterans Education Success FTC Testimony Federal Trade Commission July 1, 2021 Good afternoon, my name is James Haynes and I am here today on behalf of Veterans Education Success. Student veterans have long [...]
Letter to the Department of Education Regarding Accountability and Borrower Protection
July 1, 2021 Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs United States Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Room 2C179 Washington, DC 20202 [...]
Our Letter to the VA Advisory Committee on Education Regarding June 9-10 Meeting
June 7, 2021 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Services 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 Via electronic submission to EDUSTAENG.VBAVACO@va.gov Re: Advisory Committee on Education Meeting June 9-10 Dear Members of the Advisory [...]
Letter from 23 Organizations to Secretary of Education Cardona about the Borrower Defense Program
April 13, 2021 Secretary Miguel Cardona U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave SW Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary Cardona: We, the undersigned organizations that work on higher education accountability, and advocate for students, military [...]
Letter to the Education Department Re: Colorado Tech U and American InterContinental U
March 24, 2021 Ms. Robin Minor Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 Via e-mail: Robin.Minor@ed.gov Dear Ms. Minor: We write, as organizations who [...]
Letter from 14 Higher Education Groups to the Department of Education regarding Transparency
Acting Secretary Philip H. Rosenfelt U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary Cardona: We represent organizations advocating for students, veterans, consumers, educators, college administrators, civil rights, and education policy [...]
90/10 Loophole Closure Is On its Way to the President’s Desk!
Congress’ Reconciliation Package Includes Provision to Close Loophole Long-Sought by Veterans Organizations March 10, 2021 3:00 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. Veterans Education Success hails the House of Representative's approval this afternoon of a [...]
Coalition Letter: California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Sunset Review Hearing
We represent a group of student, veteran, consumer, civil rights, and higher education advocates focused on ensuring that higher education students in California are protected from predatory schools and have access to a high-quality education that does not leave them with unmanageable debt.
More than 30 Veterans and Military Organizations Urge Congress to Close the 90/10 Loophole in Reconciliation
March 5, 2021 The Honorable Patty Murray, Chairwoman The Honorable Richard Burr, Ranking Member US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairwoman Murray and Ranking Member Burr: [...]
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) [...]
Statement on the Senate’s Move to Close the 90/10 Loophole in the Reconciliation Package
STATEMENT FROM CARRIE WOFFORD, PRESIDENT OF VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS, ON CONGRESS' MOVE TO (FINALLY) CLOSE THE 90/10 LOOPHOLE "We are grateful Congress is moving to finally remove the target from the backs of veterans and servicemembers [...]
Our Letter to President Biden – Ideas for an Executive Order
February 17, 2021 President Joseph R. Biden The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: Thank you for committing to protect veterans, servicemembers, and military families from predatory colleges that deceive them [...]
Veterans Education Success Celebrates Landmark Law Protecting the GI Bill
Veterans Education Success Celebrates Landmark Law to Protect Student Veterans and Ensure Better Oversight of GI Bill Colleges January 5, 2021 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford: carrie@vetsedsuccess.org Veterans Education Success celebrates landmark legislation to [...]
Veterans Education Success Hails Unanimous Passage of Landmark Legislation to Protect Student Veterans and Ensure Better Oversight of GI Bill Colleges
December 16, 2020 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford: carrie@vetsedsuccess.org Veterans Education Success hails unanimous passage of landmark legislation to protect student veterans and ensure better oversight of GI Bill colleges Veterans Education Success proposed, [...]
Our Letter to the VA Advisory Committee on Education
December 7, 2020 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Services 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington DC 20420 Via electronic submission to EDUSTAENG.VBAVACO@va.gov Re: Advisory Committee on Education Dear Members of the Advisory Committee, [...]
Veterans Education Success Hails Senate Passage of Landmark Legislation to Protect Student Veterans and Ensure Better Oversight of GI Bill Colleges
December 9, 2020 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford (carrie@vetsedsuccess.org) and Tanya Ang (tanya@vetsedsuccess.org) Veterans Education Success hails Senate passage of landmark legislation to protect student veterans and ensure better oversight of GI Bill colleges [...]
Our Written Testimony for the House Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Hearing on 2021 Legislative Priorities
TESTIMONY OF TANYA ANG, VICE PRESIDENT CONGRESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATION PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS SUBMITTED TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 8, 2020 Chairman Levin, Ranking [...]
Coalition letter to the Biden Transition Team regarding for-profit college influence
December 1, 2020 Ted Kaufman 1401 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20230 Cathy Russell 1401 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20230 Dear Mr. Kaufman and Ms. Russell, As organizations working on behalf of students, veterans, [...]
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 [...]
Comment from 15 Groups on Federal Student Aid’s Strategic Plan FY 2020-24
October 23, 2020 Major General Mark A. Brown, USAF (Ret.) Chief Operating Officer Office of Federal Student Aid 830 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20202 Re: Comments on FSA’s Approach to Financial [...]
Letter from 77 Organizations Asking for the Extension of the Suspension of Student of Loan Payments
October 28, 2020 The Honorable Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary DeVos: We, the 77 undersigned community, civil rights, consumer, [...]
Our Comment on Federal Student Aid’s Draft Strategic Plan FY 2020-24
Affiliation: Other Name and Name of Organization: This comment is submitted by James Haynes on behalf of Veterans Education Success. Part 2: Strategic Goals and Objectives X Strategic Goal 1 X Strategic Goal 3 X [...]
Letter from 20 groups to the Department of Education regarding the Center for Excellence in Higher Education
October 14, 2020 Secretary Betsy DeVos U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20202 Dear Secretary DeVos: We urge the U.S. Department of Education to promptly address issues raised by [...]
National Organization Joint Statement Endorsing California Proposition 16
Visit The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights to learn more and click here to view a PDF of the letter. September 29, 2020 National Organization Joint Statement Endorsing California Proposition 16 On behalf [...]
Our Memorandum to the Federal Trade Commission regarding Ashford University
MEMORANDUM REGARDING ASHFORD UNIVERSITY TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Veterans Education Success presents the following information for consideration by the Federal Trade Commission. Veterans Education Success is a non-profit organization that works [...]
Our Comment to the Department of Education about the New Universal Borrower Defense Form
September 28, 2020 U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202 Via electronic submission Re: Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Universal Form, Docket Number: ED-2020-SCC-0043 Dear Sir/Ma’am: Thank you for the [...]
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 [...]
Comment to VA on Its Employees’ Conflicts of Interest in For-Profit Schools
August 21, 2020 Dr. Paul Lawrence, Undersecretary for Benefits Veterans Benefits Administration Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 Via electronic submission Re: VBA’s Collection of Conflicting Interests Certification for Proprietary [...]
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 [...]
Our Letter to VA and CSAAVE Requesting a Risk-Based Review of Ashford University
July 27, 2020 The Honorable Keith Boylan Deputy Secretary Veterans Services California Department of Veterans Affairs California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education 1227 O Street, Suite 625 Sacramento, CA 95814 Patrick Dworakowski, [...]
Our Comment on the Department of Education’s Interim Final Rule regarding the Emergency Grant Program in the CARES Act
July 14, 2020 Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202 Via electronic submission Re: Interim Final Rule on CARES Act Eligibility for Emergency Grants, Docket ID ED-2020-OPE-0078 [...]
Our Letter to VA’s Veterans Advisory Committee on Education
Click here to download a PDF of the letter. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Services 810 Vermont Avenue Washington DC 20420 Via electronic submission to EDUSTAENG.VBAVACO@va.gov Re: Advisory Committee on Education Dear Members of the [...]
Our Letter to the VA Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Readjustment
Our letter to the VA Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans June 11, 2020 Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service (10RCS) 810 Vermont Avenue Washington DC 20420 Via electronic submission to [...]
VSO-MSO Letter to Congress About COVID Legislation and Veterans Issues
June 3, 2020 The Honorable Jerry Moran, Chairman The Honorable Jon Tester, Ranking Member [...]
Comment on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake
June 2, 2020 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 Via electronic submission Re: Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake, OMB Control No. 2900-0797 Dear Sir/Madam: [...]
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 [...]
Advocates and Veterans Groups Urge Financial Institutions to Follow Military Consumer Protection Law During Covid-19 Mobilizations
On Friday, May 1 the Student Borrower Protection Center, Student Veterans of America, Veterans Education Success, and over a dozen national military and veteran service organizations sent letters to the nation’s major financial institutions urging [...]
Comment from 50 Groups on Proposed Distance Education and Innovation Regulations
May 4, 2020 Mr. Gregory Martin U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Mail Stop 294-42 Washington, DC 20202. Re: Distance Education and Innovation, Docket ID number ED-2018-OPE-0076-0845 Submitted electronically via: http://regulations.gov Dear Mr. [...]
Comment from Five Higher Education Groups on Proposed NC-SARA Manual Modification
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements President/CEO and Board of Directors 3005 Center Green Drive Suite 130 Boulder, Colorado 80301 April 28, 2020 Dear President Williams and Members of the Board: Re: Proposed NC-SARA [...]
Our Comment on the Department of Education’s Proposed Distance Education and Innovation Regulations
May 4, 2020 Gregory Martin U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Mail Stop 294-42 Washington, DC 20202 Submitted via online portal Re: Distance Education and Innovation, Docket ID: ED-2018-OPE-0076-0845 Dear Mr. Martin: Thank [...]
Letter from 25 Organizations to Congress on COVID-19 and State Higher Education Support
April 27, 2020 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House U.S. House of Representatives H-232, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives H-204, The Capitol Washington, [...]
VES Comment on Proposed Regulation for Virginia Enrollment in Higher-Ed
Veterans Education Success has found that enrollment contracts are increasingly being used by certain postsecondary institutions as ways to limit the rights of the students that we serve. Restrictive clauses are often an [...]
Joint Military & Veteran Service Organization Letter: Praising VA’s Effort to Protect Veterans and Taxpayers from Schools that Mislead Prospective Students
April 9, 2020 The Honorable Robert Wilkie U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary Wilkie: Thank you for enforcing 38 U.S.C. § 3696, which is critical in stopping [...]
Letter from 51 Higher Education Organizations to Congress in Support of Today’s Students in Response to COVID-19
March 18, 2020 Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer: As new cases of COVID-19 exposure and infection arise every day, many of the nation’s institutions of higher education are suspending or [...]
Letter to President Donald J. Trump from 34 Military & Veteran Service Organizations Urging Support for H.J. Res 76
March 13, 2020 The Honorable Donald J. Trump The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: In August 2019, you stood with veterans in directing the Education Department to ensure that all totally and [...]
Letter to the Education Department regarding disabled Americans’ student loan relief
We joined education and consumer organizations in a policy letter to the Education Department calling for student loan relief for disabled Americans.
Letter to State AGs regarding the University of Phoenix
February 14, 2020 Dear Attorneys General: As you may have heard, on December 10, 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposed settlement[1] with the University of Phoenix (UOP). In its investigation, the [...]
22 Veterans & Military Organizations Letter to Education Department RE: Disabled Veterans’ Loans
22 leading Veterans and Military Service Organizations submitted a public comment to the US Education Department thanking the Education Department for moving forward with a process to ensure totally and permanently disabled ("TPD") veterans' legal [...]
Letter to VA Regarding GI Bill Feedback Tool and 38 USC 3696 Compliance
January 21, 2020 Charmain Bogue, Executive Director U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration, Education Service 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Re: 38 U.S.C. § 3696 and University of Phoenix, [...]
42 Veterans and Military Organizations Request Senate Action on HR 4625, Protect the GI Bill Act
42 of the nation's leading veterans service organizations and military service organizations wrote the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to request its speedy passage of HR 4625, Protect the GI Bill Act, which cleared the House [...]
21 Military & Veteran Organizations’ Letter to CFPB on Debt Collection
Veterans Education Success organized and led a letter from 21 national military and veteran service organizations to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding its proposed changes to debt collection rules.
TICAS Updated Gainful Employment Rule Fact Sheet (August 2019)
The Institute for College Access and Success published an updated "What to Know About the Gainful Employment Rule,"which worked to improve quality, lower costs, and save taxpayer money. The Trump Administration rescinded the rule on [...]
Veterans and Military Service Organizations urge the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to maintain mandatory underwriting provisions of the rule regulating Payday, vehicle title and high-cost installment loans
Military and Veteran Service Organizations (MSO/VSOs) write to express opposition to recension of underwriting requirements of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2017 rule regulating Payday, Vehicle Title and Certain High-Cost Installment Loans.
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:
37 Veterans and Military Service Organizations write Congress to share our priorities for Higher Education Act reauthorization
37 undersigned organizations representing the interests of more than 2 million military-connected current students in higher education, write to ensure that reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) increases college access and improves college completion [...]
Our Statement for the Record: House Veterans Affairs Committee: Pending Legislation
Our statement for the record on pending legislation before the US House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Our Statement for the Record with SVA on College Accountability (Senate)
Veterans Education Success and Student Veterans of America teamed up to provide the US Senate education committee with our suggestions for higher education accountability.
Our Statement for the Record with SVA on College Accountability
Veterans Education Success and Student Veterans of America teamed up to provide the House of Representatives education committee with our suggestions for higher education accountability.
Our recommendations to Senators regarding the needs of students of color
Student Borrowers of Color Response to Senators Doug Jones, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris & Catherine Cortez Masto February 15, 2019 Thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts on the needs of student borrowers [...]
36 Veteran and Military Organizations Ask VA for Better Oversight of GI Bill Colleges
A letter from 36 military and veteran organizations to the Secretary of VA, requesting a meeting and his attention to the Inspector General's finding that VA is wasting $2.3 billion in GI Bill to colleges [...]
Our Letter urging VA to follow the law on schools that defraud veterans
After multiple for-profit colleges have been caught defrauding veterans, the VA has still failed to act. We wrote a letter to the VA reminding the agency of its duty to protect veterans.
Free Credit Monitoring for Servicemembers
VES and other veterans and military service organizations write to US Federal Trade Commission regarding free credit monitoring for servicemembers
Our Letter urging better disclosures on college performance under Gainful Employment rule
We at Veterans Education Success - a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of veterans, servicemembers, and their families - strenuously oppose the proposed changes to the Gainful Employment rule as they will undermine and weaken [...]
DOL Urged to Exercise Caution With Apprenticeship Programs
Letter urging the US Department of Labor to ensure adequate quality controls in apprenticeship programs approved for GI Bill
Our Letter to FTC Regarding Fake Military Recruiting Websites
28 Veterans and Military Leaders ask US Federal Trade Commission to release the names of the schools that participated in fake military recruiting websites Related letter to US Congressional Armed Services Committees [...]
Veterans Organizations Recommend Tanya Ang for 2019 Negotiated Rulemaking
Recommendation to the US Education Department of negotiators representing veterans and military students in 2019 Negotiated Rule-Making
28 Veterans Organizations Call on the Education Department to Stop Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
Public comment from 28 veterans and military service organizations urging the Education Department to maintain strong integrity rules against waste, fraud, and abuse, and to expand competency-based education.
27 veteran and military service organizations oppose the Education Department’s rollback of protections for taxpayers and students in Borrower Defense rule
A letter by veteran organizations in opposition of the Education Department's rollback of veteran protections. Individual veterans also filed their own public comments about their experiences.
CFPB and DoD: Protect Servicemembers’ Rights
38 veterans and military service organizations call on the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and US Defense Department to stop the rollback of servicemembers' rights under the Military Lending Act Resubmitted Sept. [...]
Protection for the Office of Servicemember Affairs
Our public comment urging the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to maintain robust consumer financial education and to protect the Office of Servicemember Affairs
42 Ethics, Veterans, Consumer, and Education Leaders Oppose VA’s Revised Ethics Proposal
42 federal ethics experts, national veterans and military service organizations, and consumer protection and education experts urge the US Department of Veterans Affairs to properly implement an anti-corruption ethics law for VA employees taking gifts [...]
Our Letter Urging Education Department Not to Postpone State Authorization Rules for Distance Education
Our public comment urging the Education Department not to postpone implementation of State Authorization rules (distance education providers)
Letter to CFPB Regarding Consumer Complaints
Veterans and Military leaders urge the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to maintain robust public reporting and database of consumer complaints
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
Letter from Veterans, Military, and Consumer Organizations regarding protection from Credit Bureau abuses
Consumer and Veteran groups asked Congress to protect service members from credit bureaus infringing on their rights.
Veteran and Military leaders letter to Congress opposing the PROSPER Act
Veteran and Military leaders wrote a letter to congressional leadership opposing the PROSPER Act.
Veteran and military groups ask Congress to protect the rule against 300% interest “payday loans”
Veteran and Military organizations raise the alarm on unscrupulous practices of Payday Lenders. The American Legion also wrote Congress to protect the payday rule
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.
36 Veterans & Military Organizations Write the Senate Education Chairman regarding the Higher Education Act
36 Veterans and Military Service Organizations write to Senate Education Chairman regarding Higher Education Act Student Veterans of America comment on Higher Education Act VES Statement for the Record [...]
Veteran Preference in FTC Oversight
Veteran and Military organizations ask the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce to prioritize veterans and service members in Federal Trade Commission oversight.
Our Submission to Ashford’s Accreditor
VES filed a formal 3rd party comment to Ashford's accreditor
Veteran and Military organizations’ letter to Congress regarding Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Veteran and Military organizations’ letter to Congress requesting the preservation and expansion of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Our Letter to FTC Regarding “Military Friendly” Schools
19 Veterans and Military service organizations' public comment on US Federal Trade Commission's proposed settlement with Victory Media's "Military Friendly Schools" Additional comments by Student Veterans of America Additional comments [...]
21 Veterans and Military Organizations Oppose VA’s Plan to Waive Ethics Laws for For-Profit Colleges
Veterans Education Success led 20 veterans and military organizations in speaking out against VA's plan to waive federal ethics laws for for-profit colleges.
Our Formal Legal Opposition to VA’s Plan to Waive Ethics Laws for For-Profit Colleges
Veterans Education Success (with pro bono help from Mayer Brown LLP's Supreme Court practice) submitted a formal legal opposition to VA's plan to waive federal ethics laws to enable for-profit colleges to give VA employees [...]
VA Employees’ Labor Union Opposes VA Ethics Waiver
Veterans Education Success worked with the VA employees' labor union to oppose VA's plan to allow for-profit colleges to give VA employees gifts, dividends, profits, salaries, wages, and services - in violation of federal ethics [...]
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 [...]
Our Testimony to the Education Dept. on Student Protections
Testimony of our Legal Director Sean Marvin before the US Department of Education Hearing
Veterans Nominations for Education Department Rulemaking Panels
Veteran and military organizations nominate representatives to the Department of Education panels for Borrower Defense to Repayment and Gainful Employment.
Federal Trade Commission Nominations
Student Veterans of America Letter to U.S. Senate Commerce Committee re: Federal Trade Commission Nominations https://vetsedsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SVA-letter-FTC-nomination.pdf
National Guard Association Implementing New Changes
National Guard Association of the United States Resolutions to close the 90/10 loophole, require schools to disclose credit transfer and other policies, and reinstate GI Bill for veterans at closed schools https://vetsedsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NGAUS-Resolutions-2017.pdf
34 Veterans & Military Organizations Urge DeVos not to Rollback Student Protections
A letter urging the Department of Education to not roll back protections for veterans.
The American Legion Resolution Against Force Arbitration
The American Legion Resolution in Favor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Rule Against Forced Arbitration
The American Legion Resolution to Close the 90/10 Loophole
https://vetsedsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/American-Legion-Resolution-90-10.pdf
The Military Coalition’s Letter on Protecting the CFPB
The Military Coalition’s letter to Congress requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau be protected.
Veterans in Class Actions Lawsuits
The Military Coalition’s letter to Congressional leadership requesting veteran access to class action lawsuits against predatory lenders.
33 Veterans and Military Organizations Oppose DeVos’ Propose to Revise Borrower Defense and Gainful Employment Rules
A letter from Military and Veteran organizations urging Education Department to immediately enact the Borrower Defense for defrauded student veterans.
Testimony of Walter Ochinko, Veterans Education Success, on Borrower Defense and Gainful Employment Rules
My name is Walter Ochinko. I’m the research and policy director of Veterans Education Success—a small non-profit that advocates for the promise and integrity of the GI Bill. I’d like to use my 5 minutes to [...]
31 Veterans and Military Organizations Urge Protection for Defrauded Students
A letter to Congress and Betsy DeVos addressing the right of veterans to have education benefits reinstated after being defrauded by private for-profit schools.
“I have Student Debt, but No Degree” Veterans’ Letters to Ed Dept
Letters to the Education Secretary by students defrauded by schools
Financial Security for America’s Security
Veteran and Military organizations urge Congress for continued funding of CFPB’s Office of Servicemember Affairs.
Monitoring Student Loan Servicers
Letter from VES to U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau re: monitoring of student loan servicers
Letter to Congress from 53 Veterans, Civil Rights, Consumer Protection, and Student Organizations
"In particular, we oppose all actions to delay, weaken, or repeal the gainful employment, incentive compensation, or recent “borrower defense to repayment” and college accountability regulations. Each of these accountability measures is essential to protecting [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations Urge Congressional Leaders to Keep Student Protections
On behalf of national organizations representing our nation’s military servicemembers, veterans, survivors, and military families, we write to urge you to ensure that important laws and regulations protecting students are not watered down or eliminated. [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations Ask University of Phoenix to Stop Deceiving Veterans
Veterans and Military Organizations Ask Buyers of University of Phoenix to Voluntarily Close 90/10 Loophole, Stop Deceptive Recruiting of Veterans and Service Members
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 [...]
Veterans and Military Organizations Ask the House Armed Services Committee to Keep Protections in Place to Prevent Fraudulent and Deceptive Recruiting on Military Bases
A letter to Congress requesting limitations to the access that college salespeople have to military bases as a protection for service members.
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 Ask Sen. Manchin to Keep Protections in Place to Prevent Fraudulent and Deceptive Recruiting on Base
Veterans and military organizations write a letter to Senator Manchin urging limited access to military installations for college salesmen. Separate letter from 12 state Attorneys General
Twenty Three Veterans and Military Organizations Ask VA for Better Oversight of the GI Bill
A letter to Secretary McDonald requesting additional oversight of the GI Bill to protect veterans from predatory colleges. Signed by 23 veteran and military organizations.
Our Letter to VA to Improve Caution Flags
Caution Flags in GI Bill comparison tool help veterans avoid schools that are bad actors but more should be done. DOWNLOAD
Our Statement for the Record: Senate Hearing on Restoring GI Bill for Veterans at Closed Schools
Our statement for the record before the US Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding legislation we proposed to restore GI Bill for veterans whose schools close.
Veteran Organizations Thank DOD for Enforcing its Rules against University of Phoenix
National Organizations Thank Defense Department for Enforcing its Rules to Protect Service Members from Deceptive Recruiting
Veteran Protection from Consumer Fraud
Veterans, Military, Education & Consumer Organizations Write to Education Secretary Requesting Action on Consumer Fraud
Our Public Comment on the Need for Gainful Employment Regulations
Veterans Education Success called for the Education Department to institute a strong Gainful Employment rule to protect students who are duped into extremely expensive, subpar educations. While the proposed rule is a good first step [...]
Public Comment by Veterans and Military Organizations on Deceptive Marketing by For-Profit Schools
Public Comment by Veterans & Military Organizations on the Massachusetts Attorney General's Proposed Regulations on Deceptive Marketing by For-Profit Schools
Public Comment by Veterans & Military Organizations Providing Suggestions for VA’s Student Complaint Intake System
Comment Tracking Number: 1jx-886m-6hff Public Comments regarding OMB Control No. 2900—NEW (Principles of Excellence Complaint System Intake) Filed Oct. 15, 2013 We applaud and thank VA for its work establishing the veterans’ student complaint system, [...]
Public Comment by Veteran and Military Organizations on DOD’s Tuition Assistance MOU
Public Comment by Veterans & Military Organizations Providing Suggestions to Defense Department on Tuition Assistance MOU
Coalition Letter to Obama Calling for Strong Gainful Employment Rules
A joint letter to President Obama addressing concerns that for-profit schools hurt, rather than help, veterans' chances of gainful employment after service.
Our Letter to the Education Department Regarding its 2013 Strategic Plan
Our Letter to the Education Department Regarding its 2013 Strategic Plan
Military & Veteran Education Bill of Rights
A Bill of Rights for veterans and service members to rein in harmful practices while promoting educational success