Higher Ed Dive: Ed Department Warns Colleges Against Misleading Veterans
An advocacy group, Veterans Education Success, has been pushing regulators on issues at the center of the Ed Department's warning. The group published a report Wednesday highlighting complaints from military veteran students who attended several [...]
Our Reaction to the Court Ruling Ordering Ashford U To Pay $22.37 Million Fine To Defrauded Students and Vets
Media Advisory & Backgrounder: Higher Ed & Veterans Story Contact: Carrie Wofford, President, carrie@vetsedsuccess.org Organization that Brought Whistleblowers and Defrauded Veterans to Fraud Case, Veterans Education Success, Applauds Court Ruling For-Profit, Ashford University, Committed Extensive [...]
Education Counsel: Lessons from a Risk-Based Oversight Model Designed to Protect Students and Taxpayers
Over the past 20 years, many higher education institutions have closed without warning, leaving student veterans without degrees and with few options to complete their degrees and get better jobs. Partially in response to these [...]
DoD Response Letter to our Executive Order Suggestions
JAN 10, 2022 Ms. Carrie Wofford President Veterans Education Success 1501 K Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 Dear Ms. Wofford: Thank you for your recent communication dated October 5, 2021, to the Honorable Gilbert Cisneros, [...]
The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS): Accountability That Works: Restoring Gainful Employment and Strengthening Higher Education Accountability Measures
Across higher education sectors, too many students experience inconsistent programmatic quality and varying graduation rates, all while taking on loan debt that burdens them for years to come. These challenges grow as more institutions increase [...]
Military.com: Student Veterans Battle for GI Bill Benefits at MIT, Another School Fighting the VA
Will Hubbard, vice president for veterans and military policy for Veterans Education Success, a GI Bill advocacy group in Washington, D.C., told Military.com that the MIT and Howard situations are a bad combination of the [...]
Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill Procedural Update – Prohibitions on Advertising, Sales, and Enrollment Practices
Greetings Educational Institutions, Section 1020 of P.L. 116-315, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, and section 7(a)(5) of P.L. 117-16, Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran [...]
CBS News: Lender charged 200% interest to military families for pawn loans, CFPB says
U.S. military families are being socked with annual interest rates sometimes exceeding 200% on pawn loans they've taken out from a Texas company, a violation of a federal law that caps how much lenders can [...]
The Los Angeles Times Editorial: USC tarnishes its reputation again, this time with for-profit recruitment tactics
Editorial: USC tarnishes its reputation again, this time with for-profit recruitment tactics BY THE TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD NOV. 12, 2021 It can be hard to keep up with the scandals and missteps at USC. In just the [...]
The New York Times: Democrats’ Bill Would Deny For-Profit College Students Extra Aid
The problem of high debt and low wages is by no means limited to proprietary schools. But unlike other sectors, for-profit colleges are beholden to shareholders and have been found to hike up tuition to match [...]
Our Interview on the Policy Vets Podcast with Former Secretary Shulkin
Our Vice Presidents, Chris Madaio and Will Hubbard, joined former VA Secretary David Shulkin and Policy Vets Executive Director Lou Celli on their podcast to talk about our work standing up for the GI Bill and [...]
Military Times: Feds Threaten Big Fines Against For-Profits Schools That Dupe Troops, Veterans
“Up until today, veterans and service members have been seen as a gravy train for some of the worst schools in America, exploiting grandiose marketing schemes and even outright lies to keep investors happy,” said [...]
CNBC: Big Changes are Coming to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Instead, hundreds of thousands of people in public service jobs believe that they’re paying their way to loan cancellation only to discover at some point in the process that they don’t qualify for one technical [...]
Our Letter with Executive Order Ideas to Protect Service Members and Veterans in Higher Education
MEMORANDUM TO: The Honorable Susan Rice, Director, Domestic Policy Council The Honorable Thomas J. Murphy, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs The Honorable Gilbert Cisneros, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and [...]
The Century Foundation: Predatory Colleges Think They Are Too Flawed to Fail. Biden’s Department of Education Should Prove Them Wrong.
For too long, however, predatory for-profit schools have enrolled students and harvested their federal aid without holding up the school’s end of the bargain, violating the terms of their PPAs; it’s time for ED to [...]
The Capitol Forum: Perdoceo Education Corporation: Data Shows that Deferral of $39M Title IV Funds in 2019 Saved Company from 90/10 Violation; Company Likely Needs to Find New Funding Sources Ahead of 2023 When New Law Closing 90/10 Loophole Takes Effect
"Perdoceo thought that its purchase of Trident University International would cure its problem with AIU’s nearly 90 percent 90/10 ratio as of 2019,” said Walter Ochinko, Research Director at Veterans Education Success. "However, Percdoceo failed [...]
New York Times Editorial: How to Stop Schools That Prey on Veterans
How to Stop Schools That Prey on Veterans Under Betsy DeVos, the Education Department sold out to predatory for-profit colleges. It’s welcome news that Washington is taking steps to protect students. By The Editorial Board [...]
Forbes: Is $10,000 In Student Loan Forgiveness Next, After Biden Administration Cancels $1 Billion?
“We thank the U.S. Department of Education for rescinding its harmful borrower defense partial relief policy,” said Veterans Education Success, a veterans advocacy group, in a Tweet. “There is more work to be done... but [...]
Diverse Issues in Higher Education: Veterans’ Education Advocates Celebrate Closure of the 90/10 Loophole
“The schools have now been put on notice,” said Veterans Education Success Vice President Tanya Ang. “… The hope is that the schools [will] actually really use this time to change and address and fix [...]
Ed Source: California Agency that Oversees For-Profit Colleges to Face Critics
"It's protections like that that make robust oversight of for-profit schools a benefit to the state and a strong oversight agency vital, said Ramond Curtis, the state policy manager of the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group [...]
Seattle Times: Big aid bill also aids students: making debt forgiveness tax-free, curbing for-profit schools
Military organizations and veterans groups voiced concerns that predatory schools will continue to target veterans, but they hailed the compromise.“ A bipartisan solution is always a stronger solution,” said Tanya Ang, vice president of the [...]
NPR: The Latest Coronavirus Relief Bill Includes A Provision That Will Help Veterans
"We have helped thousands of veterans apply for what's called borrower defense to repayment.' Carrie Wofford is with Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit. 'Which means a student who was defrauded should have his student loans [...]
New York Times: Congress Closes Loophole That Made Veterans a Target of For-Profit Schools
"The change won’t be effective until 2023, a delay that Carrie Wofford, the president of Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group, called 'a bitter pill to swallow.' But the delay was necessary to reach a [...]
MarketWatch: COVID-19 relief bill will close loophole that critics say created ‘a perverse incentive’ for for-profit colleges
Tanya Ang, vice president at Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group, said that the economic devastation created by COVID risks a repetition of that history. Others have worried that the proliferation of online schooling during the pandemic [...]
U.S. News & World Report: Democrats Nix For-Profit Loophole That Targeted Veterans and Servicemembers
"After nearly a decade of requests from veterans and military organizations, we are grateful Congress is moving to finally remove the target from the backs of veterans and servicemembers by closing the 90/10 loophole," Carrie [...]
Washington Post: Congress Makes Student Debt Forgiveness Tax-Free, Limits Revenue that For-Profit Colleges Get from Enrolling Veterans
"Military organizations and veterans groups voiced concerns that predatory schools will continue to target veterans, but they hailed the compromise. 'A bipartisan solution is always a stronger solution,' said Tanya Ang, vice president of the [...]
Military.Com: New Law Finally Closes GI Bill Loophole Allegedly Used to Scam Veterans
"'After nearly a decade of requests from veterans and military organizations, we are grateful Congress is moving to finally remove the target from the backs of veterans and service members by closing the 90/10 loophole,' [...]
Military Times: GI Bill Vets May Be Less Attractive to For-Profit Schools Under New Law
"'After nearly a decade of requests from veterans and military organizations, we are grateful Congress is moving to finally remove the target from the backs of veterans and servicemembers by closing this loophole,' said Carrie [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Senate Approves $40 Billion for Colleges; Measure Also Would Tighten Up the 90/10 Rule on For-Profit Colleges
“'This is a game changer. Finally, after a decade of our asking, Congress is going to stop the ugly harassment of veterans by for-profit colleges,' said Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success. 'Of course, [...]
Military.com: Vet Groups Make Final Effort to Kill GI Bill Loophole Through COVID Relief Package
"On Friday, 31 veterans advocate groups and military organizations penned a letter to the Senators stressing the need to close the so-called 90/10 loophole. Currently, for-profit schools must collect at least 10% of their revenue [...]
Bipartisan amendment to delay implementation of 90/10 loophole closure in the COVID relief reconciliation package
Below is the text of the bipartisan amendment to delay implementation of the 90/10 loophole closure in the American Recovery Act (COVID relief reconciliation plan). This deal was brokered between Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Bill [...]
U.S. Senate Closes 90/10 Loophole in Bipartisan Amendment to COVID Relief Reconciliation Package
On Saturday, March 6, 2021, at approximately 7 a.m., the Senate approved, by voice vote, a bipartisan amendment to delay the implementation of -- and thereby secure bipartisan agreement to support -- the 90/10 loophole [...]
Veterans Education Success Hails Closure of 90/10 Loophole
Congress’ Reconciliation Package Includes Provision to Close Loophole Long-Sought by Veterans Organizations March 6, 2021 7:00 a.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. Veterans Education Success hails the Senate's approval, by voice vote, at 7 [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Tightening the 90-10 Rule; Provision in COVID-19 Relief Bill Would Ease Incentives for For-Profit Colleges to Target Veterans
"Instead, the GI Bill dollars count toward helping for-profits meet the 10 percent minimum requirement. To advocacy groups like Veterans Education Success, that incentivizes for-profit institutions to aggressively try to get service members and veterans [...]
Military.com: VA is Asking DOJ for Help Getting Back GIBill.com After Losing Domain Rights
"Veterans Education Success, a nonpartisan veteran advocacy group, sent a letter to Biden last week urging him to take steps to expand GI Bill protections, including reclaiming the lost domain GIBill.com, which has in the [...]
Republic Report: The Monitor Insists Perdoceo is Doing OK. Whistleblowers’ Evidence Shows Otherwise
"Also not satisfied is Carrie Wofford, president of the group Veterans Education Success, which has carefully monitored abuses at and law enforcement probes of Perdoceo. After I shared the findings of McKenna’s report, Wofford said, [...]
Diverse Issues in Higher Education: A GAO Report Prompts Scrutiny of For-Profit College Conversions
"On Sept. 28, the nonprofit Veterans Education Success sent a petition to the Federal Trade Commission asking them to investigate Ashford University, a for-profit college. For-profit colleges, like Ashford, often pursue GI Bill funds because [...]
Our op-ed in Stars & Stripes: VA Should Rein in Predatory For-Profit Schools
McDonough Should Prioritize Putting An End to the Fleecing of America’s Veterans by Predatory For-Profit Colleges By Carrie Wofford As Denis McDonough prepares to take the helm as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he [...]
Issue Brief from Student Borrower Protection Center: “Withholding Dreams”
Link to the Student Borrower Protection Center Issue Brief here.
Senators raise GI Bill questions at nomination hearing for VA Nominee Denis McDonough
In case you missed our live-tweeting, Senators asked important GI Bill questions of VA Secretary Nominee Denis McDonough at his confirmation hearing on January 27, 2021. We are grateful that Senators on both sides of [...]
Be Careful of Income Sharing Agreements
By Alex Kish At this point in the game, it might seem cliché to talk about the impact COVID-19 has had on higher education and how students have been forced online. But that doesn’t [...]
Military Times: Women Veterans, Students Would See Expanded Services and Benefits Under New Law
After a lengthy wait, President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law a sweeping veterans policy measure that includes new protections for women veterans, student veterans and individuals struggling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.... The [...]
Marine Times: Congress finalizes sweeping veterans policy bill with new protections for women, students
“This landmark legislation will significantly weed out predatory colleges that seek to take advantage of veterans,” said Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success. She praised lawmakers for “stepping up to protect veterans and their [...]
Stars & Stripes: Congress passes sweeping end-of-year bill impacting ‘every corner’ of the veteran community
WASHINGTON — Congress approved a bill Wednesday that increases resources for homeless veterans, creates a Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committee for Native American veterans and mandates that every VA hospital hire a dedicated women’s [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Veterans Group Hails Passage of Bill Protecting Students
“This landmark legislation will significantly weed out predatory colleges that seek to take advantage of veterans,” Carrie Wofford, president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success, said in a statement. Read the full story at [...]
Maryland Wins $2.6 Million in Loan Forgiveness for Brightwood College Students
November 16, 2020 - The Maryland Attorney General reached a settlement with Brightwood College to provide loan relief to Maryland students. Any loans owed directly to the school by Maryland students will be cancelled and, [...]
Great News for Veterans Cheated By Their School! “Borrower Defense” Applicants Get a Win in Court
November 23, 2020 For information: Call (202) 838-5050 Great news for veterans who were cheated or misled by their school! The U.S. Education Department has voluntarily agreed to stop denying "borrower defense" applications from students [...]
NPR: Trump Administration Clears For-Profit Colleges To Register Veterans Again
"The law says the secretary shall not approve GI bill enrollment at schools that use deceptive recruiting," says Carrie Wofford with Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group. "It feels like yet another blow to veterans [...]
FTC Online Tool on Consumer Complaint Data by Military and Veterans
July 13, 2020 U.S. Federal Trade Commission For Release The Federal Trade Commission launched a new tool that explores data about problems military consumers may experience in the marketplace. For the first time, data about [...]
Our Press Release Condemning the Trump Administration’s Decision to Give Deceptive Colleges a Free Pass
July 2, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC – Veterans Education Success condemns the Trump Administration’s decision today to ignore federal law in order to protect predatory colleges, when it notified 5 schools at risk of losing eligibility [...]
VA’s Resolution of 3696 Violations by 5 schools
On July 2, 2020, VA notified 5 schools at risk of losing eligibility to enroll GI Bill students over deceptive recruiting that their prior resolutions with federal and state law enforcement would suffice, rendering 38 [...]
Washington Post: VA backs down from plan to suspend University of Phoenix and other colleges from accessing GI Bill benefits
VA backs down from plan to suspend University of Phoenix and other colleges from accessing GI Bill benefits “The only winners today are the schools that used their money and political influence to evade the [...]
Stars & Stripes: VA Allows Penalized For-Profit Schools to Enroll GI Bill Students; Advocates Say Move Breaks the Law
VA Allows Penalized For-Profit Schools to Enroll GI Bill Students; Advocates Say Move Breaks the Law Veterans Education Success, a veterans’ advocacy group in Washington, says the VA move violates a federal law that forbids [...]
Press Release: Veterans Education Success Petitions the Federal Trade Commission to Investigate For-Profit Colleges and Controversial Lead Generators
For Immediate Release Contact: Aniela Szymanski, Senior Director of Legal Affairs and Military Policy | aniela@vetsedsuccess.org June 24, 2020 Veterans Education Success Petitions the Federal Trade Commission to Investigate For-Profit Colleges and Controversial Lead [...]
The Capital Forum: VA Letter Gives Company Additional 30 Days to Provide Information Before Making a Determination Whether to Disapprove Enrollment of GI Bill Beneficiaries
"Walter Ochinko, Research Director at Veterans Education Success, was skeptical of the company's claims. 'In court documents, Perdoceo promised that it would cease deceptive recruiting and false certifications yet it was caught again and again, [...]
VA’s Revised Guidance to Schools on Correcting Violations of 38 USC 3696
On May 26, 2020, VA sent revised guidance to schools at risk of losing eligibility to enroll GI Bill students due to deceptive and misleading advertising and recruiting, in violation of 38 USC 3696. This [...]
VA’s Guidance to Schools on Correcting Violations of 38 USC 3696
On May 8, 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sent guidance to 5 schools at risk of losing eligibility to enroll GI Bill students because of 38 USC 3696, which prohibits VA from approving [...]
Testimony of Student Veteran Eric Luongo
Below is veteran Eric Luongo's testimony at the March 12, 2019 House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on oversight of for-profit colleges.
Borrower Defense CRA Press Conference Remarks from Veteran Tasha Berkhalter
On February 12, 2020, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference in support of Senator Durbin's Congressional Review Act Resolution to overturn the 2019 Department of Education [...]
Public News Service: Virginia Urged to End Restrictive Higher-Ed Enrollment Contracts
As more people explore going back to school after losing jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia is being urged to prohibit the use of enrollment contracts by some private post-secondary schools. Michael Saunders, director of [...]
11th Circuit ruling in Great Lakes
We filed an amicus brief about veterans' need for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, in support of a legal case regarding students' rights to use state law to sue loan servicing companies that fail to honor [...]
Press Release: Thirty-Three Leading Military & Veteran Service Organizations Praise VA Effort to Protect Veterans and Taxpayers from Schools that Mislead Prospective Students
For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford President 202-838-5050 April, 9 2020 Thirty-Three Leading Military & Veteran Service Organizations Praise VA Effort to Protect Veterans and Taxpayers from Schools that Mislead Prospective Students The [...]
Veterans Education Success Hails Maryland as the 1st State in the Nation to Close the 90/10 Loophole
Veterans Education Success Hails Maryland as the First State in the Nation to Close the 90/10 Loophole FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANNAPOLIS, MD – As they prepare to adjourn over Coronavirus concerns, lawmakers in Annapolis, MD, [...]
New York Times: Senate Rejects DeVos Rule Restricting Debt Relief for Bilked Students
“Veterans had a target on their backs when they were in uniform, there’s no need to have one again when they go to college,” said James Haynes, federal policy manager at Veterans Education Success. “These [...]
Press Release: Veterans Education Success Praises Bipartisan Passage of H.J. Res. 76 in the Senate to Stand with Veterans on Borrower Defense
For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford | President (202) 838-5050 Tanya Ang | Vice President (202) 838-5050 March 11, 2020 Veterans Education Success Praises Bipartisan Passage of H.J. Res. 76 in the Senate to [...]
Reveal: Veterans Affairs Bans University of Phoenix From New GI Bill Enrollments
"Wofford said the trade commission’s $191 million settlement with the University of Phoenix left the VA little choice but to enforce the law. 'The law is clear,' she said. 'Colleges found to use erroneous, deceptive [...]
The Bellevue Leader: VA Will Suspend Enrollment of New GI Bill Students at Bellevue University, Other Colleges
"The president of Veterans Education Success, Carrie Wofford, praised Monday’s move by the VA. 'This sends a powerful message, one we’ve been advocating for VA to exercise since 2012, that the federal government and taxpayers [...]
WTOP: VA Moves to Suspend New GI Bill Enrollment at 5 Universities
Carrie Wofford, president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success, said in a statement that the VA’s decision was “more than justified” and sends the message that “the federal government and taxpayers will no longer [...]
KOAA News: VA moves to suspend new GI bill enrollment at 5 universities
Carrie Wofford, president of the advocacy group Veterans Education Success, said in a statement that the VA’s decision was “more than justified” and sends the message that “the federal government and taxpayers will no longer [...]
Arizona Republic: VA Plans to Suspend New GI Bill Enrollments at University of Phoenix
Carrie Wofford, the president of Veterans Education Success, said the organization is grateful the VA intends to suspend new GI Bill enrollments at these five schools. “This sends a powerful message, one we’ve been advocating [...]
Inside Higher Ed: GI Bill Enrollment to be Halted at Five Universities
“This sends a powerful message, one we’ve been advocating for VA to exercise since 2012, that the federal government and taxpayers will no longer tolerate schools that seek to defraud veterans and other military-connected students [...]
Our Statement for the Record: Legislative Priorities for 2020
STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES SUBMITTED TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS AFFAIRS SECOND SESSION 116TH CONGRESS March 9, 2020 Chairmen Moran and Takano, Ranking Members Tester and Bilirakis, and Members of [...]
Press Release: Veterans Education Success Praises Decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Suspend New GI Bill Students from Enrolling at the University of Phoenix, Career Education Corporation Institutions, Bellevue University, and Temple University
For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford | President (202) 838-5050 Tanya Ang | Vice President (202) 838-5050 March 9, 2020 Veterans Education Success Praises Decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Suspend New [...]
Politico: VA Plans to Suspend GI Bill Funding for New Students at 5 Universities
“'We’re grateful VA intends to suspend enrollment of new GI Bill students at these institutions,' said Carrie Wofford, the president of Veterans Education Success, who previously led investigations into the for-profit education industry in the [...]
Initial Notification Letters from VA to Colleges on 38 USC 3696
University of Phoenix Career Education Corporation Temple University Bellevue University
Federal Court Denies Ashford University’s Lawsuit against VA
Decision of the US Federal Circuit Court to Dismiss Ashford University's Lawsuit against VA (Decided: March 3, 2020) Ashford petitions this court for review, contending that the Cure Letter “announces” new “rules” and that 38 [...]
The Capitol Forum: Perdoceo Education Corporation: Department of Education Defers $39M of Title IV Money from 2019 to 2020 to Save AIU from Violating 90/10; Experts Expect Congressional Scrutiny
"Walter Ochinko, research director for Veterans Education Success, told The Capitol Forum he wasn't surprised to hear about Perdoceo's 90/10 manipulation strategies. 'For-profit schools closely monitor their compliance with the 90/10 Rule and resort to [...]
VA’s Approval of Ashford for GI Bill (Feb. 2020)
On Feb. 14, 2020, VA approved Ashford's eligibility for GI Bill. Letter pasted below. In approving Ashford, VA's leadership is once again flouting 38 USC 3696, which forbids VA from approving GI Bill to schools [...]
New York Times: Protect Veterans from Fraud
On January 1, 2020, the New York Times ran a full-page editorial by the Editorial Board featuring Veterans Education Success' work: "Nevertheless, a 2018 report from Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit that provides legal help [...]
Letter from Congress to VA regarding VA’s obligation to protect veterans from deceptive colleges
December 20, 2019 Dear Secretary Wilkie: We write today in the wake of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlements with for-profit Career Education Corporation (CEC) and University of Phoenix (UOP) for unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices. [...]
Our Amicus Brief in the Montana Supreme Court re Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Veterans Education Success filed an amicus brief regarding the importance of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and opposing loan servicers’ active misrepresentations to students about Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The case is Reavis v. Pennsylvania Higher [...]
Federal Judge Orders Owner of Dog Training School to Forfeit Assets from Fraud Scheme against GI Bill Benefits
"A federal judge ordered 48-year-old Bradley Lane Croft, owner of Universal K-9, Inc., to forfeit over one million dollars in assets derived from his scheme to defraud the federal government with respect to the use [...]
Military Times: Veterans Group Applauds FTC for Gaining $50 Million Settlement Plus $141 Million in Canceled Student Debt in University of Phoenix Deceptive Ad Case
The settlement was applauded by some education advocacy groups, including Veterans Education Success, which works to help military veterans. Carrie Wofford, the group's president, thanked the FTC for its work. “The FTC’s findings should shock [...]
NBC News: University of Phoenix Settlement “Drop in the Bucket” for Student Debt, Advocates Say
"Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, called the settlement a 'really important step forward' in protecting veterans. 'The broader context of this case is for-profit colleges are incentivized by federal laws to target veterans,' [...]
PBS NewsHour & Hechinger Report: For-Profit Colleges that Get GI Bill Money Need More Oversight, Veterans Say
The VA has received at least 37 complaints about Ashford from GI Bill beneficiaries. An advocacy group called Veterans Education Success (VES) has collected 113 more from veterans and service members, many of which echo [...]
NBC News: University of Phoenix to Cancel $141 Million in Student Debt
"The settlement was applauded by some education advocacy groups, including Veterans Education Success, which works to help military veterans. Carrie Wofford, the group's president, thanked the FTC for its work. “The FTC’s findings should shock [...]
Air Force Times: Veterans Group Applauds FTC for Gaining $50 Million Settlement Plus $141 Million in Canceled Student Debt in University of Phoenix Deceptive Ad Case
"The settlement was applauded by some education advocacy groups, including Veterans Education Success, which works to help military veterans. Carrie Wofford, the group's president, thanked the FTC for its work. “The FTC’s findings should shock [...]
Forbes: University Of Phoenix Pays $191 Million For Deceiving Students
Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, applauded the announcement and spoke to the findings. “The FTC’s findings should shock every patriotic American. Enough is enough. It's time to stop the fleecing of America’s veterans [...]
Washington Post: FTC reaches $191 million settlement with University of Phoenix in deceptive-advertising probe
“Enough is enough. It’s time to stop the fleecing of America’s veterans and service members by predatory colleges,” said Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group. “We thank the FTC for its [...]
Chicago Tribune: University of Phoenix to pay $50M, cancel $141M in student debt to settle false-advertising claims
"The settlement was applauded by some education advocacy groups, including Veterans Education Success, which works to help military veterans. Carrie Wofford, the group's president, thanked the FTC for its work. “The FTC’s findings should shock [...]
Our Press Release on FTC Settlement with University of Phoenix
Press Release Embargoed until the FTC’s Announcement Goes Live (likely 11 a.m. December 10, 2019) Contact: Carrie Wofford (202) 838-5050 Federal Trade Commission’s Settlement with University of Phoenix Puts Pressure on VA and DOD to [...]
PBS NewsHour: University of Phoenix agrees to $50M settlement over false ad claims
"The settlement was applauded by some education advocacy groups, including Veterans Education Success, which works to help military veterans. Carrie Wofford, the group's president, thanked the FTC for its work. “The FTC’s findings should shock [...]
Report from New America: “The Bermuda Triad: Where Accountability Goes to Die”
New America released a report detailing the role of the Triad (federal government, states, accreditors) in holding institutions of higher education accountable and provided recommendations for how to strengthen the Triad. Link here.
CBS News: After scrutiny, U.S. again forgiving student debt for disabled veterans
Mike Saunders, the legal director at Veterans Education Success, said he had been surprised to learn about the Education Department freeze, saying the advocacy group had been "under the impression that they were automatically forgiving [...]
S. 2857: Bipartisan Protect Veterans’ Education and Taxpayer Spending Act of 2019
Introduced by Senators Carper (D-DE), Cassidy (R-LA), Lankford (R-OK), and Tester (D-MT) Bill text is available here
Inside Higher Ed: House Dems’ Vision for Higher Ed
"The College Affordability Act also would make the federal student loan program more generous for student borrowers....the bill has received endorsements from Third Way, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Veterans Education Success, the National Association [...]
Sierra Sun Times: U.S. Senators Introduce Congressional Effort to Overturn Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ Rewritten Borrower Defense Rule
"Organizations supporting the resolution include...Veterans Education Success, The Education Trust, National Education Association, Project on Predatory Student Lending, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients), Third Way, Americans for Financial Reform, [...]
Top 10 Ways the New Borrower Defense Rule is Bad for Borrowers
The Institute for College Access & Success, National Consumer Law Center, and The Century Foundation released the following fact sheet describing the ways the new Borrower Defense rule is worse for borrowers than the 2016 [...]
Sacramento Bee: Veterans Affairs Moves to Strip California’s Power in Fight Over For-Profit Schools
“It’s hard to argue that the VA has the interests of veterans and taxpayers at heart when it allows things like Thomas Jefferson. Why would they rescind these actions?” said Walter Ochinko, research director for [...]
Our Written Testimony for House Veterans Affairs Hearing on VA Debt Collection Practices
Veterans Education Success Director of Military & Consumer Policy Mike Saunders' written testimony regarding VA's debt collection practices and GI Bill "overpayment" issues. Testimony of Mike Saunders, Director of Military and Consumer Policy Veterans Education Success [...]
Politico Morning Education: Veterans Education Success is Out with Two Reports
Veterans Education Success this week released two new reports about federal and state oversight of colleges receiving GI Bill funding: "Overemphasis on Payment Accuracy Impedes More Effective SAA Oversight of Schools Participating in the GI Bill" [...]
Press Release: DeVos’s Final Rewrite of the Borrower Defense Rule Is a Slap in the Face for Military-Connected Students
September 3, 2019 For Immediate Release Contact: Walter Ochinko | VES Research Director | (202) 838-5050 DeVos’s Final Rewrite of the Borrower Defense Rule Is a Slap in the Face for Military-Connected Students Washington, D.C. [...]
Stakes are High for Veterans as Congress Debates the Higher Education Act
The post was originally published by The Tennessean on August, 27, 2019. Stakes are High for Veterans as Congress Debates the Higher Education Act By Maj. Chris Davis, USMC What drew me and so many [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Faster Loan Forgiveness for Disabled Veterans
Education Department data provided last year to two groups, Veterans Education Success and Vietnam Veterans of America, showed that more than 42,000 borrowers were eligible for the loan forgiveness benefit, known as Total and Permanent [...]
Press Release: Statement by Veterans Education Success on the Presidential Memorandum on Discharging the Federal Student Loan Debt of Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans
August 21, 2019 For Immediate Release Contact: Barrett Y. Bogue | Senior Communication Advisor (202) 670-5587 Statement by Veterans Education Success on the Presidential Memorandum on Discharging the Federal Student Loan Debt of Totally and [...]
CNBC: Trump to Grant Student Loan Forgiveness for Disabled Veterans
However, recent records revealed the government continues to seek repayment on $1 billion in student loans from more than 40,000 severely disabled veterans who have been deemed unable to work. More than 25,000 of them are in [...]
The Military Lending Act and You
This post was originally published by Military.com on August 13, 2019. The Military Lending Act and You By Mike Saunders, Director for Military and Consumer Policy, Veterans Education Success As an active-duty service member, you [...]
HR 4085: Student Veteran Empowerment Act of 2019
We are grateful to the GOP leadership of the House Veterans Affairs Committee for this excellent bill, which: Helps solve the problem of GI Bill overpayments by requiring monthly enrollment verification; Ensures that "deemed approved" [...]
Our Written Testimony for July 17 House Veterans Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Hearing on Proposed Legislation
Written testimony of our Senior Advisor, retired Army Col. Robert Norton, before the House Veterans Affairs Committee's hearing on proposed legislation, including many bills we collaborated on to improve GI Bill college quality and student [...]
The ’90-10 rule’ in higher education is a target on veterans’ backs
Note: This post was originally published by The Hill on June 24, 2019. The '90-10 rule' in higher education is a target on veterans' backs By Tanya Ang and Lauren Augustine For the past 10 [...]
Our Statement for the Record on School Closures
Our statement for the record at a rescheduled US House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the impact on veterans of mid-semester school closures.
Oregon Legislature should close for-profit college loophole, protect student veterans
Student veteran Jay Hernandez wrote an op-ed in the Oregon newspaper. "I became a U.S Marine because I wanted more out of my life. I was born into poverty and into a disability-stricken family: my [...]
HBO: Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas: The Cost of College
The HBO news show, Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas, worked with Veterans Education Success to expose for-profit colleges' targeting and fraud against veterans. They interviewed student veterans we are helping and whistleblower former college recruiters [...]
Testimony from Veteran and Ashford University Whistleblower at US House Committee on Veterans Affairs Field Hearing
VES presented testimony from veteran and Ashford University whistleblower Eric Dean before the US House Committee on Veterans Affairs - Field Hearing in San Diego, CA, “Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Ensuring the Success of our [...]
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 [...]
Testimony of Tom Corbett before the US Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel
On March 25, 2019, Tom Corbett, a veteran and a former executive at several for-profit colleges, spoke to the U.S. Education Department's Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel about the need to protect students attending for-profit colleges. [...]
Testimony of Veteran Stephanie Stiefel before the US Education Department’s Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel
On March 25, 2019, Stephanie Stiefel, a veteran, spoke to the U.S. Education Department's Negotiated Regulatory Rulemaking Panel about her experience attending a for-profit college. Her remarks can be read in full below. A video [...]
Veterans and Military Service Organizations urge the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau not to delay implementation of Payday Loans protection rule
The undersigned Military and Veteran Service Organizations (MSO/VSOs) write to express opposition to the proposed delay of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2017 rule regulating Payday, Vehicle Title and Certain High-Cost Installment Loans. The [...]
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
Here are Some Surprising Ways Troops and Vets Can Cut Their Student Loan Debt
Note: This advice column was originally published by Military Times on February 19, 2019 and can be found here. By Mike Saunders, Director of Military & Consumer Policy | VES Hundreds of thousands of veterans, [...]
Our New York Times op-ed: Betsy DeVos vs. Student Veterans
Our President Carrie Wofford authored an op-ed in the New York Times: "As the political makeup of the 116th Congress begins to congeal, the question of what, if anything, this divided government can do together [...]
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.
Republic Report: Clash Over Ashford Univ. Casts Doubt On VA Protection of Students
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is charged by law and principle with shielding veterans from predatory abuses — deceptive recruiting, high prices, low-quality programs — by colleges seeking to profit off the GI Bill, [...]
Our Amicus Brief in the 11th Circuit re Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Veterans Education Success filed an amicus brief regarding the importance of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and opposing loan servicers' active misrepresentations to students about Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The case is Lawson-Ross v. Great Lakes [...]
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Inspector General: VA’s Oversight of State Approving Agency Program Monitoring for Post-9/11 GI Bill Students
Prior VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports have identified significant financial risks in how the education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are administered. The OIG conducted this audit to determine if VA and [...]
CNBC: Many disabled veterans eligible for student loan forgiveness are still paying
"The news comes out of a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit that provides free services to veterans, back in June that was answered around Veteran’s Day." Read the [...]
Education Dept’s Response to our FOIA re Disabled Veterans
The Education Department responded to our FOIA request regarding totally disabled veterans' legal right to loan forgiveness. The FOIA response shows that more than half of the 42,000 totally and permanently disabled veterans who are [...]
The Hill: Protect the Military Lending Act
Standing with the troops requires more than lip service. It also requires action. When the Pentagon found that predatory payday loan shops and unethical car dealers were trolling military bases and aggressively targeting the troops [...]
Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette: Global Concern: Kaplan Roll-Out Exposes Un-Purdue-Like Actions
On its face, Purdue University's acquisition of Kaplan University can be good for students. Purdue, part of the Big Ten and a major research university, has long-standing traditions of academic excellence. One would expect they would impose [...]
VA Proposes to Waive Ethics Rule for VA Employees
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to waive the application of applicable Federal regulations (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) for all VA employees who receive any wages, salary, dividends, profits, gratuities, or services from, or own [...]
CAPPS v. DeVos & Bauer v. DeVos | DOCUMENTS
This brief is submitted by the National Consumer Law Center (“NCLC”) and by 17 legal aid and other non-profit organizations that work on behalf of students and student loan borrowers, consumers, low-income individuals, teachers, college [...]
Press Release: Veterans Organizations Oppose DeVos’ Proposed Borrower Defense Rule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 31, 2018 CONTACT: Walter Ochinko, (202) 838-5050 VES Research Director and Borrower Defense negotiator representing military and veteran students on both the 2016 and 2018 negotiated rulemaking panels Twenty-Seven Veteran [...]
New York Times: DeVos Ends Obama-Era Safeguards Aimed at Abuses by For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos formally moved Friday to scrap a regulation that would have forced for-profit colleges to prove that the students they enroll are able to attain decent-paying jobs, the most drastic [...]
Press Release: Ed Department Proposes Rules to Help Predatory Schools Instead of Veterans
DeVos’s Proposed Borrower Defense Rule Rewrites Epitaph For Predatory Schools Like Corinthian and ITT July 26, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Walter Ochinko, Research Director, who served as a Borrower Defense negotiator representing military and [...]
CNBC: Thousands of Students Who Say They Were Defrauded by the Art Institute Awaiting an Answer From the Government
"Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit advocacy group, has said some for-profit schools do not explain to students that they’re signing up for loans. She has argued that the 'master promissory note,' [...]
GOP Higher Education Legislation Will Hurt Service Members, Veterans and their Families
Note: This was originally published by The Denver Post on June 25, 2018. GOP Higher Education Legislation Will Hurt Service Members, Veterans and their Families By Jarrod Thoma After serving approximately four years in the [...]
Storm the Hill | PROSPER Act | After Action Report
In June, representatives from America's largest Veterans Service Organizations stormed Capitol Hill to encourage lawmakers to oppose a proposed piece of legislation called the "PROSPER Act," a terrible bill which would have decimated military families [...]
The Hill: Higher Ed Bill Fails its Mission to Protect Deserving Military-Connected Students
This past week, nearly a dozen national veterans and military service organizations assembled on Capitol Hill in a united front to voice their concerns about the House of Representatives’ Higher Education Act reauthorization, known as [...]
The Hill: A Call To Service Without Debt
As a country, we have encouraged our children to strive for bright futures. We prod them to go to college, pursue apprenticeship programs, and otherwise climb the ladder of opportunity by seeking educational opportunities beyond [...]
CNBC: Trump Moves to Cancel Student Loan Debt for Disabled Veterans
"'Many disabled veterans are currently unaware that they can be eligible for student loan debt forgiveness,' said Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, a nonprofit advocacy group. 'It’s horrific,' Wofford said 'There are disabled [...]
The Washington Post: Trump administration streamlining student debt forgiveness for permanently disabled veterans
The Trump administration announced plans Monday to make it easier for permanently disabled military veterans to have their federal student debt wiped away.
U.S. Defense Department position paper opposing “PROSPER” Act
DOD issued a position paper opposing the House PROSPER Act, which would curtail Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which DOD relies upon for military recruiting and retention.
New York Times: New Higher Education Bill Rolls Back Obama-Era Safeguards
WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans began work Tuesday on an extensive rewrite of the law that governs the nation’s system of higher education, seeking to dismantle landmark Obama administration regulations designed to protect students from predatory [...]
New York Times: Exploiting Veterans for Profit
Editorial Exploiting Veterans for Profit By The Editorial Board Nov. 24, 2017 Despite efforts by Congress, the Obama administration and state attorneys general to stop the predatory practices of for-profit colleges, veterans and service members [...]
U.S. Navy position paper opposing “PROSPER” Act
The US Navy issued a position paper opposing the House PROSPER Act, which would curtail Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which the Navy relies upon for military recruiting and retention.
LinkedIn Blog: Is Transparency Really That Important in Public Policy? I’m Glad You Asked
Today was Day One in a series of sessions in the Department of Education’s Negotiated Rulemaking on Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR), also known loosely as Borrower Defense, or simply BD. Typically, the first morning [...]
Press Release: Veterans Education Success Releases New Report Showing 90/10 Loophole is Worse Than Previously Thought: Department of Education Data Shows Increased Targeting of Veterans and Servicemembers, Highlighting Urgency of Closing 90/10 Loophole
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2017 CONTACTS: Walter Ochinko, (202) 838-5050 Department of Education Data Shows Increased Targeting of Veterans and Servicemembers, Highlighting Urgency of Closing 90/10 Loophole Today, Veterans Education Success is [...]
Press Release: Ashford’s Fight to Maintain GI Bill Access
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The Century Foundation: College Complaints Unmasked: 99 Percent of Student Fraud Claims Concern For-Profit Colleges
The Century Foundation (TCF) has obtained new data from the U.S. Department of Education about nearly 100,000 “borrower defense claims”—applications for loan relief from students who maintain that they have been defrauded or misled by [...]
Our Research Director was an official negotiator representing veteran and military students on the negotiated rulemaking panel on Borrower Defense
This Web page provides the public with background information regarding the Department’s negotiated rulemaking effort to make changes to the regulations for the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [...]
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Elizabeth Warren: Insult to Injury: How the DeVos Department of Education is Failing Defrauded Students
This staff report examines the current status of Borrower Defense discharges under Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Trump Administration. It includes recent data on the tens of thousands of unprocessed claims for relief, and [...]
Federal Trade Commission announces lawsuit and settlement terms with Victory Media/GI Jobs/Military Friendly
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a final order settling charges that Victory Media violated Section 5 of the FTC Act in connection with its promotion of post-secondary schools to [...]
Task & Purpose: To Protect Veterans, Keep The VA Ban On Employees Working With For-Profit Colleges
On Sept. 14, the Department of Veterans Affairs quietly announced that it will waive a common-sense ethics law for all of its employees. For over 50 years, the VA has prohibited employees from receiving payments or having [...]
Education Department Hearing: Video of Sean Marvin, Veterans Education Success
VES is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to veterans who’ve beendefrauded by their school. Since we were created in 2012, thousands of veterans have contacted us. They regularly tell us about the [...]
Education Department Hearing: Testimony of Sean Marvin, Veterans Education Success
VES is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to veterans who’ve beendefrauded by their school. Since we were created in 2012, thousands of veterans have contacted us. They regularly tell us about the [...]
Education Department Hearing: Video of Melissa Bryant, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and our over 400,000 members, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak today at this hearing on educational regulatory reform. My [...]
Education Department Hearing: Testimony of Melissa Bryant, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and our over 400,000 members, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak today at this hearing on educational regulatory reform. My [...]
Education Department Hearing: Video of Bethany Keirans, Vietnam Veterans of America
On behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its more than 80,000 members, I appreciate the opportunity to present this testimony regarding rules pertaining to Gainful Employability, Borrower’s Defense.
Education Department Hearing: Testimony of Bethany Keirans, Vietnam Veterans of America
On behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and its more than 80,000 members, I appreciate the opportunity to present this testimony regarding rules pertaining to Gainful Employability, Borrower’s Defense.
Education Department Hearing: Video of Will Hubbard, Student Veterans of America
On behalf of Student Veterans of America, a higher education non-profit representing over 1.1 million veterans in post-secondary education, I stand before you strongly urging this body to stand with students. The intent of Executive [...]
Education Department Hearing: Testimony of Will Hubbard, Student Veterans of America
On behalf of Student Veterans of America, a higher education non-profit representing over 1.1 million veterans in post-secondary education, I stand before you strongly urging this body to stand with students. The intent of Executive [...]
The Daily Free Press: For-profit Universities: Fake, Fraudulent and Supported by the Federal Government
For-profit universities have been scamming and swindling unsuspecting students for as long as they’ve existed. Many of these schools are unaccredited — providing students with credits that can’t be transferred and degrees that can’t be [...]
The Chronicle: To Lighten the Regulatory Load, Focus on For-Profits
Dear Secretary DeVos: From the testimony and interviews you have given, I gather that you believe strongly in providing taxpayer funds to colleges owned by for-profit companies. You believe that, relieved of the requirements and [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Return of the College Scorecard: Education Department Updates Higher Ed Consumer Tool, Adds New Comparison Feature
An Obama administration initiative that provided consumer information on colleges and universities has survived for another year and into the Trump administration. The Department of Education published updated information on the College Scorecard Thursday, including a new [...]
Loyola Phoenix: Unregulated Universities Make Profit off Their Students
We’ve all seen the commercials before — the ones with successful members of the workforce raving about their experience at their respective for-profit institutions: Kaplan University, DeVry University, Everest University, ITT Technical Institute and a [...]
Inside Higher Ed: Wis. Governor Kills For-Profit Oversight Agency
After years of attempts, Scott Walker, Wisconsin's Republican governor, has successfully eliminated the state's Education Approval Board as an independent agency tasked with overseeing for-profit colleges. Walker's partial veto last week of a budget bill accelerated the timetable [...]
The Denver Post: DeVos Should Keep Rules Targeting For-Profit Colleges
For-profit colleges have their place in higher education, but too many operators have proved to be incredibly bad actors over the years, making reasonable rules meant to protect students the smart play.
The Nation: Betsy DeVos Is Helping Education Profiteers Rip Off Students
When Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was confirmed, the major fear was that she would radically overhaul the public-education system and institute a broad school-voucher program. It turns out that requires congressional action that hasn’t been [...]
American Legion Resolution to protect gainful employment and borrower defense
The American Legion resolution to protect gainful employment and borrower defense rules.
Politico: Morning Education: For-Profit College Faces Off with the Feds over Vet Benefits
FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE FACES OFF WITH FEDS OVER VET BENEFITS: Amid its battle with a state regulator, Ashford University is now sparring with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over its ability to accept tens of millions [...]
WV Gazette: Stop Delaying Loan Help for Defrauded Students
Not all colleges are created equal. Many are stalwarts of their community and churn out thousands of qualified graduates yearly. Others are on much shakier ground and end up crashing and burning, dragging lots of [...]
Forbes: How The White House Is Harming College Borrowers
For more than a generation, the GOP trope with a nod and a wink was "I'm here from Washington and I'm here to help." Yet sometimes, government policies do help Americans -- especially those with crippling college [...]
Press Release: U.S. Congress Expected to Unanimously Vote to Restore GI Bill Benefits to Vets that Attended Defunct ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges
July 28, 2017 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford U.S. Congress Expected to Unanimously Vote to Restore GI Bill Benefits to Vets that Attended Defunct ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges The “Forever GI Bill” will [...]
Ed. Dept. Hearings | Cancel and Revise Student Protections: Testimony of Navy veteran Kevin Thompson
I am E-6/AWO1 (Ret) Kevin Thompson, I have served in the US Navy for 20 years, have over 3,500 flight hours, multiple tours to the gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield, OEF and OIF [...]
Ed. Dept. Hearings | Cancel and Revise Student Protections: Testimony of Army veteran Ryan Clark
My story begins upon entering the army after deciding that it would be more prudent following my family's footsteps rather than finishing my secondary education out of high school. The opportunities provided by the military [...]
Ed. Dept. Hearings | Cancel and Revise Student Protections: Testimony of Sean Marvin, Legal Director, Veterans Education Success
VES is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to veterans who’ve beendefrauded by their school. Thousands of veterans have contacted VES since its creation in 2012.Here’s what just a few have said: “They made [...]
Ed. Dept. Hearings | Cancel and Revise Student Protections: Testimony of Will Hubbard, Student Veterans of America
On behalf of Student Veterans of America, a higher education non-profit representing over 1.1 million veterans in post-secondary education, I stand before you strongly urging this body to stand with students, and fully implement the [...]
Los Angeles Times: It’s Betsy DeVos’ Job to Protect Students From Predatory For-Profit Colleges. She Should Do It
Given Donald Trump's frequent campaign promises to wipe out "job killing" regulations on Day One, no one should be surprised that the Trump administration is going after federal safeguards that protect consumers at the expense [...]
Akron Beacon Journal: Protect Students From Predatory For-Profit Colleges
The for-profit college industry has an ally in the federal Department of Education. The businesses would like few things better than the rewrite, or rejection, of two regulations crafted by the Obama White House. Betsy [...]
Politico: 18 States Sue DeVos Over Delay of Student Loan Protections
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia filed suit against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Thursday over her delay of regulations meant to protect federal student loan borrowers defrauded by their schools. The lawsuit filed in Federal [...]
State Attorneys General Call on DeVos to Address Borrower Defense Applications
A letter from state Attorneys General to Education Secretary Devos explaining concern over the slow-moving Ed. Department handling of reimbursing students.
New York Times: Predator Colleges May Thrive Again
Editorial Predator Colleges May Thrive Again By The Editorial Board March 23, 2017 Congress has tried since the 1940s to curb predatory for-profit schools that survive almost solely on federal money while they saddle students [...]
Chicago SunTimes: Rolling Back For-Profit College Reforms Wastes Money and Lives
The reputation of the for-profit career college industry has been sullied for decades by con-artists and scammers. But in the last few years, some effort has been made to weed out the worst offenders, denying [...]
Brookings Institution: How Much Do For-Profit Colleges Rely on Federal Funds?
The outgoing Obama administration placed for-profit colleges under a great deal of scrutiny. This includes gainful employment regulations that will require graduates of vocationally-oriented programs to meet debt-to-earnings requirements and borrower defense to repayment rules [...]
Veteran Leaders Express Outrage Over Manipulation of GI Bill to Offset Cap on Education Funds
Veterans and military organizations today expressed shock at the high number of colleges that are almost entirely dependent on federal funds, noting a Department of Education report released today, and called on Congress to close [...]
Philadelphia Inquirer: ITT schools have been ripping off students and saddling them with debt for years
For decades, ITT Technical Institutes had a sweet deal: It gobbled up billions in federal student grants and loans in exchange for promised results that it rarely, if ever, produced. Finally, the Department of Education [...]
Indianapolis Business Journal: ITT Missteps Sowed Its Fate
Almost anyone under attack reflexively attacks back. And so it was on Sept. 6, the day top executives of ITT Educational Services announced they were closing their 136 ITT Technical Institutes, shuttering a pioneer in [...]
St. Louis Post Dispatch: Opinion: Closing ITT Tech Helps Stop For-Profit Colleges from Shaking Down Students
Some for-profit colleges came to be a curse on the very students they were in business to help, doing little more than exploiting students for their federal grants, loans and veterans benefits while failing to [...]
New York Times: Late to the Fight Against Predator Schools
The federal government’s failure over decades to regulate for-profit colleges freed the schools to prey on veterans, minorities and the poor by saddling students with crushing debt and giving them worthless degrees in return. This [...]
Press Release: Veterans and Advocates Join Sen. Carper on Capitol Hill, Urge Congress to Close “90/10 Loophole”
June 22, 2016 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford Veterans and Advocates Join Sen. Carper on Capitol Hill, Urge Congress to Close “90/10 Loophole” Closing loophole would protect G.I Bill funds and service members’ education [...]
Education Dept Order: ITT Educational Services Inc. must increase its financial cushion to $123.7 million from $79.7 million
Dear Mr. Modany, On August 19, 2014, ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ITT) was cited in a letter by the Department of Education (Department) for late submission of its annual compliance audits and financial statements.
States Ask Congress to Stop Predatory Schools’ Access to Military Bases
State Attorneys General letter to Senator Manchin to oppose his bill to open military bases to predatory schools
Press Release: Yale Law School Study Says VA Can – and Should – Deny G.I. Bill Funding to For-Profit Schools That Employ Deceptive Marketing Practices
March 1, 2016 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford Yale Law School Study Says VA Can - and Should - Deny G.I. Bill Funding to For-Profit Schools That Employ Deceptive Marketing Practices Contradicts VA Position [...]
Des Moines Register: Opinion: Do More to Stop Predatory For-Profit Schools
Last year, federal officials sued ITT Educational Services, which has campuses in Clive and Cedar Rapids, and accused the for-profit school of predatory student lending. That case is still pending, but several months ago, the [...]
Press Release: Defense Department Puts University of Phoenix on Probation
October 9, 2015 For Immediate Release Contact: Carrie Wofford Defense Department Puts University of Phoenix on Probation Statement by Matthew Boulay, Executive Director, Veterans Student Loan Relief Fund and an Iraq War veteran Washington, D.C. [...]
DOD Puts University of Phoenix on Probation
The Defense Department put the University of Phoenix on probation, prohibited from enrolling military students, following several law enforcement actions and news exposes that University of Phoenix was circumventing Defense Department rules. Below is the [...]
Our Statement for the Record: Senate Hearing on Career Ready Student Veterans Act
Veterans Education Success (VES) appreciates the opportunity to share its perspective on the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act (S. 1938). VES is a non-profit organization focused on protecting the integrity and promise of the GI Bill [...]
Tampa Bay Times: Helping Students Left Behind by For-Profit Colleges
Through no fault of their own, tens of thousands of students were left high and dry — and broke — when the for-profit Corinthian Colleges closed and abandoned them. So U.S. Education Department officials are [...]
Our Statement for the Record: House Hearing on Career Ready Student Veterans Act
Veterans Education Success (VES) appreciates the opportunity to share its perspective on the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act (H.R. 2360). VES is a non-profit organization focused on protecting the integrity and promise of the GI Bill [...]
New York Times: When Colleges Use Veterans as Pawns
Editorial When Colleges Use Veterans as Pawns By The Editorial Board Feb. 10, 2015 For-profit colleges that burden students with crippling debt — often while giving them useless credentials in return — are luring veterans [...]
Taxpayer Funds are Lifeline for More Than 100 For-Profit Schools
"More than 100 for-profit colleges are so dependent on taxpayer money that they would be violating a law designed to prevent profiteering if not for a loophole that excludes GI Bill funds and Department of [...]
Former DeVry military recruiter/whistleblower testimony
Chris Neiweem, a former DeVry military recruiter, testified before the US Senate Committee on Defense Appropriations for its hearing on the Defense Department's Voluntary Education programs. The full hearing link is here (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/hearing-on-voluntary-military-education-programs) Chris Neiweem's [...]
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions: For Profit Higher Education: The Failure to Safeguard the Federal Investment and Ensure Student Success
Between June 2010 and July 2012, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin conducted an in-depth oversight investigation focusing exclusively on the for-profit sector of higher education. Theinvestigation was undertaken to better understand the enormous growth [...]
States’ Attorneys General Action A Victory for Veterans and the GI Bill
WASHINGTON – Officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs applauded a decision by the attorneys general of several states to give VA the rights to use the GIBill.Com website, after the website’s original owners QuinStreet [...]
Veterans Affairs: After Court Settlement, VA Takes Over GIBill.com and Other Sites
In a legal win for Veterans, VA is taking control of the formerly privately-owned website GIBill.com. This means Veterans will be better protected against deceptive marketing practices launched by businesses eager to cash in on [...]
USA Today Editorial: Veterans Are Not Dollar Signs in Uniforms
The 1944 GI bill helped catapult a generation of veterans into the middle class and beyond, financing the education of three future Supreme Court justices, three presidents and thousands of doctors and scientists while democratizing many [...]
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions: Charts on Defense Department & For-Profit Colleges (2012)
For‐Profit Colleges Collect Half of All Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Benefits
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions: Recruiting Training Manuals from Top for-Profit Colleges (2012)
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions conducted an investigation into predatory behavior at the nation's largest for-profit schools, who receive hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars and veterans benefits, and [...]
New York Times: For-Profit Colleges, Vulnerable G.I.’s
MILITARY personnel and their families are finding themselves under siege from for-profit colleges. A number of these schools focus on members of the armed forces with aggressive and often misleading marketing, and then provide little [...]
New York Times: Preying on Veterans
The for-profit education industry has been pushing back hard against new Education Department rules that will make it easier to rein in predatory schools that strip students of financial aid, saddle them with crushing debt [...]
New York Times: Let the Students Profit
The Obama administration has proposed tough and much-needed regulations for lucrative for-profit colleges. Industry is predictably pushing back hard, with legions of high-priced lobbyists and organized letter-writing campaigns. The administration must hold its ground.
New York Times: Who Profits? Who Learns?
Enrollment at for-profit colleges and trade schools has tripled in the last decade to about 1.8 million, or nearly 10 percent of the nation’s higher education students. These schools, partly because they serve poorer students [...]
U.S. Senate Permanent SubCommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs: Abuses in Federal Student Aid Programs (1991)
This report on abuses in federal student aid programs, particularly the Guaranteed Student Loan Program (GSLP), is based on information gathered by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in the course of its overall investigation [...]
U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate Educational, Training, and Loan Guaranty Programs Under the GI Bill: Report: Investigating Educational and Training Programs Under GI Bill (1952) (H. Rep. 1375, 82d Congress) – led by “Mr. Veteran” Chairman Olin “Tiger” Teague
There was a rapid uncontrolled expansion of private profit schools during the first several years of the veterans' training programs. Many of these schools were without educational background and experience and offered training of doubtful quality...