My name is Michelle Angelique Poitier, a U.S. Navy veteran who served faithfully for 13 years in the Intelligence Community. After separating from the military, I stepped into what I believed would be a path of purpose—enrolling in the University of Phoenix to pursue a business management degree using my VA benefits.
But instead of opportunity, I encountered deception. I was told none of my prior credits were transferable, forcing me to retake courses that drained both my time and benefits. I graduated in 2010, but despite my diligence, I couldn’t secure a job in my field. I couldn’t even get an interview. The promises Phoenix made about job placement and success? Empty. Their degree became paperweight—not power.
I later discovered I had student loans I never knowingly agreed to. They said my VA benefits would cover everything. But buried in the mountain of paperwork I was rushed to sign were documents enrolling me into loans I never asked for. I didn’t learn about the $30,000 debt until I applied for a home loan and got blindsided.
I enrolled with dreams of a six-figure future, only to graduate into the same struggle I started with—plus crushing debt. Fourteen years later, I finally received some relief through the TPD discharge program. But the trauma lingers—on my credit report, in my mental health, and in the silent weight I’ve carried daily.
My experience with Phoenix shook my quality of life. I’ve battled for over a decade for freedom from a debt I never chose. And while I desire to return to school, the fear of being entrapped again still whispers.
I share this testimony as a warning and a war cry. No student veteran should be deceived or defrauded under the flag they once served. I’ve seen fellow veterans lose homes, marriages—even their will to try—because of situations like this.
The recent staffing cuts at the Department of Education don’t just shrink a budget- they shrink access, equity, and opportunity for our veterans. Education is a lifeline for those transitioning from service to civilian life. We must ensure their pathway is protected, not paved over. This isn’t just policy. It’s personal. We fought for this country. Now we fight for the right to rebuild in it.
Thank you for your time and for hearing not just my story—but our collective cry for justice.
Michelle Poitier Remarks 6.30.25