Several U.S. senators released figures showing that the top 10 recipients of Post 9-11-G.I. Bill education benefits include eight for-profit colleges with troubling success rates.
"The Post-9-11 G.I. Bill education benefits is intended to be a gateway to opportunity for those who have bravely served our country, but I am concerned that many of those who use their one-time benefit at a for-profit college are being denied the chance to get a good education and begin a fulfilling career" said Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA. "We need to step up oversight of veterans' education benefits to ensure that these brave me and women receive the quality education they deserve."
Among issues that raised concerns upon analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs were:
The cost to taxpayers to send a veteran to a for-profit school is more than double the cost of a public university education: $10,900 versus $4,900.
Of the 10 educational institutions collecting the most V.A. benefits, eight are for-profit schools. Those eight have collected $1 billion last - 24 percent of all benefits.
Of the eight for-profit colleges receiving the most G.I. Bill funds, a combined 409,437 students withdrew from degree programs within one year of enrolling.
To find out more about the senators' analysis, check out this committee document.
Why do we want to limit the choices of colleges to these brave men and women. Maybe they went to the closest, the one that specialized, the one with the best reputation or one that had the best placement. Review why they weren't successful and change that.
Posted by: Kathryn Kelley | September 26, 2011 at 11:07 AM