Webb Targets GI Bill Abuse by Schools

Webb Targets GI Bill Abuse by Schools

March 13, 2012
Military.com|by Bryant Jordan
Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, a key supporter of the post-9/11 GI Bill, says new legislation is needed to ensure that the education benefit isn't weakened by veterans using it at some for-profit schools that do not always meet the same educational standards as traditional institutions.

For that reason, Webb is sponsoring a bill that would require for-profit schools, including online learning programs, to meet the same standards as any other school receiving federal funding.

"Growing concerns of abuses by some educational institutions put at risk the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill itself, and the invaluable benefits it provides our veterans," Webb said in a statement. These abuses include hyped or simply untrue claims about graduation rates, graduate employment figures, and whether the school is officially accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-approved agency.

"Some for-profit institutions are providing our students a great education, but with the significant federal dollars being spent, we owe it to taxpayers and our veterans to carefully monitor and provide adequate oversight," Webb said.
read more here