WASHINGTON – Strengthening the GI Bill, institutional accountability and protecting military-connected families from unethical and illegal practices were among the top concerns that various veteran and military-service groups want to see addressed in a reauthorized Higher Education Act.
At a brief press conference Thursday at the Longworth House Office Building, representatives of several advocacy groups and nonprofits spoke about common concerns among their constituents. The show of unity included organizations such as the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Veterans Education Success, Student Veterans of America, the American Legion, the National Military Family Association and organizations representing vets from the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Ashlynne Haycock, deputy director of policy for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, said her organization, which represents 85,000 people, shares the same goals as the other groups.
In addition, closing loopholes in the required 90-10 ratio of federal funds to other payment sources received by institutions also was cited as a major concern. Some schools take advantage of loopholes to garner a larger proportion of federal funds than regulations allow them to have.
That was one of two main issues highlighted by Jennifer Davis, government relations deputy director for the nonprofit National Military Family Association.
The hoped-for change isn’t selfish on the part of organizations that advocate for veterans and military service personnel, Davis told Diverse.
Some suggested categorizing financial benefits for military-connected students, such as the GI Bill, as federal funds would help prevent some schools from using predatory tactics to lure those students and drain their benefits while having low persistence rates or causing students to graduate with unnecessary debt.
“Military-connected students tend to be targeted by bad-actor institutions, it appears, because we have access to educational funds,” said Davis.
She echoed a call for preserving loan forgiveness for public service and simplification of the existing program.
The issues raised Thursday are part of a “comprehensive list” of priorities for Student Veterans of America, said vice president of government affairs Lauren Augustine, who represents the 1,500-chapter nonprofit.
Veterans organizations often collaborate on common interests, Augustine said, and HEA reauthorization is one of major importance.