CalVet and Other Agencies Working to Protect Student Vets

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CalVet and Other Agencies Working to Protect Student Veterans

Many veterans eager to begin using their post-9/11GI Bill® education benefits find themselves deluged by pitches from for-profit schools hoping to take advantage of those government benefits. While for-profit institutions are often more accessible and may offer a more flexible course study, it’s important for veterans to understand that not all course credits transfer from one institution to another, and not all college degrees are created equal.

To help protect veteran students, the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE), an arm of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, operates under contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) to approve or disapprove veterans’ education and training programs, prevent abuses, and promote quality in veterans’ education by evaluating and monitoring education and training programs.

Among other protections, CSAAVE requires a document titled, “Student Bill of Rights and Considerations Prior to Enrollment” be given to all enrolling veterans and eligible persons when using GI Bill® education benefits at a private post-secondary institution approved for training by CSAAVE. The document, which must be signed by the student, outlines students’ rights and the information they are entitled to receive from the school. To view the Student Bill of Rights, go to www.calvet.ca.gov/Files/VetServices/Stu ... Rights.pdf.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) regulates California private postsecondary educational institutions. BPPE is responsible for protecting consumers and students against fraud, misrepresentation, or other business practices that may lead to loss of students' tuition and related educational funds. The BPPE web site offers a number of student resources, including information on how to choose a school, what to consider before enrolling, how to ensure your educational success, what to do if the school you are attending is closing, how to file a complaint and more. For information about BPPE or to file a complaint against a school, go to www.bppe.ca.gov/students/index.shtml.

The USDVA’s GI Bill® Comparison Tool also makes it easy for education benefits users to learn about USDVA-approved colleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country.

The tool helps users determine their eligibility and calculate their benefits, provides key information about college affordability and brings together information from more than 17 different online sources and three federal agencies. Besides comparing schools, the tool allows users to explore career options, apply for benefits, learn what it takes to succeed in school, and find employment. You can find the GI Bill® Comparison Tool at http://department-of-veterans-affairs.g ... ison-tool/.

In addition, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education, and Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission recently announced a new online student complaint system that allows servicemembers, veterans, and their families to report negative experiences at education institutions and training programs administering the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, DoD Military Tuition Assistance, and other military-related education benefit programs.

The new feedback system is just one in a series of new tools launched recently to help veteran and military education beneficiaries learn more about their vocational aptitudes, select an educational institution and best use their education benefits. Additional resources include:

The ‘Factors to Consider When Choosing a School’ guide offers future students steps to take when researching, choosing and attending a school.

CareerScope® is a free, new tool that measures a student’s aptitude and interests through a self-administered online test, identifying potential career paths.

For more information about the federal online student complaint system, to offer feedback, or to file a complaint, go to www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/feedback.asp.

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