Obama's Executive Order Protects Veteran's GI Bill Benefits

politico.com

This past Friday, President Barack Obama signed an executive order tightening restrictions on colleges, technical schools and other diploma mills who pursue veterans and more specifically, their GI Bill benefits and cash.  The executive order specifically targets those institutions, organizations and lenders who have designs on the money awarded veterans through the GI Bill for education.  President Obama cited one case where a group of Marines with brain injuries were enrolled and could not even remember what classes they had enrolled in. 

Calling such behavior, "appalling" and "disgraceful", President Obama said that his administration will crack down on programs, schools and lenders that try to prey on our troops.  "These men and women have fought with bravery and honor in some of the most dangerous places on the planet.  But now, they're looking for new jobs, new opportunities and new ways to serve" back in the US."

onlinejournal.com

As a veteran of the Vietnam War era, I can attest first-hand to the benefits of the GI Bill.  Having served two years in the U.S. Army, I was able to return to college and gain my degree thanks in large part to the funds I received through the GI Bill.  President Obama stated that over 800,000 veterans and service members received either GI Bill or other related tuition assistance during the last year.

The President continued, "It's not enough to just help our veterans and service members afford school.  We need to make sure they have all the tools they need to make an informed decision when it comes to picking the right program."  The President went on to say, "People out there who are less interested in helping our men and women in uniform get ahead and more interested in making a buck."

This should come as no shock to anyone as there are many businesses in this nation designed to take advantage of the less fortunate, less educated and vulnerable citizen.  Veterans and service members are no exception. 

Obama said that, "Even though the vast majority of schools do the right thing, we need to guard against the bad actors who don't."  Friday's executive order will make it easier for veterans and service members to receive college counseling and financial aid information.  Further, a process for veterans with complaints about educational recruiters will have an easier time reporting inappropriate behavior. 

Education will play the central role in providing new opportunities for our returning servicemen and servicewomen.  The federal and state governments can't do enough to ensure that each veteran has the opportunity to pursue whatever educational avenue they wish.