The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week that it will suspend educational benefits for new students enrolling in programs at five universities—the University of Phoenix, Colorado Technical University, American InterContinental University, Bellevue University, and Temple University—found to use "erroneous, deceptive, or misleading" enrollment practices, reports the Military Times and Inside Higher Ed.
The move will not immediately affect current students, Inside Higher Ed reported. However, the VA will stop approving new GI Bill enrollments at the universities in 60 days unless the institutions take corrective action.
Veterans' education advocate groups support the decision, the Times and Inside Higher Ed reported. Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success stated: "This sends a powerful message, one we've been advocating for VA to exercise since 2012, that the federal government and taxpayers will no longer tolerate schools that seek to defraud veterans and mother military-connected students out of their hard-earned federal education benefits."
The schools told The Military Times that they will quickly respond to VA to ensure there are no interruptions to students' education.
Related Links
The Military Times
https://www.militarytimes.com/2020/03/09/va-suspends-certifications-for-five-universities-over-deceptive-enrollment-practices/
Inside Higher Ed
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/03/10/va-cracks-down-temple-phoenix-and-three-others-misleading-prospective-students