Donna Shalala: “Woman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairwoman, the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program…”

“Woman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairwoman, the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program provides financial assistance to servicemembers for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal development. Tuition assistance is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certification program. These courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the United States Department of Education, and they must abide by all rules governing the higher education sector. Because of a loophole that exists in Federal law, known as the GI Bill loophole, however, many for-profit colleges target veterans and servicemembers with aggressive and deceptive recruiting tactics in order to collect as much GI Bill and DOD revenue as possible. {time} 2000 In fact, research has demonstrated that the for-profit college sector is the only sector in higher education that increases tuition when additional Federal student aid becomes available. As one for-profit college president turned whistleblower told veterans' organizations and Federal officials last summer: We cleaned up all our materials, but behind closed doors, our recruiters will do anything and say anything to get their hands on GI benefits and DOD Tuition Assistance funds. This is simply unacceptable.…”