Written by Maura McCarthy
MAE 2012 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 (February)
The theme of CCME’s 2012 Symposium is “Salute to Possibilities: Paving the Way for our Military Community,” a fitting theme when considering the infinite possibilities higher education offers. While the possibilities for personal and professional growth are endless, what must end is the exploitation of servicemembers by some educational institutions. Leaders in DoD and Congress have taken action to remedy this, and while current attempts may be considered imperfect by some, the imperative to act has been set in motion. Two developments stand out: the MOU that institutions are required to sign if they wish to receive TA funds and Senator Dick Durbin’s (D.-Ill.) plan to introduce legislation that will reduce forprofit schools’ incentive to recruit military members and veterans.
DoD has announced a 90-day extension to its December 31, 2011, deadline requiring schools that participate in the TA program to sign the MOU. It is yet to be determined if revision will accompany the extension; however, that DoD has identified fraud and is attempting to remedy the system is an important step in the right direction. In other news, Senator Durbin will propose reducing the percentage of revenue a for-profit school can receive from federal financial aid, or Title IV funds. As CCME’s incoming president Joycelyn Groot highlights this issue of CCME’s Grapevine, Congress identified a similar problem in 1992 and as a result passed the 85-15 rule, which required 15 percent of a for-profit’s revenue to be generated by sources other than federal financial aid. By 1998, however, this rule weakened and Congress reduced the percentage from 15 to 10. As the rule stands now, education benefits such as TA and the GI Bill do not count toward Title IV funds and the 90 percent max; Durbin’s proposal would not only return to the 85-15 rule but also include education aid in the 85 percent, eliminating for-profits’ incentive to recruit military students.
As we pave the way for our military community, we should do so with a unity of purpose, a purpose that must elevate the interests of our nation’s servicemembers above the bottom line. There are many institutions of higher learning—public, private, nonprofit and for-profit alike—who share in this purpose, and they should continue to distinguish themselves from those who don’t. ♦
 Maura McCarthy, Editor 301-670-5700 x152 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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