State veteran’s groups estimate roughly two-thirds of California vets use their GI-Bill benefits to pay fees at for-profit colleges.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel and veterans’ advocate, Pete Conaty says some schools have even promised job placement and other services to veterans, and then failed to deliver.
“So then the veteran who uses his entire GI-Bill going to a for-profit college, gets out with a degree and then he can’t find a job,” says Conaty.
The parent company of the University of Phoenix, which is the state’s largest for-profit college, did not return calls.
Under the bill, for profit-colleges would be required to list their student professional licensing and certification rates, maintain at least a 30 percent graduation rate for three years and provide proof of accreditation.
The Assembly has passed the bill. It’s now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Update: After Capital Public Radio's deadline, University of Phoenix responded to our request for comment by saying the bill unfairly singles out for-profit colleges for extra scrutiny. In addition, the bill - as amended - would now also affect some California State University and community college campuses.
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