Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Veterans
May 2, 2012
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Apr 27, 2012
Published on: May 2, 2012
May 2, 2012
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Apr 27, 2012
Published on: May 2, 2012
Summary
Creates rules to protect service members and veterans from misleading schools and ensures they get good value for their education benefits.
What problem does this solve?
Some schools used tricky ways to sign up veterans for classes, taking their benefit money without helping them succeed. This order makes rules schools must follow to be fair and helpful to military students.
What does this order do?
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Principles of excellence for educational institutions serving service members, veterans, spouses, and other family members.
Establishes Principles of Excellence
Creates a set of rules for schools that receive federal military and veteran education funding to ensure they provide quality education and support.
Requires a personalized cost form
Mandates schools give prospective military students a standardized form showing total costs, how much benefits will cover, and estimated student loan debt.
Bans aggressive recruiting
Ends fraudulent and overly aggressive recruiting methods used by some schools to target service members and veterans.
Creates a central complaint system
Directs agencies to build a single system for students to file complaints against schools, which can be tracked by multiple government departments.
Provides a designated point of contact
Requires schools to name a specific person to help military students with academic and financial advising to support them through graduation.
Restricts school access to military bases
Sets new uniform rules for how educational institutions can recruit on military installations, limiting access to schools that agree to the new principles.
Who does this affect?
- Service members
- Veterans
- Military families
What is the real world impact?
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Increases transparency in college costs
Requires schools to give military-connected students a clear breakdown of costs, financial aid, and potential debt before they enroll, helping them make better financial decisions.
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Creates accountability for schools
Establishes a formal complaint system and stronger enforcement, making it easier to hold schools accountable if they fail to serve veteran and service member students properly.
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Protects veterans from predatory schools
Stops for-profit colleges and other schools from using deceptive tactics to enroll veterans just to get their GI Bill money, without providing a quality education or support.
When does this start?
This order takes effect on April 27, 2012, and sets deadlines for government agencies to create new rules and systems.
Implementation Progress Report
Within 90 days of April 27, 2012, relevant departments must report to the President on their progress in putting the Principles of Excellence into action.
Enforcement Plan Submission
Within 90 days of April 27, 2012, relevant departments must submit a plan to the President for strengthening enforcement and compliance mechanisms.