Agencies launch online complaint system for veteran education
The effort involves a half-dozen federal agencies and is intended to smooth the GI Bill process for veterans and dependents.
Multiple agencies have combined forces to create an online venue addressing problems experienced by veterans trying to access military education benefits.
The online complaint system is a joint effort among the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education and Justice, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. Troops and their families who run into problems getting access to education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the DOD Military Tuition Assistance Program can submit complaints, and the agencies will work with the schools on the vets' behalf to find resolutions.
Whether the problems are related to funding, treatment or practices, the centralized system is designed for troops and their beneficiaries to report bad experiences.
"The online complaint system empowers veterans and their dependents and provides them a direct line to VA and our partner agencies," Allison Hickey, VA undersecretary for benefits, said in a Jan. 30 release. "The feedback we receive from veterans, service members and their families will help us strengthen enforcement of the 'Principles of Excellence' for institutions of higher learning serving veterans and their families to ensure students are receiving the education benefits they have earned and deserve."
The reporting system can be accessed via websites through the Defense Department and the VA's GI Bill.