FOR-PROFIT [CONTINUED FROM PAGE 83]

against the school through the VA’s feedback system. But, while the GI Bill Comparison

Tool also has a section listing “Cau- tion Flag(s),” it is limited. Currently, the only thing that will trigger a cau- tion — other than disciplinary action from DoD, as in the case of University of Phoenix — is if a school is on the Department of Education’s Cash Monitoring List. (This precaution was taken in the wake of the collapse of Corinthian Colleges, which had been on that list and had received $186 million in GI bill funds before leaving students and taxpayers in the lurch earlier this year.) Coy says the VA is working to determine what other in- formation should be included. The Department of Education also has joined the fray, drafting new gainful employment regula- tions that went into effect at the be- ginning of July, after a federal judge threw out a challenge mounted by the for-profit school industry. The new rules are intended to hold certain career-oriented programs at nonprofit, for-profit, and public institutions accountable for the suc- cess — or lack of it — students have in finding jobs and earning a living wage after graduation. According to the Veterans’ Student Loan Relief Fund, about 1,400 programs — 99 percent of which are offered at for- profit colleges — won’t pass muster under this powerful new tool. Some 840,000 students will be affected. “All of those are important steps,”

Boulay says. “I wish I were more op- timistic, but I think that these schools are savvy. ... I think that they’re still making a lot of money doing the wrong thing. There’s still a long battle ahead of us.”

MO

— Christina Wood is a freelance writer based in Florida. Her last feature for Military Officer was “Campaigning on Service,” November 2015.

1600 Marshall Circle • Dupont, WA • 98327 www.patriotslanding.com • 877-964-4900

JANUARY 2016 MILITARY OFFICER 91

CELEBRATING VETERANS Past, Present, and Future!

T e residents of Patriots Landing welcomed former employee William Sogon for a Veteran’s Day visit.

William recently leſt his position on our dining team to join the Marines. In the photo above, to William’s leſt is Leonard LeDuc (Ret. Army), and to William’s right is Alvin ‘Al’ Overaker (Ret. Army).

We salute William as he honorably serves our community and our country.

THE NORTHWEST’S PREMIER MILITARY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY