"Total Disaster": Student veterans and advisors assert that VA's budget cuts are disrupting their academic pursuits
The processing of GI Bill benefits for U.S. military veterans is currently facing significant delays and challenges. These issues are primarily due to staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and paperwork errors, resulting in veterans waiting several months to receive their education funds[2][4].
The delays have caused hardship for many student veterans, leading some to drop out of their education programs before receiving their benefits[2][4]. The situation has been exacerbated by errors in VA paperwork and reduced customer service responsiveness, with veterans and school advisors reporting long wait times on calls and limited ability to resolve multiple student queries in one interaction.
In a related development, a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 affirmed that veterans eligible under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to combined, full education benefits, amounting to up to 48 months[1][3]. However, the VA has taken a restrictive approach in applying this decision, denying benefits to some qualified veterans despite the court’s clear directive. Legal actions, including bipartisan efforts by all 50 states and veterans’ organizations, are underway to ensure the VA complies fully and restores denied benefits more broadly[1][3].
Veterans who last had education benefit decisions before August 15, 2018, must submit a claim using VA Form 22-1995 to have their eligibility reviewed under the new interpretation following the Supreme Court ruling. Veterans have until October 1, 2030, to receive a recalculated expiration date for their benefits based on this ruling[3].
The Education Department, responsible for oversight of for-profit colleges, has faced staffing cuts, leading these schools to target veterans again[5]. This has raised concerns about reduced scrutiny of the for-profit college sector[6].
Other instances of hardship have been reported by veterans at Miramar College in San Diego, where some waited months for VA work-study contracts, and others went weeks without textbooks due to delayed VA payments[7].
The situation has affected a substantial number of veterans. In the 2020 academic year, nearly 600,000 veterans received a total of about $10 billion worth of GI Bill benefits[8]. Despite numerous attempts, many colleges and veterans’ advocacy groups did not respond to interview requests regarding the impact of Education Department cuts on veterans[6].
The risk of fraud is particularly high for low-income veterans and those from diverse backgrounds[9]. Ten colleges and universities with large veteran enrollments, including San Diego State, Georgia State, Angelo State, Arizona State, and Syracuse, did not respond or declined to answer questions about the issue[9].
The VA has announced plans to lay off 30,000 more employees by the end of September 2021, adding to the existing challenges[10]. In January and February 2021, the VA cut 1,000 probationary employees and another 1,400 workers, further straining the agency's capacity to handle claims efficiently[10].
In summary, the current situation presents administrative struggles at the VA, evolving benefits entitlement clarified by recent court rulings, and the risk of fraud for vulnerable veterans. The new administration's planned layoffs and departures of nearly 30,000 VA employees may further complicate the situation[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].
- The ongoing delays in processing GI Bill benefits for U.S. military veterans are contributing to education inequality, as veterans face extended periods without access to their funding for education-and-self-development.
- The Supreme Court ruling in 2024 established that veterans eligible under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to combined, full education benefits. However, the policy-and-legislation surrounding this decision has seen challenges, with some veterans being denied their benefits.
- The Education Department's staffing cuts have raised concerns, as for-profit colleges are reportedly targeting veterans, potentially increasing the risk of fraud, particularly for low-income veterans and those from diverse backgrounds.
- The political landscape further complicates matters, as the VA plans to lay off 30,000 more employees by September 2021, a move that may exacerbate the challenges faced by veterans seeking their rightful education benefits.
