The Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA) considers the Post-9/11 Bill to be unfair.  Not all veterans can choose the type of education they want and need.  Students attending non-degree postsecondary education institutions including public vo-techs, some career schools, and apprenticeship programs are not eligible for enhanced GI Bill benefits.

Fortunately, your colleague Joe Sestak has introduced legislation to correct this injustice.  H.R. 3813, the Veterans Training Act, would allow Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to be used at non-degree granting schools. 

Many of the members of PAPSA and their students are being affected by the unfairness inherent in the Post-9/11 GI Bill. On return to civilian life, many returning service members are interested in quickly hitting the ground running.  Short-term certificate and diploma programs can be a critical part of a successful transition.  But if they are not offered at a degree granting school, then programs in truck driving, aviation maintenance and gunsmithing, skills many vets may naturally want to enhance, are not eligible under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

Other ineligible programs might include HVAC, construction trades, tool and die training and allied medical programs such as medical assisting, EMT and para-medical.  Even some business training programs could be excluded.  Limiting veterans’ choices in this manner is just not right.

A growing number of veterans groups have recently stepped forward to challenge the exclusion of non-degree granting institutions from the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Non-degree institutions and apprenticeship programs have always been included in the traditional Montgomery GI Bill so why should the Post-9/11 GI Bill be different? After a veteran has bravely served their country, they should be allowed to pursue their next career at the school of their choice.

PAPSA also supports Chairman Filner’s bill, H.R. 950 to allow the use of veterans' educational assistance program funds for the pursuit of an approved program of education offered through distance learning.  This bill would help to promote greater access and educational choice for veterans and their families.

PAPSA represents the more than 320 private career colleges and schools in the Commonwealth and is the only association representing all for-profit colleges and schools in Pennsylvania. With over 150 school members, PAPSA is a unified voice of quality career school education.  We strongly support H.R. 3813 and H.R. 950.