SACRAMENTO–To protect the hard-earned GI Bill Education benefits for California Veterans, the California State Approving Agency for Veteran Education (CSAAVE), a division of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), sent a “Notice of Disapproval” to all 15 California campuses owned and operated by ITT Educational Services, Incorporated (ITT).
CalVet says the GI Bill benefits may be used only at approved institutions.
“CalVet takes seriously our duty to ensure California Veterans receive the education and training they are paying for with their earned GI Bill benefits,” said Keith Boylan, CalVet Deputy Secretary of Veteran Services. “CalVet stands ready to assist the more than 1,300 affected Veterans and beneficiaries currently enrolled at ITT, and they are encouraged to visit our website for important information about continuing their education,” added Boylan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regulations authorize CSAAVE to disapprove non-compliant institutions and programs in California. CSAAVE’s Notice of Disapproval is based on ITT’s failure to comply with federal and state regulations for approval, and precludes ITT from participating in the GI Bill education benefit program or certifying recipients for benefits.
On August 25, the U.S. Department of Education took action to ban ITT from enrolling new students using federal financial aid funds. The next day, the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education issued an Emergency Decision requiring ITT to stop accepting new students at all 15 California locations.