Committee Launches Investigation into George Washington University on Accusations of Defrauding Student Veterans

Committee Launches Investigation into George Washington University on Accusations of Defrauding Student Veterans

Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), launched an investigation into allegations the Committee has received regarding George Washington University potentially defrauding and withholding student veterans from receiving thousands of dollars in their earned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill benefits, specifically their Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). Full text of the letter Subcommittee Chairman Van Orden sent to George Washington University President Granberg today regarding these allegations can be found here.

In addition to the aforementioned letter, Subcommittee Chairman Van Orden also sent a letter to VA Inspector General (IG) Cheryl Mason requesting a full investigation and review of George Washington University's operations as a GI Bill approved school, which can be found here.

"At the same time that student veterans are not receiving their MHA at the full-time rate, George Washington University is allegedly collecting tuition and fee payments as if the full-time rate is applied. This alleged discrepancy directly impacts those who have served our nation's ability to pay their housing expenses, including rent or a mortgage, while they pursue higher education at George Washington University," Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity wrote in both letters pertaining to the investigation. "Student veterans will now be forced to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses in order to complete the program. Further, I am concerned that this issue may have occurred in previous years, but was not brought to the attention of the Committee or appropriate entitles until now."

Background:
The Committee has received credible allegations that veterans enrolled in George Washington University's accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) program may be intentionally not receiving the full Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) payment they are entitled to based on information provided by the university, particularly those student veterans enrolled in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Student veteran participants in the Yellow Ribbon Program are now reportedly being informed-days before the start of summer classes-that they must pay between $14,000 and $20,000 out-of-pocket or withdraw from the program because the Yellow Ribbon Program funds have been exhausted by George Washington University.