HELPFUL TIPS FOR VETERANS TO PROTECT THEIR BENEFITS
One of the most important investments you can make is your education. While your education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, can help you further your education and launch an exciting new career, verifying the information published by educational institutions is essential.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to ensure Veterans make the best education decisions this back-to-school season and receive value for their hard-earned benefits. We encourage Veterans and their beneficiaries to know the warning signs of education fraud and proactively prevent fraud.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SCAMS TARGETING YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS?
- Job Scams. Job Boards or Advertisements targeting specific demographics may be misleading or fake and require personal information or money to get the job. You can find free, official information about federal jobs at USAJOBS.gov, FedsHiresVets.gov, and CareerOneStop.org. Your State’s Department of Labor may have job listings, contacts for local job offices, and resources for counseling and referrals.
- Student Loan Scams. Educational institutions may promise immediate student Loan Forgiveness or debt cancellation to entice Veterans to enroll classes.
- Scholarship Scams. Educational institutions may “guarantee” Veterans a scholarship in exchange for a redemption/processing fee.
- Seminars. Veterans may be promised a scholarship and financial aid under the guise of high-pressure sales pitches where they feel pressured to pay immediately or risk losing the so-called “opportunity.”
- Free Gifts. Veterans may be promised incentives such as free laptops, gift cards, or other “freebies” for enrolling in courses.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS?
- Choose GI Bill Approved Schools. Use the WEAMS Institution Search Tool to find GI Bill approved schools.
- Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Compare the benefits you’ll receive at different schools.
- Learn about the Principles of Excellence Program. The program requires schools that receive federal funding through programs such as the GI Bill to follow certain guidelines.
- Check out the National Resource Directory Database. The database provides validated resources that support recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for Service members, Veterans, family members, and caregivers.
- Find schools that take part in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The program can help you pay for school costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Report Suspicious Activity
- If you miss a VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with your direct deposit account, contact the VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
- File a complaint with Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
