ERIC Number: ED517884
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Feb
Pages: 68
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
VA Education Benefits: Actions Taken, but Outreach and Oversight Could Be Improved. Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives. GAO-11-256
Bertoni, Daniel
US Government Accountability Office
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided $9 billion in education benefits to service-members and veterans in fiscal year 2010, mostly through the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. In providing education benefits, VA relies on State Approving Agencies (SAA) to approve schools; and on schools to report students' enrollment status. US Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine: (1) what is known about the effectiveness of outreach to and support for individuals applying for VA education benefits, particularly those with disabilities; (2) the role of school officials and challenges they face in their role; and (3) how VA monitors and oversees states' and schools' implementation of these benefits. GAO reviewed VA reports and plans, conducted a nationally representative survey of school officials, interviewed VA and state officials in four states, and reviewed recent statutory changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. GAO recommends that VA establish outcome-oriented performance measures for outreach and support activities; improve communication with school officials; and undertake a systematic review of its oversight of SAAs and schools. VA concurred with four recommendations and concurred in principle with one recommendation aimed at strengthening oversight. VA noted a number of actions already taken in this area. GAO encourages VA to address all aspects of this recommendation moving forward. Appended are: (1) Objectives, Scope, and Methodology; (2) Overview of Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010; (3) Comparison of VA Education Benefit Programs; (4) Comments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and (5) GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments. (Contains 5 tables, 9 figures. and 86 footnotes.)
Descriptors: State Officials, Military Personnel, Veterans, Educational Benefits, Audits (Verification), Administrator Role, Research Reports, Federal Legislation, Outreach Programs, Benchmarking, Accountability, Program Effectiveness, Change Strategies, Program Improvement, Federal Aid, Student Financial Aid, Enrollment Rate, Barriers, Academic Accommodations (Disabilities), Program Implementation, State Action
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office
Identifiers - Location: United States
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: G I Bill
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A