Letter to The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs

Letter

In advance of Ohio public universities and community colleges' transition from the quarter system to the semester system, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to ensure that Ohio veterans receive their GI Bill benefits without interruption. Higher education administrators from many of the 17 schools transitioning this summer have expressed concerns about the delivery of GI Benefits that provide for tuition and housing stipends for Ohio's veterans. In a letter to VA Sec. Eric Shinseki, Brown urged the VA to coordinate with Ohio's colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition.

"Ohio's veterans should be focused on school and training for their careers, not cutting through red tape," Brown said. "That's why it's so important that the VA works proactively with Ohio's colleges and universities-- to deliver on the promise we made to our veterans and ensure that veterans are prepared for their next career."
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides veterans with a number of earned benefits, including funding for graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational and technical training, and provides a housing allowance to veterans attending school.

Full text of the letter to VA Sec. Shinseki is below.

May 31, 2012

The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki
Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20501

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Thank you for your dedicated service to our nation's veterans.

This summer, 17 public universities in Ohio will be transitioning from the quarter to the semester system. Such a shift will make it easier for students to transfer within the University System of Ohio.

While college and universities are proactively working to ensure a smooth transition for all students and faculty, I have heard from several school administrators about how this change may impact the delivery of GI Bill benefits to their students. Specifically, this transition will cause the summer quarter to end in the same month as the fall semester begins. As a result, the abbreviated gap between terms could strain school resources that serve veterans on campus. Further, it has come to my attention that there are concerns about the Department's ability to adjust to these changes in a timely manner and provide schools the information they need so that students can continue to receive their GI Bill benefits.

I ask that you make every effort to coordinate with these colleges and universities as they seek to improve coordination among Ohio's public four- and two-year colleges and universities. It is imperative that the Department ensures consistent support to Ohio's veterans and the institutions that serve them throughout this transition.

Please keep my staff informed regarding your efforts to ensure that our nation's veterans can continue to receive these important benefits. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to continuing to work with you on this and other matters of importance to our nation's veterans.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

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