U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
Veterans for Higher Education Committee
2920 Lerner Hall Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Milvets@gmail.com
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University, Veterans for Higher Education Committee will be holding a meeting / question and answer session from 5:30- 7:pm Friday March 25, 2011, Gottesman Libraries at Teachers College, Columbia University in room 306 (3rd Floor Russell Hall)
The Veterans for Higher Education committee (VHE) will prepare a report, to be distributed shortly, for the general body which details the lobbying effort. The report will include our findings, contacts, and a history elaborating upon the passage of the revised Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.. With current legislation pending the VHE committee will submit the report, at the earliest, late next week.
VHE met with over 40 individuals and offices on Capitol Hill during the week of March 14th -18th. Our efforts were well received, and nearly every person and office we spoke with expressed interest in a grandfather, or “hold harmless”, clause in one form or another. Many offices pointed to the proposed hold harmless clause that had been included within the House version of the revised Post 9/11 G.I. Bill as an example. The offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are crafting legislation that will allow for a 1 - 4 year, cost neutral, "hold harmless" or "grandfather” clause applicable to all veterans enrolled before the revision begins on 1 Aug 2011.
The logic behind the amendment is designed to allow currently enrolled veterans an opportunity to adequately plan their futures. The effect of this will allow for more scrupulous research, thereby leading to well informed and calculated decisions, subsequently alleviating much of the uncertainty and haste. Given that a majority of the legislation will be unavailable, a veteran's ability to reach a rational conclusion is severely inhibited, thus underscoring the urgency and importance of a “hold harmless” clause.
Due to the current political and economic climate, an increase in entitlement funding will surely raise questions. VHE met with an analyst at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and conveyed the concerns of veterans currently enrolled in private not for profit institutions in regards to the revised G.I. Bill. After the meeting with the CBO, the VHE was left with the impression that in order to be viable, legislation would have to be cost-neutral both at the five-year and ten-year mark. The legislation will be funded from within the Department of Veterans Affairs education budget and will likely be the product of an offset generated elsewhere within that same budget.
The amendment is expected to be introduced shortly after both houses return from recess on March 28th. Despite the speed at which the amendment is expected to enter the house, it must still pass through the Senate and both Veterans' Affairs Committees. Even if the proposed grandfather clause is found to be financially viable, the process of signing it into law could potentially take more time than we have. It is the advice of this committee that students continue to seek alternate means of funding. (scholarships, grants, state and federal aid) We also urge any individuals in need of assistance with their long term financial planning to contact their respective school's finance department.
We would like to thank everyone involved, especially those who have worked tirelessly along side of us during the planning and execution. We have achieved far more than anticipated and will continue to monitor the developments in D.C. in the hope of a rapid passage of the grandfather clause.
For further information please attend the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University, Veterans for Higher Education Committee town hall meeting from 5:30- 7:pm Friday March 25, 2011, Gottesman Libraries at Teachers College, Columbia University in room 306 (3rd Floor Russell Hall).
Sincerely,
Richard B. Baldassari
General Secretary Elect, U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
Chairman, Veterans for Higher Education
milvets@gmail.com
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