JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville Navy veteran is sounding the alarm, warning that veterans could be left defenseless against predatory colleges and lending practices without the Department of Education.
Michelle Poitier is testifying at a Department of Education public hearing on Monday.
She says she was misled by the for-profit University of Phoenix, racking up nearly $30,000 in student loan debt without realizing it.
Her loans were eventually forgiven, but only after intervention from the same Department of Education staffers now being dismantled.
Poitier said those cuts will leave future veterans vulnerable to scams that waste their GI Bill benefits and leave them saddled with debt.
“Education is a lifeline for those that are transitioning from service to civilian life, and we must, must, all of us, ensure that that pathway is protected, not just paved over. Because this isn’t just about policy. This is personal. You know, we’re individuals. We have lives. We fought for our country,” Poitier told News4JAX.
Advocates say oversight teams within the Education Department are often the last line of defense for student veteran and eliminating them could open the door for more abuse.
Poitier is testifying Monday in Washington, D.C. at 3:30 p.m.