Don’t Let Veterans Pay the Price: Why Repealing the 90/10 Rule Betrays Our Heroes

As an Iraq War veteran with a master’s degree earned through the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill, I know the power of education. Those benefits were my path to a better future, and they fuel my belief in traditional education and trade schools, where veterans can use their hard-earned benefits to build practical, lasting careers. Today, I’m sounding the alarm on a provision in the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) that threatens to dismantle protections for veterans’ education benefits. The proposal to repeal the 90/10 rule, a safeguard that prevents for-profit colleges from exploiting our GI Bill benefits, feels like a betrayal. It risks leaving veterans vulnerable to predatory schools pushing worthless degrees, and it doesn’t align with President Trump’s “Veterans First” campaign promise.

The 90/10 Rule: A Shield for Veterans

The 90/10 rule isn’t red tape, it’s a lifeline. It caps for-profit colleges at 90% of their revenue from federal student aid, requiring at least 10% from private sources to prove their programs have real-world value. Before 2023, a loophole allowed these schools to count GI Bill and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance as non-federal funds, making veterans prime targets for shady recruiters. Those recruiters promised dream careers but often delivered degrees that employers dismissed. Closing that loophole was a hard-fought win, thanks to veterans’ groups who saw too many of us scammed. Repealing the 90/10 rule now, as the House bill proposes, would tear down that protection, inviting predatory schools back into our wallets.

Why This Hurts Veterans Like Me

I used my GI Bill benefits to earn my degree, and I believe in education done right: colleges that deliver, trade schools that teach real skills, and programs that respect the sacrifices behind our benefits. For-profit colleges, too many with a history of deception, have targeted veterans because our GI Bill benefits are a reliable cash stream. The result? Veterans drowning in debt, holding degrees or certificates that don’t open doors. The Congressional Budget Office estimates repealing 90/10 would cost $1.6 billion over 10 years, including $25 million in increased veterans’ education costs. That’s our money, siphoned off to schools that fail us. I’ve seen fellow veterans fall for these traps, soldiers who wanted better lives but got stuck with regret. We can’t let that happen again.

Trade Schools: A Better Path for Veterans

Instead of exposing veterans to predatory colleges, we should champion trade schools, where GI Bill benefits can build careers in fields like welding, electrical work, or HVAC. These programs offer hands-on training, respected certifications, and jobs that pay. My education gave me a foundation, but I know trade schools can be a game-changer for veterans seeking practical skills and stability. Repealing the 90/10 rule risks diverting veterans from these solid options to for-profit schools that prioritize profit over our futures. We deserve better, we deserve programs that honor our service with real opportunities.

Respectfully Calling Out the Misstep

President Trump, your “Veterans First” promise resonated with me. You’ve championed veterans’ care and opportunity, and I respect your commitment. But this repeal doesn’t add up. Allowing for-profit colleges to skirt accountability puts veterans at risk of exploitation. It’s not about questioning your intent, it’s about the impact on those of us who served. If we’re truly first, why gamble with our benefits on a policy that history proves will harm us? I believe you want what’s best for veterans, but this provision feels like a wrong turn, one that could erode the trust we’ve placed in you.

Find Your Representatives: Make Your Voice Heard

Your voice matters, and contacting your elected officials is the most effective way to protect the 90/10 rule. Use these resources to find your U.S. Senators and Representative and let them know veterans deserve better:

• U.S. Senate: Visit www.senate.gov. Use the “Find Your Senators” menu in the upper right corner, select your state, and click “Go.” You’ll find contact information, website links, and online contact forms for your senators.

• U.S. House of Representatives: Visit www.house.gov. Enter your ZIP code in the “Find Your Representative” search box in the upper right corner and click “Go.” If your ZIP code overlaps districts, enter your full address for accuracy. You’ll get your representative’s website, contact form, and local office details.

• General Lookup Tool: For a one-stop option, use www.usa.gov to find contact information for federal, state, and local officials by entering your address.

When you reach out, be clear: urge your representatives to keep the 90/10 rule in the final bill to protect veterans’ education benefits. Share your story as a veteran or ally to make it personal.

A Call to Action for Veterans and Allies

The Senate’s version of the bill, thanks to Senator Bill Cassidy and 32 veterans’ organizations, keeps the 90/10 rule intact for now. But the fight isn’t over. As veterans, we know how to hold the line. Here’s how we do it:

• Contact Your Senators and Representative: Use the resources above to reach out. Tell them to preserve the 90/10 rule. Share your story, make it real.

• Raise Your Voice: Use platforms like X to spread the word. Tag your representatives, let them know we’re watching.

• Stand with Our Own: Support groups like Veterans Education Success and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. They’re fighting for us.

My wife, Kari, and I run JKPrintsGifts in Arizona, pouring our hearts into products that honor veterans and promote resilience. We’ve built something real, just like you’re trying to build a better life with your benefits. Don’t let this repeal jeopardize that. Our education benefits, whether for college or trade school, are earned through sacrifice. Let’s protect them, together.

This isn’t about politics, it’s about doing right by those who served. President Trump, I’m asking you to stand by your “Veterans First” promise. Keep the 90/10 rule. Keep veterans protected.