This week, the Veterans Education Project (VEP) submitted a formal letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) outlining concerns over proposed postsecondary regulatory changes under the One Big Beautiful Act.
VEP supports the promotion of quality and accountability in higher education, but under the proposed framework, Master’s and professional degree programs would be subject to earnings metrics that fail to account for further licensing, state credentialing requirements, and other post-graduation factors that naturally suppress early-career income. As it currently stands, the OBB requires that the calculation for median earnings of graduates would start at enrollment instead of graduation, and therefore does not give enough time for their true earning potential to mature.
We are concerned by the impact these changes may have on these programs, many of which are essential pipelines into behavioral health, clinical care, and other veteran-supporting fields. These standards could lead to the closure of high-value programs that serve a vital role in preparing professionals to support the veteran community. This is particularly troubling at a time when demand for veteran care services, especially for mental health, continues to grow. Any policy that limits the supply of qualified professionals could further strain access to critical services.
VEP’s letter urges the HELP Committee to reconsider its proposed language and adjust the regulatory framework to account for the real-world career trajectories and licensing timelines associated with professional programs. Preserving access to these degrees is not only a matter of fairness. It is also essential to maintaining the infrastructure of care and support for veterans nationwide.
Read VEP’s full letter to the Senate HELP Committee
VEP remains actively engaged with lawmakers to ensure that any regulatory reforms support, rather than hinder, the ability of veterans and their families to pursue meaningful, affordable, and career-relevant education.
