ORLANDO, Fla., October 3, 2019 — The Let VETS Choose Tour by Veterans for Career Education (VCE), visited the Florida Technical College, Kissimmee campus to support veteran students who want to use their GI Bill® education benefits at any non-college degree program, such as those found at technical colleges.
Over 1,550 military veterans from multiple career education colleges and universities have joined VCE to protect their right to use their earned GI Bill® benefits at the school of their choice. VCE is an advocacy campaign founded by veterans and supported by Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), which aims to support and protect veterans’ choice of school, program, and career. According to VCE, new regulations in Washington, D.C. are threatening access for the post 9/11 G.I. Benefit to be used at career schools.
Currently, 203 veterans are using their benefits at Florida Technical College. Of those 203 students, 103 attend the Kissimmee campus.
“I myself am a veteran of the armed forces,” said Dr. James Michael Burkett, FTC president. “I was a non-traditional student and enrolled in college after I served my time with the Marine Corps. As a veteran, I understand the importance of having the liberty to choose where you’d like to get your education and whether that education is traditional or not.”
“The saying is true: there is strength in numbers,” said Kelley Blanchard, vice president of professional development at Career Education Colleges and Universities. “Having Florida Technical College as an ally will increase veterans’ visibility in Washington to help lawmakers realize that it’s every veteran’s right to choose where they get an education.”
After visiting the Kissimmee campus, the Let VETS Choose Tour will stop in Jacksonville, Florida; Smyrna, Georgia; Marietta, Georgia, and other cities.
Florida Technical College participates in many Veterans’ Educational Benefit programs. Veterans’ Education Benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a third-party provider.
Learn more about our military student benefits.
About FTC: Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, Florida Technical College is an academic unit of National University College (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267) 284-5000. The MSCHE is a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. FTC offers associate and bachelor’s degrees and diploma programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, and Cosmetology. FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, and Cutler Bay. Program availability varies by campus.
“‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”
