Two Florida-based New Horizons Computer Learning Center franchises, along with their owner, have agreed to cough up $1.35 million in a settlement over allegations of improperly handling funds linked to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. These franchises, operated by LTJ Group V, LLC, and Innovak of Florida, Inc., were accused of not playing by the rules when it came to reporting tuition waivers for veterans and doling out prohibited incentive payments to rope in student enrollments.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 better known simply as the GI Bill is designed to financially back the educational pursuits of military service members, veterans, and their families. The longer a service member's time in uniform, the meatier the benefits they're entitled to receive. Institutions participating in this funding program are strictly forbidden to fail to report any offered tuition cuts for vets getting less than a full ride. They also need to steer clear from offering any sweeteners like commissions or bonuses linked to virtually any degree to enrollment figures, according to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement, the New Horizons franchises in Tampa and Orlando are said to have done just that between 2017 and 2021.
The agreement to settle pulls the curtain down on the legal drama titled United States v. Robert J. Remington, et al., Case No. 8:24-cv-511-TPB-UAM in the court dockets. However, it's worth noting that as part of the deal, there has been no official admission of wrongdoing or legal determination of liability these remain, at the end of the day, allegations.
