For-profit colleges getting more GI Bill dollars

A growing proportion of military veterans tapping into benefits from the new GI Bill are using them at for-profit colleges, according to a report from Senate critics of the industry.

The large, national for-profit college chains like University of Phoenix and DeVry have been particularly successful in attracting veterans and the substantial tuition dollars the government pays on their behalf.

For-profit education companies account for eight of the 10 largest recipients of government funds under the new Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, and each of the eight collected more than twice as much in 2010-2011 as the year before.

The figures were released by the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions ahead of a hearing on Thursday afternoon on improving educational outcomes for military personnel.