Grassley, Ernst Seek Clarification On Student Veterans' Program Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald on Friday seeking clarification and further information on the end of the VA’s funding of the Iowa Consortium of Veteran Excellence (ICOVE), a two-year pilot program partnership with the University of Iowa to assist veterans in their transition from servicemember to student.

In the letter, Senators Grassley and Ernst requested the following data and information:

Steps taken by the Department to ensure veterans who participated in the program maintain continuity of care and services through University of Iowa’s partnership with Iowa City VA.

• Metrics collected by the Department regarding ICOVE program performance.
• Specific requirements and components developed where two and four year postsecondary educational institutions could implement a similar program.
• Details on the combined efforts by the Department, the University, and other associated partners, to develop a program which could be implemented at other institutions.
• The efforts by the Department to make sure that the services funded by the intitial two year grant could potentially be sustained in the long-term.
• Any other potential sources of funds that might be available to sustain the services provided by ICOVE. 

Read the full letter here.

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