Education
Disputes with for-profit education companies over the use of GI Bill® funds or related education loans.
Disability
Appeals regarding VA disability compensation claims and assistance accessing VA health care and treatment.
Discharge
Assistance applying for a correction of military records or a change of discharge characterization. Searchable Database of DOD Boards of Review Decisions
We represent veterans who find themselves in a dispute with a for-profit education company over the use of GI Bill® funds or related education loans. The Veterans Legal Clinic can help by providing free legal advice, identifying potential claims, and even representing veterans in litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution with for-profit education companies. Further, if you are considering a specific school, we can review enrollment agreements and explain in plain English what they mean. We can take legal steps to help you if you have been defrauded of your benefits or misled. We can sue people on your behalf or we can handle your case through alternative dispute resolution like arbitration. We also offer educational workshops to veterans’ organizations to help their members understand the legal language of the contracts they are considering.
We serve qualified veterans, reservists, active-duty personnel and family members.
Military sexual trauma (MST) includes sexual harassment, coercion, quid pro quo, and up to sexual assault. We specialize in advising and representing veterans who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma, or MST. Veterans who have experienced MST may quality for VA disability benefits for symptoms and conditions related to their MST. Some veterans may have been separated from the military because of their MST-related symptoms or conditions and may be eligible for a change of discharge characterization. For more information regarding MST, please see our catalogue of YouTube video tutorials or visit the VA’s website.
Some spouses and family members may be covered; call us and we will assess whether we are able to help.
This is a free service provided by the University of San Diego, School of Law Legal Clinics. We do not charge fees for legal services. We are grateful for the financial support of a family foundation interested in veterans’ education issues, which makes this free service possible.
No. You do not have to be a San Diego resident, but you do need to be a California resident or have a problem with a school located in California. It will be easier to proceed if you can personally meet with the law student intern and Supervising Attorney who will handle your case at the Veterans Legal Clinic. The Veterans Legal Clinic is located on the University of San Diego campus.
Sorry, but that is not what we do. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has counselors who will help you determine your benefits, but we will be happy to direct you to the people who can give you those answers.
We are happy to provide one-on-one advice on the legal language and commitments in any contract or other legal agreement you are considering. We can go through the contracts and their terms so that you can make an informed choice.
