EXHIBIT 17(a)


                               FORM OF PROXY CARD

                         VAN KAMPEN HIGH YIELD FUND

                        SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

               PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES


    The undersigned holder of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Shares"), of VAN KAMPEN HIGH YIELD FUND, hereby appoints John L. Sullivan,
Elizabeth A. Nelson, Lou Anne McInnis and Elisa Mitchell, and each of them, with
full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the
undersigned at the Special Meeting of shareholders to be held at the offices of
Van Kampen Investments Inc., 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181,
on November 17, 2004 at 3:00 p.m., and any and all adjournments thereof (the
"Special Meeting"), and thereat to vote all Shares which the undersigned would
be entitled to vote, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, in accordance with the following instructions.

    If more than one of the proxies, or their substitutes, are present at the
Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly (or, if only one is
present and voting then that one) shall have authority and may exercise all
powers granted hereby. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in
accordance with the instructions marked hereon by the undersigned. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSAL DESCRIBED
HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                       
Account No.         No. of Shares            Class of Shares          Proxy No.

FOR       AGAINST     ABSTAIN    The proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization pursuant to
----      -------     -------    which Van Kampen High Yield Fund would (i) transfer all of its assets and
----      -------     -------    liabilities to Van Kampen High Income Corporate Bond Fund in exchange solely
                                 for Class A, B and C Shares of Van Kampen High Income Corporate Bond Fund,
                                 (ii) distribute such Class A, B and C Shares to its shareholders and (iii)
                                 be dissolved.
</Table>

    The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of
Special Meeting and Prospectus/Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting to be
held on November 17, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. Please sign this Proxy exactly as your
name or names appear on the books of Van Kampen High Yield Fund. When signing as
attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, custodian, guardian or corporate
officer, please give full title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should
sign.



--------------------------------             -------------------------------
Shareholder signature                        Date



----------------------------------           -------------------------------
Co-owner signature (if applicable)           Date