For-Profits Lobby Congressional Democrats

The Miami Herald reports, http://tinyurl.com/2d86gpo, that several members of Congress have received campaign contributions from for-profit shcools and thieir lobbying gouprs -- and signed onto a letter urging the U.S. Department of Education to put the brakes on a the proposed gainful employment rule that will pose a major problem for for-profit schools that sell overpromise and underdeliver in the expensive programs they sell.   ProPublica has a similar story, http://tinyurl.com/2854tqk, about lobbying money flowing in to influence the gainful employment rule.  And here's another fine story on the same important subject:  http://tinyurl.com/2587d4n.

Diploma Mills Can Be Dangerous Business

This article out of Libya, http://tinyurl.com/2ed4ezt, powerfully demonstrates how serious diploma mill scammers can be about plying their trade. . .

For-Profit Industry Huddles In New Regulatory Environment

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports, http://tinyurl.com/28xfam5, that an annual investors conference for the for-profit education industry is attracitng great interest at a turbulent time for those in the business of making money from selling education and traiing programs to adults.  

The GAO Report and Video That Has Shaken The For-Profit School Industry

The August 2010 GAO report regarding deceptive practices in recruiting at for-profit schools has rocked the for-profit school world, and ushered in what  is a long-overdue new era of regulatory oversight over the industry.   The report and accompanying video are required reading (and viewing) for anyone concerned about the harm that for-profit schools cause by overpromising and underdelivering to adults seeking to better themselves through higher education:  http://tinyurl.com/364wvge.   If you have concerns about a specific for-profit college, contact The Googasian Firm, at degreefraud@googasian.com or visit www.stopdegreefraud.com.

Student Loan Defaults Rise - Especially At For-Profits

NPR reports, http://tinyurl.com/28d3aoz, that the default rate for student loan borrowers has increased -- especially at for-profit colleges that now enroll one out of every four of students borrowing money to pay for higher education.  The story reports,  "Put another way, students at for-profits are twice as likely to default as students at nonprofits. [Jame] Kvall [a deputy undersecretary at the Department of Education] says that's reason for concern. 'If there's a particular institution that's generating a large number of students who are defaulting, it does raise questions about whether that institution is giving students more debt than they can handle,.' Kvall."   If you have concerns about a for-profit school and its involvement in student-loan borrowing, contact The Googasian Firm, P.C. at degreefraud@googasian.com.

New Proposed Rule regarding "Gainful Employment" Precipitates Flood of Comments

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports, http://tinyurl.com/26ppqus, that a proposed new rule tying a school's federal student aid eligibility to a "gainful employment" metric has generated "tens of thousands" of comments to the Department of Education in opposition.  The tide of criticism no doubt arises from an orchestrated campaign by for-profit schools that for too long have tapped into federal student aid without any meaningful proof that the educational programs they sell lead to the successful and lucrative careers they promise.    The Department of Education is to be credited for trying to fix this problem, and the fight over the proposed rule should be closely watched.

If you have concerns about whether a for-profit school with which you are familiar actually creates opportunities for gainful employment for its graduates, share it with The Googasian Firm, P.C.   You can e-mail us at degreefraud@googasian.com.

GAO Investigation Reveals Deceptive Practices

According to a Chronicle of Higher Education report, http://tinyurl.com/2aqjuns, a forthcoming Government Accountability Office report reveals that an undercover investigation of for-profit colleges has revealed widespread improprieties in how prospective students are treated in the recruiting and financial aid process.

Such deceptive practices are, sadly, no surprise, but it is encouraging that public attention is being brought to these activities by the report and a hearing scheduled in the U.S. Senate.

If you wish to share concerns about deceptive practices at a school in which you have enrolled or worked, contact The Googasian Firm,P.C., www.googasian.com, to discuss.