tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25315500651605249072024-03-13T12:33:18.842-04:00For Profit School WatchdogA blog by consumer class action attorneys at The Googasian Firm following the for-profit school industry.The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-87443448355497851422014-02-10T06:01:00.002-05:002014-02-10T06:01:48.237-05:00Survey of for-profit school students gives schools mixed resultsA new survey of for-profit school students, alumni and employers gives the schools mixed results, with about a third of alumni rating their programs to be "well worth it." The survey conducted by Public Agenda and financed by the Kresge Foundation <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lyrme9e">finds</a> that only thirty-seven percent of the alumni described their degrees as "well worth it," with thirty-two percent stating they "weren't really worth it" and another thirty percent stating it remains to be seen. The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-90148967926611204392014-01-31T05:22:00.001-05:002014-01-31T05:22:35.317-05:00Federal complaint system set up for veterans harmed by deceptive for-profit collegesA new system aimed at making it easier for veterans and military service members to file complaints regarding deceptive practices by for-profit colleges is up and running. As <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lddcsky">reported</a> in the Huffington Post, the new portals for complaints are the result of a collaboration involving the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission. Numerous investigations have revealed that for <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">profit colleges have engaged in widespread abuses of vets and military families.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">.</span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-72208712164422032562014-01-28T06:41:00.000-05:002014-01-28T06:41:35.585-05:00State attorneys general investigating major for-profit school businessesA coalition of attorneys general from at least 12 states is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lnx7hx8">investigating</a> major for-profit school companies, according to recent news reports. The investigation reportedly includes Education Management Corp., Corinthian Colleges, Career Education Corp, and ITT Tech. The Huffington Post reports that each company has filed disclosures with the Securities Exchange Commission regarding the investigation, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Each school said it was being probed by a group of 12-13 state AGs, with the AGs of Kentucky, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut each taking the lead on investigating one of the companies. All four companies said they intended to cooperate."</span> </span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-19585662713365619692014-01-26T09:46:00.001-05:002014-01-26T09:46:10.251-05:00Another for-profit school suddenly closesA California-based for-profit school suddenly closed recently, marking the latest example of students and faculty being blindsided by the shuttering of a school with accreditation and financial aid troubles.<br />
The Los Angeles Times <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ktsc9ll">reports</a> that Career Colleges of America abruptly closed on January 9, 2014, after more than 25 years of operation. Months earlier, the school had been notified by its accreditor that it was in danger of losing its accreditation due to budgeting and other fiscal issues.The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-52373073073298681332014-01-26T09:34:00.000-05:002014-01-26T09:34:02.451-05:00Federal agency investigates ITT and CorinthianThe newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating ITT Educational Services and Corinthian Colleges -- two of the nation's largest for-profit education companies.<br />
As reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the agency has informed ITT and Corinthian regarding its investigations, although the precise nature of the inquiries has not become public. A senior analyst for Wells Fargo Securities, according to the Chronicle, has written that ITT is most likely being investigated after disclosing that it expected more than 50 percent of its student borrowers to default on their private loans. The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-6578416859080478432014-01-26T09:20:00.000-05:002014-01-26T09:20:24.011-05:00Closing of American Career Institute prompts reform effortOne year after the sudden closing of American Career Institute, Massachusetts is considering reforms that seek to reduce deceptive practices and require greater accountability from for-profit colleges. As <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kpnztst">reported</a> by Masslive.com, the state is considering regulations sought by Attorney General Martha Coakley would "<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">would prohibit for-profit schools from aggressive sale tactics, such as repeated solicitations through phone calls and text messages, and require them to disclose their tuition and fees, placement statistics, and graduation rates in their advertising." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">ACI closed without learning in early 2013 i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">n Springfield, Cambridge, Braintree, Framingham and Woburn.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-79634751579854165562014-01-26T07:50:00.000-05:002014-01-26T07:57:05.077-05:00Federal judges finds against accrediting agency for revoking accreditation of massage schoolA federal judge has revoked an accreditor's decision to strip a massage school of its accreditation, finding that the decision by the accreditor was arbitrary and unreasonable. The decision by U.S. District Judge Liam O'Grady reversed the March 2012 actions of the Accreditation Alliance of Career Schools and Colleges to revoke the accreditation of the Professional Massage Training Center in Springfield, Missouri. The judge also awarded $429,000 in damages in favor of the school.The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-79770186869089292302014-01-26T07:31:00.000-05:002014-01-26T07:31:29.361-05:00Massachusetts officials seek closer scrutiny of for-profit scoolsThe Boston Globe <a href="http://tinyurl.com/k5m6u8h">reports</a> that two Massachusetts officials are taking steps to provide closer scrutiny of for-profit colleges, where students often find themselves taking on heavy student loan debts for subpar programs with limited job prospects and credit transfer opportunities.<br />
According to the report, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has introduced a "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">bill she said will protect student borrowers by requiring colleges to assume some of the risk of student loan default." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Meanwhile, the state's attorney general, Martha Coakley, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">is proposing new state regulations prohibiting for-profit and occupational schools from using misleading advertising and unfair lending practices."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If you have a concern about a for-profit school, contact the attorneys at The Googasian Firm, 1-877-540-8333.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-62311513246000966462013-12-02T05:28:00.002-05:002013-12-02T05:28:30.875-05:00Minnesota settles dispute over accreditation with for-profit collegeThe Chronicle of Higher Education <a href="http://tinyurl.com/otz79ys">reports</a> that the Minnesota attorney general has settled a dispute with Herzing University relating to lack of accreditation over the for-profit school's associate degree program in clinical medical assisting. According to the Chronicle, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Heuristica, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Under the settlement, Herzing must disclose to students the accreditation status of programs it offers in the state, including in advertisements and on its website. The settlement also offers students who enrolled in the unaccredited program options for obtaining certain types of refunds."</span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-29910705267085821592013-08-21T05:38:00.003-04:002013-08-21T05:38:52.269-04:00NY Attorney General Secures $10.25 million settlement with Career Education Corp.New York's attorney general has entered into a $10.25 million settlement with one of the nation's largest for-profit school corporations after a two-year investigation into allegations of inflated job placement statistics and other misconduct relating to enrolling students. Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that the settlement with Illinois-based Career Education Corporation "resolves <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">an investigation that revealed that in disclosures made to students, accreditors, and New York State, CEC significantly inflated its graduates’ job placement rates. CEC will pay $9.25 million in restitution to students, a $1 million penalty, and has agreed to substantial changes in how the company calculates and verifies placement rates." According to the attorney general's office, its investigation revealed that CEC inflated job placement statistics from at least 2009 through the spring of 2011." CEC operates schools that enroll about 75,000 students nationwide, including the Sanford-Brown Institute, American InterContinental University, and Colorado Technical University.</span></span>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-12285011131583650172013-08-09T07:14:00.001-04:002013-08-09T07:15:41.012-04:00Accreditor reportedly will allow Ivy Bridge students to continue at Tiffin UniversityThe Chronicle of Higher Education <a href="http://tinyurl.com/m5ceqoy">reports</a> that the Higher Learning Commission has indicated that current students in Ivy Bridge College associate degree programs can now continue their studies at Tiffin University.<br />
Tiffin was ordered last month to discontinue Ivy Bridge College, its joint venture with a for-profit education company called Altius Education. The Chronicle writes, "Tiffin can continue offering the program to enrolled students, but 'we just can't do it through this business relationship with Alitus,' said Paul Marion, Tiffin's president, in an interview on Thursday." According to the Chronicle, the teach-out plan at Tiffin is subject to the Higher Learning Commission's approval.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-38784937074800220422013-08-06T20:32:00.000-04:002013-08-06T20:33:24.762-04:00Ivy Bridge College Suddenly Announces ClosingThousands of students pursuing associate's degrees through Tiffin University's Ivy Bridge College unit are reeling in the wake of the sudden announcement that Ivy Bridge will be closing in October. Tiffin announced on August 1 via a post on Facebook that would be discontinuing its degree programs effective October 20. The Toledo Blade <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kyq6ttp">reports</a> that the sudden announcement regarding closure comes after Tiffin withdrew a proposal for accreditation for its Ivy Bridge programs made to The Higher Learning Commission after it became clear that it would not be supported by the accrediting body. The forthcoming closure may affect thousands of students pursuing online programs, many of whom have incurred tens of thousands of dollars in debt.<br />
The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan-based firm that has represented thousands of students in class actions arising from school closings, is investigating the developments at Tiffin and Ivy Bridge. If you have concerns that you wish to share with The Googasian Frim, please call 1-877-540-8333 or send an e-mail to contact@googasian.com.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-3891007495574247052013-05-13T06:19:00.000-04:002013-05-13T06:19:18.048-04:00Massachusetts investigates University of PhoenixMassachusetts is investigating University of Phoenix, demanding that the nation's largest for-profit college provide the state's attorney general with data regarding its recruiting and financing practices. Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley, according to <a href="http://tinyurl.com/blh6xau">the Boston Globe</a>, is investigating whether for-profit colleges use unfair or deceptive practices in the recruitment of students and the financing of their educations. University of Phoenix's owner, Apollo Group, has disclosed that that is has been asked for nine years' worth of detailed information about its Massachusetts operations. Massachusetts also is investigating Kaplan Career Institute in Boston, which is owned by The Washington Post Co., and the Everest Institute campuses in Brighton and Chelsea, which are owned by Corinthian Colleges, Inc.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-19363310499416569052013-04-08T09:27:00.000-04:002013-04-08T09:27:41.671-04:00Massachusetts sues for-profit school, alleging false promisesMassachusetts is taking action against a for-profit vocational school, alleging that it falsely promised to train its students for well-paying jobs in the medical field with misleading job placement statistics. The Boston Globe <a href="http://tinyurl.com/bnmz8hk">reports</a> that Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley's office has sued Sullivan & Cogliano Training Centers, Inc., contending that advertisements of a 70 percent to 100 percent placement rate were false, with many graduates actually working in fast food jobs.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-12522765793195122342013-04-05T17:42:00.000-04:002013-04-05T17:42:04.155-04:00NYC Officials Seeks Data From DeVry, Career Education Corp.The Chronicle of Higher Education <a href="http://tinyurl.com/bqhwjc2">reports</a> that New York City Comptroller John C. Liu is calling upon DeVry, Inc. and Career Education Corporation to disclose students' loan-repayment rates and debt-to-income ratios. These statistics are tied to one of the most widespread problems in the for-profit school industry: gainful employment among graduates. The Comptroller's request to two of the nation's largest for-profit schools was made via shareholder resolutions. The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-2581016913401542642013-01-14T06:28:00.000-05:002013-01-14T06:28:13.723-05:00American Career Institute Suddenly ClosesHundreds of adults enrolled in job-training programs at American Career Institute are reeling following the sudden closing of the school.<br />
The school's campuses in Massachusetts and Maryland closed without warning, leaving students without immediate recourse for completion of programs for which they had paid substantial tuition and devoted considerable time.<br />
Media <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cah2bdz">reports</a> have suggested that administrators at the ACI had notice for a period of weeks regarding financial problems at the Springfield-based company, but students appear to have been kept in the dark.<br />
Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a law firm that has represented thousands of students affected by improper actions by for-profit schools around the country, is investigating. If you have a concern or question about ACI's closing, feel free to call 1-877-540-8333 or contact@googasian.com.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-27167114043281359732013-01-06T12:35:00.000-05:002013-01-06T12:35:39.711-05:00South University whistleblower criticizes school's recruiting tacticsA former admissions official at South University asserts that recruiters at the school are encouraged to say whatever it takes to convince students to enroll.<br />
Jason Sobek, former associate director of admissions for South University, told an <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a52lboa">investigative news team</a> that he also was trained to target low-income students, single mothers, and even women staying at women's shelters.<br />
According to an "I Team" report by a Florida television news station, Mr. Sobek is claiming that the South Univesrity's parent company, Education Management Corporation, "is involved in lying to students and defrauding taxpayers." In addition to South University, EDMC operates Argosy University, Brown Mackie College, and the Art Institutes. EDMC denies Mr. Sobek's allegations.<br />
Florida's attorney general is reportedly investigating EDMC-operated Argosy University for alleged unfair and deceptive practices.The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-86824236114189577582013-01-02T06:32:00.000-05:002013-01-02T06:32:00.526-05:00Butler, Sawyer Schools Suddenly Close in ConnecticutThree Connecticut business schools have suddenly closed, leaving more than 1,000 students with significant student loan debt stunned and looking for answers.<br />
Published <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ajpo2wj">reports</a> in recent days have described the sudden closing of Butler Business School in Bridgeport and the Sawyer Schools in Hamden and Hartford that have affected 1,200 students. A state law requires at least 60 days notice prior to the closing of a school, and news reports indicate that this law may have been violated by Butler and Sawyer.<br />
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Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan law firm that pursues claims against post-secondary schools on behalf of current and former students, are investigating the closure on behalf of students. The Googasian Firm served as class counsel for students in a class action filed against Clayton College of Natural Health, Inc<a href="http://forprofitschoolwatchdog.net/concern.htm">.</a>. after that natural wellness school suddenly closed in July 2010. The firm also represents a class of students affected by accreditation issues and the closing at the Palm Beach Institute of Technology.<br />
If you have concerns about these closings that you wish to share with an attorney at The Googasian Firm, please call 1-877-540-8333.<br />
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<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-53267215900453696212012-12-04T09:52:00.000-05:002012-12-04T13:21:20.957-05:00Closure of Global College of Natural Medicine InvestigatedGlobal College of Natural Medicine abruptly closed on November 30, 2012, leaving thousands of students without any clear recourse for completion of their studies or return of tuition entrusted to the school. The California-based distance education school cited an inability to renew its license as a basis for the closing. <br />
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Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan law firm that pursues claims against post-secondary schools on behalf of current and former students, are investigating the closure on behalf of students. The Googasian Firm served as class counsel for students in a class action filed against Clayton College of Natural Health, Inc. after that natural wellness school suddenly closed in July 2010.<br />
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If you have concerns about GCNM's closing that you wish to share with an attorney at The Googasian Firm, please call 1-877-540-8333, or fill out a concern form <a href="http://forprofitschoolwatchdog.net/concern.htm">here.</a>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-42465941102014110362012-08-13T09:11:00.000-04:002012-08-13T09:11:10.493-04:00DACC Nursing Program Loses AccredtiationThe Las Cruces Sun-News <a href="http://tinyurl.com/9j85rne">reports</a> that Dona Ana Community College in New Mexico was denied accreditation for its nursing program, leaving many students "worried and scrambling to find out what the loss means for their academic and professional careers."<br />
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According to the Sun-News, the Georgia-based National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission announced last week on its website that it had denied accreditation for DACC's associate-degree granting program. Graduation from an accredited nursing program typically is a pre-requisite for many certifications and hiring. DACC has told students that, despite the failure to obtain accreditation, they remain eligible to take a national licensure exam. <br />
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Loss of accreditation is a recurring issue in post-secondary education. The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan-based law firm that has represented thousands of college students across the country in multiple class actions arising from acts by schools that have harmed students, recently filed a class action on behalf of out-of-state students affected by the Higher Learning Commission's recent actions to revoke accreditation for Mountain State University in West Virginia. The firm also is investigating the developments with regard to accreditation at DACC's nursing program. If you have questions or concerns about DACC's failure to obtain accreditation, you may share those concerns with attorneys at The Googasian Firm by sending an e-mail to contact@googasian.com or calling 1-877-540-8333.<br />
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<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-17232748521660613692012-08-12T14:32:00.000-04:002012-08-12T14:33:18.587-04:00West Virginia Board Seeks Oversight Of Private CollegesThe Associated Press is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cnarhb5">reporting</a> that the State of West Virginia is seeking expanded authority over private and for-profit colleges,<br />
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The need for expanded regulation by state governments is increasingly seen as a needed response to rampant problems in for-profit and private school education.<br />
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West Virginia's Higher Education Policy Commission reportedly has approved a rule that would require information from every state private college on student retention rates, transfers, licensure pass rates and loan default results. The new rule must be approved by the state Legislature.<br />
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The new rule would expand the authority of the commission, which currently only monitors 12 public and private colleges and universities.<br />
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This effort to expand oversight in West Virginia comes in the wake of the Higher Learning Commission acting to revoke Beckley-based Mountain State University's accreditation in June 2012. <br />
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Paul Hill, the chancellor of the state Commission seeking the new authority, told the Associated Press, "Some think we're over-regulating. But with the unfortunate situation we've seen with Mountain State University, we see what can happen without oversight."<br />
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Two federal class actions against Mountain State University have been commenced following the accrediting agency's action to revoke the school's accreditation. For additional information on the these lawsuits, go to <a href="http://www.mountainstatelawsuits.com/">www.mountainstatelawsuits.com</a> or send an e-mail to mountainstate@googasian.com.<br />
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<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-89834796133600971112012-07-30T18:12:00.000-04:002012-07-30T18:12:14.250-04:00Senate Report Blasts For-Profit CollegesA two-year investigation by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has culminated in a scathing report on for-profit colleges, finding that these institutions too frequently put revenues above education to the detriment of students charged high tuition and saddled with student loan debt.<br />
According to one <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cyehttb">story</a> in the Associated Press, the report from a committee chaired by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Ia.) found that, "While students are aggressively recruited, they drop out in high numbers without the degree or certificate initially sought . . . [The report] found that 54 percent of students enrolled in 2008-2009 left without a degree or certificate by mid-2010. When two-year associate degree programs were studied, 63 percent left without a degree."The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-57469065870634344932012-07-24T19:18:00.000-04:002012-07-24T19:18:24.140-04:00DeVry Slashes Jobs and Loses Share ValueDeVry, one of the nation's largest for-profit education companies, is facing hard times.<br />
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The Downers Grove, Illinois-based company -- the parent of DeVry University and other sellers of education to adults -- announced this week that it plans to cut 570 jobs, or 5.5 percent of its total workforce, amid declining enrollment.<br />
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According to Bloomberg News, DeVry shares also lost more than a quarter of their value in early trading on July 24.<br />
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Bloomberg News also quoted an industry analyst stating that "DeVry's competitors were faster to adjust to new scrutiny of student-recruitment practices."The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-60601784548430108002012-07-24T19:06:00.000-04:002012-07-24T19:06:04.913-04:00Virginia Union Warned By Accrediting BodyThe Associate Press reports that Virginia Union University has received a warning from its accrediting body due to reported failure to comply with certain financial standards.<br />
According to the AP, the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges has identified deficiencies in the Richmond-based university's control over its financial resources, as well as its control over externally funded programs and research. Importantly, the accrediting body also faulted Virginia Union for failure to comply with federal Title IV student financial aid requirements.<br />
The commission is scheduled to review Virginia Union's accreditation in December.<br />
Another university, Mountain State University, based in Beckley, West Virginia, lost its accreditation earlier this month.<br />
If you have have concerns about accreditation issues at Virginia Union or Mountain State, you may share these concerns with attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., which has represented thousands of students in class actions against colleges and technical schools throughout the United States, at <a href="mailto:contact@googasian.com">contact@googasian.com</a>.<br />
<br />The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531550065160524907.post-35296604300924877812012-07-10T18:34:00.001-04:002012-07-10T18:35:04.624-04:00Higher Learning Commission withdrawing accreditation of Mountain State UniversityMountain State University, a university based in Beckley, West Virginia with online offerings across the country, has learned that its general accreditation body is withdrawing the school's accreditation.<br />
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As <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7uufr5f">reported</a> in the Register-Herald newspaper, Mountain State is facing loss of its general accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission on August 27. The decision by HLC follows a year-long review that resulted in a notice by the accrediting body faulting the university in areas including "lack of integrity, resources and administrative leadership." </div>
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The HLC is requiring Mountain State to file a teach-out plan with the commission by July 23 and students must be notified of their options by July 31. Mountain State has <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cpwnvnf">announced</a> plans to appeal the decision to withdraw accreditation. Mountain State would keep its accreditation during any appeal process, according to published reports.</div>
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Separately, The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan-based law firm that has pursued claims on behalf of thousands of students harmed by school closings and deceptive practices by institutions of higher education, is investigating the impact of these developments on current students. If you have a concern that you wish to share with a Googasian Firm attorney, call 1-877-540-8333 or contact@googasian.com.</div>
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<br /></div>The Googasian Firm, P.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14697111463089015122noreply@blogger.com0