The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a bit cumbersome, so the Department of Education tried to ease that burden by creating a tool that automatically filled in an applicant’s previous year’s tax information. That tool was suddenly taken offline last month over concerns about data security, and now we have some idea of how many applicants may have had their information exposed. [More]
financial aid
Cosmetology Schools Don’t Want To Be Held Accountable For Students’ Success
By 2.10.17 — Updated: 2.12.17
The Gainful Employment Rule, which requires that for-profit educators demonstrate that their graduates can pay their bills, has thus far weathered industry’s attempts to gut the rule. Now we’ll see if new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will defend this rule against a legal challenge brought by a beauty school trade group. [More]
If You Plan To Go To College Next Year, Fill Out Your FAFSA This Weekend
By 9.30.16
Each year high school graduates preparing for college leave billions of dollars on the table by failing to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A new initiative by the Department of Education aims to change that this year, by starting the process earlier and making it easier to fill out. So here’s your warning: FAFSA season starts Saturday. [More]
DeVry Education Group Will Limit How Much Federal Aid Its Schools Accept
By 9.20.16
The so-called 90/10 rule says that for-profit colleges can’t derive more than 90% of their revenue from federal financial aid. In the wake of the collapse of ITT Tech, which had to shutter after the government clamped down on its access to federal funds, the DeVry chain of for-profit schools says it will cap the amount of federal aid it receives at levels below what the rules require. [More]
Defunct Beauty School Settles Whistleblower Suit Accusing It Of Falsifying Records
By 5.5.16
Two months after abruptly closing its doors as a result of losing access to federal student financial aid, the for-profit Marinello Schools of Beauty has settled a whistleblower case that accused the school of engaging in various schemes to defraud the government of federal financial aid dollars. [More]
For-Profit Beauty School Chain Shuts Down Just Days After Losing Federal Funding
By 2.5.16
Just days after losing access to federal student financial aid because it allegedly falsified records and overcharged students, the for-profit Marinello Schools of Beauty has shuttered all of its campuses. [More]
Two For-Profit College Chains Lose Government Funding Over Misrepresentations, Inflated Job Placement Rates
By 2.2.16
If you hear a for-profit college touting its high job-placement rate, you’ve got good reason to be skeptical. Federal regulators have cut of government funding to two more for-profit education chains caught inflating placement stats.
[More]
College Financial Service Provider Higher One To Pay More Than $55M In Fines, Refunds For Misleading Students
By 12.23.15
Higher One, Inc. promises to help students reach their goal of achieving a degree by providing money management and refund services. But federal regulators say the company misled these students into paying improper fees, opening unneeded accounts through deceptive marketing tactics, and now it must pay $55 million in fines and restitution to harmed consumers. [More]
Feds Sue Scammers Who Charged For Bogus Student Financial Aid Assistance
By 10.29.15
Paying for college out of pocket is nearly impossible for millions of prospective students. Instead, these individuals turn to scholarships, grants, and student loans, often relying on financial service programs to assist them in obtaining the funds. But not all of the companies promising a helping hand are looking out for your best interests. That was apparently the case for a California company accused of ripping off tens of thousands of victims in a nationwide financial aid scam. [More]
Colleges Paying Sketchy Agents To Recruit Rich Foreign Students
By 10.1.15
With schools looking for ways to bolster their bottom lines without having to rely on federal funding, a growing number of colleges are paying recruiters to bring in well-heeled students from overseas — even though some of these agents have been caught trying to fake applicants’ transcripts. [More]
Billions In College Aid Will Go Unclaimed Again Because Students Won’t Fill Out A Stupid Form
By 5.5.15
Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Way back in December, we advised high school seniors who planned on attending college to not be stupid and go fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] form right away. Every year, billions of dollars in grant and loan money goes unclaimed because students and their parents never get around to filling out this paperwork, and it looks like the upcoming school year will be no different. [More]
U.S. Department Of Education Cuts Ties With Five Debt Collection Agencies To Protect Borrowers
By 3.2.15
Consumer advocates applauded the Department of Education’s announcement last week to end contracts with five private collection agencies that provided inaccurate information to borrowers. [More]
Glitch In FAFSA Form Changes Thousands Of Future College Students’ Financial Aid Offers
By 7.22.14
Federal financial aid is a vital part of funding many college careers; even the slightest mistake on a form could mean the difference between attending school and taking out costly private student loans. For thousands of prospective college students a glitch in this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form may have put their financial aid offers at risk. [More]
One University Saved Students $31M In Student Loans By Sending Them A Letter
By 7.3.14
“Know before you owe” took on a different meaning for students at Indiana University this year. A new initiative by the school resulted in students borrowing nearly $31 million less than in previous years. [More]
Colleges Tight-Lipped On Revealing How They Divvy Out Financial Aid
By 3.6.14
When choosing a college to attend most teens and their families shop around a little. With tuition skyrocketing, many consumers look at financial aid offered by universities as a top priority when considering which institution to attend. Even with regulations on the books requiring schools to outline how financial aid is distributed, families are finding it nearly impossible to estimate their child’s worth to a school. [More]
Federal Lawsuit Claims For-Profit College Group Misled Students, Falsified Documents
By 2.20.14
We’ve heard horror stories about some for-profit colleges from students: the false promise of gainful employment after completing a short program at the cost of thousands of dollars. Now come claims from former employees about alleged fraud carried out by officials at a for-profit college group thanks to a federal lawsuit. [More]
GAO: Changes Needed For Student Debit Cards Offered By Colleges, Universities
By 2.14.14
Going to college comes with a new set of responsibilities for students, and one of those responsibilities is being in charge of their own finances. What better way to impart a lesson in finances than giving them access to federal student aid on a prepaid debit card? As the use of such cards is growing in popularity at universities and colleges, advocates are calling for more oversight to their use. [More]
New Rules Could Hold Career Education Programs Accountable For Graduates’ Success
By 9.6.13
While college tuitions and student loan debt has skyrocketed, a number of institutions — especially for-profit schools — have been criticized for failing to provide sufficient education and guidance to students who are then stuck without jobs and without the ability to pay back student loans. Starting Monday morning, the Dept. of Education will begin hearing feedback on a recently drafted regulation that would hold schools accountable for the performance of their students in the real world. [More]
