The Kept-Up Academic Librarian

For-Profit IHEs Reaping Benefits Of Stimulus Pell Grants

Students aren't the only ones benefiting from the billions of new dollars Washington is spending on college aid for the poor. An Associated Press analysis shows surging proportions of both low-income students and the recently boosted government money that follows them are ending up at for-profit schools, from local career colleges to giant publicly traded chains such as the University of Phoenix, Kaplan and Devry. Last year, the five institutions that received the most federal Pell Grant dollars were all for-profit colleges, collecting over $1 billion among them. critics say the increased federal aid has unleashed a new gold rush. They complain the industry has too many incentives simply to enroll students and tap the spigot from Washington -- and not enough to make sure students succeed. Read more at:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Impact-Forprofit-colleges-apf-2337380661.html?x=0&.v=2&.pf=college-education&mod=pf-college-education

New Allegations Of Enrollment Abuse At Phoenix

After federal regulators accused the University of Phoenix of systematic enrollment abuses in 2004, the school's parent company paid out nearly $10 million to resolve the allegations. Phoenix allegedly had broken the law by tying recruiters' pay to enrollment numbers, But some of the school's recruiters have continued to use high-pressure, deceptive tactics, according to a dozen current and former students and two former recruiters who spoke to ProPublica and Marketplace as part of a joint investigation. The students said Phoenix counselors misled them about whether credits would transfer to other schools, pretended to befriend them and lied about financial aid. Read more at:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/11/university-phoenix-allegations-enrollment-abuses-persist

For-Profit IHEs Boost Lending To Keep Their Enrollments Up

Some of the nation's biggest for-profit colleges and vocational schools are boosting enrollment in tough times by making more loans directly to cash-strapped students, knowing full well many of them probably won't be able to repay what they borrowed. The schools still make money because the practice boosts their enrollment and brings in tuition dollars subsidized by the government. But some of these students could end up saddled with high interest rates and loan payments they can't handle, a burden that could damage their credit for years to come. Many students at these schools get thousands of dollars in tuition grants under various government programs, and take out loans to cover the rest of their costs. Read more at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jIG5mH12naq8kNtEdid-YP5owSZgD9A2QVHO0

Enrollments At For-Profits Increase In Reaction To Recession

Tough economic times have more students attending private for-profit institutions teaching everything from auto repair to business administration, and now more of those students are borrowing money for that education. A recent report from the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Schools Association shows an increase in students getting loans last year, with almost 90 percent of those at for-profit schools borrowing. Another major factor behind the growing number of students borrowing is increased enrollment, he added. People are going back to school to further their education while they weather the recession. Read more at:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090730/NEWS04/907300329/1018

U Of Phoenix Looking To Change Its Image

The University of Phoenix has been on my mind lately. That’s probably not surprising, what with the prominent television commercials the for-profit school have been airing. The commercials show a diverse group of students talking about their obstacles in life and experiences with school. These students are helping to dispel the confusion over what University of Phoenix is all about, reflecting what it truly is, a cause-driven institution, attending to the needs of working learners. As such, our intent is, though marketing, to advise and assure all who desire a higher education that the means to obtain it is within reach. Now that I think about it, I wonder if this campaign to dispel myths was related to the phone calls and emails I got last month from a public relations firm asking me if I was interested in meeting with Pepicello, the University's President. Read more at:
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-grade/higher-education/2009/07/university-of-phoenix-aims-to-dispel-myths/

Don't Pick On For-Profit IHEs

Democrats have promised to make college education another taxpayer-financed entitlement, but some post-secondary schools appear to be more favored than others. Specifically, for-profit institutions are becoming political targets, notwithstanding their generally strong educational record.  Often called career colleges, for-profit schools don’t rank with the Ivies for prestige. But schools like Devry or Kaplan that specialize in computer technology, physical therapy and other tangible skills provide a valuable service in training young and even not-so-young people to compete in our information economy. Read more at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574299992289841598.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

For-Profit Higher Education Grows In The Recession

Apollo Group Inc.'s strong third-quarter results and student enrollments outlook helped boost shares of other for-profit education providers. Total student enrollments at the company, which operates the University of Phoenix and other institutions, grew 22 percent to 420,700 in the three months ended May 31, while new enrollments were up 23 percent to 87,500, beating expectations. Rising unemployment has been a boon to the sector, as Americans struggle to improve their resumes in a competitive hiring environment. Read more at:
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/06/30/sector_snap_for_profit_education/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Education+news

For-Profits Looking To Get Their Share Of Stimulus Dollars

President Barack Obama's stimulus package directs billions in new funding to higher education. Poised to cash in on the largesse are a group of large for-profit universities that specialize in scooping up student aid dollars. Some of the schools, known for aggressive recruiting, are increasing advertising and seeing enrollments rise. But are these education businesses appropriate beneficiaries of fresh taxpayer generosity? For years skeptics have raised questions about the schools' marketing tactics, graduation rates, and quality of education.

For-Profit University Begins A Large Media Campaign

An online educator is presenting itself to potential students as “a different kind of university.” The school is Kaplan University. A campaign for Kaplan University, which began last week, carries the theme “A different school of thought” and suggests that learning online is a way to develop talent that could otherwise go to waste. The campaign is the first national, multimedia effort for Kaplan University. The campaign arrives as the popularity of distance learning for adults, through online universities and colleges, continues to grow. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/business/media/12adnewsletter1.html

University Of Phoenix Expects Better Performance In Economic Downturn

As the economy slows, more people tend to enroll in school, which should have a positive impact on education services providers. Apollo, which provides higher education programs for working adults, is one of the few firms spared in the economic crisis. Chas Edelstein, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo said, "Our flagship University of Phoenix contributed significantly to our results, and we are very pleased with the continued growth in bachelor degree seeking students, which is an important market for us." Read more at: http://www.rttnews.com/Content/TopStories.aspx?Node=B1&Id=820050&Category=Top%20Stories