March 15th, 2011
We’re no strangers to bad press about for-profit schools, covering everything from overly aggressive recruiting tactics to sky-high loan default rates. So I decided to poke my nose around the for-profits to find out how they’re faring these days.
Good News: For-Profit Campuses Reinstated
After placing Westwood College on probation in December for questionable recruiting practices and low graduation and job placement rates, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education has just reauthorized the for-profit school to operate in the state. But Colorado still has its eye on Westwood – it is requiring the career school to report any findings from its accreditors for the next three years. Also, in February, the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board lifted its ban on the for-profit school, now allowing Wisconsin students to enroll in Westwood College Online.
Not-So-Good News: For-Profit Campuses on Probation
The three Texas campuses of Westwood College (Houston South, Dallas, and Fort Worth) were placed on probation and fined $41,000 last year because of several violations, including high-pressure recruitment practices and failure to notify the Texas Workforce Commission of four pending lawsuits against the school. The Texas campuses have been operating under Conditional Certificates of Approval since December.
Bad News: No Funding for Veterans at These For-Profit Campuses
The spotlight’s not off Westwood yet. In December, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs withdrew tuition assistance from Westwood’s three Texas campuses for deceptive advertising and enrollment practices. Fall 2010 was the last semester students were eligible to use VA benefits at those campuses. The VA continues to keep an eye out for similar tactics at other for-profit schools, especially in light of the Government Accountability Office 2010 report revealing that 15 for-profit colleges have made deceptive statements about graduation rates and misrepresented graduates’ earnings potential, among other questionable practices.
Good News: More Funding for Veterans at Other For-Profit Colleges
On the other hand, a veterans’ benefits bill approved in December is throwing for-profits a bone. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 will provide a housing stipend to veterans taking college courses on campus and to vets who are schooling online. The law also expands benefits for veterans taking job-training and non-degree programs – the bread and butter of many for-profit schools. Most of the changes in the law will take effect in August.
Mixed News: For-Profit Schools Forced to Prove Themselves
Lest you think Westwood is the only for-profit under fire, consider the case of Everest College. Everest College Phoenix has until March 21 to prove itself to its accreditor, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Everest College Phoenix, which encompasses campuses in Phoenix, Mesa, and the school’s Online Division, has been on academic probation since 2009 because of concerns that the for-profit school does not have enough control over on-campus academics and operations and autonomy from its parent company, Corinthian Colleges. This past November, the campus was given an “Order to Show Cause,” requiring Everest to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be revoked. During the Show-Cause period, Everest College Phoenix does retain its accreditation.
For-profit schools can still be a great higher education choice, of course — just be sure to check the headlines before you enroll.
-Robyn Tellefsen
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