Chart from FinAid.Org

Who has the highest level of educational debt?  Not the “for-profit” schools.

What is the saying?  A picture speaks a thousand words?

National Congress of Black Women Support For-Profit Colleges

And speak out against the Gainful Employment proposal. Here’s Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women:

Statistics show that for-profit colleges educate 13 percent more women and nearly 50 percent more minorities compared with public colleges. For-profit colleges have also welcomed non-traditional students, such as adults who cannot afford to drop their jobs or commute long distances to attend a community college. Career colleges offer unique flexible course schedules and online classes to meet the needs of adult learners – for instance, 30 percent of students at for-profit colleges are single parents, a much higher percentage than other schools.

Moreover, career colleges produce students who are immediately ready to enter the workforce in high-demand fields such as health care and computer/data processing, which are creating an estimated 1.8 million new jobs through 2016. And for-profit colleges boast a graduation rate nearly 20 percent higher than community colleges.

Critics also complain that career colleges make money from federal financial aid. But career colleges are better stewards of that money compared with their public and not-for-profit counterparts. Taxpayers receive a 9% return on each dollar per community college graduate and 18% per career college graduate. The typical career college student costs $7,000 less per year to educate compared with community college students. Moreover, students at the largest for-profit career institutions have loan-repayment rates virtually identical to those of community college students.

President Obama will have to overcome great obstacles if he wants to achieve his goal of graduating five million additional college students by 2020. However, the Department of Education must realize that for-profit colleges are part of the solution, not part of the problem.



Great Comment!

A lot of people will have to forfeit their right to a higher education because of this “Gainful Employment” act. The President and congressmen are stating and campaigning on how “we” as Americans need to continue our higher education, enroll in universities and colleges so that we can get high paying jobs and stimulate the economy. Well the only problem with that, is that we can’t afford to attend these colleges, nor do we have the time to attend these major universities that ultimately require you to attend school during the day. Granted some colleges have evening courses but not all of them. And beyond the financial aid you still have to come out of pocket for a lot of things that are needed to attend those universities, like books, supplies, meals, parking, lab materials, etc… The only thing that low income families can afford are (“second rate”how some senators like to label it ) career colleges.

About half of the people in this supposedly great nation are considered low income. The only thing they are accomplishing by enacting this new law/rule is taking away the last bit of hope that these (“lower income”) people (like myself) had for themselves as well as their children. For most, this is the only way to better their children’s lives, to one day be above the lower income stigma and to not have to struggle or even worry about whether or not they’ll be able to make ends meet. The only thing the government will be stimulating is the continuation of a vicious cycle that will keep the rich people rich and poor people poor.

National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Launches Initiative on Higher Education

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), today launched its web-based center on Higher Education. NHCSL’s creation of this initiative was fueled by its desire to closely follow for the Department of Education’s proposed gainful employment rule, a rule that NHCSL believes should be re-examined for unintended consequences before implementation. The website, meant to provide a central platform for updates on current issues surrounding access to higher education, will act as a portal for information, news and other resources.

“The Department of Education’s gainful employment rule and its impact on our student’s ability to continue to pursue higher education is concerning. Out of this concern, we have created an online center, where concerned individuals can learn more about the proposed rule and its potential impacts,” Illinois State Senator Iris Y. Martinez said. “It is our hope that the Department of Education will re-examine the rule and the impact it may have on the Hispanic community.”

NHCSL’s Initiative on Higher Education website explains the importance of access for Hispanic students and weighs in on various higher education issues that affect the Hispanic community. Additionally, the website asks visitors to “speak out” and tell the Department of Education how they feel about the proposed gainful employment rule by filing a comment in the public docket.

“We are not alone in our concern about the proposed rule. Many groups and individuals have already made their voices heard and we encourage more to do the same. NHCSL believes that the Department of Education’s rule may be overbroad, a one-size-fits-all solution to the student debt issue that may harm already vulnerable students,” Senator Martinez said. “We hope that our comments will encourage the Department of Education to take another look and further study the rule for unintended consequences.”

To learn more about NHCSL’s Higher Education Initiative, visit http://higheredu.nhcsl.org/.

About NHCSL

The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 300 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit http://www.nhcsl.org.

Source: National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

Student Success Story #4

As alumni from four separate colleges and having been employed by a career college for the past 6 ½ years I have a unique and valuable perspective. At age 15 I started at the University of Saint Thomas, a private four year college, then transferred to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, a public 4 year college, then enrolled at High-Tech Institute – Minnesota (now Anthem), a career college. Later on I went back and completed an online program with Anthem College Online. Each of these schools provided enrichment in my education and all of them have helped to some degree in my professional life. For someone in their early 30’s I’ve had a successful life in the private sector, public sector and within education. I’ve also held 3 different public offices at levels in my community, metropolitan area around Minneapolis / Saint Paul and at the state level. The education I received at Anthem College granted me an opportunity to enter the workforce in the field of radiology where I quickly rose to a management level. About 6 years ago I came back to the career college where I’ve worked in a variety of roles as an instructor, externship evaluator and coordinator, and currently am employed as a career services advisor. None of this would have been possible without the career college education I had received. The position I currently hold as a career advisor helping people find work can be one of the most rewarding positions. What is rewarding is watching someone for the first time in their life entering a profession or career rather than a job; someone that was homeless while in school finally reach the point of receiving their first paycheck; having a graduate I taught in a classroom several years ago call and let me know they received a promotion to be a clinic manager. Career colleges, like Anthem, work toward the end goal of having that graduate gain employment in their field of study and advisors like me work to no end to make certain that opportunities are presented to a prepared graduate. I mentioned earlier about holding public office and noted that for a reason. I did so because I also understand what politics is about. It is sad that this proposed policy from our president is more about politics and not people. This policy will destroy all career colleges under a cover of regulation that only has isolated instances of abuse. The president has a history of supporting public institutions over private institutions on this topic and others. What he fails to realize is that it is not necessary to destroy career colleges as a whole that are doing great things for our citizens, often the poorest in our country. Those are the same citizens that we need to have in the workforce to bring this nation to the great place we all want it to be. Career colleges help them reach these goals and dreams. Career colleges often provide the foundation to the healthcare industry. Without medical assistants, x-ray technicians, surgical technicians, medical billing coders and other allied health professionals our physicians wouldn’t be able to handle the number of patients they have today. The federal bureau of labor and statistics sites dramatic shortfalls of staff in all these areas in the coming future with baby boomers retiring and not enough people to replace their positions and the expected growth with their healthcare needs. We need our leaders to find ways to guide people into these fields and reward schools that are bringing highly qualified staff into these positions rather than build barricades. Should this policy see the light of day I will be fortunate enough to find employment with the diverse and extensive background I have. I am doubtful of finding opportunity to directly see success for so many as I am fortunate enough to see today and am even sadder for those who would be stripped of ever reaching their American dream.

Eric L, Anthem College Graduate