To the casual observer the Senate’s relentless scrutiny of the education business may seem like an anti-for-profit crusade. But for many that perception drastically changed on June 28 when PBS’s public affairs series, Frontline, featured a report titled, ‘Educating Sergeant Pantzke.’ The Frontline report told of the unfortunate impact that fraudulent admissions practices have on our returning servicemembers.
The PBS report has spurred an important discussion about the business of educating our veterans and the difficulty many returning servicemembers have when trying to use their education benefits to successfully transition back into the civilian workforce.
I recently sat down with staff members from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee to learn more about their research on a group of private sector colleges and universities known as “for-profit” schools. They shared research data and disturbing stories about the dishonest admissions practices they discovered at some for-profit schools and the harm being caused to our veterans.
In the light of stories like Sgt. Pantzke’s and the HELP committee’s research, it’s clear that there is good reason for vigilance. And, it also shows the need for veterans to educate themselves before they enroll in school.
One sure way veterans can avoid getting ripped off is to do their homework before they start college. There are several questions vets need to ask before they choose a school: Is the program’s cost fully covered by GI Bill and Military Tuition Assistance benefits; will previous college credits count toward the degree; will the degree be recognized by ALL accredited schools and professional associations? – the list goes on.
It is important to note that not all “for-profit” schools are guilty of dishonest admissions practices and many offer quality, flexible, accredited education and training programs that help veterans transition. In fact, for-profit schools have offered degrees and professional training programs that have helped millions of servicemembers and veterans since the advent of the GI Bill in 1942.
In the end, veterans have the right to expect honest answers from college admissions counselors at any school – whether for-profit or non-profit. And, veterans should also do the research to be sure they are being told the truth – “trust but verify.”
Read the Military Student Bill of Rights and check out the following articles that offer advice to help servicemembers and vets avoid getting ripped off:
My question is this, have you sat down with a for-profit school to discuss this with them? Ever visited one of the campuses? Talked to a graduate who never thought they had the chance until one of these colleges gave them the opportunity? One sided stories are just that, one sided. Sweeping an entire industry for the purpose of ensuring more government is in the middle of our lives (in other words pushing more people to public colleges and universities) is what Harkin and his pals are doing. Sounds a lot like healthcare to me.
State community colleges are not as "truthful" as you might think in their admissions depts. Statements like, "that school is not accredited" (even though it is a regionally accredited non-profit university) are made repeatedly. Other statements like "I can get you a big stipend if you attend the the state college because we charge less" is another repeated statement. Why would they burden a student with debt they do not need? Because their tuition is less?
Look, I believe their are individuals that do bad things at for-profits colleges, non-profit colleges and state colleges and universities. But that does not mean an entire college system (or industry) is corrupt, and for-profit colleges and universities have gone out of their way to help our military gain an education. If one group deserves the very best it is in fact our military!!
Yes I have. In fact I have spent a lot of time on this subject. That is why I wrote: "It is important to note that not all “for-profit” schools are guilty of dishonest admissions practices and many offer quality, flexible, accredited education and training programs that help veterans transition. In fact, for-profit schools have offered degrees and professional training programs that have helped millions of servicemembers and veterans since the advent of the GI Bill in 1942."
I personally know of the great things being done at many "for-profit" schools. But that does not change the fact that some schools (yes both private and public) are doing our veterans a disservice and that veterans need to be careful when enrolling.
Fair reply. I am glad you have been on the campuses. That goes to credibility. Thank you for that Terry.
The issue at hand is that the publics have far and away more issues and the scrutiny is almost non existent. Example, how many classes do students go to at traditional universities where the professor does not show, leaves class half way through, shows a movie etc. I can tell you from experience it happens all the time. If a for-profit were to do that ONE time they would be flogged for poor academic quality.
So I agree with you that issues are on all sides and ALL should be addressed. But where is the outcry for the lack of quality in public institutions, poor admissions practices and saddling students with debt (stipends) they don't need? Where are the articles for that (non speaking about you but general articles on the web or local papers etc.)?
Our Veterans need to be served well and that means at any type of college. They deserve it!!
Again, thank you for your response.
I think part of the problem is that many for-profit schools know that they do not provide degrees that meet the minimum education requirements for many jobs, but because they are able to jump through the hoops for regional accreditation, they can accept GI Bill payments. Accreditation is NOT an indicator of whether a school is of quality or not.
I go to a lot of VA Open Houses, and it is a very depressing that I am the only school there that is not a for-profit, and only one of the for-profits there is not considered a predatory for-profit school. I am also the least favorite person with those for-profits because I tell the attendees (after they have heard the sales pitch for the University of Phoenix and Kaplan) to start calling employers and asking if a degree from this school or that school would fulfill the minimum educational requirements for the job. I also tell them to call the state schools to ask if they will accept transfer credits. In the last 10 years, I have only seen one class transfer in.
The problem I have is that our veterans have worked too hard to waste (yes WASTE) their GI Bill on a "school" that most employers would never accept for the education requirements. Then, those students come to me at the public university and have no GI Bill and often they used the max for Pell Grants while at the for-profit and now have to take out loans for an education that they should already have.
I attended the Univ. of Phoenix for 6 months and transferred back to a public J.C. as the education at UoP, in my opinion, is a joke. Try walking up to an admissions office at a reputable graduate school and ask them how competitive a UoP degree is when applying for a masters and you'll likely be told "non-competitive".
Education is life. One starts the process as soon as he is born. As we get older, Americans can choose a portion of thier education, the rest of it is thrust upon us by circumstance and need. Happiness comes from the trip, not the destination.
The real problem is the loan default rate on goverment backed student loans associated with 'For Profit Schools"..something like 46%. Many of these students cannot find jobs after their education to be able to pay back the loans. Unfortunately the stock holders of the schools are smiling the whole time since their getting their money right? When the bottom drops out on this scam watch out, it's going make the mortage crisis look like cub scouts.