Over the past decade, several for-profit institutions have closed as regulations have tightened and a spotlight has been put on excessive student debt and little discernable results. However, many of these institutions still exist, offering promises that will lead to marketable skills and increased earnings.
“Too many postsecondary programs are saddling students with more debt than they can afford to repay or are leaving their graduates in low-wage jobs,” reads a fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Education. “The proposed Gainful Employment rule is essential for protecting underserved students who stand to gain the most from a postsecondary credential.”
Barmak Nassirian
“Non-traditional students, they very often are attempting the quickest way to gainful employment, to better jobs and better wages,” said Nassirian. “When you’re under that kind of duress, it is much easier to fall prey to misrepresentation and deceptive advertising and marketing practices. So, we see with the veterans population in particular that they are disproportionately preyed on.”
Exploitation of military-connected students
While the average student has federal loan limits, military veterans can take out more in federal loans, said Dr. Robert Kelchen, a professor and head of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
