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Education Department to Cancel $150M of Debt for Borrowers at Closed Schools | Politico Pro
The Education Department plans to expunge the federal student loans owed by thousands of borrowers whose education was interrupted by the closure of their college, carrying out an Obama-era policy that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had fought to stop. Department officials said Thursday that they will cancel the loans of about 15,000 borrowers who qualified for “closed school” loan discharges but who haven’t yet applied for that benefit. Those student loans total approximately $150 million.
Former ITT Tech Students Get $600M in Debt Relief from Bankruptcy Judge | Indianapolis Business Journal
While the bankruptcy fight over failed for-profit educator ITT Educational Services continues, the biggest group involved in the legal battle has scored a big victory. In late November, a federal bankruptcy judge in Indianapolis gave final approval to a $600 million settlement that will affect about 750,000 former students of ITT Technical Institute.
What Do Students Do When a For-Profit College Closes? | The Atlantic
Jasmine Lee had finally found something she was happy with and wanted to pursue. She had been working as a medical assistant at an orthopedic center, and she was enjoying it. But she wanted more. So she figured she should check out the certificate program at Virginia College in Birmingham, where she works.
Major For-Profit School Chain Closes, Leaving Tens of Thousands of Students Scrambling | The Hill
Thousands of students are reportedly left scrambling after Education Corp. of America (ECA), one of the country’s largest for-profit college chains, announced Wednesday that it would be abruptly closing more than 70 campuses across the United States.
Students Stunned After Major For-Profit College Chain Closes: 'They're Taking Our Dreams Away' | NBC News
Jasmin Cantú, a student at Brightwood College in Texas, said she was in the middle of taking a medical assistant certification exam Wednesday when a school official came into the classroom in tears, delivering a message Cantú never thought she would hear. The school was shutting down and the last day of classes would be Friday, she said.
Trump Administration Stymies Release of Salary, Loan Debt Data From Certain Colleges, Advocates Say | CNBC
At a recent conference on financial aid, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said that every school should help its students graduate with high-quality career prospects and little debt. Students should be equipped, she added, with information that allows them to be responsible consumers.
Major For-Profit College Chain Collapses, Leaving Students Scrambling | MarketWatch
A major for-profit college chain shut down Wednesday, leaving roughly 20,000 students scrambling to figure out their next steps. Education Corporation of America, the parent company of schools like Virginia College and Brightwood Career Institute, closed its doors after several months of financial turmoil due in large part to declining enrollment.
Major For-Profit College Chain Abruptly Announces Closure of Dozens of Schools | Associated Press
One of the nation's largest for-profit college chains announced Wednesday that it was abruptly closing in dozens of locations nationwide, after its accrediting agency suspended approval. Birmingham, Alabama-based Education Corp. of America said it was closing schools operating as Virginia College, Brightwood College, Brightwood Career Institute, Ecotech Institute and Golf Academy of America in more than 70 locations in 21 states.
For-Profit College Closes Operations, Surprising Students | Associated Press
One of the nation's largest for-profit college chains announced Wednesday that it was abruptly closing in dozens of locations nationwide, after its accrediting agency suspended approval. Birmingham, Alabama-based Education Corp. of America said it was closing schools operating as Virginia College, Brightwood College, Brightwood Career Institute, Ecotech Institute and Golf Academy of America in more than 70 locations in 21 states.
Student Loans Watchdog Who Quit Under Trump Plans Own Initiative | The Guardian
A former federal student loan watchdog who loudly quit his job this year has announced a new initiative to help solve the $1.5tn student debt crisis. Seth Frotman, the former student loan ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, will lead the Student Borrower Protection Center, which also will employ several of Frotman’s former colleagues at the federal bureau.