News
STATEMENT on Department of Education Fining Grand Canyon University $37M for Misrepresenting Online Graduate Programs
Today, the Department of Education announced a $37.7 million fine against Grand Canyon University (GCU) for lying to more than 7,500 former and current students over several years about the cost of its doctoral programs. The school falsely advertised a lower cost than what 98% of students ended up paying to complete certain doctoral programs.
STATEMENT: Select University of Phoenix Students Secure Borrower Defense Win with ED Discharge
In another victory for defrauded former for-profit college students, today the U.S. Department of Education announced that it would approve nearly $37 million in borrower defense to repayment discharges for more than 1,200 students who enrolled at the University of Phoenix between Sept. 21, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2014, and applied for relief.
Federal Student Loan Servicer MOHELA is Failing to Comply with Borrower Defense Settlement
Borrowers report MOHELA informed them their federal student loans, which were ordered discharged under the Sweet settlement agreement, will go into repayment in October
Social Work Graduate Students Sue USC Over Online MSW “Diploma Mill”
Graduates of the University of Southern California’s (USC) online Master of Social Work (MSW) program filed a class action lawsuit against USC for misrepresentation, false advertising, and other deceptive, unfair and unlawful business practices.
Student Borrowers Win Another Victory in Sweet v. Cardona as Supreme Court Denies Intervenors’ SCOTUS Petition Attempting to Stop Settlement
The Supreme Court denied a petition filed by three intervening institutions—Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, American National University, and Everglades College, Inc.—asking SCOTUS to stay the $6 billion borrower defense settlement and seeking to bypass the standard appeals process.
Student Borrowers in Sweet v. Cardona Defend $6 Billion Borrower Defense Settlement in SCOTUS Brief
In the class-action lawsuit Sweet v. Cardona, borrowers filed a brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in response to a petition filed by three intervening institutions—Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, American National University, and Everglades College, Inc.—asking SCOTUS to stay the $6 billion borrower defense settlement and seeking to bypass the standard appeals process, which is set to begin in May in the Ninth Circuit.
UPDATE: Judge Denies Motion to Stay Settlement Relief in Sweet v. Cardona
Judge William Alsup denied the motion to stay implementation of settlement relief in the borrower defense lawsuit Sweet v. Cardona.
Student Borrowers File Opposition to Motion to Delay Relief in $6 Billion Borrower Defense Settlement
Student borrowers in the class action lawsuit Sweet v. Cardona today filed an opposition to the motion to stay settlement relief filed by schools attempting to block the landmark borrower defense settlement with the US Department of Education.
UPDATE: Schools Continue to Delay Approved Settlement Relief for Student Borrowers
At a status conference in the class action lawsuit Sweet v. Cardona, Judge William Alsup addressed the schedule for the motion to stay settlement relief pending appeals of the landmark borrower defense settlement, setting a hearing date on the motion for February 15, 2023.
Student Borrowers Win Final Approval of Settlement to Cancel Over $6 Billion in Loans for 200,000 Borrowers
Student borrowers today won final approval of a settlement with the US Department of Education in the class action lawsuit Sweet v. Cardona. The agreement, which received preliminary approval on August 4, 2022, states that the Department will immediately cancel at least $6 billion in student loans for approximately 200,000 individuals with pending borrower defense applications.