|
Financially Hobbled for Life: The Elite Master’s Degrees That Don’t Pay Off
July 8, 2021 Columbia and other top universities push master’s programs that fail to generate enough income for graduates to keep up with six-figure federal loans. Read the article Law School Loses Luster as Debts Mount and Salaries Stagnate August 3, 2021 With high-paying jobs out of reach for most, graduates of the University of Miami and other well-regarded programs routinely carry six-figure student loans for years Read the article Journalism Schools Leave Graduates With Hefty Student Loans September 10, 2021 Students take on debt for master’s degrees in hope of news jobs even as opportunities diminish. Read the article How Baylor Steered Lower-Income Parents to Debt They Couldn’t Afford October 13, 2021 The Texas university and some other wealthy colleges guided families into no-limit Parent Plus loans, leaving them with onerous payments; ‘I will never get it all paid off’ Read the article USC Pushed a $115,000 Online Degree. Graduates Got Low Salaries, Huge Debts November 9, 2021 The prestigious private university hired a for-profit firm to recruit students to its social-work master’s program; ‘You don’t feel like you’re part of an elite school’ Read the article Some Professional Degrees Leave Students With High Debt but Without High Salaries December 1, 2021 Cost of degrees in dentistry and veterinary medicine may pose threat to service industries, WSJ analysis finds. Read the article Why Washington Won’t Fix Student Debt Plans That Overload Families December 8, 2021 Lawmakers know federal Plus loans burden millions of parents and graduate-degree earners with balances they can’t afford, yet Congress repeatedly punts on changing the programs. Here are five reasons. Read the article Professional Development In 2021, CECU played a pivotal role in the professional development offerings available for our sector. CECU hosted 35 webinars throughout the year on topics ranging from hot-off-the-press government relations and regulatory issues to campus management topics such as the balance and relationship between admissions and financial aid; we traveled to Philadelphia to host the annual CEO Summit strategy meeting; the Leadership Institute went virtual to be more accessible, offering 30 hours of campus leadership content; we hosted the first virtual Hill Day along with over 100 Hill visits; and we were finally able to see each other in-person at the Career Education Convention in Dallas, Texas. Three distinguished Members of Congress spoke at the 2021 CEO Summit — Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Congressmen Fred Keller (R-PA) and Burgess Owens (R-UT). Looking Ahead to 2022 It is more important than ever that our sector continues to come together and grow in the work we do. CECU is working hard to offer the highest quality events and webinars to the sector. We hope you’ll mark your calendars and join us for our 2022 events! Save the Dates
Please note that in-person event offerings are continuously monitored and planned accordingly to offer safe and enjoyable events for attendees and that dates may change for events. For the most current information please visit www.carer.org/events. Communications CECU continues to support the sector through our increased media relations efforts. When the Pell Grant provision that excluded for-profit students from the $550 Pell Grant increase was included in the Build Back Better Act, CECU hit the ground running. One of the first reporters CECU spoke with was Erica L. Green of The New York Times. Green’s article, “Democrats’ Bill Would Deny For-Profit College Students Extra Aid,” was not only featured on the NYT website but also on the front page of the Saturday newspaper. Shortly after, several major national outlets including, The Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed, The Business Journals, Politico, contacted CECU to discuss the provision. For the full list of the recent coverage on the Pell Grant provision, click here. Communications Highlights  Check out more highlights in the CECU Annual Report! Coming Soon! The Career Education Report Podcast CECU joins the podcast community. The first episode of the Career Education Report podcast will be released in early 2022! Join host Dr. Jason Altmire, President and CEO of CECU, as he discusses the issues and innovations affecting postsecondary career education. Twice monthly, he and his guests discuss politics, business, and current events impacting education and public policy. Our first guest, David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter discusses midterms, redistricting, and much more. You will be able to listen to the Career Education Report on the CECU website, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Career Education Review Begins a New Chapter In July 2021, CECU acquired Career Education Review (CER), a respected publication that has covered the sector for nearly 100 years. In 2022, CER will begin a new chapter and will be published as a full-color quarterly magazine. CER will still provide readers with the in-depth articles they know, but they will be presented in a new dynamic format. All CECU school member executives will receive the hard copy publication and the over 650 CECU member campuses and Allied members will receive a PDF of the issue. The winter issue is focused on innovation in career education and will be released in early 2022. Advertise in the New Career Education Review  If you would like to advertise in the first issue, the deadline is Jan. 3. For more information, contact Jenny Faubert at Jenny.Faubert@career.org.
A Look Back at Career Education Review’s Top 5 Articles of 2021
The New York Times
Democrats’ Bill Would Deny For-Profit College Students Extra Aid By Erica Green | Nov. 12, 2021 (Subscription needed) When Megan Kern decided she wanted to enroll in Pima Medical Institute, in Phoenix last year, its tax status was the furthest thing from her mind. “That $550 may not seem like a lot to a lot of people, but that’s less money I have to worry about on my student loan, and less worry about what we’ll have to eat,” she [Kern] said. “Life is hard enough as it is already. Why would they want to make it harder for those of us who want to better our lives, just based on the schools we choose?” The Washington Post For-profit colleges fight exclusion from Pell grant increase in Biden’s spending bill By Danielle Douglas-Gabriel | Nov. 23, 2021 (Subscription needed) “It’s a clear attempt to dissuade people from going to for-profit schools,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges. “We’re talking about disadvantaging students [at for-profit schools] in a way that doesn’t address accountability.” “There is going to be a debate on the regulatory side and the legislative side about the role of for-profit higher education. [Pell] is not the place to have that debate,” said Altmire of Career Education Colleges and Universities. Inside Higher Ed Using Pell to Police For-Profits? By Alexis Gravely | Nov. 22, 2021 “In a House of Representatives with a five-vote Democratic margin, we were able to get 17 Democrats to support our position,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions. “We’re very confident moving into the Senate in a 50-50 dynamic that when an amendment is offered, we’ll be able to make the case that our students should be included.” House Members Urge Inclusion of For-Profits in Pell Increase By Alexis Gravely | Nov. 9, 2021 The group of Democrats wrote in their letter that passing the provision as is would "hurt students, not institutions" and wouldn't accomplish the objective of holding institutions accountable. "Congress has never passed legislation creating this type of distinction in the Pell Grant program," the lawmakers wrote. "We urge you not to break from that bipartisan tradition and hope you will ensure that all low-income students are eligible for the expanded Pell Grant." The Business Journals Build Back Better's Pell Grant provision prompts debate in higher-ed circles By Hillary Burns | Nov. 19, 2021 (Subscription needed) "What this legislation does is discriminate against students who have attended a proprietary school because they've made the determination that their school is the best setting for them to pursue their higher education,” Altmire said. "And there's a lot of reasons why that could be - more flexibility, time to completion, a comfort level with having visited the school and talked to the administrators or whatever the decision is - why should a politician in Washington tell a student where they can and can't use their Pell Grant money?" Politico For-profit colleges fight exclusion from Biden’s Pell boost By Michael Stratford | Nov. 15, 2021 Democrats “clearly hoped they would be able to slip this in and nobody would notice, and the process would move so quickly that nothing could be done about it. Of course that hasn't been the case,” said Jason Altmire, the former Democratic congressman who now leads Career Education Colleges and Universities, the main trade association for the industry. “It is clearly an attempt to dissuade students from going to a for-profit school,” he added. The Hill Build Back Better punishes low-income students By Jason Altmire | Nov. 12, 2021 Why would Congress choose to deprive the roughly 1 million students enrolled at for-profit institutions of this increased financial assistance? Instead of supporting the financial needs of students, the legislation punishes them for attending their school of choice — the one that best fits their personal situation and career goals. Our students will lead the way in implementing the provisions of the new infrastructure law, becoming solar panel and windmill technicians, HVAC workers, auto and aviation technicians, truck drivers, welders and many other occupations. Higher Ed Dive Biden plan draws wide ire for excluding for-profit colleges from Pell increase By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf | Nov. 10, 2021 The move to cut out for-profit colleges from a Pell Grant increase "is a step in the wrong direction," said John Huston, the organization's vice president of government relations. The U.S. is still reeling from the pandemic's economic fallout, which has a disparate effect on low-income students, Huston said. Some of them want to advance their career prospects at proprietary schools, and limiting their aid would seemingly run counter to the Biden administration's policy goals of helping disadvantaged populations, he said. Politico Pro For-Profits Push For Pell Grants By Juan Perez Jr. | Dec. 12, 2021 (Subscription needed) For-profit college advocates and a list of trade groups want Senate leaders to include the schools in a Pell grant expansion President Joe Biden has proposed as part of his sweeping social spending agenda. “The current version of the bill prohibits approximately 900,000 low-income students that attend for-profit colleges from accessing the expanded Pell Grant,” organizations led by the Career Education Colleges and Universities group wrote in a Thursday letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate HELP committee chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.). “This proposal will disproportionately hurt minority students and will adversely impact workforce development for essential workers in high-demand fields.” Furious For-Profits Excluded From Pell Grant Hike By Jessica Calefati | Nov. 5, 2021 (Subscription needed) "This blatantly discriminatory policy will only harm low-income students who are trying to better their lives and improve their career opportunities," said Jason Altmire, the group’s president and CEO. “Congress still has a chance to fix this anti-student provision.” CECU Press Release Diverse Coalition of Trade Groups Urges Senate Leadership to Include All Students in Pell Grant Increase Dec. 9, 2021 A coalition of 19 trade and professional organizations sent a letter to Senate Democratic leadership, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and the Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), today supporting inclusion of all low-income students in the Build Back Better proposal to increase the Pell Grant. The Sacramento Observer Pell Grant Increases Denied to Students at Career Colleges Under Build Back Better Bill Dec. 16, 2021 This new proposal, if left in by the Senate, which is now negotiating the bill, puts the legacy of Pell Grants at risk. Moreover, it appears contrary to the principles of the Build Back Better bill to support low income people who may seek the less costly and convenient career colleges. A White House description of the bill says it aims to “expand access to affordable, high-quality education beyond high school." The Job Pell Grants Paul Fain | Dec. 16, 2021 A for-profit college trade group joined several industry organizations in calling for Congress to include for-profits in a proposed $550 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award. The Build Back Better Act would limit the increase to nonprofits. The American Trucking Associations and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing were among the groups that signed the letter from Career Education Colleges and Universities. The Seattle Medium Pell Grant Increases Denied To Students At Career Colleges Under Build Back Better Bill Dec. 14, 2021 This new proposal, if left in by the Senate, which is now negotiating the bill, puts the legacy of Pell Grants at risk. Moreover, it appears contrary to the principles of the Build Back Better bill to support low income people who may seek the less costly and convenient career colleges. Democrats “clearly hoped they would be able to slip this in and nobody would notice, and the process would move so quickly that nothing could be done about it. Of course that hasn’t been the case,” Politico quotes Jason Altmire. Boston Herald Graham: Build Back Better blocks Pell funding for career college students By Michael Graham | Dec. 14, 2021 “We are working very hard with both Republicans and Democrats to carry that message that this is unfair, it’s unprecedented and we support what’s best for our students, which is equality in the Pell Grant program,” Altmire said. “We think it’s unfair and it’s unjustified,” said Dr. Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Arlington, Va.-based Career Education Colleges and Universities. “This has not been done before in the Pell Grant program.” The Washington Informer Pell Grant Increases Denied to Students at Career Colleges Under Build Back Better Bill Dec. 14, 2021 “We need to do more to bring accountability to all sectors of higher education; however, punishing students does not accomplish that objective. Any accountability rules should be focused on institutions, not students,” said a letter signed by 13 Democrats encouraging a change in the bill that would allow the additional students to receive the increase. CECU Press Release Student Equity in Pell Grant Expansion is Essential as Build Back Better Moves to the Senate Nov. 19, 2021 In response to this anti-student exclusion, 17 Democratic Representatives sent a letter in support of students at proprietary institutions, urging House Democratic leadership to modify the bill. However, House Democratic leadership refused to make substantive changes to the education provisions in the modified bill and did not change the Pell Grant provision before final passage in the House. Federation of American Hospitals Hospital Workforce Crisis: How It Affects Patient Care Nov. 15, 2021 For-profit colleges produced 30% of the nursing degrees overall during the 2019-2020 academic year. That’s 55,438 new entrants to the nursing workforce. Further, 44% of nursing degrees earned by minority students are achieved at for-profit colleges and this new limit to Pell Grant funds could force students to decide to either receive more Pell Grant dollars or seek a nursing career. Fewer students – a large share of whom are minority – would have the opportunity to enter the nursing workforce if this provision is enacted. Patch Students need Pell grant increase By Representative La Shawn K. Ford | Nov. 8, 2021 There are several excellent proprietary colleges headquartered in the Chicagoland area that provide traditional degree models along with advanced technical education programs. However, students at these universities will get no additional aid at a time when they need it most. I am proud to say that as State Representative and chairman of the House Appropriations Higher Education Committee, I have continually supported our own state-run Pell Grant program, called the Monetary Award Program, or MAP. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators What's In, What's Out of the White House's Narrowed Spending Framework By Hugh T. Ferguson | Oct. 28, 2021 "While a $550 increase to the maximum Pell Grant is a welcome upfront investment toward making college more affordable for low-income students, we are concerned to see these funds parceled out by institutional sector, which will add new complexity to a financial aid system on the verge of much-needed simplification. The best place to address concerns about institutional quality at some proprietary institutions should be in the institutional eligibility and accountability provisions in the Higher Education Act, not by making programmatic changes that add complexities to students." Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges is the largest and most comprehensive ranking of schools for military service members and veterans, helping them make important decisions about their education. The 2021 rankings include 37 career and technical schools, nine of which are private for-profit schools and six of which are CECU members. Private career schools are often recognized for their exceptional support of the student veteran community.The complete list of this year's career and technical college rankings is available below. Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 Rankings, Career and Technical Colleges: 1. ECPI University Private for profit | VA/Appalachia | 27% Veterans | View More 2. Fayetteville State University Public | NC/Southeast | 27% Veterans |View More 3. Goodwin University Private not for profit | CT/Northeast & Islands | 3% Veterans | View More 4. SUNY Canton Public | NY/Northeast & Islands | 2% Veterans | View More 5. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Public | OK/Southwest | 6% Veteran | View More 6. Northern Michigan University Public | MI/Midwest | 3% Veterans | View More 7. Dakota County Technical College Public | MN/Midwest | 4% Veterans | View More 8. Central Georgia Technical College Public | GA/Southeast | 5% Veterans | View More 9. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Public | WV/Appalachia | 3% Veterans | View More 10. Clarion University of Pennsylvania Public | PA/Mid-Atlantic | 2% Veterans | View More 11. Keiser University Private not for profit | FL/Southeast | 16% Veterans | View More 12. Elizabeth City State University Public | NC/Southeast | 7% Veterans | View More 13. Northwood University Private not for profit | MI/Midwest | 11% Veterans | View More 14. Central Carolina Community College Public | NC/Southeast | 3% Veterans | View More 15. Hawkeye Community College Public | IA/Midwest | 3% Veterans | View More 16. Advanced Technology Institute Private for profit | VA/Appalachia | 45% Veterans | View More 17. Columbus State Community College Public | OH/Midwest | 3% Veterans | View More 18. Sierra College Public | CA/West | 0% Veterans | View More 19. Texas A&M University-Central Texas Public | TX/Southwest | 31% Veterans | View More 20. Norco College Public | CA/West | 4% Veterans | View More 21. University of North Carolina Wilmington Public | NC/Southeast | 4% Veterans | View More 22. Western Technical College Private for profit | TX/Southwest | 28% Veterans | View More 23. The Los Angeles Film School Private for profit | CA/West | 2% Veterans | View More 24. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Public | GA/Southeast | 3% Veterans | View More 25. Pittsburgh Technical College Private not for profit | PA/Mid-Atlantic | 3% Veterans | View More 26. Trident Technical College Public | SC/Southeast | 6% Veterans | View More 27. Grand Valley State University Public | MI/Midwest | 2% Veterans | View More 28. Independence University Private not for profit | UT/West | 6% Veterans | View More 29. Mountain Empire Community College Public | VA/Appalachia | 1% Veterans | View More 30. Lamar Institute of Technology Public | TX/Southwest | 2% Veterans | View More 31. Edgecombe Community College Public | NC/Southeast | 3% Veterans | View More 32. Tulsa Welding School - Jacksonville Private for profit | FL/Southeast | 30% Veterans | View More 33. Tulsa Welding School Private for profit | OK/Southwest | 18% Veterans | View More 34. California Southern University Private for profit | CA/West | 15% Veterans | View More 35. Webber International University Private not for profit | FL/Southeast | 1% Veterans | View More 36. The Refrigeration School, Inc. Private for profit | AZ/West | 29% Veterans | View More 37. Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center Private for profit | TX/Southwest | 13% Veterans | View More The full 2021 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges rankings are available here.
|
