CECU In The News

Loan rules would gut aid for thousands of low-paying college majors – June 1, 2026
Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said he hoped the final rules would fully take into account regional variations and the fact that some workers choose to work part-time, rely largely on tips for compensation or face lower pay because of gender disparities.

Why the skilled worker gap may turn into a 'national security issue – May 27, 2026
Market Domination Host Josh Lipton welcomes Career Education Colleges and Universities President and CEO Jason Altmire to discuss the potential long-term economic consequences of the skilled worker shortage amid the rise of AI.

Earnings Test Gets Mixed Reviews in Public Comments – May 26, 2026
Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit institutions, argued in its comment that including certificates “ignores the commands of Congress” and that the agency doesn’t have the authority to make such a change. But if the department moves forward with requiring certificates to pass the earnings, CECU and the American Council on Education, a key higher ed lobbying group, say those programs shouldn’t be held to the same threshold as bachelor’s degrees.

CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire discusses rural workforce shortages, technical skills, and why hands-on labor remains critical despite AI growth. – May 21, 2026
In his conversation with RFD News, Altmire discussed long-term trends surrounding the pursuit and promotion of skilled labor careers and the impact those shifts are having on today’s workforce. He also shared concerns about shortages in technical and hands-on professions that remain critical to the broader economy. 

Jason Altmire on Skilled Trade, Career Education and the Workforce – May 12, 2026
Jason Altmire joined the C-SPAN network for its Washington Journal program to discuss the importance of trade schools in addressing the epidemic of workforce shortages, especially in skilled trades and healthcare roles. The 45-minute segment addressed the recommendations from Jason’s “Trade Up” book, co-authored with CECU’s Riley Burr.

For-Profit Trade School Swings New Location At Atlanta Braves' Pennant Park - May 12, 2026
“Georgia has one of the fastest growing construction markets in the country, with more than 180,000 open skilled trade positions. With such great need in workforce development, it is critical for Atlanta to expand the education and training pipeline for the most in demand jobs,” said Jason Altmire, CEO of private trade school association Career Education Colleges and Universities, in an emailed statement. “For profit trade schools are coming into the Atlanta area to help the state address this severe workforce shortage,” he added.

As some jobs are disappearing, these sit empty – May 1, 2026
The Washington Post published an opinion piece, adapted from Trade Up by Jason Altmire and Riley Burr, that underscores a growing paradox in today’s economy. While some jobs are being displaced by automation, essential hands-on roles such as electricians, mechanics, and welders remain in high demand and struggle to find qualified workers. The article points to career education and skilled trades as a critical solution to strengthening the workforce and supporting domestic supply chains.

Dept. of Education proposes rule tying federal aid to graduates’ earnings – April 21, 2026
CEO Jason Altmire listed “regional wage differences, lack of differentiation of part-time versus full-time work, unreported tipped income, gender wage disparities, and the age range of the comparison group” as issues that remain to be addressed.

New College Accountability Metric Published for Public Comment – April 20, 2026
Career Education Colleges and Universities, a leading association for for-profit institutions, said in a statement Friday that while the proposal is “a dramatic improvement” over past accountability metrics, “several problems in the accountability formula remain unresolved.” “We will be submitting comments to address the serious flaws and offer recommendations to fix the accountability formula," wrote CECU president Jason Altmire.

Department of Education aims to tie college funding to graduate success – April 20, 2026
Jason Altmire, CEO of the for-profit higher education Career Education Colleges and Universities, said the proposed rule is “a dramatic improvement over the current Gainful Employment rule” but noted problems with the accountability formula, including regional wage differences, a lack of differentiation between part-time and full-time work and unreported tipping income.

Trump Proposal Ties Federal Aid to Student Earnings Outcomes – April 17, 2026
“We are pleased that the Department applied the accountability requirements universally across all sectors, an approach we have advocated for many years, ensuring that all schools can be held accountable for their outcomes,” Jason Altmire, president and CEO of the trade group Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in a statement Friday.

Fox News Posts Excerpt From CECU Book on Trade Schools – April 12
Yesterday, Fox News posted an excerpt from Trade Up, the upcoming book written by CECU’s Jason Altmire and Riley Burr. The excerpt discusses workforce displacements driven by AI, and the rising popularity of trade schools as students lose faith in traditional higher education. You can read the excerpt here and find more information on the book here.

CECU’s Advocacy Day Profiled in Politico – March 23, 2026
FLYING IN: Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges, will kick off its annual fly-in tomorrow. The association has meetings on the books with more than 100 offices on the Hill, including with Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and John Curtis (R-Utah), as well as Speaker Mike Johnson, Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Cleo Fields (D-La.), and leaders at the Education Department.

For-profit colleges, once accused of duping students, hope to rebound under Trump – March 10, 2026
“We’re not saying that we shouldn’t be scrutinized or held accountable,” said Jason Altmire, president of the Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents 900 trade schools, most of which are for-profit. “All we’re saying is the rules should apply equally.”

How America’s nursing shortage impacts health care – March 8, 2026
Nurses are the “backbone of the American health care system,” according to Dr. Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the national trade association for private postsecondary trade schools. Altmire calls the nursing shortage an acute issue for the nation, a crisis “so severe it threatens patient safety and access to care.

How Well Do For-Profit Colleges Serve Black Students? – March 5, 2026
Jordan Wicker, senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities, also argued that online, hybrid and in-person for-profit programs shouldn’t be lumped together, because online programs across sectors face unique challenges. He said a higher share of bachelor’s and graduate degrees in the for-profit sector are provided online compared to associate degree and certificate programs, which are more often hybrid or in person.

ED Warns Colleges With High Student Loan Nonrepayment Rates – February 24, 2026
“I think the department’s doing the right thing and disclosing this information for institutional awareness,” said Jordan Wicker, senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs for Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization that represents for-profit institutions. “I do think it’s important to make the distinction between nonpayment rates and cohort default rates, because it’s cohort default rates on which sanctions are applied. Publishing nonpayment rates, while helpful … can also be a very intimidating thing.”

Rethinking return on investment in California higher education – January 26, 2026
Responding to Golden Opportunities, a recent College Futures Foundation report based on data compiled by Michael Itzkowitz of The HEA Group, Riley Burr, Executive Director of the CECU Research Foundation and Vice President of Policy and Research at CECU, raised concerns about the report’s limited definition of return on investment. The Itzkowitz analysis defines return on investment solely as the number of years required to recover the net cost of a credential, an approach that overlooks the significant taxpayer subsidies provided to public institutions, especially in California. 

Education Dept. Rolls Back Key Accountability Measure for Corporate College Owners – January 26, 2026
Jordan Wicker, Career Education Colleges and Universities’ senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs, called the change “a meaningful course correction” for “unintended consequences” and institutional burdens created by the regulation.

Education Dept. Labels Hundreds of Colleges as ‘Lower Earnings’ – December 9, 2025
“CECU believes disclosures like this can be improved by including non-completer earnings data, which the College Scorecard currently lacks,” said Jordan Wicker, senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities. “Similarly, CECU is consistent in its critique of the dataset for the comparison group age 25-34, as well as accounting for regional variations in earnings. We share the Department’s commitment to transparency and will work with them to ensure that the most accurate disclosures are provided to help students select the school that best fits their needs and wishes.”

Nearly One-Fourth of Colleges Will Come With a Warning When Students Apply for Financial Aid – December 8, 2025
(Subscription needed) Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) said the data could be improved by accounting for regional differences, for example.


Jason Altmire on Future of Career and Technical Education in America
Jason Altmire was on C-SPAN network’s Washington Journal program to discuss career education and the increasing popularity of trade schools. The 50-minute segment covers the work CECU does in working with Congress on these issues, as well as the importance of providing students with access to the career education program of their choice. Watch here.

Jason Joins NewsMax to Discuss Higher Education - December 4, 2025
Jason Altmire joined the NewsMax morning show yesterday with former Department of Education spokeswoman Angela Morabito to discuss higher education issues including the skilled trades and growth of career education. 

As Seen on CNBC - Career and Trade Schools are Powering America’s Workforce - November 19
CECU was featured twice on CNBC during primetime programming, reaching a national audience of hundreds of thousands of viewers. The video highlighted the workforce shortages and the critical role career and trade schools play in meeting that demand. Watch the video here.

CECU Featured on All Access with Andy Garcia - November 13 
As seen on All Access with Andy Garcia, this segment highlights how career colleges and trade schools are helping solve America’s growing workforce shortage. With skilled workers in high demand across essential fields, career education is playing a critical role in preparing students for meaningful careers in construction, healthcare, beauty and wellness, technology and more. Watch the video here. 

How the Loan Cap Committee Reached Consensus – November 10, 2025
“Our negotiators for the proprietary sector, Andy Vaughn and Jeffrey Bodimer, played a key role in advocating for a more robust definition of a ‘professional degree,’” he said. (Vaughn was one of the loudest voices at the negotiating table when it came to ensuring clinical psychology and the few other mental health degree programs made the professional cut.)

First In Playbook – October 23, 2025
Career Education Colleges and Universities has added Eric Gutshall as VP of government affairs, William Connor as director of government affairs and Julianna Rose Dow as social media manager.

Why trade schools are back in demand – October 10, 2025
CECU’s Jason Altmire joined Fox Business News and Maria Bartiromo this morning to discuss the resurgence of trade schools and renewed interest in career education.

 

Your plumber has a new favorite tool: ChatGPT – October 10, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade association that represents more than 800 private vocational schools across the country, said several institutions are weaving AI into their curriculum in collaboration with employers. “They want their graduates ready for jobs that are going to be available in the future, not jobs that were here five years ago,” Altmire said.

Judge Upholds Biden-Era Gainful Employment Rule – October 3, 2025
“We are confident the Biden Gainful Employment Rule will be revised to incorporate a fairer accountability measure that will apply equally to all schools, ensuring all students can benefit,” Jason Altmire, president and chief executive officer of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said. “We look forward to a full consideration of these issues during the months ahead.” 

Congress exempted beauty schools from rules about how much graduates should earn – The Philadelphia Inquirer – September 26, 2025
“I would be very surprised, if the unlikely scenario plays out that the Biden rule is upheld, that this Department of Education would just say, OK, the court has spoken,” said Jason Altmire, CECU’s president and CEO “We are not opposed to accountability for certificate programs, so long as it’s fair to everybody and we have a voice in how you’re measuring programs.”  

ED Panel to Weigh Sorting of Grad and Professional Programs – September 26, 2025
Jordan Wicker, the senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities, a lobbying group for for-profit institutions, added that the economy and higher education landscape are constantly evolving—pointing to the need for a broader definition. “I don’t know that you want to re-regulate a comprehensive list any time curriculums or programs change,” he told Inside Higher Ed.

Playbook PM: Out And About — Spotted – September 9, 2025 
Career Education Colleges and Universities hosted a reception at the Hamilton in honor of CECU alum Nicholas Kent, now undersecretary of Education. Speakers included Jason Altmire and Ted Mitchell. Also SPOTTED: Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-VA.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Jack Bridgewater, Justin Camp, Barbara Snyder, Barbara Mistick, David Hoag, David Baime, Kara Freeman, James Bergeron, Mary Christina Riley and John Huston.

Trade Schools And The Future Of America’s Labor Force – August 17, 2025
Dr. Altmire explained the importance of skilled labor to the economy, how the perception of choosing a trade over college has shifted over the decades, and how AI could impact white and blue-collar jobs.

 

Jason Altmire joined Fox News Radio to discuss the growing interest in trade schools - Aug. 12, 2025
Dr. Jason Altmire, former Pennsylvania Congressman and current President and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, joined The Fox News Rundown podcast to discuss the growing interest in trade schools across the U.S. and whether artificial intelligence will eradicate some of these jobs. Listen here!

 

Senate confirms Trump's pick to oversee higher ed, a man tied to for-profit colleges – August 1, 2025
That group’s CEO, Jason Altmire, said Kent was not driven by partisan politics and would bring an unbiased view to the under secretary position.

Kent Confirmed as Under Secretary – August 4, 2025
CECU president Jason Altmire said in a statement Friday that Kent “is exactly what is needed at the Department at this time of transition in higher education. His profound understanding of the complexities of higher education policy and thoughtful approach to implementing commonsense reforms that support students, families, and taxpayers make him eminently qualified for the role.” 

Trump is seeking to reshape higher education. Meet the man he wants leading the charge. – July 26, 2025
USA Today published a lengthy profile of former CECU employee Nicholas Kent, nominated to be the next Under Secretary of Education. Referring to CECU as “the preeminent lobbying group representing for-profit colleges,” the article discusses Kent’s career trajectory, time at CECU, and his past statements on policies affecting the for-profit sector.

Trying to Pay for College? Your Options Just Got Worse – July 17, 2025
The GOP tax law contains a host of changes that will make it harder for working-class Americans to pursue a university degree. “In all likelihood, it's going to impact low-income people who are seeking a higher education because it will make it more difficult for them to be able to make ends meet and find a way to finance their education,” explained Jason Altmire, president of CECU.

Trump Admin. Tweaks 90-10 Regs – July 9, 2025
Opponents also point to discussions during the rule-making process as further evidence of the intent to exclude distance education revenue. For example, during a policy discussion in March 2022, one official said they were “concerned” that the programs being offered “off-site” may not be of “adequate quality,” according to the transcript.

“Any mention of ‘on location’ or ‘off-site’ is not clearly discussing modality because all programs, including distance education programs, have a designated location,” said Jordan Wicker, a government affairs official at CECU. “If the text of the final rule were clear enough to state the substantive policy of the rule, then no further clarification would be needed in the preamble.”

Arguments for the Big, Beautiful Bill – July 7, 2025
Republicans’ “Big, Beautiful Bill” drew flak from higher ed as it marched toward passage last week: Tax hikes and spending cuts will force hard financial decisions on campuses, the National Association of College and University Business Officers predicted. Lending limits could undercut the students who need the most help paying tuition, Career Education Colleges and Universities warned.

Jason Altmire Joins Newsmax TV to Discussion Education Provisions in Budget Bill - July 5, 2025
Jason Altmire appeared on Newsmax TV over the weekend to discuss the enactment of President Trump’s budget plan dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” He discussed some of the education provisions in the bill and the expected political fallout from the vote. You can watch the interview here.

Trump Signs ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Into Law, Ushering in New Era for Higher Ed – July 4, 2025
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the national trade association representing for-profit institutions, congratulated Congress in a statement Thursday for passing the “monumental legislation.”

He praised the short-term Pell expansion as well as the “no tax on tips” policy, among other provisions. But he’s concerned about parts of the new accountability framework, though “we strongly support the fact that the measure applies equally to all schools in all sectors of higher education, a longtime CECU priority.”

Jason Altmire: The ‘big beautiful bill’ will harm our health care – June 30, 2025
By eliminating subsidized undergraduate loans and Grad PLUS programs, capping federal borrowing at levels far below actual education costs, and restricting Pell Grant access for part-time students, the Big Beautiful Bill threatens to choke off the pipeline of healthcare professionals precisely when America needs them most. 

Young college graduates facing tough job market – June 15, 2025
CECU’s Jason Altmire joined Fox’s Live Now program last night to discuss reports that recent college graduates in traditional majors are having difficulty finding jobs after graduation.

How Senate Republicans Want to Hold Colleges Accountable – June 20, 2025
“I think it would be inaccurate to say the Senate took the Biden gainful-employment rules and tinkered around the edges,” Altmire said. “They took one concept from the Biden rules but then did a lot of other things that greatly improved that concept and made it more fair across all schools.” 

Proposed Pell Grant Cuts Could Have Outsized Impact on Online, Adult Students – June 13
Jordan Wicker, senior vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), said one of his chief concerns is not that students will get smaller Pell Grant awards but that students will opt out of college altogether if forced to take more credits.

“What you’re really doing by changing these policies on the margin,” he said, “is not necessarily going to affect the students making the decisions [between] full time or part time, but between part time or not going at all.”

Jason Altmire on Career and Technical Education Funding - June 7, 2025
CECU’s Jason Altmire was invited to appear in-studio on Saturday’s Washington Journal program. During the 45-minute conversation and viewer call-in segment, he discussed the work of CECU, the importance of career education, and President Trump’s proposal to redirect federal funds away from Harvard to fund “trade schools.” 

Americans are questioning the value of a college degree. Trump is joining the debate. – June 7, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities — a group that represents for-profit colleges — said in a statement that Trump's focus on trade schools "is an investment in America's workforce." "The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school," Altmire said.

Trump's latest salvo against Harvard: Pitting the Ivy League against the working class – May 28, 2025
Altmire said that his sector of for-profit schools — whether they are vocational or degree-awarding — has been unfairly maligned based on a few extreme examples and that they represent a way forward for many people. “I don’t view it as a zero sum, but I do view it as a changing of the narrative of what’s the priority of this country when it comes to higher education,” he said.

Can Trump give Harvard's funding to trade schools? Education experts say it may not be that easy. – May 28, 2025
Altmire said his group's organizations don't typically receive any federal funding for academic or scientific research, while noting that trade schools would welcome additional government support and financial aid for students. But such assistance is unlikely to come in the form of grants from theNIH or NSF, he said.

As Harvard Struggles, For-Profit Colleges Are Poised To Flourish Under Trump – May 28, 2026
In a statement, the CECU (nominee Kent’s old organization) applauded Trump’s suggestion to reroute Harvard dollars and his “continued focus on career education.” It added: “The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school.” Congress appears to be doing just that.

Trump administration targets Harvard again, aims to end more federal contracts – May 27, 2025 
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, welcomed Trump’s words. “The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school,” he said in a statement.

Trump Suggests Giving Trade Schools Money Taken From Harvard – May 26, 2025
Jason Altmire, who heads an association of trade schools and for-profit colleges, applauded Mr. Trump’s suggestion on Monday, though he said the best thing the federal government could do to help his group’s members would be to reduce regulation of them. “President Trump has taken significant steps in this direction and we are optimistic that his announcement Monday will continue that momentum,” he said in a statement.

Trump threatens to strip federal grants from Harvard, shift them to trade schools – May 26, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, applauded Mr. Trump’s “continued focus on career education.” “Funding that supports students’ ability to attend career colleges is an investment in America’s workforce,” Mr. Altmire said. “Private career colleges are not publicly subsidized but consistently show higher graduation rates and better employment outcomes than peer institutions.”

Jason Altmire Highlights Trump’s Support for Career Education on NewsNation – May 26, 2025
CECU’s Jason Altmire went live with NewsNation on Monday to discuss President Trump’s suggestion to redirect $3 billion in federal funding to support trade schools.

Trump rages against Harvard – May 26, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, lauded Trump’s focus on career education. But he also gave the president a few other suggestions on how to support those institutions. “The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school,” Altmire said.

Trump Suggests Giving Trade Schools Money Taken From Harvard – May 26, 2025
Jason Altmire, who heads an association of trade schools and for-profit colleges, applauded Trump’s suggestion Monday, though he said the best thing the federal government could do to help his group’s members would be to reduce regulation of them. “President Trump has taken significant steps in this direction, and we are optimistic that his announcement Monday will continue that momentum,” he said in a statement.

CECU's Jason Altmire joins FOX News to discuss careers in the skilled trades – May 4, 2025
Jason Altmire joined Tulsa Welding School student David McLean yesterday for a segment on FOX News discussing the importance of the skilled trades as an educational option for Gen Z students. It was a great conversation about the changing landscape of higher education.

 

Accreditors Sound Off on Executive Order – April 25, 2025
“These long-overdue reforms will expedite America’s leadership in manufacturing and the skilled trades, greatly expanding the pipeline of qualified workers for in-demand jobs,” CECU president and CEO Jason Altmire wrote.

Trump Executive Order Targets DEI in College Accreditation – April 25, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing for-profit colleges, celebrated Trump’s executive order.  “With these actions, President Trump has taken a significant step in providing increased opportunity for students to pursue their goals and life passions, while ensuring educational programs are held accountable for student outcomes.”

Trump orders changes to civil rights rules, college accreditation – April 23, 2025
(Subscription needed) Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, praised the executive order for “rewarding institutional quality and student outcomes.”

Biden's Education Dept. 'did not do a good job': Teacher's union president – March 23

CECU’s Jason Altmire joined NewsNation for an interview about the proposed closing of the Department of Education. The other panelist, national teacher’s union president Randi Weingarten, spoke favorably about CECU’s work.

Education Dept. should be made efficient, not dismantled: Union president – March 24
Former Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire, now CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, agreed “there’s been huge inefficiency in the Department of Education.” 

The Education Dept. Survives for Now, but Program and Staffing Cuts Cause Upheaval – March 6, 2025
Other possible changes would have a particular impact on CECU’s members, Altmire said. For example, if the department decides to offload many of its regulatory responsibilities to the states, it would create major hurdles for colleges that operate online across several state boundaries, especially in states that have taken a hard line on regulating for-profit colleges.

Trump's new education boss just took over — and she's already announcing a 'historic final mission' – March 4, 2025
Jason Altmire, the president of Career Education Colleges and Universities — a group that represents for-profit colleges — said in a statement that McMahon's "diverse background and skill set will serve as an asset in shaping policy that balances the education and career goals of students with the needs of employers."

Factors to Weigh Before Enrolling at a For-Profit College – February 12, 2025
There's been a growing emphasis in recent years on career schools, such as for skilled trades or health care, says Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a national trade association that represents private postsecondary career schools and advocates for the for-profit sector. "For so long, it had been about emphasizing the traditional four-year liberal arts education," he says. "And now I think there's a greater appreciation because of the high demand in the workforce for these professions for students to take a look at career-oriented schools."

Trump Taps Biden Critic Nicholas Kent as Under Secretary – February 11, 2025
“Nicholas Kent is one of the most knowledgeable higher education experts, possessing extensive technical expertise and a profound understanding of the complexities of education policy,” Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities. “He is eminently qualified for the role of Under Secretary and will work on behalf of schools and students across all sectors of higher education.”

Here’s How Trump May Reshape Higher Education in His First 100 Days – January 16, 2025
Jason Altmire, CEO of the for-profit trade group Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), said he expects swift action to address these changes. However, rather than reverting them back to the regulation enacted by Trump during his first presidency, Altmire hopes the focus will be on instituting lasting changes that apply to all colleges and universities, not just for-profit institutions.

“Our ultimate goal is not simply to repeal these regs or roll them back,” he said. “Our goal is to stop this game of ping-pong where every administration comes in and makes a 180-degree change.”

Supreme Court to examine Biden administration’s borrower defense rule – January 14, 2025
“It remains to be seen how the incoming Trump administration will argue the government’s side of the case, but we strongly believe the facts of the case will show the Department’s onerous BDR regulation went well beyond the agency’s authority,” Altmire said.

Colleges Expect Less Red Tape Under Trump, More Input on Policies – January 14, 2025
“It’s not just pulling back the regulations,” he said. “It’s the concept of using regulation as a way to pursue a political agenda, which, in the case of the Biden administration, was an agenda attacking for-profit schools.”

Supreme Court to review decision on student borrower defense case – January 11, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive officer of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said the court’s decision does not validate the Biden administration’s arguments. “It simply means that the Supreme Court will hear arguments as to the scope of the Department of Education’s authority related to [the borrower defense rule],” Altmire said in a statement on Friday.

Student Loan Debt: Supreme Court to Review Policy that Forgave $17 Billion – January 11, 2025
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive officer of Career Education Colleges and Universities, told Politico on Friday the Court's decision does not validate the Biden administration's arguments.

Supreme Court takes up student borrower defense case in Biden loan forgiveness saga – January 11, 2025
“It simply means that the Supreme Court will hear arguments as to the scope of the Department of Education’s authority related to [the borrower defense rule],” Altmire told the outlet. “It remains to be seen how the incoming Trump administration will argue the government’s side of the case, but we strongly believe the facts of the case will show the Department’s onerous [borrower defense rule] went well beyond the agency’s authority.

Jobs report – January 9, 2025
Samantha Cornmesser has joined Career Education Colleges and Universities as director of member partnerships. She formerly worked at MDT Marketing.

Biden Leaves Behind a Graveyard of Higher Ed Policies – January 09, 2025
Whether gainful employment survives will depend on the incoming Trump administration and the result of a pending lawsuit that aims to block the regulations, which took effect over the summer. Groups like the Career Education Colleges and Universities, which lobbies on behalf of the for-profits, are opposed to the rule, arguing it’s an example of executive overreach and represents ideological bias.  

4 ways for-profit colleges could benefit from a new Trump term – December 20, 2024
“We were the politically unpopular schools,” said Altmire of the for-profit group Career Education Colleges and Universities. “In a new administration, there are other schools that might find out that having the ability to weaponize regulations against politically unpopular schools is not something that they would be happy with.”

House Republicans Aim to Pass Higher Ed Overhaul – December 6
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a national trade association representing for-profit technical institutions, said he disagrees with anyone who argues the CCRA will drive up costs for students. But that doesn’t mean the legislation is perfect.

“This is a marker for next year,” he said, “and we’re hopeful that when we get into the 119th Congress a month from now, we’ll be able to modify their approach.”

Jobs report – December 4, 2024 
Andrew Rakaczki is joining Career Education Colleges and Universities as senior vice president, government relations. He was previously vice president of government relations, BankMobile.

How Trump’s controversial pick for education secretary could impact Texas schools – November 22, 2024
In a statement, Career Education Colleges and Universities president and CEO Jason Altmire welcomed McMahon as the potential Secretary of Education. “Under her leadership, we are confident that the new Department of Education will take a more thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting private career schools.”

How Linda McMahon Might Approach the Dept. of Education – November 20, 2024
“Under her leadership, we are confident that the new Department of Education will take a more reasoned and thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting career schools,” Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group that represents the for-profit sector, said in a statement.

Optimism, Concern Follow Trump’s Decision to Tap Former WWE Exec as Education Secretary – November 21, 2024
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a national trade association representing for-profit technical institutions, said in his statement that McMahon’s “extensive experience” primes her to prioritize the repeal of regulations that hurt institutions—particularly private technical ones.

Linda McMahon Will Send Education Back to the States and Defend Universal School Choice – November 21, 2024
Jason Altmire, in a statement, said “we are confident that the new Department of Education will take a more reasoned and thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting career schools.”

Trump taps Linda McMahon as Education secretary, a pro-wrestling mogul with little school experience – November 19, 2024
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents 1,300 for-profit campuses across North America, said he was optimistic that McMahon would lead the department to take a more “reasoned and thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting private career schools.”

A Former Trump Cabinet Official and Pro-Wrestling Magnate Is Tapped as Education Secretary – November 19, 2024
“Under her leadership, we are confident that the new Department of Education will take a more reasoned and thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting private career schools,” Altmire said.

Trump names Linda McMahon for education secretary – November 19, 2024
“Under her leadership, we are confident that the new Department of Education will take a more reasoned and thoughtful approach in addressing many of the overreaching and punitive regulations put forth by the Biden administration, especially those targeting private career schools,” Altmire said. 

Trump Picks McMahon as Education Secretary – November 13, 2024
“Linda McMahon has extensive experience that positions her well to address many of the key areas that will be education priorities in the new administration,” CECU said in a statement.

 

Who Could Lead the Department Trump Plans to Abolish? – November 13, 2024
Jason Altmire from CECU wants a secretary who won’t just roll back the Biden administration’s policies, particularly those targeting the for-profit sector. He hopes to instead see the repeal of Biden’s current regulations and the development of new metrics that ensure a “fair measurement of quality” that apply to all schools in all sectors.

“We want to solve the problem and address the issue to the benefit of students across all of higher education so we can put this issue to bed,” he said. “We don’t want to continue to play this game of Ping-Pong. What we want to see is a thoughtful discussion across all of higher education,” Altmire said.

Trump’s victory sets stage for dramatic changes to higher ed policy – November 6, 2024
“This Republican landslide is a clear rebuke to the Biden-Harris administration,” Altmire said. “Their partisan and overzealous approach in exceeding their regulatory authority, particularly within the Department of Education, has been rejected in the courts and now decisively by the voters.”

Appeals court backs Sweet v. Cardona settlement – November 6, 2024
Jed Brinton, senior vice president and general counsel of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry association for for-profit colleges, said the appeals court ruling ignored the U.S. District Court’s decision to allow the institutions to intervene and “dodged the legitimate concerns raised by the schools about the Sweet settlement.”

The Presidential Election May Decide the Future of For-Profit Colleges - October 9, 2024
Jason Altmire, CEO of the for-profit advocacy organization Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), told BestColleges he doesn’t expect Harris to slow down on this rhetoric. It’s part of her cachet, Altmire said.

A new bill aims to make defrauded GI Bill vets whole again. Will it? – September 23, 2024
“Currently, the bill relies on mechanisms that do not provide an institution the opportunity to dispute claims or receive substantive agency review of the facts,” said Jordan Wicker of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization that lobbies for the for-profit college sector.

Education Department extends college financial disclosure timeline after industry, lawmaker pleas – September 13, 2024
“The result was the right outcome — a delay," said CECU’s President and CEO Jason Altmire. “Had the reporting deadline only impacted for-profit schools, it would have been unlikely other institutions would have advocated for a delay, and even less likely the Department would have made this commonsense decision. Higher education policy works better when the rules are equally applied, ensuring all schools are equally accountable.”

Online learning flourishes as residential colleges face rising costs – September 11
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, “there was a belief among some that an online education was somehow inferior or substandard to the traditional in-person classroom setting,” said Jason Altmire, who leads Career Education Colleges and Universities, a network of for-profit campuses. “Much of that has changed, as we have all become familiar with online settings in education, as well as in business meetings and our personal interactions,” said Mr. Altmire, a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.

Career & nursing education experts tour WVJC mobile nursing lab – August 7, 2024
Dr. Jason Altmire, former United States Congressman and current President and CEO of Career Education Colleges & Universities (CECU), and Dr. Sue Painter, the executive director of the West Virginia RN Board, toured Mon Health Medical Center and one of WVJC’s mobile nursing labs on Saturday, July 27th. Altmire and Painter were able to witness hands-on lab experiences and simulations with students in the WVJC School of Nursing at Mon Health program. They also had the opportunity to speak directly to student nurses during their clinical experiences and offered words of encouragement, officials said.

Dirty Job but No Student Debt? It’s a Deal More Young Americans Are Willing to Make – July 31, 2024
“The choice to enroll in career schools is driven by flexibility, accessibility, accelerated pathways, and robust student support services,” Jenny Faubert, a spokesperson for Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), told InsideSources. CECU is an association representing 1,100 private career colleges and affiliates across North America. 

Washington’s most powerful interests don’t know whether to cheer Harris — or dread her – July 23, 2024
“We are concerned at the way she has used these actions as a political issue, rather than taking a more fair and comprehensive look at the vital role for-profit career colleges play in America,” said Career Education Colleges and Universities President Jason Altmire, who represents for-profit colleges. “We are hopeful that her position has evolved and she will take an interest in learning more about how for-profit schools are the key to solving the skills gap and workforce shortages that plague many professions across America.”

What Biden’s Exit From the Presidential Race Could Mean for Higher Ed –  July 22, 2024
(Subscription needed) “Throughout her career, the vice president has made much of her reputation and persona on her role in taking on for-profit colleges in California,” said the group’s president, Jason Altmire, in a statement. “We are concerned at the way she has used these actions as a political issue, rather than taking a more fair and comprehensive look at the vital role for-profit career colleges play in America.”

Democrats Propose Increased Restrictions on For-Profit College Revenues – July 18, 2024
"This nonsensical attempt to change the 90/10 rule to 85/15 unfairly targets for-profit institutions and does nothing to measure educational quality," CECU said in a statement. "90/10 is purely a measure of the amount of public subsidies received by an institution. For-profit institutions pay taxes and do not rely upon supplemental taxpayer funding to offset operational expenses in the same way as public institutions."

Feds target for-profit, nonprofit schools over difference in ideology, education experts say – July 18, 2024
“There is a mix of schools that provide training for the workforce that doesn’t involve degree programs,” said Jed Brinton, senior vice president and general counsel for Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit trade schools that train aircraft mechanics, cosmetology professionals and health care workers. 

“There are some folks on the Democrat side of things who think it would be a better world in higher education if you got rid of all for-profit schools,” Mr. Brinton added. “From my perspective, that would be very harmful.”

The Supreme Court curbed federal oversight of schools. It's a big deal. – July 10, 2024
“No agency has overreached more in exceeding congressional authority than the current U.S. Department of Education,” said Jason Altmire, the president of the group Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the interests of for-profit colleges.

Supreme Court Decision Weakens Education Department – July 2, 2024
“No agency has overreached more in exceeding congressional authority than the current U.S. Department of Education,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive officer of Career Education Colleges and Universities. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court has, once and for all, restrained the ability of the ideologically driven bureaucrats in the department to craft regulations based upon their own whims and biases, rather [than] what Congress had intended.”

US universities fear new Supreme Court ruling on regulations – July 2, 2024
“No agency has overreached more in exceeding congressional authority than the current US Department of Education,” said the for-profit association’s president, Jason Altmire, a former Democratic US member of Congress.

Supreme Court Imperils an Array of Federal Rules – June 28, 2024
Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit schools, praised the decision as one that will constrain the Education Department and curb “the ability of the ideologically driven bureaucrats in the department to craft regulations based upon their own whims and biases, rather than what Congress had intended.”

SCOTUS overturns Chevron doctrine, limiting federal agency reach – June 28, 2024
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges, praised the ruling. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court has, once and for all, restrained the ability of the ideologically driven bureaucrats in the Department to craft regulations based upon their own whims and biases, rather [than] what Congress had intended.”
 
Supreme Court Decision Could Change Regulatory Process and Put ED Regulations in Jeopardy, Including SAVE Plan and Student Debt Relief – July 1, 2024
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) voiced support for Friday’s decision, saying SCOTUS “has rightly curtailed the ability of federal agencies to exercise wide discretion in interpreting congressional intent.” “No agency has overreached more in exceeding congressional authority than the current U.S. Department of Education,” CECU CEO Jason Altmire.

Biden administration targets for-profit colleges with ‘gainful employment’ regulations – June 27, 2024
The push to hold for-profit universities accountable comes with President Biden approving $117 billion in student-loan debt, a confluence of events that Jason Altmire, president and CEO of the Career Education Colleges and Universities, called “hypocritical.”
 
“We believe any accountability measures should apply to all schools in all sectors of education so that all students can benefit from those accountability measures,” said Mr. Altmire, a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.

Judge halts part of Biden rule aimed at cracking down on career programs – June 21, 2024
“We are pleased the Court has agreed that the Department of Education has once again egregiously overstepped its authority,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges. “This nonsensical rule would hurt the students most in need and deny them the necessary preparation to succeed. The Department should take this opportunity to withdraw the rule entirely.”
 
US judge blocks Biden regulation of for-profit colleges – June 24, 2024
“Stronger programs include a full scope of educational opportunities that increase students’ aptitude and opportunity to rise up the ranks in their profession and offer the highest quality service to their customers and employers,” said Dr. Altmire, a former Democratic member of the US Congress from Pennsylvania.

Politico Influence – Jobs Report – June 7, 2024
Career Education Colleges and Universities has hired Michele Sink as director of member partnerships. She had previously held similar roles at SmartBrief and Association Analytics.

Online learning flourishes as residential colleges face rising costs – April 29, 2024
Jason Altmire, who leads Career Education Colleges and Universities, a network of for-profit campuses, said that before the COVID pandemic, “there was a belief among some that an online education was somehow inferior or substandard to the traditional in-person classroom setting. Much of that has changed, as we have all become familiar with online settings in education, as well as in business meetings and our personal interactions,” said Mr. Altmire, a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.

Federal court blocks borrower defense rules, says legal challenge will likely succeed – April 8, 2024
The for-profit college sector has vocally opposed the regulations. Its leading trade group, Career Education Colleges and Universities, applauded the 5th Circuit’s decision to block the rules. “All schools should be pleased with this ruling, as the rule of law was upheld and the Biden administration’s extreme agency overreach was denied,” CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement. “Hopefully, the Department of Education will take this opportunity to withdraw these excessive regulations.”

5th Circuit: For-profit colleges likely to succeed in overturning borrower defense rules – April 4, 2024
“All schools should be pleased with this ruling, as the rule of law was upheld and the Biden administration’s extreme agency overreach was denied,” said Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the nation’s for-profit colleges.
 
Education Department Delays Gainful Employment Reporting Deadline To Prioritize FAFSA Release – April 5, 2024
CEO Jason Altmire highlighted the complexities surrounding the FAFSA difficulties and the lack of clear guidance on reporting requirements for the gainful employment rule. These factors, coupled with the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the regulations, have contributed to the uncertainty and strain on affected institutions.

Gainful employment reporting delayed amid political pressure – April 1, 2024
“While we applaud the Department for extending the reporting deadline, an additional two months is not enough time for institutions to comply,” Jason Altmire, CEO of the for-profit industry association Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in an emailed statement. Altmire pointed to the FASFA difficulties and “the lack of guidance on reporting requirements” around the gainful employment rule.

Biden Budget Proposes Modest Pell Grant Increase, More Money for HBCUs – March 13, 2024
“It is disappointing that the Biden administration has decided to penalize students attending for-profit colleges by excluding them from the Pell Grant increase proposed in the 2025 budget,” CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement. “Underserved students deserve equal access to Pell Grants and should be able to utilize them at the institutions that align best with their personal circumstances and educational goals.”

Biden Seeks Another Pell Grant Increase, but Shortfall Looms – March 12, 2024
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the association representing for-profit institutions, said the Pell Grant proposal was disappointing and would penalize students who choose to attend proprietary colleges. “Underserved students deserve equal access to Pell Grants and should be able to utilize them at the institutions that align best with their personal circumstances and educational goals.”

Biden’s 2025 Budget Proposal Would Boost Pell, Eliminate Student Loan Origination Fees – March 12, 2024
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the trade association representing for-profit institutions, expressed disappointment with Monday’s budget request, saying “underserved students deserve equal access to Pell Grants.”

Biden's Ambitious Higher Education Budget For 2025: Free Community College And Pell Grant Increases – March 12, 2024
Industry representatives like Jason Altmire express reservations, suggesting that excluding for-profit institutions from Pell Grant increases may disadvantage certain students.

Biden proposes free community college, Pell Grant increases in FY25 budget – March 11, 2024
“Pell Grants are awarded to students based on their financial needs rather than the institutions in which they enroll,” Altmire said. “Underserved students deserve equal access to Pell Grants and should be able to utilize them at the institutions that align best with their personal circumstances and educational goals.”

Flying In – Politico Influence – March 11, 2024
The for-profit colleges association kicked off a two-day advocacy blitz today with more than 100 meetings planned on the Hill to lobby on the bipartisan short-term Pell bill, as well as a GOP legislative response to President Joe Biden’s student loan reform efforts. CECU representatives are set to meet with House Education and the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and ranking member Bobby Scott (D-Va.), as well as Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Reps. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).

Report Helps Answer the Question: Is a College Degree Worth the Cost? – March 1, 2024
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit career colleges, said lumping together schools offering mainly short-term certificate programs with colleges offering four-year degrees didn’t make sense. People who want to work in certain careers — hairdressing, for instance — generally can’t work in the field unless they earn a certificate, he said.

Mr. Altmire also said that income data from for-profit certificate schools might be skewed by “gender bias” because the programs had a higher proportion of women, who were more likely than men to work part-time while raising families, lowering a school’s reported median income.

Colleges Worry Pell Grant Expansion Could Set ‘Dangerous Precedent’ – February 29, 2024
“Adding the Workforce Pell Grant to the list of financial aid options available to students will allow them to choose the educational setting and career path that matches their interests and skill set,” wrote Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the for-profit higher education sector, in a letter to the House.

Politico Influence Job Report - January 9, 2024
Riley Burr has joined Career Education Colleges and Universities as director of policy and research. She was previously a research assistant at the American Institutes for Research.

Bipartisan short-term Pell expansion clears first hurdle (Who are the Power Players?) – December 27, 2023
“CECU has long supported accountability measures that are fair and provide equal protection to students in every sector of higher education," CECU President Jason Altmire said in a statement. "We support this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with the committee and others in Congress as this bill makes its way through the legislative process."

How Do I Pay For College: Your questions, answered by experts – December 15, 2023
Jenny Faubert, a spokeswoman for Career Education Colleges and Universities, a group representing for-profit career colleges, said in an email that for-profit schools served a diverse student body and were an important source of skilled workers for jobs such as those in medical and dental offices and truck driving. She cited data showing that the graduation rate for students at two-year for-profit schools was higher than the rate at two-year public colleges (about 60 percent at for-profits, compared with about 30 percent at public colleges, according to federal statistics for students entering in 2018).

House Committee Advances Pell Grant Expansion – December 13, 2023
“By including strict accountability measures that apply to all schools in all sectors, the bill ensures that only the highest quality schools will qualify,” CECU president Jason Altmire said in the statement. “CECU has long supported accountability measures that are fair and provide equal protection to students in every sector of higher education.”

Short-term Pell bill advances out of House education committee – December 12, 2023
“By including strict accountability measures that apply to all schools in all sectors, the bill ensures that only the highest quality schools will qualify,” CECU President Jason Altmire said in a statement. “CECU has long supported accountability measures that are fair and provide equal protection to students in every sector of higher education.”

For-profit colleges caught in regulatory tug of war – December 13, 2023
“The problem with the gainful employment regulations is they apply almost exclusively only to for-profit schools,” Altmire said. “We believe that accountability measures should apply to all schools in all sectors, every type of school so that all students can have the benefit of those protections.”

House education committee clears short-term Pell bill – December 12, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, lauded the bill as a "significant benefit for students." "CECU has long supported accountability measures that are fair and provide equal protection to students in every sector of higher education," CECU President Jason Altmire said in a statement. "We support this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with the committee and others in Congress as this bill makes its way through the legislative process."

Grand Canyon University appeals record $37.7 million fine from Biden administration – November 16, 2023
“The misuse of BDR against any institution is reprehensible, and the past several months have shown the absurdity of the process,” Jason Altmire, president of CECU and a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, told The Times. “The new Biden BDR rules are even more unrestrained and open-ended.”

Judge’s Order Complicates Education Department’s Borrower-Defense Program – November 7, 2023
Altmire said the judge’s decision to wait for the resolution of the lawsuit is the “right thing to do,” in part because the legal challenge could spell the end of the borrower-defense program. He said the stay should put a hold on other potential recoupment actions. “The department would really have to backtrack if that were to happen, and it would cause more problems, so I do think this is the smart way to handle it as all this proceeds,” he said.

Controversy Surrounding the Gainful Employment Act and For Profit Education Providers - October 17, 2023
Amidst the ongoing discussions, Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization representing the for-profit higher education sector, has criticized the final rule. They argue that the department neglected crucial matters and hastily implemented a weaponized version of the Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions.

Department of Education rule threatens viability of for-profit colleges – October 6, 2023
Jed Brinton, senior vice president and general counsel for Career Education Colleges and Universities, told the Washington Examiner in an interview that the speed with which the regulation was finalized after being introduced in May was surprising. For Brinton, the regulation raised significant questions about how the administration views for-profit colleges in comparison to traditional nonprofit schools. He noted that his organization had advocated that the department to adopt an "across-the-board approach" that would affect for-profit and nonprofit colleges equally. "If you really are primarily concerned about quality," he said, "then you would want to measure all the schools regardless of tax status, and get rid of all the bad ones."

EDITORIAL: Biden takes aim at for-profit colleges - September 29, 2023
“Once again,” Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, told The Associated Press, “the department has rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions.” 

Feds offer students new protections against programs that lead to high debt, low pay – September 28, 2023
"Once again, the Department has rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions," said Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a national organization that represents for-profit colleges.

New rule will cut federal money to college programs that leave grads with high debt, low pay – September 27, 2023
An association of for-profit colleges denounced the policy as an unfair attack, saying any policy should be applied evenly across all types of schools. “Once again, the Department has rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.

Ineffective Career Programs Might Be in Trouble. What Does That Mean for Colleges? – September 27, 2023
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit higher education, said the debt-disclosure mandate unfairly targets for-profit institutions, which account for a large portion of career-oriented programs and students. He argued that if private nonprofit and public colleges were held to the same gainful-employment standards, many of their programs would fail, too.

Biden administration cracks down on career programs that saddle students with debt – September 27, 2023
President Biden’s administration is tightening federal oversight of career training programs that saddle students with unaffordable education debt, an effort that could hamstring some for-profit colleges. Jason Altmire stated, “the Department continues to put its thumb on the scale to circumvent established procedures and advance a partisan rule that fails to protect the vast majority of students.”

UPDATED: Biden administration unveils final plan to cut funding to low-performing career colleges – September 27, 2023
Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the main trade group representing the industry, said that the Biden administration had “rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize” a final rule against the schools he represents.

White House issues much-anticipated rule to weed out high-debt, predatory colleges – September 27, 2023
"Once again, the Department has rushed the process, overlooking critical issues, to hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions," said Jason Altmire, the president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, in a statement. "The Department continues to put its thumb on the scale to circumvent established procedures and advance a partisan rule that fails to protect the vast majority of students."

ED Releases Final Rule on Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency Framework – September 27, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the organization representing proprietary institutions, said that ED has “rushed” its rulemaking process. “The Department continues to put its thumb on the scale to circumvent established procedures and advance a partisan rule that fails to protect the vast majority of students,” said Jason Altmire, CECU’s president and CEO, in a statement.

Biden Administration Releases Tougher Higher Education Gainful Employment Rule – September 27, 2023
“CECU has continually advocated for a rule that ensures the protection of all students and maintains equal accountability for public, private nonprofit, and for-profit institutions – an objective this rule does not achieve.” The final rule has two key parts: A strengthened GE rule to protect from low-performing career training programs and a new Financial Value Transparency framework providing students in all programs detailed information about the net costs of postsecondary programs and the financial outcomes they can expect.

Biden sets graduate earnings test for for-profit college sector – September 28, 2023
The for-profit industry and its Republican allies responded with statements attacking the Biden action as unfairly aimed at their sector. Jason Altmire, the president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents about 1,100 for-profit campuses and members in North America, said the Biden order represented “a partisan rule that fails to protect the vast majority of students.”

Student-loan borrowers have a new safeguard in place to ensure their debt doesn't pile up once they graduate – September 27, 2023
The accountability metrics stated in the new rule will go into effect July 2024, and the first official metrics will be published in early 2025. Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities — an organization that represents for-profit schools — said in a statement that the new rule unfairly targets for-profit institutions.

Game On, Again, for Gainful Employment – September 27, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the for-profit higher education sector, said in a statement Wednesday that the department overlooked critical issues to “hastily implement and weaponize a final Gainful Employment rule against for-profit institutions.”

How the DOE’s gainful employment rule puts your federal aid dollars at risk - September 29, 2023
“The Department continues to put its thumb on the scale to circumvent established procedures and advance a partisan rule that fails to protect the vast majority of students, the statement read. “CECU has continually advocated for a rule that ensures the protection of all students and maintains equal accountability for public, private nonprofit, and for-profit institutions—an objective this rule does not achieve."

Jobs Report – September 11, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities hired Jed Brinton as senior vice president and general counsel and Corey Perry as director of state relations. Brinton was most recently a partner at Zobrist Law Group and is a Trump Education Department alum, and Perry was previously director of government affairs at The Learning Experience.

The Education Department's Proposed Gainful Employment Rule – September 1, 2023
A key source of tension over the regulation is how many programs — and which programs — would be subject to sanctions under the proposed rule. The Biden administration has said it plans to meet the Nov. 1 regulatory deadline by which it needs to finalize the rule in order for it to take effect by next July. Listed as a “Power Player” in the article is CECU’s President and CEO, Dr. Jason Altmire.

Appeals court halts new Biden rules on debt relief for defrauded students – August 7, 2023
“We are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the Department’s authority, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges. “Knowing that this rule has a strong chance to be struck down during the upcoming legal process, it is unjustifiable to allow its implementation while the court proceedings continue.”

Biden's student debt forgiveness for defrauded borrowers blocked by conservative court – August 7, 2023
For-profit and career college advocates lauded the move, however. "Imposing these ... provisions would have been detrimental to career schools in Texas and across the country," said Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, in a statement. "We are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach."

5th Circuit blocks new rules aiming to expand student debt relief for defrauded borrowers – August 7, 2023
“We are pleased that the 5th Circuit has ruled in favor of delaying the onset of the borrower defense to repayment and closed school discharge regulations. The facts presented by Career Colleges & Schools of Texas are compelling. Imposing these two provisions would have been detrimental to career schools in Texas and across the country,” said Career Education Colleges and Universities President and CEO Jason Altmire.

Appeals court blocks Biden’s new student debt relief policy for defrauded borrowers - August 7, 2023
Jason Altmire, the president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, the national for-profit college trade group, welcomed the decision blocking the policy, which he called "agency overreach." "Knowing that this rule has a strong chance to be struck down during the upcoming legal process, it is unjustifiable to allow its implementation while the court proceedings continue," Altmire said in a statement. "We are pleased that today’s ruling upholds this view."

Biden's new student debt relief policy blocked by appeals court – August 7, 2023
“We are pleased that the Fifth Circuit has ruled in favor of delaying the onset of the borrower defense to repayment and closed school discharge regulations," according to a statement from Career Education Colleges and Universities. "Imposing these two provisions would have been detrimental to career schools in Texas and across the country,” CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire said.

Biden's efforts to make it easier for defrauded student-loan borrowers to get debt relief were blocked by a conservative court – August 7, 2023
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities — a group that represents for-profit colleges — said in a statement that "knowing that this rule has a strong chance to be struck down during the upcoming legal process, it is unjustifiable to allow its implementation while the court proceedings continue. We are pleased that today's ruling upholds this view."

Appeals Court Blocks Relief for Students Who Were Defrauded by Their Schools – August 8, 2023
CCST did not offer comment on the injunction, but Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the national organization representing for-profit schools, cheered the decision. “Knowing that this rule has a strong chance to be struck down during the upcoming legal process, it is unjustifiable to allow its implementation while the court proceedings continue,” said Dr. Jason Altmire, CECU’s president and CEO. “We are pleased that today’s ruling upholds this view.”

Appeals court blocks Biden’s borrower defense rules – August 7, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, an association representing for-profit colleges, applauded Monday’s court order. “Knowing that this rule has a strong chance to be struck down during the upcoming legal process, it is unjustifiable to allow its implementation while the court proceedings continue,” CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement Monday. “We are pleased that today’s ruling upholds this view.”

Federal Court Blocks Biden Administration Move to Forgive Student-Loan Debt for Defrauded Borrowers – August 8, 2023
“We are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the Department’s authority, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution,” said CECU chief executive Jason Altmire.

New Borrower-Defense Rules Blocked – August 8, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, the national association representing for-profit institutions and a supporter of the lawsuit, opposed the new borrower-defense rule in comments to the Education Department and led a campaign about the rule’s “devastating impact.” It applauded the court’s order. “CCST’s legal case against the Department of Education’s unlawful BDR rule is strong and we are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the department’s authority, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution,” CECU president Jason Altmire said in a statement.

Federal Appeals Court Blocks ED’s New Borrower Defense Rules – August 8, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a trade association that represents for-profit colleges nationwide, applauded the ruling, saying ED’s new borrower defense rules are “detrimental to career schools in Texas and across the country.” “CCST’s legal case against the Department of Education’s unlawful BDR rule is strong and we are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the Department’s authority, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution,” said CECU’s President and CEO Jason Altmire in a statement.

Appeals court blocks new rule helping defrauded students get debt relief – August 8, 2023
On the other side of the argument, trade union Career Education Colleges and Universities welcomed the Fifth Circuit court's decision. "CCST's legal case against the Department of Education's unlawful BDR rule is strong and we are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the department's authority, the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution," Jason Altmire, CECU's president and chief executive, said in a statement.

Federal Court Blocks Student Debt Forgiveness for Defrauded Borrowers – August 8, 2023
“Imposing these two provisions would have been detrimental to career schools in Texas and across the country,” Jason Altmire, CEO and president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in a statement. “CCST’s legal case against [ED’s] unlawful [borrower defense] rule is strong and we are confident that when the case is brought forward the facts will show the new rule to be an agency overreach in violation of the department’s authority, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution.”

Student Loan Forgiveness, Biden’s hunt for the Black vote – June 15, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU)’s Chief Policy Officer Nicholas Kent said that borrowers from low-income backgrounds and people of color are more likely to struggle when their federal student loan payments resume and will require additional support to ensure a smooth transition back into repayment. “It will be critical for institutions, policymakers, and other interested parties to continue working together to ensure these borrowers and others have accurate and consistent information to help minimize any adverse impact,” said Kent in a statement.

Call to Action: Department of Education's Proposed Rules Could be Detrimental to Massage Schools – June 14, 2023
CECU’s President and CEO Jason Altmire said, in a release, “CECU is disappointed that the Department of Education did not take into account stakeholder feedback and failed to implement substantive changes to its gainful employment proposal, which continues to exempt the majority of postsecondary education programs and fails to protect millions of students. The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve.”

A Stricter Test for College Programs – May 23
Kent takes issue with the comparison group that the department has proposed to use to measure graduates’ earnings against. Under the rule, students’ wages three years after graduation will be compared to the median wages of high school graduates ages 25 to 34. Referencing research from the Urban Institute, Kent said that there are gender and age disparities between two groups that would make the proposed comparison unfair. “Sixty-eight percent of students enrolled in for-profits are women,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like an appropriate comparison group.”

AP analysis: Most beauty school programs would be in jeopardy under US proposal – May 18
“This law continues to target for-profit institutions and programs, while at the same time, the methodology is one that lets the vast majority of even poor performing public institutions off the hook,” said Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry trade group.

New rule seeks to weed out college programs that leave grads with low income, high debt – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry trade group.

Education Department pledges ‘strongest-ever’ protections with long-awaited gainful employment draft – May 17, 2023
James Kvaal, the department’s top higher ed official, said in a statement Wednesday the problem of leaving students with unaffordable debt “is concentrated at for-profit and career colleges.” Career Education Colleges and Universities, the association representing for-profit institutions, clapped back at this accusation Wednesday. CECU’s president, Jason Altmire, said in a statement that the department should hold all colleges — public, private nonprofit and for-profit — accountable under the rule. “CECU is disappointed that the Department did not take into account stakeholder feedback and failed to implement substantive changes to its gainful employment proposal, which continues to exempt the majority of postsecondary education programs and fails to protect millions of students,” Altmire said.

New rule targets college programs that leave grads with low income, high debt – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve," said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry trade group.

For-Profit Schools to Face Penalties for High Debt Loads, Low Incomes of Graduates – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit schools.

Biden administration plans to cut federal money for college programs that leave grads underemployed and over-indebted – May 18, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry trade group.

Biden administration proposes new rule to prevent students from incurring crippling debt at for-profit colleges – May 17, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group that represents for-profit colleges, criticized the proposed rule for excluding the majority of programs at nonprofit colleges. “The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” CECU’s president and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement.

New rule targets college programs that leave grads with low income, high debt – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry trade group.

New, Stronger Gainful Employment Regs Released – May 18, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, the association that represents for-profit colleges, criticized the Biden administration for rushing the gainful-employment regulations through the rule-making process and failing to include review and appeal mechanics that were part of the 2014 rule. CECU, which has challenged previous gainful-employment rules in court, has argued that the department has the authority to apply gainful-employment regulations to all postsecondary programs.

Proposed rule targets college programs that leave students with ‘unaffordable debt or insufficient earnings’ – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) President and CEO Jason Altmire, adding it “continues to exempt the majority of postsecondary education programs and fails to protect millions of students.”

Biden administration plans crackdown on colleges that overload graduates with student debt – May 17, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, said the department ignored feedback during the negotiation period. “The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” CECU’s President and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement. "During the public comment phase, we urge the Department to consider sensible changes that improve the rule to protect all students and hold public, private nonprofit, and for-profit institutions equally accountable for their outcomes."

Biden's Education Department just released its 'strongest-ever' plan to ensure student-loan borrowers don't graduate with unaffordable debt – May 17, 2023
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities — which represents for-profit institutions — said in a statement that Biden's proposal "unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve."

ED to Publish Proposed Rule on Gainful Employment and New Information Collection – May 18, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the organization representing proprietary institutions, said the proposed rule does not go far enough, and that it “continues to exempt the majority of postsecondary education programs and fails to protect millions of students.” “The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” said Jason Altmire, CECU’s president and CEO, in a statement.

Federal education officials take aim on student debt from for-profit colleges – May 18
“CECU is disappointed that the Department did not take into account stakeholder feedback and failed to implement substantive changes to its gainful employment proposal, which continues to exempt the majority of postsecondary education programs and fails to protect millions of students," CECU’s President and CEO Jason Altmire said in an online statement.

Biden administration unveils new ‘gainful employment’ rule proposal – May 17, 2023
“The rule unfairly targets programs at proprietary institutions and fails to account for the unique challenges facing students and communities that career-oriented programs serve,” Jason Altmire, the group’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Education Dept. to use undercover agents to identify deceptive, unethical practices in higher ed – April 20, 2023
“The [Biden Education] Department has a well-established bias against for-profit institutions and a zeal for weaponizing the tools at its disposal to make it more difficult for those schools to serve students,” Career Education Colleges and Universities CEO and President Jason Altmire stated. “We support reasonable practices that hold all institutions accountable for misrepresentations that financially harm students and taxpayers; however, the federal government has a track record of using secret shopper investigations to malign politically unfavored institutions with distorted findings that later result in the need for public correction,” Kent said in an email.

How Gainful Employment Changed Higher Ed - April 14, 2023
“If there is a gainful-employment rule that is fair and equitable, we would be happy to live with it,” Kent said. “We’re happy to see the department moving in the direction of at least being more transparent with all sectors’ data, but to only be transparent with certain data and then hold certain institutions responsible for poor outcomes seems pretty shortsighted. It does seem more politically motivated than good public policy.”

What Public Commenters Said About a Low-Financial-Value College Programs List - April 12, 2023
Others point out that maintaining consistency with the GE rule will promote alignment across postsecondary policies, lessen reporting burdens on institutions, and make information easier to interpret for students: “We strongly urge the Department to adopt the same methodology for any low-financial-value postsecondary programs list as the methodology that will be used to assess eligibility for gainful employment programs. Having two different sets of standards to assess economic value for the same program is illogical and would create unnecessary confusion for students, institutions, and taxpayers. – Career Education Colleges and Universities

Colleges Appeal Borrower-Defense Settlement to Supreme Court – April 6, 2023
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, the association representing for-profit institutions, said in a statement that the three colleges raised significant legal questions about the secretary’s power to cancel student loans. “Although I do not think Justice Kagan is likely to grant the schools’ emergency application, the justices will likely be asked again to address the department’s claimed authority under the HEA in the foreseeable future,” Kent said. “It is widely expected that the high court’s conservative majority will strike down the administration’s use of the HEROES Act, and then the Department will quickly turn to the HEA in a Hail Mary to save its broad debt-cancellation program.”

House progressives say Biden administration should use executive power to curb for-profit college ‘predatory behavior’ – April 5, 2023
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, said in an emailed statement that “accountability measures must be applied to all schools in all sectors to ensure every student is able to benefit from the same federal protections, regardless of the type of institution they choose to attend.”

Meet and Greet for Freshman House Democrats Hosted by BGR Group – March 30, 2023
Jason Altmire and Joanne Zurcher of Career Education Colleges and Universities were among the attendees at the meet and greet. Also in attendance per a tipster: Reps. Jared Moskowitz (Fla.), Dan Goldman (N.Y.) and Jeff Jackson (N.C.); Chris Morton of the American Land Title Association, Andrew Schwab of Oak Street Health, Sarah Morgan of S&P Global, Tatanya Szeliga of SAS Institute, Ian Mair of GeoComply, Howard Moon of Amgen, and Jonathan Mantz, Remy Brim, Fred Turner, Mark Tavlarides and Anna Sullivan of BGR Group.

Secret Shopper Policy Draws Praise, Concern – March 20, 2023
In an interview, Kent said that although the CECU was not opposed to a secret shopper program that specifically targeted schools that had shown evidence of predatory behavior, he didn’t think that the current program was necessary. “It really should be a question for Congress whether or not the department even has the resources and the capacity to take this on in an equitable way,” he said.

Education Department Deploys ‘Secret Shoppers’ for College Oversight – March 16, 2023
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer for Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in a statement his organization supports efforts that hold institutions that misrepresent themselves to students accountable. But he wrote that the government "has a track record of using secret shopper investigations to malign politically unfavored institutions with distorted findings that later result in the need for public correction."

‘We may be listening’: Dept of Ed to send undercover federal agents to monitor colleges' financial conduct – March 16, 2023
Nicholas Kent of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU)—an association representing for-profit higher education institutions—issued a statement saying, “We support reasonable practices that hold all institutions accountable for misrepresentations that financially harm students and taxpayers; however, the federal government has a track record of using secret shopper investigations to malign politically unfavored institutions with distorted findings.”

Biden Admin Is Placing Undercover Federal Agents At Universities. Here’s Why – March 15, 2023
“Given the current administration’s animus toward for-profit institutions, we are concerned this self-proclaimed ‘tool’ will be used as a weapon to inflict further damage upon private career schools and limit student choice.” Kent referenced a 2010 Government Accountability Office report which concluded that 15 for-profit colleges “deceptive or otherwise questionable statements to GAO’s undercover applicants,” according to the report.

Biden begins ‘secret shopper’ undercover crackdown on colleges – March 15, 2023
“We support reasonable practices that hold all institutions accountable for misrepresentations that financially harm students and taxpayers,” Nicholas Kent, the chief policy officer at the Career Education Colleges and Universities association, said in a written response to the government announcement. “However, the federal government has a track record of using secret-shopper investigations to malign politically unfavoured institutions with distorted findings that later result in the need for public correction.”

Education Department Will Tap Secret Shoppers – March 15, 2023
“However, the federal government has a track record of using secret-shopper investigations to malign politically unfavored institutions with distorted findings that later result in the need for public correction,” Kent said. “Given the current administration’s animus toward for-profit institutions, we are concerned this self-proclaimed ‘tool’ will be used as a weapon to inflict further damage upon private career schools and limit student choice.”

Colleges Claim Student Loan Forgiveness Hurt Reputation – March 10, 2023
However, Nicholas Kent, the head policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade organization that represents for-profit colleges, told the Examiner that he expects that ruling to be overturned on appeal. "We feel that the 9th Circuit [Court of Appeals] will also strike down the settlement at the circuit level. The court's argument is, in part, Well, you already got the money, and the department is saying that they can't go after you because of the settlement.

New guidance from the Department of Education will hold “risky” for-profit college leaders responsible for unpaid federal debt – March 10, 2023
Nicholas Kent, CECU’s chief policy officer, gave a statement last week about the Education Department’s decision to hold college executives and stakeholders personally responsible for student debt. He claimed that the Biden administration is exceeding its legal authority and “dismantling private career schools while limiting students’ ability to choose the educational setting that best fits their life circumstances.”

Quiet Biden student loan forgiveness for 200,000 borrowers gave black eye to colleges - March 10, 2023
Despite Alsup's ruling rejecting a stay on discharging loans, Nicholas Kent, the chief policy officer for Career Education Colleges and Universities, told the Washington Examiner that he expects the judge's ruling to be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and ultimately be overturned. "We feel that the 9th Circuit will also strike down the settlement at the circuit level," Kent said. "The court's argument is, in part, 'well, you already got the money, and the department is saying that they can't go after you because of the settlement.' But there's huge reputational harm that has been done as a result of being labeled a wrongdoer on that list. The school didn't get any due process to raise their hand and say, 'Listen, this isn't true.'"

NextEra adds another outside firm - March 3, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit schools, kicks off its annual fly-in next week as well to fight against the exclusion of students at for-profit colleges from short-term Pell Grant proposals. The association has more than 100 meetings scheduled on the Hill, including with Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas).

Holding Executives Responsible – March 3, 2023
“This administration proposes to exceed this authority through new regulations and subjective guidance, thereby empowering ideologically driven partisans with the unfettered discretion needed to achieve their goal of dismantling private career schools while limiting students’ ability to choose the educational setting that best fits their life circumstances.”

Education Department shares plans to make for-profit executives responsible for colleges’ liabilities – March 2, 2023
A group representing for-profit colleges, Career Education Colleges and Universities, objected to the moves this week. The Higher Education Act limits the Education Department’s authority to pierce the corporate veil and lay financial responsibility on individuals, said Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at CECU, in a statement.

Texas trade association suing to stop new borrower defense rule because it ‘all but ensures’ claims will be approved – February 28, 2023
“CECU has led the sector’s response to these unlawful regulations because they irrationally expand the potential acts and omissions of schools that give rise to a borrower defense to loan repayment, while eliminating the procedural protections necessary to protect schools against erroneous loan discharges and presumptions of liability,” CECU president and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement.

Texas For-Profit Colleges Fight New Borrower-Defense Rules – February 28, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, the national association representing for-profit institutions, supports the lawsuit. It has led a campaign in recent months about the borrower-defense rule’s “devastating impact” and advocated for the department to withdraw the rule, according to a news release.

For-profit colleges sue to stop Cardona’s easier path for debt relief for defrauded students – February 28, 2023
Jason Altmire, who leads Career Education Colleges and Universities, which supports the Texas group’s lawsuit, said in a statement that the Biden administration’s rule “suffers from fatal due process deficiencies and threatens crippling liability for schools across the country.”

Judge clears path for most Sweet v. Cardona loan cancellation to move forward – February 27, 2023
“Although we appreciate the court’s continued acknowledgment that these are not adjudicated borrower defense claims, we remain concerned the settlement deprives the affected institutions of due process protections afforded under the Department’s own rules and inflicts reputational harm,” Nicholas Kent, CECU’s chief policy officer, said in a statement.

What Advocates Want in the Education Department’s List of Low-Value College Programs – February 22, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), which represents for-profit institutions, wrote in its comments that no matter how ED disseminates this information, it should give institutions a chance to challenge data before it becomes public. This would allow schools to correct any "erroneous data," CECU states. Read CECU's comments here.

Battle Lines Drawn in Fight Over List - February 14, 2023
Higher education groups are generally opposed to the Biden administration’s plan to create a list of low-financial-value programs, but some think tanks and for-profit colleges like the idea. “Having two different sets of standards to assess economic value for the same program is illogical and would create unnecessary confusion for students, institutions, and taxpayers,” wrote Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization representing for-profit institutions.

Are for-profit colleges worth the cost? Graduates are split on the value of their degrees – January 31, 2023
Jason Altmire, head of the for-profit university trade group Career Education Colleges and Universities, said for-profit institutions cater to adult students. “What we have always argued on the for-profit side is we provide that off-ramp for people who have tried other settings that haven't worked out,” said Altmire, a former Democrat in the House from Pennsylvania. “If they work hard, we can get them their degree quickly.”

Higher ed institutions to appeal Education Department’s $6B settlement with borrowers – January 17, 2023
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer for Career Education Colleges and Universities, a group representing for-profit colleges, expects the 9th Circuit would block the settlement agreement from being carried out until the institutions’ appeals were considered. “The considerations weigh in favor of the schools here,” Kent said. “If they didn’t stay the appeal, and the department started to effectuate the loan debt and other actions that go along with the judgment, those are going to be impossible or very difficult to unwind.”

Biden administration plans to publish list of ‘low value’ degrees – January 16, 2023
“The department has a well-established bias against for-profit institutions and a zeal for weaponising the tools at its disposal to make it more difficult for those schools to serve students,” said CECU president Jason Altmire. “That said, we are encouraged by this solicitation.”

Education Department Plans to Publish List of Low-Performing Programs – January 13, 2023
Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization representing for-profit institutions, said in a statement this week that the list should provide information about programs at all types of colleges and universities. “The department has a well-established bias against for-profit institutions and a zeal for weaponizing the tools at its disposal to make it more difficult for those schools to serve students,” CECU president Jason Altmire said in the statement. “That said, we are encouraged by this solicitation.

The Education Department’s Plan to Name and Shame Higher Education Programs – January 11, 2023
(Subscription needed) “The Department has a well-established bias against for-profit institutions and a zeal for weaponizing the tools at its disposal to make it more difficult for those schools to serve students,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, in a statement. “That said, we are encouraged by this solicitation."

Income-Driven Repayment Changes to Create ‘Student Loan Safety Net’ – January 11, 2023
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization representing for-profit institutions, said he was encouraged that the department was seeking input on how to create the list. Any list, he said, should apply to all institutions in all sectors. He worried that such a list wouldn’t take into account “that many career schools provide valuable graduates to important occupations in society that don’t make a lot of money.”

Education Department’s renewed plan to list and shame low-value colleges draws concern – January 11, 2023
Altmire stressed CECU backs bolstered transparency measures. And he said he’s pleased the Education Department has given the public the opportunity to respond to a potential list. But he said he fears the list will exclusively feature for-profit colleges. “We just want it to be a fair measure, and have all colleges abide by the same metrics, and held accountable to the same measures,” Altmire said.

Democrats seek to create oversight committee governing for-profit colleges – December 8, 2022
Durbin’s announcement cited data suggesting for-profit colleges’ students account for a disproportionate share of student loan defaults. But Altmire argued that borrowers who attend nonprofit colleges also make up a sizable portion of defaults. “Why is he not concerned about holding those schools accountable for those defaults?” Altmire said.

Battle lines form over new borrower defense to repayment rules – December 6, 2022
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at CECU, said the Education Department is expected to handle borrower defense claims largely though the group process moving forward. Congress didn’t authorize the department to create a borrower defense program to decide on thousands of claims at once, Kent argued. “The department has created this monster,” Kent said. “That’s not what the borrower defense authority was initially intended for.”

US judge backs $6 billion in student debt waivers – November 18, 2022
The association representing for-profit institutions, Career Education Colleges and Universities, said it hoped the settlement would be overturned on appeal. The settlement “represents an unlawful overreach by the Department of Education and unfairly maligns over 150 institutions without any opportunity to respond”, the association’s president, Jason Altmire, said in a statement.

Judge Grants Final Approval to Borrower Defense Settlement – November 18, 2022
“The four intervenor schools made a compelling case that the Sweet settlement represents an unlawful overreach by the Department of Education and unfairly maligns over 150 institutions without any opportunity to respond,” Altmire said in a statement.

Court awards $6 billion in student loan relief to borrowers – November 18, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), which represents many of the more than 150 schools on the settlement list, released a statement calling the decision an “unlawful overreach” and saying it “unfairly maligns” the schools without a chance for them to defend themselves.

Borrower-Defense Settlement To Discharge $6 Billion in Loans – November 18, 2022
“We are disappointed that Judge Alsup overlooked these defects and approved the settlement. We expect that the Ninth Circuit on appeal will recognize these fatal flaws and send the parties back to the negotiating table.”

Federal judge signs off on student loan cancellation for 200,000 borrowers – November 17, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities president and CEO Dr. Jason Altmire stated his opposition to the ruling, claiming that the verdict is unlawful and “unfairly maligned over 150 institutions without any opportunity to respond.” CECU represents many of the listed schools in the settlement agreement and has been heavily involved with the lawsuit’s development.

Judge approves Sweet v. Cardona student debt relief settlement, but likely appeal looms – November 17, 2022
“The four intervenor schools made a compelling case that the Sweet settlement represents an unlawful overreach by the Department of Education and unfairly maligns over 150 institutions without any opportunity to respond,” Jason Altmire, CECU president and CEO, said in a statement.

Judge rules to erase the student loans of 200k borrowers who say they were ripped off – November 17, 2022
In a statement response, Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), which represents many of the 153 schools on the settlement list, said his group is "disappointed" with the decision: "We expect that the Ninth Circuit on appeal will recognize these fatal flaws and send the parties back to the negotiating table.

Judge gives final OK to sweeping student loan fraud settlement – November 16, 2022
Jason Altmire, the group's president and CEO, said he was disappointed in the decision but expects an appeal. The settlement, he said in a statement, "represents an unlawful overreach by the Department of Education and unfairly maligns over 150 institutions based on mere allegations without any opportunity to respond."

Judge grants final approval of $6 billion student loan settlement – November 16, 2022
“The settlement represents an unlawful overreach by the Department of Education and unfairly maligns over 150 institutions without any opportunity to respond,” Altmire said. “We expect that the Ninth Circuit on appeal will recognize these fatal flaws and send the parties back to the negotiating table.”

New Biden Rule Speeds Up Student-Loan Forgiveness for Defrauded Borrowers – October 31, 2022
“The Department has cut corners in a rush to ram through a punitive borrower defense rule with serious legal and regulatory flaws that could undermine the American education system,” said Jason Altmire, head of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a for-profit school industry group.

Biden admin relaxes rules for student debt forgiveness – October 31, 2022
The rules were embraced by student advocates but blasted by an industry group representing for-profit colleges. The group said the rules will deprive schools of due process protections, and it questioned how closely the department reviewed the more than 5,000 public comments responding to its initial proposal.

Education Department unveils final 'borrower defense' rule – October 31, 2022
“This is yet another example of the department’s willingness to disregard established process to pursue a partisan borrower defense agenda that is contrary to the best interests of schools and students," Altmire said.

ED Issues Final Rules on Borrower Defense, Closed School Discharges, Total and Permanent Disability Discharges, Interest Capitalization, False Certification, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness – November 1, 2022
On Monday, CECU said that given the abbreviated 41-day window between the comment submission deadline and when ED submitted the final rule for interagency review, ED could not have “meaningfully considered thousands of comment submissions.”

Biden admin relaxes rules for student debt forgiveness – October 31, 2022
“The department has cut corners in a rush to ram through a punitive borrower defense rule with serious legal and regulatory flaws that could undermine the American education system,” said Jason Altmire, a former Democratic congressman and president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.

Borrower-Defense Rules Finalized – November 1, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities, the association representing for-profit institutions, submitted a 137-page comment arguing in part that the rule violates the law by depriving schools of essential due process protections. On Monday, the organization questioned whether the department meaningfully considered all the comments submitted.

Education Department releases final rules on borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharge – October 31, 2022
Just 41 days passed between the Aug. 12 deadline for public comment on the proposals and the date the Education Department submitted final rules for interagency review. That prompts doubts about whether regulators could have meaningfully considered comments submitted, which numbered more than 5,000, CECU said in a statement.

90-10 Loophole Closed – October 28, 2022
“We don’t agree that 90-10 is in any way a measure of quality,” Altmire said. “We don’t agree that it’s good public policy. In fact, we strongly disagree with the public policy. But given the political reality and the fact that they were going to proceed with this, as they have the authority to do, we’re at least content that our concerns were heard on some of the bigger issues that were at play.”

Education Department finalizes 90/10 rule, college ownership regulations – October 28, 2022
Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, in a statement called the new 90/10 regulation “an ineffective measure of quality that focuses on a student’s ability to pay rather than willingness to pay.” Though CECU disagrees with the “flawed metric,” Altmire said the group appreciated the Education Department hewing closely to the regulatory language negotiated earlier this year.

For-profit college owners should be on the hook for loan discharges, 6 senators argue - October 20, 2022
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, a group representing for-profit schools, said in an emailed statement Wednesday that all higher education institutions should be held responsible when they violate laws and mislead students. “But the ability to hold executives personally responsible for funds their institutions owe is limited under existing law,” Kent said. “These Senators are inappropriately pressuring the Department to change the rules governing personal responsibility in American corporate law to furtherance their campaign against private career schools.”

Blanket Transcript-Withholding Policies Are ‘Abusive,’ Federal Agency Says – October 6, 2022
“Instead of engaging institutions, engaging lenders, engaging the public on this practice of transcript withholding, they pulled a new interpretation of law into a guide for their examiners, which is a really terrible way of making policy,” said Nicholas Kent, the group’s chief policy officer.

Withholding College Transcripts for Loan Payment Is ‘Abusive,’ Agency Says – September 30, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges, criticized the move. “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau continues to overstep its statutory authority with its transcript withholding directive,” Jason Altmire, the group’s president and chief executives, said in a statement.

Student Loan Subsidies Could Have Dangerous, Unintended Side Effects – September 18, 2022
Jason Altmire, chief executive of the Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group that represents for-profit colleges, said, “As several economists have argued, the new repayment plan could drive up costs across all sectors of higher education and incentivize students to take on more debt.”

Here’s a list of the colleges in the Sweet v. Cardona settlement agreement - August 11, 2022
Several listed colleges took issue with the Ed Department’s arguments. Career Education Colleges and Universities has voiced concern that the Ed Department is trying to approve claims “without regard to individual merit.” Included in the article is a searchable list of all the schools in Exhibit C of the proposed settlement.

Senate Passes Bill to Restore 85-15 Rule – August 11, 2022
The bill would codify the 35 percent exception as well as clarify the 85-15 rule. It also streamlines the application process for colleges that apply for the exception. It is also supported by Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges.

Taxpayers are owed more than $1 billion related to the student loan program — but not from borrowers – August 10, 2022
“We believe that if a school acted improperly, they lied to their students, they defrauded their students, there was a misrepresentation and the student was financially harmed, the institutions — after they’ve received their appropriate due process — should be held liable for the amounts discharged,” Kent said. “The Department, under this administration, has heavily weighted the due process rights of students while forgoing them for institutions,” he added, arguing that the settlement is an example of this dynamic.

200,000 student-loan borrowers get a 'grand slam' after a federal judge moves them closer to $6 billion in debt cancellation – August 9, 2022
"The parties' proposed settlement has unfairly impugned the reputations of more than 150 schools, all without the basic procedural fairness to which these schools are entitled under the Department's own regulations," Altmire said.

$6 billion student loan settlement gets preliminary approval – August 4, 2022
“The parties’ proposed settlement has unfairly impugned the reputations of more than 150 schools, all without the basic procedural fairness to which these schools are entitled under the Department’s own regulations,” said Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a lobbying group for for-profit colleges.

Education Dept. proposes tougher regulation of for-profit colleges – July 26, 2022
For-profit colleges have argued that the revenue rule is not a good measure of the quality of education provided by colleges. Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges, called the rule “misguided” but commended the department’s approach. “Although we fundamentally disagree with this flawed accountability metric, we commend the Department for adopting the consensus-based language agreed upon during the negotiated rulemaking process,” Altmire.

For-Profit Accountability and Pell Grants in Prisons – July 27, 2022
“This 90-10 formula has nothing to do with quality—this is a financial formula,” said Altmire. “They are making it more difficult for schools to pass the threshold.” Altmire said that since Congress proposed changes to 90-10 in 2021, for-profit colleges have been preparing for a change in the rule for the last two years. “We do feel our schools have the ability to do what they have to do to come into compliance,” he said in an interview with Inside Higher Ed.

Federal officials attempt crackdown on for-profit colleges – July 26, 2022
"We look forward to working with the Department to implement the rule so that it is fair for both students and institutions,” CECU’s president and CEO Jason Altmire said.

Ed Department proposes tightening 90/10 rule and monitoring nonprofit conversions – July 26, 2022
“The 90/10 rule set by Congress is a misguided policy,” said CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire. “Although we fundamentally disagree with this flawed accountability metric, we commend the Department for adopting the consensus-based language agreed upon during the negotiated rulemaking process.”

Biden sets new limits on for-profit colleges – July 26, 2022
The chief association of for-profit institutions, Career Education Colleges and Universities, said it regarded the 90/10 rule as “a misguided policy” but credited the Biden administration with not pursuing some even harsher expansions of the rule put forward during the public negotiating sessions.

Education Department Responds to For-Profit Motion to Intervene – July 27, 2022
Altmire did say, “We’re not surprised at the response. We are going through some of the arguments that were made, which are more sweeping in their implications than only this settlement.” According to CECU, many colleges that were listed in the settlement were concerned about the reputations being harmed due to the pending borrower-defense claims that they say they never got a chance to respond to.

Loan forgiveness may be close for students claiming borrower defense – July 21, 2022
The settlement's critics also point out that the Education Department has investigated very few of these schools – let alone confirmed wrongdoing. "We have many concerns," says Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a group that represents many of the schools on the list. "It does not appear that the department has done an individual review of each of these claims. In fact, they have themselves said that they did not do that," Altmire says.


For-Profit Colleges Oppose Student-Loan Debt Settlement – July 18, 2022
Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at CECU, told BestColleges the motion is a matter of protecting due process rights for institutions, as well as the reputations of the schools involved. "In part, the department is circumventing the borrower defense process by grouping these schools together and suggesting they engaged in fraud," he said. "We believe there should be an avenue for borrowers to have their claims reviewed in a timely way… but we are concerned that the settlement agreement circumvented all of the department's own regulations."

Court pushes back hearing over $6B borrower defense settlement – July 19, 2022
“We think that this added time will allow the court to process and fully understand the missteps in the proposed settlement agreement and find that allowing the parties to intervene is necessary to preserving institutions’ due process protections afforded under the current borrower defense program,” Kent said.

For-Profits Seek to Intervene in Federal Borrower-Defense Settlement – July 15, 2022
“From discussions with schools listed in the proposed settlement agreement, several have indicated and expressed alarm that the Department of Education has never notified them of pending borrower-defense claims. This lack of notice and the ability to adequately respond violates institutions’ due process rights under the borrower-defense program,” said Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer for CECU.

For-profits oppose plan to forgive $6B in student loans to settle borrower defense case – July 14, 2022
“The U.S. Department of Education’s proposed settlement would grant debt cancellation relief to hundreds of thousands of borrowers without providing a meaningful process for assessing those borrower defense claims, and without giving all stakeholders a seat at the table to ensure that the outcome is fair and just for students, institutions, and taxpayers,” CECU President Jason Altmire said in a statement.

Borrower-Defense Claims Could Be Paid by Colleges – July 11, 2022
“The bifurcation of the process of reviewing and approving borrower-defense applications from the recruitment process is being proposed in order to forgive student loans en masse with little to no evidence while abdicating the department’s responsibility of being a good steward with taxpayer dollars,” said Kent.

Biden Administration Proposes Easing Student Loan Forgiveness Process for Defrauded Students – July 6, 2022
“For students who allege that they have been defrauded, there should be a careful and deliberative process for considering and resolving their claims,” said Jason Altmire, the head of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an association of for-profit schools. “[T]he Department intends to use the rule-making process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students in the process.”

Biden administration wants to ease student-loan forgiveness for some – July 6, 2022
“Today’s proposed rule sends a clear and troubling message that the department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students in the process,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges.

More flexibility proposed for student debt forgiveness – July 6, 2022
“Today’s proposed rule sends a clear and troubling message that the Department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students,” Altmire said.

Some student loans may soon be easier to forgive. Here’s what that could mean for you – July 7, 2022
Some analysts are pushing back against the department’s push for borrower defense. The included provisions could be weaponized against for-profit institutions and should instead aim for greater balance between protecting students and institutions, according to Nicholas Kent, chief policy officer at CECU. “We don’t think it is grounded in existing statue, and we think it suffers from inadequate due process protection,” Kent told McClatchy News.

Biden administration unveils overhaul of ‘targeted’ student loan relief – July 7, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities president Jason Altmire said the administration’s proposed rule “sends a clear and troubling message that the Department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students in the process.

Biden proposes more flexibility for student debt forgiveness – July 7, 2022
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of the industry trade group Career Education Colleges and Universities, said the policy would be an “unprecedented expansion” of the Education Department’s authority.

Simplifying Student Loans – July 7, 2022
Jason Altmire, the president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the for-profit sector, said, “We think the department has greatly exceeded their authority in putting this type of proposal forward.” “This is a clear attempt by the department to weaponize the rule-making process specifically targeted at one sector of higher education,” said Altmire.

Student loan debt would be erased for some under proposed U.S. plan – July 6, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization that represents for-profit colleges and universities, criticized the proposed changes, saying they are “not grounded in any existing statute.” “This is an unprecedented expansion of the Department’s authority that was never contemplated by Congress and that will have substantial negative economic consequences on institutions and taxpayers.”

More flexibility proposed for student debt forgiveness – July 6, 2022
“Today’s proposed rule sends a clear and troubling message that the Department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students,” Altmire said.

Ed Department proposes regulatory changes to borrower defense, PSLF, other student loan protections – July 6, 2022
Jason Altmire, the group’s president, said in a statement that the draft regulations lack due-process protections. He said the department wants to discharge federal loans “en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students.”

Getting student debt forgiveness could be easier under new rules proposed by Biden administration – July 6, 2022
"Today's proposed rule sends a clear and troubling message that the Department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students," Altmire said.

More Flexibility Proposed for Student Debt Forgiveness – July 6, 2022
“Today’s proposed rule sends a clear and troubling message that the Department intends to use the rulemaking process to discharge federal student loans en masse while hurting unfavored institutions and their students,” Altmire said.

Inside the deal that could revamp loan forgiveness for defrauded borrowers – July 5, 2022
Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in a statement to POLITICO that the group is “exploring all legal options.” He said that “CECU is especially concerned with the threat of potential due process violations and the public harm that will result from the proposed settlement if approved.”

Biden's Education Department just punted on a policy that could keep student-loan borrowers' debt from piling up after they graduate – June 25, 2022
Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, said in a statement that he is "pleased that the Department of Education is taking the time necessary to reconsider their ill-conceived plans to propose an accountability measure that exempts the vast majority of institutions of higher education."

Education Dept. to cancel $6 billion in debt for defrauded borrowers – June 23, 2022
“We are deeply concerned that in its haste to respond to outside political pressure, the U.S. Department of Education is attempting to approve wide swaths of claims without regard to individual merit,” Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a lobbying group for for-profit colleges, said in a statement.

Education Dept. Agrees to Settle 200,000 Borrower-Defense Claims – June 24, 2022
“The department has an obligation to take a more measured approach to determine if each student has been financially harmed based on an unlawful act. The court should look carefully at the settlement agreement to ensure it is fair for all parties involved.”

Ed Department strikes $6B settlement with students who attended for-profits – June 23, 2022
“We are deeply concerned that in its haste to respond to outside political pressure, the U.S. Department of Education is attempting to approve wide swaths of claims without regard to individual merit,” CECU President and CEO Jason Altmire said in a statement.

Biden's Education Department just punted on a policy that could keep student-loan borrowers' debt from piling up after they graduate – June 25, 2022
Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, said in a statement that he is "pleased that the Department of Education is taking the time necessary to reconsider their ill-conceived plans to propose an accountability measure that exempts the vast majority of institutions of higher education."

Biden Pushes Gainful Employment to Spring – June 23, 2022
“Rushing towards an arbitrary deadline is not helpful for any public policy. We hope with this additional time the department will rethink their fundamental approach to this accountability framework,” said Nicholas Kent, the chief policy officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions.

Education Department delays gainful employment proposal until 2023 – June 22, 2022
“CECU is pleased that the Department of Education is taking the time necessary to reconsider their ill-conceived plans to propose an accountability measure that exempts the vast majority of institutions of higher education,” CECU President Jason Altmire said in a statement.

Education Department Won’t Hold For-Profit College Executives Personally Accountable - June 15, 2022
The head of the for-profit college industry’s leading trade group, former member of Congress Jason Altmire, admitted to NPR, “In any case that involves substantial fraud or the owner withdrawing capital before a closure … they absolutely should be subject to [personal liability]. That is the reason that authority exists."

Gainful Employment Change Could Harm For-Profits - June 9, 2022
“It is not an apples-to-apples comparison and the [Education] Department knows that,” said Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges. “We absolutely support accountability that applies across the board, to all schools and all sectors, but we are opposed to gainful employment as it is currently designed.”

Harris remarks on canceled student loan debt for former Corinthian College students - June 2, 2022
“The (Education) Department and others should not conflate the actions of one organization with an entire sector that has provided opportunities for millions of students and contributed to our nation’s workforce,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.

Student loan debt wiped clean for former Corinthian students - June 2, 2022
A for-profit college trade group said students who are deceived by their colleges deserve relief, but that Corinthian’s actions “do not represent all private career schools.” “The (Education) Department and others should not conflate the actions of one organization with an entire sector that has provided opportunities for millions of students and contributed to our nation’s workforce,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.

Biden cancels all remaining student loan debt from Corinthian Colleges - June 1, 2022
Jason Altmire, a former Democratic congressman who now leads the for-profit college trade association Career Education Colleges and Universities, said in a statement on Wednesday that Corinthian’s actions “do not represent” the entire sector that he represents. “Students intentionally deceived by their college and who were financially harmed are entitled to appropriate relief regardless of whether the related actions are perpetrated by a public, nonprofit, or for-profit institution,” he said in a statement.

Biden Administration Looks to Speed Student-Loan Forgiveness for Defrauded Borrowers - April 13, 2022
“That was the key issue—having to show that the student putting forward this claim would show harm on an individual basis,” said Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a for-profit school trade group.

The truck-driving industry claims there's a driver shortage. But it's complicated. - April 7, 2022
Meanwhile, for-profit colleges trained 7,600 drivers last year, or 51% of all truck-driving graduates, said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of the Career Education Colleges and Universities. “There is a lot of turnover for different reasons, and we feel like we are helping with the supply of drivers,” Altmire said. “We do try to make our students aware of what that lifestyle is going to look like.”

New Education Department Rules on Failing For-Profit Colleges - March 24, 2022
Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, said, “Determining whether to pierce the corporate veil should be a fact-specific inquiry. When corporate parents intentionally withdraw equity or become the alter ego of the institutional subsidiary, piercing the veil may be appropriate. However, courts have long recognized that piercing the veil is not appropriate in the case of ordinary business decisions. The U.S. Department of Education should take into account all circumstances surrounding an institutional closure before taking the extraordinary step of piercing the corporate veil to reach the assets of the corporate parent.”

The Ed Department brokered a deal on 90/10 rule changes. Here's what's inside. - March 21, 2022
"It is surprising to a lot of people in higher education that the negotiating committee reached consensus on what was probably one of the most contentious items," said Nicholas Kent, senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities. "I don't think that a lot of people — especially when they saw the department's opening proposal in January — thought that there was any way that the committee would reach consensus."

Gainful employment proposal looks at college vs. high school grads' earnings - March 9, 2022
"We think that if there are accountability measures that they should apply to all programs and all institutions," said Nicholas Kent, senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities, an organization that represents for-profit institutions.

When colleges defraud students, should the government go after school executives? - March 1, 2022
Altmire cautions, however, "If you're going to apply accountability standards, just apply them to all schools in all sectors." Translation: Make sure for-profit trade schools aren't the only kinds of colleges held under the microscope.

New Study Shows Many Traditional Colleges Fail ‘Gainful Employment’ Test for Grads - February 27, 2022
“This shows that had gainful employment been applied across all sectors of higher education, the vast majority of failing programs would have been at private nonprofit and public institutions, not-for-profit institutions,” said Altmire, a Democrat and former member of Congress from Pennsylvania. “This is a reality that many advocates of accountability for all sectors of higher education have long suspected, and now we have the data to show without a shadow of a doubt that all students across all sectors of higher education need protections to ensure that the programs they’re attending give them a strong return on investment.”

For-Profit Colleges Seeking to Become Nonprofits May Face Tighter Regulations - February 16, 2022
"The reality is that these transactions happen infrequently, in part because they typically take several years for federal and state agencies and college accreditors to assess the legitimacy of the conversion," he (Nicholas Kent) added via email. "For those that allege that a for-profit college may want to transition to nonprofit status simply to benefit from public perception or to escape regulatory scrutiny, that concern could be easily addressed if we hold all institutions to the same accountability rules."

Rules on for-profit colleges could hurt economy, veterans - February 16, 2022
“There is an argument to be made here that if this rule was a good rule, it would apply to all institutions, right?” said Kent about the 90/10 rule. “It’s only applied to career schools, private career schools, so, for-profit career schools, and, again, it doesn’t measure whether a student is getting a good education, what it’s measuring is whether or not the student has the ability to pay for some of that education and that’s not how we should be measuring outcomes in this country in higher education.”

'Gainful employment' regulations to improve college accountability are back on the table - February 14, 2022
"The ongoing rulemaking is an opportunity for the Biden administration to develop common-sense regulations that focus not on an institution’s tax status or the types of programs it offers, but whether students receive a good return on their investment," Kent said. "Resurrecting the gainful employment regulations, which would fail to protect over 75 percent of students enrolled in postsecondary education, would be a missed opportunity for this administration to protect millions of degree-seeking students attending public and nonprofit institutions.”

For-profit college conversions get new scrutiny in US – February 4, 2022
Career Education Colleges and Universities does have some members that now hold non-profit status, said the group’s president, Jason Altmire. “I would say the lines are being blurred every day between for-profit and non-profit,” Mr. Altmire said. “You’re going to see a lot more of this across higher education.” One of his group’s main concerns, Mr. Altmire said, was that the Education Department lacks the money to make proper assessments of applications for non-profit conversions.

Biden crackdown targets for-profit colleges – January 26, 2022
“We do not oppose accountability measures,” said Jason Altmire, CECU's president. “We believe any accountability measure that you want to impose, any metric that you want to use to measure accountability, should simply be applied to all schools without loophole and without gimmick."

4 questions for-profit colleges face in 2022 - January 21, 2022
For-profit colleges have vociferously opposed their students being ineligible for the increase. "We feel that it is an injustice," said CECU President Jason Altmire. "It's just a matter of equity — that the Pell Grant program is designed to be portable."

For-Profit Colleges That Lend to Their Own Students Face Scrutiny – January 20, 2022
“We look forward to working with the bureau and the higher education community to ensure any institutional loan programs meet students’ needs and provide appropriate safeguards,” said Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry group representing for-profit schools.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will examine private student lending - January 20, 2022
"We look forward to working with the Bureau and the higher education community to ensure any institutional loan programs meets students' needs and provides appropriate safeguards," said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of CECU.

Biden Administration Moves to Undo DeVos Education Agenda - January 18, 2022
“This negotiated rulemaking is a watershed opportunity for the Biden administration to develop sensible regulations that protect all students and safeguard taxpayer funds,” says Jason Altmire, president and CEO of the Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents the industry. “With the availability of more data than we’ve ever had in higher education, the negotiating committee – which includes the Department of Education – has a moral obligation to develop policies that hold public, private nonprofit, and for-profit institutions equally accountable for their outcomes.”

The (Renewed) Fight Over Gainful Employment – January 18, 2022
Nicholas Kent, senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities (the advocate for the for-profit sector), said in an interview that “many people feel that the current administration” has a “foregone conclusion” in favor of gainful employment. “We represent only 8 percent of students but are a disproportionate amount of the conversation,” he said.

For-profit colleges fight exclusion from Pell Grant increase in Biden’s spending bill - November 23, 2021
“It’s a clear attempt to dissuade people from going to for-profit schools,” said Jason Altmire, president and CEO 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.”

Using Pell to Police For-Profits? - November 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.”

Build Back Better's Pell Grant provision prompts debate in higher-ed circles - November 19, 2021
“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?”

For-profit colleges fight exclusion from Biden’s Pell boost - November 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. “It is clearly an attempt to dissuade students from going to a for-profit school,” he added.

Democrats’ Bill Would Deny For-Profit College Students Extra Aid - November 12, 2021
“If you want to do a $1 trillion effort to rebuild America, those are our graduates,” Mr. Altmire said. “You’re going to disadvantage the very students you’re going to need to carry out this work.”

Biden plan draws wide ire for excluding for-profit colleges from Pell increase - November 10, 2021
"This is a blunt instrument with a lot of unintended consequences," John Huston said. "We'd rather there be more of a focus on institutional accountability rules and that this provision be taken out."

House Members Urge Inclusion of For-Profits in Pell Increase - November 9, 2021
"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."

Nationwide college enrollment continues to slide – October 26, 2021
Nicholas Kent at Career Education Colleges and Universities said the data is not a comprehensive look at the for-profit industry because it excludes two-year institutions. He says there is a bifurcation in the sector, with some schools suffering and others weathering tepid enrollment. All the same, the overall two-year decline among four-year for-profits and the community colleges are now very similar, Shapiro said. The sectors serve similar populations of students who are often older.

The Ed Dept revived a financial aid investigative unit. Is it open season on for-profit colleges? - October 21, 2021
"Our fear is that this is just one more effort to target our sector and weaponize this new enforcement unit in a way that is going to only make it more difficult for proprietary schools to operate," said Jason Altmire, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a group representing for-profit colleges.

Cardona resurrects student-aid enforcement unit disbanded by DeVos - October 8, 2021
“We have a concern that, like happened under Obama, this effort at enforcement may only look at for-profit schools,” said Jason Altmire, CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit colleges. “Any effort to scrutinize financial aid should include all schools in all sectors because all students deserve protection and all schools should be held accountable.”

Advocates are pushing to hold college executives liable when their schools collapse or mislead students - August 19, 2021
Though the Department of Education could arguably pursue personal liability for owners and executives based on provisions Congress added to the Higher Education Act in 1992, Altmire said his concern is that, “this is an extreme measure that they appear to be trying to make more commonplace than it was designed to be” under that law. “And certainly than it’s designed in corporate law. That is somewhat of an aberration from the traditional rules governing personal responsibility in corporate law in America,” Altmire said of the proposal.