94 nonprofit and 66 for-profit private colleges fail financial responsibility test

The Department of Education released data evaluating the subpar financial health of 160 private colleges during the 2013-14 school year, finding two more failing institutions than the prior year.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 14, 2016

Influential Obama education adviser leaves White House

James Kvaal has accepted a position at the University of Michigan, ending a nearly seven-year tenure in which he helped with a range of higher ed initiatives.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 11, 2016

For-profit colleges lose another appeal to gainful employment

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the Obama administration’s policy that holds vocational programs accountable for graduates’ ability to repay student loans.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 9, 2016

Grand Canyon University bid to become nonprofit fails

The Higher Learning Commission rejected the nonprofit conversion proposal from the for-profit university in Phoenix, saying too much of its academic operation would remain for-profit.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2016

Can state agencies get stronger on for-profits?

While the Obama administration has been encouraging states to improve their oversight of for-profit colleges and universities, many of these offices don’t have the staff or the money.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 7, 2016

Louisiana insulates for-profits from cuts to state scholarship program

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students doesn’t have enough funding to pay out the last 20% to colleges and LSU will lose $10 million, but for-profits will get the full reimbursement.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 3, 2016

ACICS board members' qualifications examined

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools faces scrutiny for the makeup of its board of directors, most of whom worked at for-profit colleges while they served.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 26, 2016

CFPB lawsuit against for-profit accreditor has broad implications

The CFPB is suing the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools for information it refuses to provide. At issue is whether the CFPB has the authority to demand it.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 25, 2016

U of Phoenix looks to 'Rise' with new ad campaign

The embattled for-profit giant is addressing some of the core criticisms levied against it in a move to improve its reputation and attract more qualified students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 19, 2016

Ed Dept proposes new loan forgiveness rules

A panel of negotiators is considering changes to the student loan forgiveness policies that will create a federal standard for assessing borrower appeals for debt relief.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 18, 2016

Udemy hits 10M student mark, with most enrolling for professional development

The online platform, which charges anywhere from a few dollars per course to more than $250, continues to provide an alternative to traditional continuing ed programs.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 17, 2016

Coursera launches 12 new project-based courses

The MOOC provider is offering new courses in business, computer science, and art and music that give students a chance to learn by doing.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 12, 2016

Obama's final budget proposal would send billions to higher ed

While there are plenty of positives for higher ed in Obama's 2017 budget proposal, many of the programs and initiatives are sure to die at the hands of the Republican-controlled Congress.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 10, 2016

Number of distance learners continues to grow

The Babson Survey Research Group’s annual report about online education shows the number of distance education enrollments was up in 2014, even as overall enrollments declined.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 10, 2016

Ed Dept announces new student aid enforcement unit

The unit is designed to respond more quickly to complaints about illegal actions in the higher ed sector, where many outstanding complaints are targeted at for-profit colleges.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 9, 2016

Apollo Education Group to go private in $1.1B sale

The owner of for-profit college chain University of Phoenix will be taken private in a cash sale to a group of investors, which worries some — though they say they want to clean up the industry.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 9, 2016

Will the Internet remove traditional higher ed's prestige factor?

Columnist Michael Kinsley sees the Internet potentially becoming the great disruptor that brings down traditional institutions by taking away the power of prestige.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 8, 2016

Pearson to leave the LMS market within 2-3 years

The British company announced last fall that it would phase out support for OpenClass and more recently told colleges that LearningStudio will also be left behind.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 4, 2016

Ed Dept blocks financial aid for two for-profit chains

Computer Systems Institute lost eligibility over inflated job placement rates, and a chain of beauty schools allegedly fabricated high school diplomas of students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 3, 2016

Coursera shifts business model, plans to charge students for graded assignments

The for-profit MOOC provider will begin charging for some of its offerings, including most courses in Specialization sequences, at a cost of $29 to $99.

By Tara García Mathewson • Feb. 1, 2016

Duncan, Pearson, and collaborative models: The week's most-read education news

Fall behind? Get the latest on former education secretary Arne Duncan, Pearson's restructuring, device success in North Carolina, and more here.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 29, 2016

Federal judge limits restrictions on for-profits in Massachusetts case

Strict regulations of for-profit colleges in the state were largely upheld by a federal judge this week, but two were struck down on first amendment grounds.

By Tara García Mathewson • Jan. 29, 2016

DeVry latest target of FTC in lawsuit over deceptive practices

The Federal Trade Commission announced a lawsuit against the for-profit university Wednesday, alleging it deceived students about their job prospects following graduation.

By Tara García Mathewson • Jan. 28, 2016

Presidents to watch, e-days, and tenure: The week’s most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on Gates-funded teacher transformation centers, the changing face of snow days, and more here.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 22, 2016

U of Phoenix off DoD probation, Apollo still owes FTC documents

The for-profit is once again free to recruit prospective students on military bases, but parent company Apollo Education Group isn't out of the woods yet.

By Tara García Mathewson • Jan. 20, 2016