For-profit colleges are colleges that are owned and operated by private, for-profit companies. These schools are typically geared towards adults who are looking to go back to school or get training for a new career. And while there are some advantages to for-profit colleges, such as flexible class schedules and the ability to get a degree or certification quickly, some of the schools do more harm than good when it comes to their students.

Recently, there's been a call by Senate Democrats to hold the heads of for-profit colleges and universities liable for all of the damage that they've caused their students.

How Have For-Profit Colleges Harmed Students?

One key con of many for-profit colleges is that when final costs are tallied, they are often more expensive than traditional colleges. Because these schools are operated as businesses, they need to generate a profit, which means that tuition costs are often much higher than at non-profit schools. And although federal financial aid is available at for-profit colleges, students often find that they have to take out private loans to cover the full cost of tuition, which can put them in an extremely difficult financial situation after graduation.

Another con of for-profit colleges is that they have been known to use deceptive marketing practices to lure students into enrolling. This can include making false promises about job placement rates after graduation or using high-pressure sales tactics. In some cases, students have even been misled about the accreditation status of the school, which can affect their ability to transfer credits or get a job in their field after graduation. In fact, students at some for-profit colleges and universities ended up spending huge amounts of money for essentially worthless degrees.

What Do Senate Democrats Want to Happen to Unscrupulous For-Profit Colleges?

Several Senate Democrats have sent a letter to the US Department of Education (DOE) requesting that for-profit college executives be held liable for student loans that have been discharged because of those institutions' misconduct.

In a letter written to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Senators Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren, and others wrote that in spite of the fact the DOE constantly fines for-profit colleges for being fraudulent in their dealings with students and misrepresenting their costs, the executives connected to the fraud continue to reap huge financial rewards for their deception.

The DOE has increased the level of oversight over these types of colleges in recent years, helping students harmed by these institutions by discharging loans they received. The Senators write that although these moves have been helpful, the Department of Education has not used its power from The Higher Education Act of 1965 that allows them to seek reimbursement. The Senators want the government to seek reimbursement from the executives of these companies. The DOE says that it doesn't have the power to recoup any money, but the senators disagree.

Get Help If You're Struggling With For-Profit School Legal Issues

Unscrupulous for-profit colleges and universities have created severe financial issues for their students, saddling many of them with heavy debt and making pursuing their dreams extremely difficult. If you're dealing with the fallout from going to a for-profit school, you need to work with a legal firm that can help.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the experienced team at the Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping students deal with difficult school administrations. They know exactly what to do to help you get back on your feet.

Reach out to the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or contact us online.