The for-profit education industry has successfully lobbied the U.S. Congress, winning major concessions to avoid regulation.  Critics have exposed corrupt recruitment practices, unsound pedagogy, and outright fraud at many for-profit “colleges”.  Proposed reforms would have curbed abuses by for-profit institutions, but Congress has so watered down the legislation that no effective reform will be instituted.

The for-profit lobbyists’ win represents a major loss for American students and for non-profit education.

Despite a series of major scandals, for-profit “colleges” will be able to continue to profit from federal tax dollars.  These institutions will continue to be able to accept students’ federal financial aid and loans, while offering them an inferior education (see previous posts for data on this).

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on the lobbying effort and the legislation.