Posted on Jul 30, 2015
University of Phoenix under federal investigation over its business practices. Have you attended?
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Have you attended the University of Phoenix? What does this investigation make you feel about this, or similar for-profit universities?
The University of Phoenix, which runs an online college popular among military veterans, is under federal investigation for possible deceptive or unfair business practices, its parent company the Apollo Education Group told shareholders Wednesday.
The for-profit, publicly traded company is the largest recipient of federal student aid for veterans and often a sponsor at military education and employment events. Since 2009, when the GI Bill expanded student aid benefits for veterans, the University of Phoenix online program has collected more than $488 million in tuition and fees for veterans — a figure that dwarfs nearly every other institution identified as a GI recipient by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company disclosed that it had received a "civil investigative demand" from the Federal Trade Commission this week. According to the document, investigators asked for information on a "broad spectrum" of matters, including marketing, recruiting, enrollment, financial aid, tuition, academic programs, billing and debt collection, as well other facets of the business. The filing lists "military recruitment" as one of the areas the FTC is examining.
The University of Phoenix has collected more than a half a billion dollars in GI assistance since 2009. While its online program received $488 million, its campuses also took in large sums to educate vets. In San Diego, Calif., for example, its campus received $134 million in GI tuition assistance, while its campus in Costa Mesa, Calif., received $122 million.
By comparison, the top recipient of GI tuition assistance among public institutions is the University of Maryland-University College, with $150 million in GI tuition since 2009.
Article:
http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/07/29/ftc-investigating-online-college-university-of-phoenix
The University of Phoenix, which runs an online college popular among military veterans, is under federal investigation for possible deceptive or unfair business practices, its parent company the Apollo Education Group told shareholders Wednesday.
The for-profit, publicly traded company is the largest recipient of federal student aid for veterans and often a sponsor at military education and employment events. Since 2009, when the GI Bill expanded student aid benefits for veterans, the University of Phoenix online program has collected more than $488 million in tuition and fees for veterans — a figure that dwarfs nearly every other institution identified as a GI recipient by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company disclosed that it had received a "civil investigative demand" from the Federal Trade Commission this week. According to the document, investigators asked for information on a "broad spectrum" of matters, including marketing, recruiting, enrollment, financial aid, tuition, academic programs, billing and debt collection, as well other facets of the business. The filing lists "military recruitment" as one of the areas the FTC is examining.
The University of Phoenix has collected more than a half a billion dollars in GI assistance since 2009. While its online program received $488 million, its campuses also took in large sums to educate vets. In San Diego, Calif., for example, its campus received $134 million in GI tuition assistance, while its campus in Costa Mesa, Calif., received $122 million.
By comparison, the top recipient of GI tuition assistance among public institutions is the University of Maryland-University College, with $150 million in GI tuition since 2009.
Article:
http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/07/29/ftc-investigating-online-college-university-of-phoenix
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As an update to this initial thread back in the summer, the University of Phoenix is now on probation by the DOD. This is also interesting because a retired two-star Army general, James "Spider" Marks, is Executive Dean of their College of Criminal Justice and Security.
https://www.revealnews.org/article/university-of-phoenix-put-on-probation-over-its-recruiting-of-veterans/?utm_content=buffercc25a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
SGM Matthew Quick CSM David Heidke COL Vincent Stoneking SGM (Join to see) 1SG Brett Austin SSG Keith Roberson TSgt Jaime Jones CW4 (Join to see) MSG D. Layne-Sheffield SSG Ryan R SGT Ben Keen SFC (Join to see) PO1 John Miller MSG (Join to see) 1LT Roman Botashoff CPO Andy Carrillo, MS CPT Russell Pitre SFC (Join to see)
https://www.revealnews.org/article/university-of-phoenix-put-on-probation-over-its-recruiting-of-veterans/?utm_content=buffercc25a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
SGM Matthew Quick CSM David Heidke COL Vincent Stoneking SGM (Join to see) 1SG Brett Austin SSG Keith Roberson TSgt Jaime Jones CW4 (Join to see) MSG D. Layne-Sheffield SSG Ryan R SGT Ben Keen SFC (Join to see) PO1 John Miller MSG (Join to see) 1LT Roman Botashoff CPO Andy Carrillo, MS CPT Russell Pitre SFC (Join to see)
University of Phoenix put on probation over its military recruiting
The Department of Defense said it would suspend the University of Phoenix from federal tuition assistance programs and bar school officials from recruiting at military facilities after revelations …
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CSM David Heidke
Yes, and Homland Security has allegedly updated Wikipedia pages implicating two House Republicans causing turmoil in the election for House Speaker.
A government agency interfering with a function of politics government.
We may as well dispense with the Hatch Act because it now has been thrown out the window.
I trust very little of what the government does. Very very little.
It doesn't surprise me that the government is at war with competition of its stalwart liberal institutions. These places have more gold than Fort Knox.
A government agency interfering with a function of politics government.
We may as well dispense with the Hatch Act because it now has been thrown out the window.
I trust very little of what the government does. Very very little.
It doesn't surprise me that the government is at war with competition of its stalwart liberal institutions. These places have more gold than Fort Knox.
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SGM (Join to see)
MG (Ret.) Marks replaced COL (Ret.) Garland Williams about the time all the publicity about the recruiting problems came out. I don't know if there was a direct connection or not, but the timing seems awfully coincidental.
I have to agree with CSM David Heidke that I'm not surprised at the government's continued assault on for-profit schools in general and UOPX specifically. DoD placed UOPX in “probationary status” because it didn’t follow procedures in an MOU, but stated in their letter the reason for imposing probation is based on “allegations” in the Federal Trade Commission’s Civil Investigative Demand and the California Attorney General’s subpoena. Neither of those alleges any wrongdoing by UOPX and both are simply requests for information. UOPX is going to challenge DoD’s action, I suspect.
I have to agree with CSM David Heidke that I'm not surprised at the government's continued assault on for-profit schools in general and UOPX specifically. DoD placed UOPX in “probationary status” because it didn’t follow procedures in an MOU, but stated in their letter the reason for imposing probation is based on “allegations” in the Federal Trade Commission’s Civil Investigative Demand and the California Attorney General’s subpoena. Neither of those alleges any wrongdoing by UOPX and both are simply requests for information. UOPX is going to challenge DoD’s action, I suspect.
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SMSgt Bob Wilson
CSM David Heidke - David, what does your comment have to do with the University of Phoenix issues? Wake up and stay on the issue at hand.
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There is a war against any kind of profit these days.
This institution competes against Liberal stalwart institutions for federal aid money. There is no way that local community colleges and institutions of higher learning will stand by and let a... gasp... for profit college keep walking away with tuitions.
Of course they are under investigation, so is the Tea Party and just about anything else that isn't wholly endorsed by the party in power right now.
Caveat Emptor.
This institution competes against Liberal stalwart institutions for federal aid money. There is no way that local community colleges and institutions of higher learning will stand by and let a... gasp... for profit college keep walking away with tuitions.
Of course they are under investigation, so is the Tea Party and just about anything else that isn't wholly endorsed by the party in power right now.
Caveat Emptor.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
Well said. From the article, it appears that what we have is a fishing expedition. "We don't like for profit schools, and we are pretty sure, if we look in enough closets, we will find a skeleton somewhere."
I have never had an issue hiring someone with a UoP degree, and don't believe I would in the future. They don't appear better than graduates from other schools. They also don't appear worse.
For the record, my two Masters degrees come from UMUC, the #2 school on the list, which is public.
I have never had an issue hiring someone with a UoP degree, and don't believe I would in the future. They don't appear better than graduates from other schools. They also don't appear worse.
For the record, my two Masters degrees come from UMUC, the #2 school on the list, which is public.
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CSM David Heidke
COL Vincent Stoneking - it kills me that they castigate these schools for making profit, when Harvard University has more money in the bank than well several small countries combined.
Those Harvard educated baristas need to start an investigation instead of camping out with the Occupy Movement.
Those Harvard educated baristas need to start an investigation instead of camping out with the Occupy Movement.
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SGM (Join to see)
CSM David Heidke is absolutely correct. This administration has been waging war on for-profit schools for years. Obama's puppet at the ED, Arne Duncan has made it no secret that he would like to see them all shut down, just like he pushed Corinthian over the edge, and is trying to do with ITT now. Gainful Employment is their latest salvo, a rule that ONLY applies to for-profit schools and a few community colleges, that is clearly meant to shut down a number of programs and schools, without levying the same rules on public and private nonprofit schools, many of which have programs that would also fail the rules - except they are exempt. Here is the Federal Trade Commission, going to study the academics, learning outcomes, and other factors at a four-year University that they have no expertise in assessing. The experts, at the ED and the HLC accreditation teams, have both said UOPX has successfully met all those requirements. But this is clearly political, so it doesn't have to make sense.
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SMSgt Bob Wilson
David, I agree with you one "Caveat Emptor". My experience with the U of Phoenix graduates [4 that we hired over 6 years] was that they were not ready for the big time. Three of the graduates we had to let go; the remaining graduate is a very productive and potential up and coming manager. [We had a local U of Phoenix campus, but it closed.
We wonder if it is the instruction provided is adequate for the course of study (ie, are the instructors any good)]. We question whether we should interview and hire or just interview the potential employee who has a degree from them. Of course we had some local trade schools with similar track records [but not to worry, the schools went out of business]. We all agreed that the person makes their own course in life after graduating. In today's hiring climate we found people want a "pay check" but don't want to earn it.
We wonder if it is the instruction provided is adequate for the course of study (ie, are the instructors any good)]. We question whether we should interview and hire or just interview the potential employee who has a degree from them. Of course we had some local trade schools with similar track records [but not to worry, the schools went out of business]. We all agreed that the person makes their own course in life after graduating. In today's hiring climate we found people want a "pay check" but don't want to earn it.
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I think whether it be UOPHX or any other school, it's what you put into it. I personally like the structure of UOPHX, it fits my lifestyle and learning style. Could it be better or worse...of course. When it comes to the cost, its spendy, but not the most expensive. So whether you're using the GI Bill, or paying out of your pocket, we must approach it from the perspective...is it going to get ME where I want/need to go and what is cost benefit.
I'll receive my second degree from the University of Phoenix in September, and they've been a stepping stone for my progression.
I'll receive my second degree from the University of Phoenix in September, and they've been a stepping stone for my progression.
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SSG Keith Roberson
I too attended UOP, back in it's infancy days in Las Cruces, NM. I graduated and received my BSBM and continued on to receive an MBA. At the time I was attending, I thought the tuition was a bit pricey, but most colleges are for the most part. As far as getting laughed out of an interview because of my degrees from there...hasn't happened yet, so T Sgt Jamie Jones, maybe it is you who got laughed out of the interview for not having said degrees from UOP. Nothing wrong with the curriculum, if you disagree with it, or the tuition prices, simply go somewhere else.
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