After a series of unflattering Congressional investigations and media reports, for-profit universities and colleges are getting the stink eye from lawmakers and regulators in Austin as well.
In a joint committee meeting today, Rep. Dan Branch, the Republican chair of the House Higher Education Committee, seemed eager to take back even the meager state funding flowing to for-profits in Texas. Last year, lawmakers set aside $1 million for Career Opportunity Education Grants, and Branch asked if the money had been spent.
If not, “we are protected, if there are schools that are a problem, we have not given (them) taxpayer dollars,” Branch said.
Turns out, all but $70,000 had been disbursed.
“I don’t know if that is good news or bad news. Hopefully they are being used properly,” Branch said.
Meanwhile, David Gardner, deputy commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, said the agency may change its own rules to boost oversight of for-profits.
