What will happen to me if my school loses this lawsuit?

[gosgonue]

I'm currently a student at Kaplan University,which is currently involved in a False Claims Act lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by three of it's former employees,all of them former academic officers.They are claiming in their lawsuit that the school took in students unqualified for college education,inflated students grades so that they wouldn't drop out,and apparently they were doing all of this in an attempt to defraud the government out of more than four billion dollars.Also,the U.S. Department of Justice also seems to be involved in the case.

I'm just wondering how the lawsuit would effect me and my degree if the school does lose the lawsuit.

Can anyone help?

 

[AlmostALawyer]

I'm currently a student at Kaplan University,which is currently involved in a False Claims Act lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by three of it's former employees,all of them former academic officers.They are claiming in their lawsuit that the school took in students unqualified for college education,inflated students grades so that they wouldn't drop out,and apparently they were doing all of this in an attempt to defraud the government out of more than four billion dollars.Also,the U.S. Department of Justice also seems to be involved in the case.

I'm just wondering how the lawsuit would effect me and my degree if the school does lose the lawsuit.

Can anyone help?

I think common sense tells us that if the above is proved in court to be true it will hurt the reputation and perception of the University. No one wants their school to be on the front page of the newspaper for the wrong reasons. Further, if Kaplan is found to have defrauded the government, the government will want its money back plus interest and penalties.

 

[Humusluvr]

I'm currently a student at Kaplan University,which is currently involved in a False Claims Act lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by three of it's former employees,all of them former academic officers.They are claiming in their lawsuit that the school took in students unqualified for college education,inflated students grades so that they wouldn't drop out,and apparently they were doing all of this in an attempt to defraud the government out of more than four billion dollars.Also,the U.S. Department of Justice also seems to be involved in the case.

I'm just wondering how the lawsuit would effect me and my degree if the school does lose the lawsuit.

Can anyone help?

Part of the problem with Kaplan is that they are NOT a nationally accredited University (like Notre Dame, Texas A+M, or Ohio University are), so their degrees may not be accepted in certain fields of employment.

The school could close - that would greatly affect you. There are countless stories of Kaplan defrauding their students on the internet.

Can you transfer to an accredited institution? If you can - do it FAST!

Part of the learning process here is that you get what you pay for. Kaplan may be less money, or seem easier, but there is a reason for that - they may be viewed as deficient by employers, or their degrees may be worthless. Thoroughly research your college choice, especially for accreditation.

 

[Jay47x2x]

You are correct, Kaplan university is not Nationally Accredited, they are Regionally accredidted through the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Regional accredidation is higher than National and Kaplan's accredidation can easily be compared to that of any traditional state university like the ones you mentioned.

I am a student at Kaplan and I am very pleased with everything I have seen thus far. I also work for a multi-billion dollar company with an above average salary who accepts my education at Kaplan as acceptable.

Just food for thought.

 

[Humusluvr]

Kaplan's accredidation can easily be compared to that of any traditional state university like the ones you mentioned.

That is ABSOLUTELY false. Kaplan is a for-profit University, which makes it completely different than a traditional four year college or university.

Kaplan also receives 87.5 percent of its funds from Federal financial aide, which suggests that it targets low income students. Kaplan is at the forefront of a scandal brewing right now over the fact that only 37% of its students repay their loans. Meaning 63% of the students default on their loans, because they leave school unprepared for the workforce, and enter low paying positions where they can't even afford to pay back their loans. It is SO BAD right now, that for-profit universities like Kaplan are being investigated by the Department of Education.

I am a student at Kaplan and I am very pleased with everything I have seen thus far. I also work for a multi-billion dollar company with an above average salary who accepts my education at Kaplan as acceptable.

Just food for thought.

Many employers do not see Kaplan as a credible educating agent. There is so much fraud at Kaplan, many HR departments doubt the credibility of Kaplan's graduates. They would rather see students who graduated from a brick and mortar university.

And, just because YOU claim to have had a good experience puts you in the small percentage of students who have. So, ONE PERSON has had a good experience - if you google Kaplan, you will find many, many many more who have had horrible experiences. And, thanks to the lawsuits against Kaplan and its advisers for fraud, Kaplan's name is plummeting. Those are the facts about the school in general. You are one person, however many more people seem to think Kaplan is a scam.

 

[Jay47x2x]

This is all coming from someone who said Notre Dame and Texas A&M are Nationally accredited. Obviously you do not know what you’re talking about, but you clearly know how to use Google.

I have no comment on Kaplan Graduates default rate or finances, that was not what was in question. I am here to support that Kaplan is NOT a "scam" or as you said, not accredited. The fact that some people don't repay loans is not okay, but how can Kaplan have any control over that. If you enroll at Kaplan you will have a quality education, you will have great customer service (way better than you would receive at a traditional University) and a very one on one feel with your professors which allows students to get the help they need. Whether a student is unable to complete the program or doesn’t pay their loans back should not fall on the school.

Don’t forget that we are in the worst economy we’ve ever seen and regardless of education it is hard to find a job. I can almost guarantee that if you have a degree from Kaplan you will have a better chance getting a job than having no degree at all. We are grossly under-educated in this country and with a degree you will stand out, as long as you attended an ACCREDITED school. Is a degree from Notre Dame viewed as “better” than one from Kaplan? OFCOURSE, Kaplan is for people who missed the opportunity to further their education, or made mistakes in their life, or do not have the time to go to a traditional campus based school.

Also, keep in mind that Kaplan also has over 70 ground campuses and has been in the education industry over 70 years. Kaplan, Inc serves over 1 MILLION students per year. I am aware there are bad reviews online, just like there are for any school or any major company for that matter. People are more likely to write about a bad experience than a good one. If there were 1,000,000 bad reviews we would have a problem, but there is not, there are less than 100 I can find. For those 100 out of 1,000,000 all I can say is I am sorry they had a bad experience. Online learning or higher education is not for everyone and I wish those people well.

I got my undergraduate degree from PENN STATE, so I am familiar with a quality traditional education. I can assure you, I would not have decided to continue my education at Kaplan if they were anything but a top notch online program. Keep in mind I was referred by my friend who graduated and now works for MICROSOFT. Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett both sit on the Board of Directors for The Washington Post Company, who owns Kaplan University. So who are all these employers you’re saying do not view Kaplan as credible? Have you polled Fortune 500 companies yourself or did you just Google it again?

 

[Humusluvr]

Work for Kaplan much?

 

[Jay47x2x]

Really? THAT'S your response? No, I got my information about Kaplan by utilizing your good friend Google. I did my research before starting in the program as I would recommend anyone do. I am simply supporting my school no different than I would Penn State (where I got my undergrad) or any different than you would your school....you DID graduate college right? I mean, with all this vast knowledge in the education industry and what major companies and HR departments look for in terms of college credentials you must have some credentials of your own right?

And a peace of advice, because the information you have posted about the University is false and misleading, as are the allegations of fraud, I would recommend you think twice before you type. Major corporations tend to have quite extensive legal teams that love looking for defamation and slander.

We should not forget that this forum was brought up by a concerned student, and if you are still reading this, rest assured you are in good hands with Kaplan. It is okay to have questions with all that's going on, they have always displayed a great level of integrity working with me and have been more than helpful addressing some concerns of my own. There is a lot going on in the Education industry right now that I recommend you keep up with, but I don't see Kaplan going anywhere, anytime soon. Kaplan University is NOT under investigation for fraud according to the GAO (Government Accountability Office) or the Department of Education. Their accreditation is still in tact and if you would like to check the accreditation yourself I would recommend you visit the Department of Education's website www.ope.ed.gov (first link on Google when I typed "Check School Accreditation)

As a final note...I believe Humusluvr said that Kaplan's accreditation can not be compared to that of Notre Dame. If you visit the links below to the Department of Education's site you will see that Notre Dame is accredited through The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission. The funny thing is, when I typed in "Kaplan University" it said they are accredited through The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission...but then again, why don't we just take your word for it, your secret sources for information are surely more credible than the DOE right?

PLEASE, visit www.ope.ed.gov and type in Notre Dame and click on the link for the main campus. Then do the same for Kaplan University. You be the judge, maybe I need to check my glasses.


I hope this helps alleviate any concerns that anyone reading this may have had. Don't ever take someone else's word for something, no matter how many reviews you read good or bad, the FACTS are easy to find. Call the Department of Education yourself and ask the experts, the number is easy to find as well, just GOOGLE it

 

[Proserpina]

Is there a difference between being accredited by, and being a member of, a particular accrediting agency?

From Kaplan's website:

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

 

[Humusluvr]

Don't ever take someone else's word for something, no matter how many reviews you read good or bad, the FACTS are easy to find. Call the Department of Education yourself and ask the experts, the number is easy to find as well, just GOOGLE it

Work for Kaplan much?

You joined this forum 3 posts ago, to praise Kaplan and tell me what an idiot I OBVIOUSLY am for my research abilities. I mean, I must not be a professional education researcher, right? 2400 posts later, I would CERTAINLY question my credentials.

OP, just Google it.

 

[Jay47x2x]

Again, REALLY? OBVIOUSLY you ARE a professional education researcher because you have so clearly shown you know the difference between Regional and National accreditation. (Sarcasm) I simply asked you to back up your "facts". WHAT company doesn't view Kaplan as acceptable? We have covered that Microsoft does, as does The Washington Post (both multi-BILLION DOLLAR Corporations), so if these companies recognize Kaplan as an acceptable school for higher education why would any other company think otherwise?

I am only questioning your credentials because you said Notre Dame, among other schools, are NATIONALLY accredited but they are NOT. As I have PROVEN to you, Kaplan AND Norte Dame are both REGIONALLY accredited through the SAME accrediting body, The Higher Learning Commission. You said Kaplan is under investigation for Fraud, but they are NOT. You also said that employers won't hire someone from Kaplan, which again, is FALSE. Worst of all you have yet to support any of your claims.

And you really think the fact that you have 2400 posts means anything? All it means is that you have too much time on your hands and have a lot of opinions. I know 16 year olds on forums that have over 20,000 posts so I doubt ANYONE on this forum is impressed by your 2400 posts. Do us all a favor and either back up your claims that companies don't want to hire people from Kaplan, and that Kaplan is a fraud, or stop posting, and share your opinions elsewhere. I think I have backed myself as much as possible, and answered the questions people had, WITH FACTS. Why won't you just admit you never even went to college? Why don't you let us know where all this knowledge comes from or site your sources?

Now, to answer Proserpina's question: The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is a member of The Higher Learning Commission (the accrediting body). Being a member of the North Central Association, for example, means you are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Being accredited by a school must be in a certain region. The region the school is located in is what determines what unit the school is a member of. For example, Kaplan is headquartered in Davenport, Iowa so they are a member of the NORTH CENTRAL region, like Notre Dame (Indiana). Other schools like the University of Alabama, located in the South, are a member of The SOUTHERN Association of Colleges and Schools.

What one must really look for to determine the level of accreditation is whether the accreditation is REGIONAL or NATIONAL. Regional is higher than National. Schools like Notre Dame, University of Alabama, Penn State, even Harvard hold Regional Accreditation through one of the specific members. (North Central Association, Southern Association, Middle States Commission, New England Association, etc) and yes, Kaplan University is also Regionally Accredited.

I hope this answers your question Proserpina. Again, the DOE's website to check accreditation is http://www.ope.ed.gov/

 

[Humusluvr]

WHAT company doesn't view Kaplan as acceptable? We have covered that Microsoft does, as does The Washington Post (both multi-BILLION DOLLAR Corporations), so if these companies recognize Kaplan as an acceptable school for higher education why would any other company think otherwise?

I'm not interested in calling HR departments and finding out who or who they don't consider "worthy." That's your job.

You said Kaplan is under investigation for Fraud, but they are NOT. You also said that employers won't hire someone from Kaplan, which again, is FALSE. Worst of all you have yet to support any of your claims.

The original poster said that Kaplan was being investigated for defrauding the government. I said:

Kaplan also receives 87.5 percent of its funds from Federal financial aide, which suggests that it targets low income students. Kaplan is at the forefront of a scandal brewing right now over the fact that only 37% of its students repay their loans. Meaning 63% of the students default on their loans, because they leave school unprepared for the workforce, and enter low paying positions where they can't even afford to pay back their loans. It is SO BAD right now, that for-profit universities like Kaplan are being investigated by the Department of Education.

That's all true.

And you really think the fact that you have 2400 posts means anything? All it means is that you have too much time on your hands and have a lot of opinions.

It means I am very knowledgeable about education, and am excellent at research, and enjoy helping people. And I enjoy debating people like you

I know 16 year olds on forums that have over 20,000 posts so I doubt ANYONE on this forum is impressed by your 2400 posts. Do us all a favor and either back up your claims that companies don't want to hire people from Kaplan, and that Kaplan is a fraud, or stop posting, and share your opinions elsewhere.

Why don't you go away?

I think I have backed myself as much as possible, and answered the questions people had, WITH FACTS.

I think you have OPINION that differ from mine. So you stated them, good for you. People can decide to believe what they want.

Why won't you just admit you never even went to college?

HA! I'm sitting in the one I work at right now.

Why don't you let us know where all this knowledge comes from or site your sources?

Which knowledge? My savvy as a consumer? My professional knowledge? My google ability? My reading skills?



Here's a real interesting article from The Washington Post about about how the industry publication Inside Higher Ed draws attention to what it terms rising concerns among higher education observers about the editorial independence of The Washington Post in covering for-profit higher education.

College Inc. - Higher ed community focuses on Post, Kaplan

The Post Co., in fact, drew more than half of its revenue in the most recent fiscal year from Kaplan, whose higher education division has grown hand over fist in recent years, along with the rest of the burgeoning sector. Hmmmm, sounds neutral to me!

Here's another story about how The Washington Post's stocks fell as government is looking to regulate Kaplan and other "for-profit" colleges that are raking in money "hand over fist."

Shares drop as Post Co. warns on Kaplan division

I find it SOOOO hilarious that The Washington Post is reporting on the downfall of it's own subsidiary.

Have a great day with that!

The Post Co. warned earlier this month that changes in federal education policy could hurt results at its Kaplan Higher Education unit. Lawmakers have been scrutinizing the type of for-profit colleges that Kaplan runs, concerned that students are being loaded up with debt without being adequately prepared to find jobs.

 

[stealth2]

I'm just wondering how the lawsuit would effect me and my degree if the school does lose the lawsuit.

Can anyone help?

*A*ffect.

I agree with the poster who stated that, if you can transfer? Do so sooner rather than later.

 

[Jay47x2x]

Kaplan is not experiencing a "downfall". What the article is referring to is a bill referred to as "gainful employment" which would make obtaining financial aid for low income, working adults who want to attend school to better their lives, much more difficult to obtain. This bill has NOTHING to do with "fraud" or Kaplan being a "scam". Yes, this would hurt Kaplan and every other school that offers an opportunity to students online. It could also cause more than 250,000 job losses for people working in higher education according to TheHill.com. The website also noted that 42% of health care workers graduated from for-profit schools like Kaplan, this bill would be detrimental to students and the economy as a whole.

You mentioned you work for a school? That makes your lack of knowledge about accreditation more frightening. You said what I am saying is all matter of opinion and claim that because you have expressed your opinion more than 2400 times that makes you credible? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

A DEGREE makes you credible, WORK EXPERIENCE makes you credible, 2400 posts...I don't think so. You have YET to acknowledge that what you said about Notre Dame and the other schools was WRONG; you can't admit that Kaplan University holds the same institutional accreditation through the SAME accrediting body!

So what you are telling me is that you work for a school that doesn't require all of their employees to hold a degree (because it is now clear you do not have one) or have any knowledge about accreditation? According to CareerBuilder.com and Kaplan's corporate job board on their site, you must hold a degree from an accredited school to work for the company for ANY position...I also read on their job board that in order to be a professor you MUST hold a Masters degree, among many other qualifications ofcourse. Just food for thought, Kaplan seems to have pretty good standards for employees.

Normally I would not expect you to call around to HR departments and ask them about education credentials but YOU were the one that said these companies won't hire someone from Kaplan. All I asked for is WHERE YOU GOT YOUR INFORMATION.

You just can't admit that you are wrong about the accreditation, the credentials, and the University as a whole. There is a lot of heat on the industry right now; there have definitely been some "bad players" who have lead misleading practices. This is unfortunate, but I choose to further my education at Kaplan because they have an established history, excellent and accredited curriculum, a great online platform for us working adults, and by all personal accounts, integrity.

***As a final note, I agree with you that some changes to NEED to be made by ALL schools (especially for-profit schools like Kaplan) to make sure they are only enrolling the most qualified students to reduce default rates and increase graduation rates, but I can assure you Kaplan has always been on top of their game, they have maintained accreditation when others have lost it, and they offer a true chance at a quality education to people who might not otherwise be able to obtain it. Kaplan is not perfect, but they are most certainly not a fraud, under investigation for fraud, not accredited, or a "scam"

 

[Jay47x2x]

Stealth2

Transfer where? You are all missing the point that if a student is attending Kaplan it is almost always because they do not have the time to go to a traditional University. For a student looking to further their education online Kaplan University is by far the best choice.

Are they better or more "prestigous" than Notre Dame or Texas, or FSU? NO!!! I got my degree from PENN STATE for crying outloud. Kaplan is not for the traditional student. But again, they are legit, and accredited.

Would you suggest she transfer to University of Phoenix, Ashford, Strayer, Devry, Capella??? These are really the only other viable options for someone like this...These schools all have problems, most way worse than Kaplan has ever had. From my account, the only other school listed above even in the same ball park is Devry, they too appear to be a good alternative from my research, they just don't have as many programs.