The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "college financial aid" ...
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Indentured Students
In a year-long series, Bloomberg detailed how the $1 trillion in outstanding student loans has imprisoned borrowers in a lifetime of debt, enabling a host of predatory collections practices, misleading financial-aid offers and out-of-control college spending -- while politicians for decades ignored mounting danger signals.
Tags: Student loans; debts; financial aids; college expenses; politicians
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For-Profit-College Business Model Breeds Exploitative Marketing Tactics
In the first radio piece: Interviews with former recruiters, faculty, administrators and students of a small group of for-profit colleges in Minnesota paint a picture of schools that are exploiting unsophisticated students for their financial-aid money. Analysis points to a high-enrollment, high-dropout business model that earns the company millions but provides questionable return on taxpayer investment. In the second radio piece: Political differences at the federal level make it unclear how much the government will regulate for-profit colleges. At the Minnesota state level, the leading official for higher-ed says his agency doesn’t have the resources to go after problem colleges – and isn’t sure whether beefing up enforcement would be the best use of higher-education funding.
Tags: Non-profit colleges; financial aid; business models; for-profit colleges
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"Allegations of Enrollment Abuses at U. of Phoenix"
In this series, Marketplace and ProPublica team up to investigate accusations that The University of Phoenix has been lying to potential students, as well as improperly advising students on financial aid options. They found enrollment counselors frequently pressured students to sign up, and also lied to students about "whether their credits" were transferable.
Tags: University of Phoenix; Bill Pepicello; Congressman George Miller; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Barmak Nassirian; Career College Association; Department of Education; Harris Miller; The Apollo Group
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Student Loan Scandal
The story package revealed "improper payoffs from a student loan company to college financial aid officers, as well as to a key official at the U.S. Department of Education who was in charge of overseeing the lenders that participate in the federal guaranteed student-loan program."
Tags: student loans; improper payoffs; college financial aid; lenders
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HCCS' Gift Basket Bonanza
As revealed by this piece, the Houston Community College System is rank with nepotism as family and friends of board members enjoy unearned job offers and promotions. Trustees also used influence to get tuition waived for family members.
Tags: FOIA; Houston Community College; community college; tuition; scholarship; trustee; financial aid; nepotism; family; relatives; campaign finance
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Students Take Housing From The Poor
This investigation revealed that a lot of government housing near and in college towns is occupied by students. The HUD qualifications do not account for parents' income, so students often meet the income requirements and get away with renting an apartment for almost no money, while poor people who actually need the housing are put on waiting lists. Sometimes the students are athletes and already receive scholarships and financial aid. This story shares the perspective of the students, the tenants and the HUD officials.
Tags: Section 8; HUD; low income housing; real estate; poverty
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Seeking Redemption for a Drug Law
on the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) question 35 asks potential students if they have ever been convicted of a drug crime. This story analyzes how that question, affects students chances of getting into school, and takes an in-depth look at Rep. Mark E. Souder, who wrote the bill requiring the question's presence on the application.
Tags: FAFSA; Financial Aid; College; university; money; government aid
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Mixed Signals. No green card means American education is a win-lose prospect. Undocumented students are guaranteed K-12 by law, but college isn't so easy. 'A girl without a country.'
According to the article, "...For undocumented immigrant students--many of whom have spent nearly their entire lives here--coming to America can both unlock their potential and prevent them from fulfilling it. The students are entitled by law to a subsidized education through high school. If they do well enough to get into college, though, they are caught in a financial vise: ineligible for federal aid, they are also charged nonresident or international tuition rates--generally double or triple the standard tab."
Tags: international students; immigrant students; education; college; universities; school; tuition
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Student applications for financial aid give lots of false answers
Students who fill out Federal Applications for Financial Aid (FAFSAs) are granted money for higher education based on need, which is usually gauged by the student's own answers to how much their family made last year. However, when FAFSA answers are compared to tax filings, sometimes egregious understatements were exposed. In one case, a student who received a Pell grant, meant only for low-income families, reported an income of $1.3 million to the IRS.
Tags: FAFSA; financial aid; college; money; fraud
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Pulling up the ladder
New admissions and financial aid policies at private universities may shut out poorer students.
Tags: private universities; admissions; financial aid; colleges; universities; higher education; need-based aid