Department of Education Launching Probe into Pay to Learn Scandal

Betsy DeVos

Eight universities will be investigated into whether they violated any rules or regulations “governing the Federal student financial aid programs” or “any other applicable laws,” in connection with the recently uncovered college admissions and bribery scandal.


If the investigation reveals any such violations the schools in question could be subject to fines, and in the most severe cases, the loss of access to Pell Grants and/or federal student loans.


A letter was sent to the presidents of Yale University, Wake Forest University, the University of San Diego, Stanford University, Georgetown University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles—informing them that each school will be undergoing a “preliminary investigation” as a result of the criminal charges that were announced in early March.


Allegations were announced by the Justice Department accusing a large number of wealthy parents of using bribes and other underhanded ways of securing places for their children in elite schools of higher education. First appearances of the accused parents were made in a Boston federal courtroom, while others will meet later this week.


Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education, said when the scandal first surfaced that it was “disgraceful” and requested officials of her office to discover if any of the government’s rules had also been trampled on.

Gail Nussbaum

Gail Nussbaum has been involved in politics and diplomacy for over 15 years. Her interest in foreign relations, economics and budget policy has led her to her position as fiscal policy writer at Left Justified. Gail can be contacted at gailnussbaum(at)leftjustified.com.

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