Abstract
While advocates of the proposed “Gainful Employment” regulations promise a variety of improvements for students attending for-profit colleges and universities (FPCUs), there is little research on how these institutions are responding to this heightened form of accountability. Through interviews with senior executives of FPCUs, we used grounded theory to identify three general institutional responses – catalytic, reactionary and status quo – plus16 program-related initiatives. This study assessed responses to increased environmental uncertainty brought about by the potential Gainful Employment regulations.
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Notes
Sources of Title IV Aid funding include federal grants, loans and work-study. Federal grants such as Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants are monies that do not have to be repaid. Work-study is a work program that allows the student to earn money while at school. Student loans are borrowed funds that have to be repaid and include such programs as Stafford Loans (subsidized and un-subsidized), Perkins Loans, and Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.
Title IV funding refers to the Title IV legislation of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended in 1998, (Title IV, and HEA program) which established general rules that apply to the student financial assistance programs. The government provides resources to colleges and universities for students in need of help for tuition and books. Schools and students have eligibility requirements to fulfill before these funds are available.
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The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the Spencer Foundation for its support of the study upon which this article is based.
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Hentschke, G.C., Parry, S.C. Innovation in Times of Regulatory Uncertainty: Responses to the Threat of “Gainful Employment”. Innov High Educ 40, 97–109 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-014-9298-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-014-9298-z