Durbin Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award For Decades Of Work Protecting Students From Predatory For-Profit Colleges

Durbin Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award For Decades Of Work Protecting Students From Predatory For-Profit Colleges

Today, Durbin accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute for College Access and Success and the Protect Students and Taxpayers Coalition in honor of his work protecting students from predatory and deceptive practices of the for-profit college industry

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) and the Protect Students and Taxpayers Coalition at their annual meeting, which brings together more than 30 organizations representing veterans, consumers, civil rights organizations, and state attorneys general. Durbin was presented the award in recognition of his decades of work protecting students from the predatory and deceptive practices of the for-profit college industry.

"When students explore their prospective colleges, they think about what school will set them up for long-term success. These students are doing the responsible thing by investing in their education. But far too often, predatory for-profit colleges will take advantage of students' hope and optimism by enticing them to enroll with glossy brochures, just to offer a flimsy degree and mountains of student debt. I'm grateful for the work the Institute for College Access and Success and the Protect Students and Taxpayers Coalition do to help protect students from these predatory practices," Durbin said. "It's been my honor to fight with you for more protections for students and to push back against the for-profit college industry, and I will continue to advocate for students as they pursue a higher education."

During his Senate career, Durbin has been a leader in cracking down on for-profit colleges. Each spring, Durbin sends a letter to high school teachers, principals, and counselors urging them to warn their students of the risks associated with for-profit colleges. To curb the power of the for-profit college industry, he has introduced a number of bills, including the PROTECT Students Act; the Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act; and the POST Act. Durbin has also been instrumental in securing millions of dollars in borrower defense relief for students defrauded by for-profit colleges, including DeVry University, Westwood College, ITT Technical Institute's nursing program, and Minnesota School of Business/Globe University.

The for-profit college industry has a long record of precipitous closures and predatory practices, including misrepresenting costs, transferability of credits, and job opportunities. For-profit colleges also historically have targeted service members, veterans, students of color, low-income students, and immigrant students. For-profit colleges enroll only eight percent of all postsecondary students but account for 30 percent of all federal student loan defaults. Despite their poor track record, they received more than $16 billion in federal student aid in the 2023-2024 school year.

Photos of Durbin delivering his remarks can be found here.

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