Durbin Statement On Department Of Education's Move To Approve Borrower Defense Claims For Former University Of Phoenix Students

Press Release

"Time and time again, the University of Phoenix has manipulated and lied to students, scamming them out of thousands of dollars in exchange for a phony college degree. I'm relieved that 50 more Illinoisans will receive the relief they are entitled to.

These borrower defense discharges are a $1.56 million victory for Illinois, but we cannot continue to allow predatory for-profit colleges to make off with millions in taxpayer dollars. I want to reiterate to Department of Education leaders -- we must cut off access of federal student aid to for-profit colleges that intentionally prey on and deceive students.

Just remember: after the University of Phoenix lied to its students and convinced them to borrow thousands for a worthless degree, Phoenix took their money and left students with a mountain of debt. The students are being rescued at the taxpayers' expense. We need to put an end to this fraud once and for all."

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