A Fact File On The $7.25 Million Ashford Settlement Case

By Beryl Dalton


A college degree and a colorful graduation ceremony to mark it all could be the wish of most college students. To many this is a sure ticket to success in life both on the financial part and socially. However, the recent headlines leave in shock especially if the validity of the much sought degree is in question. The Ashford settlement took us by a shock and here is a fact file.

Bridgepoint Education Inc San Diego, the Des Moines Iowa and the center of it all, Ashford University were given a court order requiring them to settle a 7.25 million fee . This was a compensation for consumer fraud charges. The above institutions have led to graduates being denied licenses for their various degrees, loss of money and in debt and time also. These were as a result of false information all aimed at getting more students to enroll.

These institutions went against a number of laws contained in the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. According to Attorney Miller, these included the following. Making of false and misguiding data to students in order to win their trust for enrollment purpose was the first charge. Secondly, they were accused of using overly emotional and pressurized techniques to impede rational choice on the prospective students.

Ashford University also hid vital information from the potential students and only conveyed what they thought marketable. The idea of having a license after their online degree course was vaguely presented to the victims who lay trap in the end, to be precise the education students. To attain the degree however, one needed more time and money and a curriculum change to get that license eventually.

The nature of the settlement took the following nature. An Assurance of Voluntary Compliance as it is termed required the companies to pay up $7.25 million. The $250000 was to go to the actualization of the payment and reimbursement process to the many Iowa students through the government which was to receive the $7000000. However, the accused parties refused to these.

This compensation was however limited to those already graduated and stranded students. Not the current ones who are still enrolled. Consequently, the institution was ordered with urgency to take the following changes henceforth. First is to cease from the use of aggressive, coercive and inappropriate methods to persuade the enrollment of students.

Secondly, they were expected to desist from making false, misguiding and hood winking information to the students. They also were to give full information about their university to the public or potential students. They also were to be clear on the licensing and its possibility unless true, when pursuing a degree in Ashford University. Lastly, they were cautioned on engaging in unfair practice.

An annual report was required form the Ashford University every year on all the financial activities. The attorney argued watchdog over this institution will surely help. In addition, it was to allow the students who would want to drop out to do so freely within the first three weeks in the course.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Nourishing Your Three- to Five-Year-Old: A Guide to Healthy Eating

Introduction As your child enters the preschool years, their nutritional needs continue to evolve. Providing them with a healthy and balance...

Top Articles for You