AUGUSTA, Maine — A Democrat’s bill to require annual review of for-profit colleges is headed to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s desk.
A recent Center for Responsible Lending report found that students at for-profit colleges in Maine carry much heavier debt loads than those at public and private nonprofit colleges in the state.
Democratic Sen. Eloise Vitelli’s bill passed the Senate on Monday and the House last week.
Nationwide several for-profit schools have been the subject of state and federal investigations in recent years and faced lawsuits alleging deception in advertising and recruiting tactics.
The for-profit InterCoast Career Institute is denying claims in lawsuits from Maine students claiming they graduated saddled with loans and limited career prospects.
Vitelli’s bill would have the state examine the process at for-profit colleges for handling student complaints.
