WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Betty McCollum (MN-04) sent the Department of Education a letter urging Secretary Betsy DeVos to proactively inform Argosy University students about available resources following reports that their 22 campuses are expected to close after the Department’s decision to cut off federal student aid. There are over 1,000 Minnesota students enrolled at Argosy University’s Eagan campus, which is closing its doors today, but the Department has provided students with limited, direct communication about the resources available and their options to continue their education at other institutions.
Additionally, in February, the Department found that Argosy University failed to meet required financial standards by withholding over $16 million in federal aid credit balances that students rely on for books, food, or other basic living expenses. The financial burden for students who did not receive their credit balance stipends could be compounded by the abrupt loss of federal financial aid, and possible closure of all 22 campuses, with no clear path forward.
“Argosy students deserve clear, timely, and proactive communication about academic transfer options and eligibility for loan discharges,” the members wrote. “We urge the Department to reach out directly to the students affected by any closures of Argosy’s 22 campuses and provide critical information at this uncertain time.”
In the letter, members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation called on the Department to provide them with detailed information about how they will be proactively communicating with students, and the additional resources that will be made available to them, by March 15, 2019.
The full text of the letter can be found below:
Dear Secretary DeVos:
We write as Argosy University campuses are closing their doors today after recently losing access to federal student aid, to ask how the Department of Education is communicating with the approximately 8,800 students—including roughly 1,000 Minnesotans at Argosy’s Eagan campus—to inform them about options and resources available.
On February 27, 2019, the Department issued a letter denying Argosy University’s change of ownership application, rejecting its request to become a nonprofit institution, and terminating its federal student aid eligibility. These developments will likely result in the closure of all of Argosy’s 22 campuses, leaving students without clarity about their academic standing or future. In addition, February’s decision was announced shortly after the Department found that Argosy failed to meet required financial standards by withholding over $16 million in federal aid credit balances that students rely on for books, food, or other basic living expenses. The financial burden for students who did not receive their credit balance stipends could be compounded by the abrupt loss of federal financial aid, and possible school closures, with no clear path forward.
Argosy students deserve clear, timely, and proactive communication about academic transfer options and eligibility for loan discharges.
Accordingly, we respectfully ask that you provide answers to the following questions by March 15, 2019:
- What steps are being taken to assist and communicate with students affected by Argosy University campus closures, including those affected in Minnesota?
- What steps are being taken to assist students who did not receive a credit balance as part of the over $16 million in federal financial aid that Argosy withheld?
- Did the Department conduct any analysis about Argosy’s ability to continue operating absent federal aid funding or consider waiting until after teach-out agreements had been finalized prior to making an announcement about Argosy’s Title IV eligibility?
We urge the Department to reach out directly to the students affected by any closures of Argosy’s 22 campuses and provide critical information at this uncertain time. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
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