(09-08-2017 02:27 PM)JMU_71 Wrote:  

(09-08-2017 12:51 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(09-08-2017 12:43 PM)2Buck Wrote:  

(09-08-2017 12:35 PM)JMU_71 Wrote:  Well, it's not just Liberty benefiting from massive amounts of government backed student loans. Every school out there that takes federal subsidizes through the student loan program are benefiting. Why do you think tuition rates have gone up exponentially over the last twenty years? The more something gets subsidize the higher its costs.

Slight difference is the scale of million(s) vs thousands, and the way private/non-profit play into it. With no oversight or accountability the potential for that kind of money to taint higher education is kind of scary. Especially in a case where the organization is mandated to evangelize.

We're actually talking about almost $1 Billion (800M+) in annual federal subsidies here at Liberty for 100,000 online students.

I'm ok with federal money making college more affordable for those that need it. I'm also ok to an extent with schools offering online degrees. But when you combine the two at this magnitude it raises a lot of questions about the ethics of online education.

Minimally, it seems like there should be a Cox bill at the federal level limiting how much federal funding for online education can be spent on auxiliary expenses like buildings and sports. Cross-subsiding to this extent should be restricted. They are taking federal money for online degree programs and using it in ways that does not benefit those students.

I think you are missing the point of my post... federal involvement doesn't make it more affordable. Since the feds started subsidizing college by taking over the student loan industry, the cost of college has sky-rocketed while wages have remained stagnant. More and more people are coming out of college with more and more debt, I don't see how that makes it more affordable.

Was replying more to 2Buck, though I do understand the original thought. Don't agree fully, as I think the pricing would still escalate due to student loans from 3rd parties such as banks (just like credit card debt). On the one hand, yes, I think the cost of college is getting out of hand, and federal money may contribute to that. On the other, I've known folks who couldn't have succeeded without that support. I believe it does actually open doors to some people who need it.

What Liberty is doing looks downright scummy though. They are effectively taking these subsidies, magnifying them thru their online paper mill, and then funneling that money into sports and other infrastructure unrelated to the online program.