Proposed Rule Links Federal Student Aid to Loan Repayment Rates and Debt-to-Earnings Levels for Career College Graduates

News Release

The Obama Administration released today its proposed regulations requiring for-profit career colleges to better prepare students for "gainful employment" or risk losing access to federal student aid. The proposed rules seek to protect students from taking on unsustainable debt they cannot repay and to protect taxpayers from high loan default rates.

Private College Tuition Increases 4.5 Percent for 2010-11; Institutional Student Aid Up 6.8 Percent

News Release

Published tuition and fees at private, nonprofit colleges and universities is increasing an average of 4.5 percent for the 2010-11 academic year, while private colleges are increasing institutional student aid by an average of 6.8 percent, according to the final results of a membership survey conducted by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

NAICU, Council of Independent Colleges Launch College Access, Success Initiative

NAICU News Release

NAICU and the Council of Independent Colleges have announced a new effort, Building Blocks to 2020, focusing private college and university support in increasing the nation's college-going and college-completion efforts.  The project will gather information on existing or planned private college efforts to expand college-going, to increase graduation rates in areas of national need, and to enroll and support at-risk students  It will also disseminate successful college access and success practices for possible adoption by other private institutions. 

New Officers, Members Named to NAICU Board

NAICU News Release

The members of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities have selected 15 new board directors and four new board officers for 2010-11.  Named board chair for the coming year is John E. Bassett, currently president of Clark University, who will become president of Heritage University, in Washington state, effective next July.  (Full list of NAICU Board officers and members.)

U-CAN College Information Web Site Updated With Fall 2009 Data

NAICU News Release

U-CAN, a consumer information Web site for students considering private, nonprofit colleges and universities, has unveiled newly updated data for hundreds of institutions. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) developed and maintains U-CAN (University & College Accountability Network).

Sallie Mae Fights for Student-Loan Role in a Campaign That's All About Jobs

Chronicle of Higher Education

Sallie Mae lobbied Congress and put forward its own proposal for overhauling the federal student-loan system. After the House vote didn't go their way, the student-loan giant began drumming up grass-roots opposition to the legislation in the towns where its largest facilities are located. If bank-based lending ends, Sallie Mae employees told their neighbors and friends, the company would face a major downsizing. The question is whether the argument, and the 186,092 signatures gathered nationwide in the just-ended petition campaign, will be enough to change the outcome when the Senate takes up the measure,

NAICU Statement on 2009 College Board Tuition and Student Aid Reports

The College Board today reports that tuition and fees at private, nonprofit colleges and universities increased an average of 4.4 percent for 2009-10. The finding is in line with the results of NAICU's 2009-10 tuition survey, released in June 2009, which found that tuition and fees at private, nonprofit institutions rose at an average of 4.3 percent-the smallest increase in 37 years.

Private College Enrollment Projected to Hold Steady for Fall 2009

NAICU News Release

A survey of nearly 300 private, nonprofit colleges and universities finds that undergraduate enrollment for fall 2009 is projected to increase slightly-by an average of 0.2 percent-over fall 2008. Increased funding for Pell Grants and other federal student aid programs was widely credited for helping to maintain student educational choice, while more generous institutional student aid policies; lower-than-usual tuition increases; salary and hiring freezes; and more flexible admissions practices were commonly cited campus responses to the economic downturn.

Hundreds of Private Colleges Enlist in the Yellow Ribbon Program

NAICU Statement

A count by NAICU finds that at least 750 private, nonprofit colleges and universities are participating in the new Post-9/11 GI Bill's Yellow Ribbon program. The VA released its final list of participating institutions on June 30.

Private College Tuition Rises at Lowest Rate in 37 Years

NAICU News Release

With families facing one of the worst economic crises in the nation's history, private, nonprofit colleges and universities have responded with the smallest average increase in tuition and fees in 37 years -- 4.3 percent for 2009-10, according to the final results of a NAICU survey. The average increase in institutional student aid budgets for 2009-10 at these colleges is 9 percent.