Offshore schools may lose federal loans

[djnitin]

I understand the gravity of the situation and I've written letters to Congress before, but what can I say now to convince them to keep the grandfather clause?

[Flounder]

Where exactly is it written I can't seem to find it. Thank you

[yichafa]

Just a note for those not recieving financial aid. This could have potential negative conseqences for everyone attending offshore schools. Part of what gives these schools their good reputations is that the federal government provides loans for students at these schools. It is possible that if the feds pull the loan program, that the whole shool will end up looking bad, with negative effects for all of you. I tried writing to the senators and representatives in the list and was not successful with many of them. I got messages back telling me to write to my own senators and representatives. So, I did both. Please do write to them and also to people back home and ask them to do likewise.

As for when this takes effect, I'm not sure, but I believe it is the appropriations bill for 2006. Thus, it would effect us as of April of 2006, since we were already approved for the January disbursement. My understanding could certainly be flawed, however.

Here is a form letter for AUC. Those of you from Ross and SGU can easily change it... In a previous post, I put links to contact your representatives, so please do so

Date


Hon. XXXX Hon. XXXX
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Congressman xxx (or Dear Senator xxx):

I am a full-time student attending medical school at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”) located in Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. I did my undergraduate studies at ____________________ and expect to complete my medical studies ___[date]____. I am from [Town and State] and use student loans to help pay the expenses for attending medical school.

The reason for contacting you is to express my serious concern regarding a provision contained in a Senate bill (S.1614) reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA). That bill seeks to delete from current law certain eligibility safeguards applicable to foreign medical schools such as AUC which serve primarily students who are U.S. citizens, and to deny these students continued eligibility under an existing grandfather clause to participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). This is a travesty and moreover a penny wise and pound foolish initiative, given the fiscal contribution that medical graduates make to our local and national economy upon graduation. The House bill, H.R. 609, continues current law and preserves eligibility for AUC and similarly grandfathered institutions.

The education I receive at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is excellent, as are the professors and the physical plant and equipment. I am able to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor with the help of the FFELP. I plan to return to the United States, where I expect to contribute to my community as a licensed physician.

I strongly urge you to uphold current law, which the House HEA reauthorization bill does, as this legislation continues to advance in Congress. I look forward to hearing from you in this regard. Should you need additional information or more details about AUC’s academic program, please do not hesitate to contact me or visit www.aucmed.edu.


Sincerely,


XXXXXX

[RUJC05]

You know what I am worrying about the most? Once they take away the federal loans, we will no longer have a department of education number. In theory, they are taking away both our federal loans and private loans. The only option left would be Teri and HealthXpress. Those two loans are not that easy to obtain.

[The Republic]

Robert Ross, in his history of Ross University, mentions the story of the original grandfather clause

http://www.ross-founder.com/

From the history of Ross University:

In 1992, another challenge arose. The U.S. Department of Education promulgated proposed guidelines for reviewing all international schools. Unless these guidelines were modified or amended, they would have precluded our students from receiving Title IV funding for financial aid. Without financial aid, most of our students would not be able to afford the cost of a medical education. This was a way for the special interest groups to strike at the heart of the University. I, for one, was not going to take it anymore.

I arrived in Washington D.C., and began meeting with a number of Senators and members of the House of Representatives. I explained that many of their constituents - both graduates and students of Ross --needed their support in order to become physicians or veterinarians. They were receptive, and understood how unfair the proposed regulations were to our current and future students. I was convinced that through my efforts, members of Congress would support the idea that every American -- who had the innate ability and desire - has the right to pursue his or her dream.

One Friday, I was informed that there would be a crucial vote on Monday, on the acceptability of foreign medical schools. Apparently, there was a serious fight going on between the Senate and the House of Representatives. I flew down to Washington and, at the eleventh hour, I met with Senator Pell, Chairman of Education and Congressman Ford, Chairman of the House. A compromise was reached! If Ross University had received approval of its educational program in any state prior to 1991, we would be exempt from most of the regulation. For those schools who were not exempt, two-thirds of the student body would have to be from the country in which the school is located. Most Caribbean schools could not meet this test, and would lose their Title IV funds, if not for the exemption. In our case, over 80% of Ross students were from the United States. Luckily for us, we had received N.Y. state approval, and were thus exempt from this onerous regulation.

In 1994, a provision was introduced by the U.S. Department of Education under the Higher Education Act that denied students attending international FOR-PROFIT universities from receiving Title IV funds. When this policy was changed to apply only to medical schools, it became apparent that this was yet another attempt by the medical establishment to cause all international medical school to collapse. The special interest groups recognized that most of the successful Caribbean medical schools were run as FOR-PROFIT enterprises.

I went back to Washington to appeal this provision to members of Congress. I felt that American students attending Ross University should have equal rights to receive their loans under Title IV -- the same as those students attending U.S. medical schools. Our lobbying successfully modified this proposal, with a retroactive component; if certain standards had already been met before this new provision was implemented, Ross University would be exempt. We had met those standards in 1992, by having achieved state approvals of our educational program.

[RUJC05]

Isn't it funny how Kerry wanted to do away with foreign medical schools, and cap physician's income at 95k. Now the Senate Bill (S. 1614)is co-sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). No wonder 10 out of 10 doctors were against Kerry before John Edwards came onboard.

Luckily, the House bill(HR-609) is sponsored by 9 Republicans. They better include the grandfather clause in the Senate bill.

[FRNC]

Sure hope Devry has sent lobbyists to confront US Senators re: SB1614

Ross' continued success will depend on it.


FRNC

[stephew]

never mind.

[The Republic]

Originally Posted by RUJC05

Isn't it funny how Kerry wanted to do away with foreign medical schools, and cap physician's income at 95k. Now the Senate Bill (S. 1614)is co-sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). No wonder 10 out of 10 doctors were against Kerry before John Edwards came onboard.

Luckily, the House bill(HR-609) is sponsored by 9 Republicans. They better include the grandfather clause in the Senate bill.

Did Kerry really propose that? What is the source?

And who is the senator who is opposed to our student loans anyway? The main sponsor is Republican Mike Enzi of Wyoming.

[Cardinal]

I don't think that SB1614 has the ability to get passed with the provision that it currently has. I don't think that you should really be worried