Letter to Community College President - Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Push Devos, Illinois Community Colleges To Help Midstate College Students

Letter

Dear Community College President:

Last week, for-profit Midstate College in Peoria announced that it will close on August 16--affecting an estimated 183 Illinois students.

We are urging the Higher Learning Commission, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to work to ensure that Midstate students are being made aware of all of their options including their eligibility to receive federal closed school discharges.

In addition, Midstate students should understand their options to continue or restart their education at quality, affordable institutions like community colleges--including local Illinois Central College. Illinois community colleges should work with HLC, IBHE, and ED to fill the void that Midstate's closure is creating.

If not, students may be lured or funneled directly to other predatory and financially shaky for-profit colleges. It would only be adding insult to injury to allow these Midstate students to be pushed into the open arms of another for-profit college, especially one that is being investigated or sued by state or federal agencies.

Thank you for any assistance to these students that you and your institution can provide.

Sincerely,

Source