The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a significant step towards rectifying the injustices faced by former students of The Art Institutes, announcing over $6.1 billion in automatic debt relief to nearly 317,000 individuals. This decision follows revelations of deceptive practices by the school and its parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC), regarding employment prospects and earnings post-graduation.
Between January 2004 and October 2017, The Art Institutes allegedly misled students by inflating employment rates and salary figures, leading them to accumulate substantial debt under false pretenses. This move to forgive student loans under the Borrower Defense To Repayment program marks a crucial effort to hold for-profit colleges accountable for their actions.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of correcting years of deceit that have cost students billions of dollars. The approval for debt relief was backed by extensive investigations by state attorneys general, which uncovered internal documents and testimonies revealing the extent of the misrepresentations made by The Art Institutes.
This forgiveness includes the cancellation of federal student loan balances and refunds for previous payments made by affected borrowers. The Biden Administration’s broader efforts in loan forgiveness have now reached approximately 4.6 million borrowers, totaling nearly $160 billion in relief.
The Department of Education will begin notifying eligible borrowers immediately, ensuring that those affected do not need to take any action to benefit from this initiative. This move reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing the financial harm caused by predatory educational practices and fostering a fairer higher education landscape for all.