Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: An Analysis of the Role of the For-Profit Higher Education Sector

Abstract

This research project examines the influence of the for-profit college sector on the 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. It is based on interviews with Congressional staff, college lobbyists, and higher education reporters, as well as the Congressional Record and advocacy materials. Findings indicate that the for-profit college sector was able to advance specific elements of the sector's policy agenda using access and influence strategies, such as information sharing, lobbying, and political contributions. Findings reveal that the same members of Congress receiving the most political contributions from the for-profit sector were identified as those members most involved in the reauthorization. The main success of the sector was change to the 90/10 Rule, and the main failure was that the final law did not include a single definition of an institution of higher education. Implications for research and practice were also discussed.