Financial Aid at Proprietary Schools: How Important is it?

Abstract

standing. In an attempt to increase understanding of the value and uses of financial aid at proprietary schools, a recent study was performed to determine the importance of federal financial aid programs at proprietary schools as they exist today. The following is an extraction from that study. This study will inquire into the value of federal student aid programs for the operation of proprietary schools .. fhe general goals of this study are: I) to deter­ mine the extent, of utilization of federal student aid programs at proprietary schools; 2) to assess the role of federal support for needy students e.nrolled at pro­ 'prietary. schools; and 3) to evaluate the relationship of financial aid to the re­ cruitment and training of students. The Problem The problem of federal funding to students attending proprietary schools has various facets. First, proprietary schools offer a definite contribution to American postsecondary education. Although historically removed from the traditional aca­ demic view, proprietary schools have provided a unique and distinctive type of vo­ cational training. Second, needy students attending proprietary schools receive major federal subsidies for attendance., Finally, proprietary schools, organized as private businesses, see student financial aid as a resource for institutional fiscal support.