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Florida Coastal Law School

For-Profit Law School Fights Back Against Department of Education

Florida Coastal School of Law is appealing its federal student loan denial.

The for-profit law school disputed the U.S. Department of Education’s findings from May 13, which denied Florida Coastal’s reinstatement application for federal aid. Jax Daily Record reported the story and found that the law school’s president and dean, Peter Goplerud, refuted allegations that the law school is ‘reckless and irresponsible.’

“I was perplexed by the ED’s decisions and disagree on many points they made in the letter and press release,” Goplerud, Florida Coastal president and dean, says in a press release. “In quotes released by the ED, they called us reckless and irresponsible with the students’ futures which could not be further from the truth. Our students are the sole focus of everything we are doing and always have been. We are putting together the factual evidence of the successes of our graduates and will be going point by point to refute the ED’s claims.”

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S STATEMENT

The May 13 statement by the Department of Education accuses for-profit law schools for cheating students.

“Too often, we see for-profit schools that try to take advantage of students, misuse taxpayer dollars, and skirt the rules to participate in federal student aid programs,” Secretary Cardona says in the statement. “Today we want to be heard and understood by for-profit schools around the country: we will be vigilant in ensuring they meet their commitments to students, families, and taxpayers.”

Florida Coastal’s contract with the Department of Education officially expired on March 31, 2021. After the law school’s officials refused sign the contract, its participation in the federal student aid program officially ceased.

“Our commitment is to stand up for all students and ensure their institutions are held to the standards our students and communities expect and deserve,” Cardona says.

FINANCIAL & ACCREDITATION ISSUES

Florida Coastal School of Law has, in recent years, reportedly run into issues around financial responsibility and accreditation.

Back in 2019, the law school failed to meet DOE fiscal responsibility standards. Most recently, the law school also went through a three-year investigation over compliance around ABA accreditation standards. Florida Coastal was found to be in full compliance with standards last year.

Sources: Jax Daily Record, U.S. Department of Education, TaxProf Blog