June 18, 2012

For-Profit Colleges Seek to Bankroll Change in Washington, but It's Not the Kind Obama Had in Mind

For-Profit Colleges Eye Changes, and See GOP a Better BetTK 1

Scott J. Ferrell, Congressional Quarterly, Getty Images

Rep. John Kline, the Minnesota Republican who chairs the House education committee, has sponsored bills and amendments that aim to block the gainful-employment rule and other Obama-era regulations unpopular with for-profits.

By Kelly Field

After four years of bruising investigations, negative headlines, and tightened regulation, for-profit colleges appear ready for change in Washington—and not of President Obama's brand.

Over the past year and a half, political-action committees representing for-profit colleges have given roughly $300,000 to Republican candidates for Congress and the White House, almost twice the amount they've donated to Democrats, according to data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics.