EDUCATION WATCH BLOG
April 6, 2015
Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton is under heightened federal oversight over concerns about its compliance with federal and financial regulations.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Education said Friday that the department is conducting a review into the small eastern Oklahoma college’s handling of federal student aid.
The college is the only public institution in Oklahoma being investigated, and one of only three public institutions among 544 institutions nationwide currently subjected to the highest level of oversight due to concerns that a federal review could find severe violations.
Severe violations include failure to make refunds or to return federal financial aid.
Not all issues are considered severe.
Other reasons an institution could be under increased oversight include filing late financial statements, outstanding liabilities, accreditation issues or concerns about financial responsibilities.
The Department of Education declined to comment on the specifics of the review.
Many on the list, which was released Friday, are for-profit or proprietary colleges or universities.
Officials with Eastern Oklahoma State College did not respond to requests for comment.
Overall, 12 Oklahoma colleges and universities are under increased federal oversight.
Here are all the Oklahoma institutions currently subjected to increased financial oversight:This table shows the Oklahoma colleges and universities placed under heightened federal financial oversight by the U.S. Department of Education.
| Institution | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Oklahoma State College | Wilburton | Public |
| CC’s Cosmetology College | Tulsa | Proprietary |
| Ponca City Beauty College | Ponca City | Proprietary |
| American Broadcasting School | Oklahoma City | Proprietary |
| American Institute of Medical Technology | Tulsa | Proprietary |
| Family of Faith College | Shawnee | Private, Nonprofit |
| Heritage College | Oklahoma City | Proprietary |
| JB’s Hair Design and Barber College | Oklahoma City | Proprietary |
| Oklahoma School of Photography | Moore | Proprietary |
| Platt College | Tulsa | Proprietary |
| Saint Gregory’s University | Shawnee | Private, Nonprofit |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | Tulsa | Proprietary |
Nate Robson can be reached at nrobson@oklahomawatch.org
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