NC Senator Calls For More Financial Oversight Of Universities

Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) says she's co-sponsoring a bill that would prohibit colleges from using federal grants for their advertising budgets. 

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Credit U.S. Senate

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) says universities need more financial oversight when it comes to federal funds. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) says the proposal is unworkable.

Sen. Hagan and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) presented the proposal Tuesday.  They say higher education institutes need more financial oversight to ensure responsible spending.  Sen. Hagan said the measure will prevent for-profit colleges in particular from recruiting people who might end up deep in debt.

"Use your taxpayer dollars on education, improving education outcomes for students," Hagan said.

"Some of the for-profit schools, I believe, are shamefully but successfully targeting individuals, and in particular, our brave men and women in uniform. That's what I'm trying to get at; to be sure that those dollars are not spent on marketing, recruiting and advertising."

In a statement, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said the bill is largely unworkable.  He said it would make it difficult for universities to comply and cause more problems than it would solve.