Big Data Talks at APSCU
Professionals in the education industry gathered earlier this June for the annual APSCU Convention. Hopefully you were in attendance and took advantage of the unique opportunity to collaborate with the sector’s leaders and executives. Whether you attended our breakout session or received a free compliance audit at our booth, we thank you for taking time to meet with the compliance experts at IntegriShield.
Did you catch our posts on social media about the golf ball cannon? We had the privilege of sponsoring a hole in the pre-conference golf tournament, hosted by the Imagine America Foundation (IAF). We are thrilled to announce our efforts helped to raise over $3k in student scholarship funds for IAF.
During the conference, a dialogue was ignited within our session on “A New Look at Big Data in EDU.” Presenting with Pinnacle Career Institute, we talked to a packed room about new technology that can make us better and faster with our operations in the classroom and from an administrative perspective. Attendees also learned how schools are becoming equipped to better track hundreds of graduates from enrollment through employment verification.
As a vendor we are constantly developing new products for schools to better serve students. What can you do to defend the EDU industry and advocate for the sector? Don’t wait until the 2016 conference to start these discussions. Message usand we’ll share new ideas to overcome challenges and help you understand what your institution’s growing role is in compliance and education. You can also request a free electronic copy of our APSCU presentation slides.
We look forward to speaking with you again soon!
Industry Insight: New Placement Verification Research
If you have difficulty connecting with graduates for placement verification, you’re not alone. From a recent poll we hosted of a sample of proprietary schools, we found that most institutions spend a significant amount of time in contact attempts to graduates.
Often, graduates may have changed their primary form of contact. When accreditation and Title IV funding hang in the balance, not having the correct information is frustrating.
Poll Results
- 62% of our sample said that it was difficult to verify employment for graduates 15-25% of the time.
- 32% said that it was difficult to verify employment for graduates 25-50% of the time.
- 3% said that it was difficult to verify employment for graduates greater than 50% of the time.
- 3% said that it was difficult to verify employment for graduates 0-15% of the time.
Next Steps
If verifying employment for graduates in a timely manner is an area of concern, download your Verification Playbook to gain insight on how to improve contact rates and increase accuracy.
Compliant Website Checklist
Institutions are under strict scrutiny surrounding their online advertising efforts. But, it’s also imperative for the institution’s website to be in compliance with the standards and regulations set forth by the Department of Education (DOE), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), your accrediting body and industry standards. Below is a checklist of points to consider when reviewing the information provided on your website.
Compliant Website Checklist:
Accreditation
- Visibility of accreditation statement
- Representation of accreditation – full and complete accreditation information – acronyms and banned terms omitted
- Easily navigable – at least within one click of the homepage
Admissions
- Provide all required criteria expected to be completed prior to enrollment
- Include all educational requirements
- Contact information provided for prospective students
Career Services
- Detailed and clear explanation of offerings that the Career Services department provides
- No job placement guarantees
- Omission of banned terms, such as “career placement”
Gainful Employment Disclosures
- Clear presence of disclosure information
- Disclosure information is in the required Gainful Employment Disclosure Template developed by the DOE
Financial Aid
- Qualification rules
- How applicants can learn about qualifying
- Financial aid eligibility disclaimer present
Program Descriptions
- Timeframe for completion listed correctly
- Program length disclaimer
Program Listings
- Listings are accurate and approved by the DOE
- Acceptable states for admissions
- Citations provided for statistics listed on the page
TCPA Requirements
- Consent language present on lead form
- Language must include all components within the FCC definition
Testimonials
- Must be actual statements
- Some accreditors do not allow institutions to use testimonials from current students on their website
Stay tuned for our next webinar where we’ll cover this topic in more depth! Get early access to webinar information. (opens in a new window)
Avoiding TSR Violations
Since it’s onset in 1995, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has amended the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) (opens in a new window) several times in order to respond to developments in telemarketing schemes. The amendments allow for liability for third parties. For example, education lead generators that have provided “substantial assistance or support” to any seller while knowing, or consciously avoiding knowing, that the seller or telemarketer is engaged in activity in violation of the TSR.
What do these amendments mean for lead educators and for-profit schools?
- The TSR covers calls made with multiple purposes, if one of the purposes is the sale of goods or services. So, companies who use robocalls to sell goods or services risk violating the TSR.
- Liability is broad under the TSR. Liability is not limited to the company that made the calls. It’s also illegal to “provide substantial assistance or support” to a seller or telemarketer when you know or consciously avoid knowing they’re violating the Rule. The TSR makes it clear that “but I wasn’t the one doing the dialing” isn’t a defense.
- The states and feds are united in the fight against illegal telemarketing. The FTC, Department of Justice, and State Attorney Generals remain committed to working together to protect consumers from illegal telemarketing.
How can you avoid a violation?
- Make sure the prospective inquiry gives the educational lead generator company express written permission to call, even if their telephone number is on the national Do Not Call Registry.
- The educational lead generator or school will not require any purchase of goods or services in order to obtain student consent.
- Written consent must include the student’s telephone number and signature.
- The student will receive phone calls as a result of submitting the Request for Information (RFI) form on the educational lead generator’s website (or other collateral) and checking the box that gives express permission.
Addressing the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials for Your Institution
One of the prominent marketing uses in the education industry today is the use of testimonials to endorse a school. The power of a testimonial shows that success at a particular school not only can happen, but that it has happened. Using case studies to show the effectiveness of an institution’s training program certainly speaks volumes to individuals considering the lengthy commitment of returning to school.
Testimonials can go so far as to endorse a school that they can easily be used to mislead and entice individuals with exaggerated or false claims. Due to excessive use of testimonials the FTC has written guidelines on the dos and don’ts to shape education marketing compliance. Here is a list of guidelines to comply with when using testimonials in marketing materials:
- If a testimonial endorses a service and the result for that endorser was not a typical result, the advertiser must disclose the expected results of that service
- Any transaction that is made between an advertiser and the endorser must be disclosed in the advertisement
- Endorsers not representing “actual customers” must be adjoined with a disclaimer stating the testimonial is not from an actual customer
- Testimonials have timetables. If an endorser provided a testimonial at a time when they were an actual user, the testimonial must still reflect a “current” opinion of that endorser
- Wording cannot be distorted to endorse an advertiser
Testimonials are important as they serve as a connecting point between a successful user and a potential user. Staying in compliance for use of testimonials is just as important and can be followed given thoughtful consideration.
A Note from the President
Happy New Year! Looking back, 2014 was an exciting year for IntegriShield. We more than doubled our client base, grew our team significantly, expanded our software services and developed some fantastic new products for our clients. Relationships were strengthened as we continued to listen to our clients and understand the political and regulatory climate in which they operate. As with anything, we must look back to find our lessons, take note, and MOVE FORWARD!
Access to Results-Driven Experts
We have an exceptional team of professionals that work for IntegriShield—each is dedicated to the client’s needs and finds a solution to every problem. That is true professionalism and I am very grateful for the group that continues that make this a successful company. Many of them have been with the company since its inception, and the new faces have helped drive us harder into 2015. We have a culture in our company that lets the individual choose and create his or her career path. If you can think it, you can achieve it!
Setting Goals with Integrity and Innovation
Our success thrives on producing results for clients and we are on pace for 60% growth across the board. While these 2015 goals are aggressive, I remain confident that we will hit them. We can do this in the following ways:
- Put the client first.
We build solutions for our clients. If we continue to put them first and listen to different needs of each client, both parties will be destined for success.
- Continue to learn.
IntegriShield is also a consulting company providing insight for clients and others in the industry. We find opportunities to collaborate with thought leaders to enrich in the industries we serve. Visit our Webinars (opens in a new window) page to find out more!
- Go above and beyond.
Anyone can do just enough to get by, but IntegriShield has always been driven to do more. Work harder. Put in that extra hour. Do more research. Build one more product. We do not compete—we win.
IntegriShield has all of the tools necessary to put us over the top, which is an experience we are pleased to share with our clients. After careful preparation, the company is ready to absorb rapid growth. The processes are in place and the right staff dedicated to driving success is ready. I’m excited for 2015 and honored to be on board with them.
All The Best,
Jennifer Flood
IntegriShield to Host Fraudulent Lead Generation Webinar
Over the last couple of weeks, articles have surfaced shedding light on lead generating practices that are less than exemplary. Many in the for-profit sector are concerned and unsure how to move forward. With the recent scrutiny of the industry, it is important to make sure that you are doing your best to protect your organization. IntegriShield can offer helpful tips and information to keep your organization safe.
Watch for our webinar regarding fraudulent lead generation and how you can protect your organization coming in January.
Takeaways from DOE’s Gainful Employment Ruling
October 30th marked the release of the final version of The Education Department’s “Gainful Employment” rule. The long awaited ruling has been a topic of much discussion and is still being contested by the Association of Private Sector College and Universities (APSCU).
While the debate ensues, here are some takeaways from the ruling:
1. Career programs are no longer accountable for their cohort default rates. The cohort default rate represents the percentage of borrowers defaulting on their student loans.
2. Instead, career programs will be weighed only for their graduates’ debt-to-earnings ratios. The debt-to-earnings ratio measures the ability of a borrower to manage payments and repay debts based on their income.
3. The Education Department expects nearly 1,400 programs to fail the rule in the first year. Programs that fail the test on multiple reviews will not be able to award federal aid to students.
The For-Profit college sector has already taken action against the Education Department. APSCU officially filed suit against the Department’s Gainful Employment ruling last week. The suit asks that the United States District Court declare the regulation unlawful and set aside the regulation.
A briefing schedule is expected to be set in the next few months.
Inspect What You Expect—Monitoring Your Admissions Staff
Your admissions staff is the face and voice of your institution, the first people to speak with your prospective students and inform them about the excellent opportunities that your school offers. What training and initiatives are you taking to ensure that they are making every effort to bring more students in the door? How are they answering questions surrounding compliance-related topics that have gotten so many schools into trouble?
Monitoring your staff can lead to a significant increase in conversion rates and shield your institution from potential fines and penalties. Some areas to monitor may include:
- Scripts: Providing scripts for your representatives to follow enables them to touch on key benefits of your institution and direct the conversation toward enrollment.
- Setting Follow-up Appointments: With each individual communication, a representative should be scheduling the next step with the prospective student whether it be a follow-up phone call or inviting them in for a campus visit.
- Citing Statistics and Job Placement: When a prospect inquires about job placement or expected salaries, statistics provided must be accompanied by an official source such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment can never be promised.
- Credit Transferability: Credits will never transfer 100 percent of the time, and it is essential to clearly state that credits are subject to review by the school and cannot be guaranteed.
- Financial Aid: Not every student will qualify for financial aid, and it is important to provide this clarification and transfer prospective students to a financial aid representative to receive further information.
Monitoring your admissions team to pinpoint areas in need of improvement is essential to overall business productivity. Not only are you able to protect your institution from the price of noncompliance and making false guarantees, you are also helping increase enrollment numbers and therefore directly amplifying your institution’s revenue.
To learn more about analyzing and improving the performance of your admissions staff, contact our Sales Team at sales@integrishield.com or call (816) 994-1313 today.
Crowdfunding Introduced to Consumer Reviews
In an attempt to bring order and transparency to the crowdfunding industry, a website named CrowdsUnite was created in 2012. Crowdfunding encourages investments in small and mid-sized businesses by allowing groups of investors to network and raise money for startup companies. It surfaced after the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act was signed in 2012. However, funding efforts from non-accredited investors pose a threat to the new opportunities for businesses. With over 700 global platforms available, it can be a challenge for an individual to validate trustworthy funding sites.
CrowdsUnite creator, Alex Feldman, has since introduced consumer reviews to help combat this issue. Going on two years their website thrives with a 10% monthly growth rate of unique visitors. In the past year IntegriShield has also heightened efforts to bring the importance of brand equity to the forefront. The success of CrowdsUnite backs the importance of consumer review sites and exemplifies how such sites can make or break a company.
“Consumer review sites, such as CrowdsUnite, can be a great resource for consumers but more importantly can act as a platform to build a company’s brand equity,” noted Jennifer Flood, IntegriShield’s Managing Director. “One false or inflammatory review can severely damage a company’s brand equity, which is why my team stresses the importance of monitoring review sites for our clients.”
In response to a high-demand for compliance monitoring, IntegriShield launched Infringement Detection alongside a suite of successful compliance monitoring services. Click here to get started learning the best practice for your company to monitor your brand equity or copyrighted and trademarked material.