With these matters now resolved the company looks forward to educating and training America’s workforce for years to come
February 8, 2024
International Education Corporation (IEC), one of America’s leading providers of career and technical education for over 40 years, today announced that the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has recertified UEI College and United Education Institute to continue receiving Title IV funds for the next three years as part of a comprehensive resolution that ends a dispute over federal funding.
“This recertification for UEI and UEI College reaffirms our commitment to providing access to quality education and to our students, empowering them to pursue their academic goals and achieve success in their chosen fields,” said IEC spokesperson Joseph Cockrell.
IEC’s short-term, hands-on skills training has allowed generations of workers to fill some of America’s most important entry-level jobs by educating Electrician Technicians, Dental Assistants, Automotive Technicians, Medical Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians – and more – at laboratory-based campuses, with most programs designed to be completed in as few as 10 months.
IEC participates in the Higher Education Act’s Title IV student lending program, which allows eligible students of all backgrounds and experience levels who qualify for access to federal financial aid. The USDOE alleged in 2023 that IEC’s Florida Career College violated federal rules to qualify students for enrollment and financial aid.
“IEC vigorously contested the claims made against it but appreciates its partners at the US Department of Education for reviewing the school’s evidence and engaging in the productive dialogue that culminated in the resolution announced today,” Cockrell said. “This outcome allows us to continue our crucial mission serving students, student employers, and our campus communities throughout the United States.”
The agreement resolves all outstanding administrative actions brought by the USDOE against all IEC school groups and allows IEC to focus on its critical mission of student success through exemplary graduation and student employment rates. As part of the process, IEC made the very expensive but responsible decision to complete the training for all enrolled Florida Career College students with quality and integrity.
“We have secured what we believe to be the very best outcome for IEC’s students, employers, and our campus communities of educators and staff,” said IEC Chairman and CEO Dr. Fardad Fateri. “In our unwavering commitment to our students, employees, and employer partners who depend on us to prepare well-trained graduates for the modern workforce, this outcome with the Department is a testament to IEC's dedication to transparency, accountability, regulatory compliance, and strong student graduation and employment rates.”
Fateri continued: “The integral role IEC plays in educating America’s workforce cannot be overstated. We have been a stalwart champion of our students, making substantial contributions to reshaping the post-secondary educational landscape of this country. We have been a beacon of hope for students who have felt left behind by traditional higher education. Today, I stand with immense pride as we reflect on our superior track record of regulatory compliance and student success.
IEC’s collective student completion and placement rates, along with our consistent compliance with national accreditation, state, and federal agency regulations validate IEC as a premier provider of career education in America. We look forward to providing quality education and career training for many more years in the future.”