Last year in its Semiannual Report to Congress the U.S. Department of Education Office
of Inspector General noted its finding recommending Spartan School of Aeronautics in
Tulsa to repay over $312,000.00 in Federal Student Aid given to students in ineligible
programs.
The Department was trying to show Congress that it was doing its job concerning its
oversight of the program. One problem with that is that it refuses to address the
waste, fraud and abuse by Spartan. For the past 17 years Spartan has been
committing extortion and has caused Federal Student Aid to be given to ineligible
students. The school is well connected and, except for me and the Google Groups,
no one will question its business practices.
My name is Kevin Christopher and I am a former Spartan student. The Department
partially addressed my allegations and ordered Spartan to repay over $18,000.00 of
Federal Student Aid.
This web site is an attempt to get the Department to fully address these allegations and
enforce the law against Spartan with the same zeal they do against students. So far it
has refused to do so.
With respect to the finding noted above, it was based on a small sampling of flight
students at Spartan. The Department left to Spartan the obligation of finding any
additional students that may be covered by the finding. That was the Department's way
of signaling that it would not follow-up. In the end it could cost the school millions. I
fear that if not done in a fair and open manner Spartan will not fulfill that obligation and it
will be to the detriment of the students.
The effect of the Department's finding is that once Spartan repays the funds in question,
the student no longer has an obligation under federal law. Spartan must assume the
liability of collecting on the loans and is limited to using state law. Rights under state
law are quite different than under federal law. Students should be made aware of this
and should consult an attorney.
Most of Spartan's illegal activities stem from the lack of enforcement of the laws
pertaining to the disposition of funds. Specifically, funds in excess of tuition due on the
disbursement dates. At times the excess could be $3,000.00 or more on each date.
Since those laws are not enforced it only encourages Spartan violate other laws at will.
Federal law requires that the excess funds be given to the student unless the institution
has the students written authorization to credit his account to pay future tuition when it
comes due. It is meant as a way to help a student budget his resources. It leaves
power with the student.
Spartan threatens to send the loans back to the lender unless the student signs that
authorization, which they have "conveniently" on hand. Past and present students can
verify that. It leaves student powerless. When the authorization is signed Spartan will
ignore other pertinent regulations. If the student refuses Spartan applies the
regulations and is able to get rid of the student.
The Department refuses to acknowledge that I have ever made that allegation.
The Department has gone so far as to put in writing that it did not regulate the
educational programs of postsecondary institutions and later claimed the allegations
were not within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Regional Inspector General of the
Department. I believe that when you compare that statement denying jurisdiction with
the allegations then there is only one conclusion that you can come to...the
Department will lie to protect Spartan along with itself.
The statute of limitations may have expired for some of these crimes with respect to
myself, and some students, but with the more recent acts Spartan can still be
prosecuted.
However there are no statute of limitations preventing the Department from recovering
misapplied funds from Spartan through administrative offset. That means Spartan is
still on the hook for all misapplied funds even if the acts occurred 17 years ago. If
nothing else, funds gained through extortion can be characterized as misapplied and the
Department has a duty to recover the funds and to stop the illegal conduct.
Of course I know the Department would only be able to recover a few million dollars, at
most, before Spartan would be forced to close. That result should be the least that
happens to them. As it stands now the Department is willing to let Spartan continue with
its illegal activities to the detriment of the students.
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