A Jewish college in Michigan allegedly created a fake study abroad program for Israelis to pocket federal financial aid money.
The U.S. Department of Education has accused the Michigan Jewish Institute, a college in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield, of illegally obtaining federal Pell Grants for its study abroad program.
Michigan Jewish Institute’s students have scored $25M in federal student aid even though most live in Israel and few ever attend any physical classes. Days after the government told the Chabad-run school it would no longer get such funding, it shut down for good this week.
Federal agents carted away boxes of documents in a raid on the Michigan Jewish Institute. A former worker says she was fired after she asked too many questions about the college, which enrolls mostly Israeli students who speak no English.
Federal agents raided the offices of a Jewish college that has prospered from millions of dollars in federal aid even though almost all of its students live in Israel and hardly any of them graduate.
Thousands of students may lose federal aid after the Michigan Jewish Institute failed for a second time to win accreditation. The Chabad-linked school now faces possible closure.
The Michigan Jewish Institute has won approval for a big expansion. The school is in rapid growth mode despite having few if any students on campus.
FORWARD EDITORIAL: The rapidly growing federal education program raises key questions: Should the public help fund parochial education? Should it be tied to results?
Michigan Jewish Institute received $25 million in federal aid during the past five years. Is the U.S. taxpayer getting value for money?