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Students Urged to Research Carefully When Choosing a Private Postsecondary or Vocational School

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) today reminded students to research carefully when choosing a private postsecondary or vocational school now that the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) has gone out of existence.

On June 30, 2007, the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act of 1989 (Reform Act) sunsetted, and with it BPPVE.

"We have always urged students to pick schools carefully," said DCA Director Carrie Lopez. "Now, it's even more important that they do their homework before spending potentially thousands of dollars on the professional training and education they seek.

Information to help students choose a school can be found on the BPPVE web site, which is being maintained by DCA during this interim phase. Several common sense tips can be found at: http://www.bppve.ca.gov/students/index.shtml.

DCA will continue to accept complaints from students. In the meantime, Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration and the legislature are working diligently to establish a new oversight organization.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Education has advised DCA that institutions that were previously participating in federal student aid programs may continue to do so.

DCA began last year to take steps to protect BPPVE employees and, as a result, all BPPVE employees were either successfully placed in other jobs within DCA or found jobs with other state agencies.

Information regarding the sunset of the Reform Act and BPPVE and be found at www.bppve.ca.gov. Students wishing to file a complaint against any private postsecondary or vocational school should contact DCA toll-free at 1-800-952-5210.

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