By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – Some Kentucky lawmakers say the legislature should discuss who gets state educational aid when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. Democratic State Representative Reginald Meeks is vice chairman of the House budget panel overseeing higher education funding. He says for-profit schools make millions off of the state with little transparency. A Lexington Herald-Leader review of public records shows Kentucky has paid 97 million dollars in state scholarships to for-profit colleges since 1999. One of those was Decker College in Louisville. It closed in 2005 after declaring bankruptcy amid fraud and inadequate accreditation allegations. Some states say in light of repeated budget cuts, more of that money should go to students at state colleges first. Nearly 8% of Kentucky's need-based aid goes to for-profit colleges. Only four states top that percentage. The move comes as federal and state governments are scrutinizing for-profit colleges' advertising, student loan defaults and teaching quality.