Sharona Coutts

Sharona Coutts graduated with honors from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2008. Prior to that, she worked at Australia’s leading investigative radio program, Background Briefing, at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Coutts worked as a producer and reporter at the ABC on and off from 2002 to 2007 while pursuing a law degree. She clerked for a justice of the High Court of Australia in 2005.

Articles

Update: Researcher on For-Profit Schools Says She Disclosed Tie to Investment Firm

July 23, 4:38 p.m.

Bogus ‘Obama Mom’ Grants Lure Students

July 23, 10:34 a.m.

With the availability of billions in new federal grants for financially needy students, some marketers are targeting “Obama moms” with ads that education officials call misleading.

Investment Funds Stir Controversy Over Recruiting by For-Profit Colleges

July 9, 12:02 p.m.

Investment funds have been supporting opposition to for-profit schools, and even aiding it, possibly in hopes of profiting if those colleges’ stock prices suffer.

Working as a Recruiter at For-Profit University?

Jan. 7, 5:26 p.m.

Setting the Record Straight on Our Student Default Rate Story

Dec. 24, 2009, 4:40 p.m.

University of Phoenix Settles Suit Over Recruitment Practices

Dec. 16, 2009, 1:10 p.m.

Chart: Three-Year Default Rates on Student Loans

Dec. 16, 2009, 11:15 a.m.

Real Student Default Rates Much Higher Than Previously Known

Dec. 16, 2009, 10:39 a.m.

As much as half of the money lent to students attending for-profit colleges and universities will never be repaid, an Education Department projection says. Default rates at nonprofit schools are far lower.

Share Your Experiences as a Student at For-Profit Colleges

Dec. 9, 2009, 10:18 a.m.

Prominent Political Fundraiser Pleads Guilty in N.Y. Pension Scandal

Dec. 4, 2009, 1 a.m.

The GOP’s former finance chairman admitted bribing state pension officials with $1 million in trips, cash and gifts in return for $250 million for his investment fund.

AIG May Soon Lose Crown as Biggest Bailout Debtor

Dec. 1, 2009, 5:20 p.m.

Two deals with the Fed reduce AIG’s debt by $25 billion, and the remaining $62 billion debt to taxpayers is only $2 billion more than Fannie Mae owes.