Introduction to the Allegations
Whistleblowers in a federal court case in California allege Central Florida’s Full Sail University engaged in a “pay-for-play” student hiring scheme to earn more federal funding.
The case, initially filed in 2024 and unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in May, names Full Sail and the Los Angeles Film School, both operated by University of Florida alumnus and trustee James W. Heavener.
Details of the Allegations
The complaint alleges that LA Film School and Full Sail funneled money to employers to hire students for jobs that lasted scarcely longer than two days, all so the schools could count them as “employed” to hit a 70% employed threshold for more federal funding. The students were “hoodwinked” into going along, it said.
Full Sail, a private, for-profit entertainment arts college in Winter Park, receives $377 million per year in federal funding, according to the complaint.
Response from Full Sail University
In a statement, Full Sail denied the allegations, emphasizing that the two whistleblowers never worked at Full Sail.
“Full Sail emphatically denies the claims against it and will not permit these individuals pursuing financial benefit to continue to attempt to damage our reputation unchallenged,” the school’s statement read.
The Whistleblowers
The whistleblowers were David Phillips, LA Film School’s former vice president of career development, and Ben Chaib, the school’s former vice president of admissions. The two claim the operations of the schools, although separated by about 2,500 miles, were tightly knit and the fraudulent activities were coordinated by Heavener at both locations.
The whistleblowers claim Heavener said there weren’t jobs for some LA Film School graduates, necessitating the scheme.
“Full-time time jobs don’t exist for these people, they don’t exist,” the complaint claims Heavener said.
They also claim Heavener instructed LA Film School to “focus strictly on the appearance of compliance.”
The Scheme and Its Implications
The complaint alleges that LA Film School pressured students into signing a “self-employed” form after their short-term jobs so the school could continue to count them as “employed.” Most self-employed graduates reported a yearly income of between zero and $5,000, according to the complaint.
Tuition at LA Film School and Full Sail for a bachelor’s degree can range from about $30,000 to almost $100,000.
Heavener’s Involvement and Background
Heavener oversees a multitude of business interests including education, real estate, banks and media production through The Heavener Company. He joined the UF Board of Trustees in 2013, has served as President of the University of Florida Gator Boosters and was a recipient of the 2018 Golden Gators Lifetime Philanthropist Award. He has also been a major financial supporter of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Reaction from Alumni
On a Reddit forum for Full Sail, some alumni said the allegations weren’t surprising.
“The only thing I got from that school was a massive amount of loans and decades of stress because of it,” one user wrote.
“The school is too expensive, and outcomes are not good but yea believe that the for-profit school gives a crap about you. Go to State schools,” wrote another.
Conclusion
The allegations against Full Sail University and the Los Angeles Film School are serious and have significant implications for students, alumni, and the education system as a whole. The claims of a “pay-for-play” scheme to inflate employment rates and secure more federal funding raise questions about the integrity of for-profit educational institutions and their prioritization of financial gain over student well-being.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against Full Sail University and the Los Angeles Film School?
A: The allegations claim that the schools engaged in a “pay-for-play” student hiring scheme to earn more federal funding by funneling money to employers to hire students for short-term jobs.
Q: How much federal funding does Full Sail University receive annually?
A: According to the complaint, Full Sail receives $377 million per year in federal funding.
Q: What is the response from Full Sail University to the allegations?
A: Full Sail denied the allegations, stating that the whistleblowers never worked at the university and are pursuing financial benefit.
Q: Who are the whistleblowers in the case?
A: The whistleblowers are David Phillips and Ben Chaib, former employees of the Los Angeles Film School.
Q: What are the implications of the allegations for students and alumni?
A: The allegations raise concerns about the value of the education and training provided by for-profit institutions like Full Sail University and the potential for students to be left with significant debt and limited job prospects.
