LIT suspected of not allowing homeschoolers to apply for federal student aid

Parkview Baptist School filed a petition to conduct pre-suit deposition against the Lamar Institute of Technology, suspecting that the college may not be allowing Parkview's home-schooled students to apply for federal student aid.

The petition was filed Aug. 24 in Jefferson County District Court.

According to the petition, Parkview is a member of the Southern Baptist Association of Christian schools and has been a private school for more than 28 years, placing its students in more than 50 colleges.

"Parkview is aware of only one college campus (LIT) that is not allowing Parkview's home educated students to apply for federal student aid," the petition states.

"An executive at Lamar has made statements in the recent past consistent with the proposition that Parkview home educated graduates are being singled out for discriminatory treatment."

Parkview seeks testimony in order to establish whether the financial aid policies of LIT are in compliance with Texas laws explicitly designed to protect students from discriminatory treatment, the petition states.

If the college's finical aide policies are in compliance with the Texas Education Code, then a lawsuit will be avoided, the petition states.

Sugar Land attorney Thomas Sanders represents Parkview.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. B192-940