Morris Brown pays off debt to US government

ATLANTA – Morris Brown College has settled a nearly $10 million debt for pennies on the dollar with the U.S. Education Department.

The historically black college in Atlanta reached a settlement with the Education Department in April that $9.4 million in debt would be forgiven if Morris Brown paid off the remaining $500,000.

Morris Brown said Tuesday it had transferred the money, which the Education Department confirmed.

The debt represents years' worth of unused federal aid that the school was supposed to return to the government, and it was uncovered in a federal audit of the college's finances between 1999 and 2004.

Morris Brown lost accreditation in 2003 over the financial problems, among other issues. The college is seeking accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

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Online:

http://www.morrisbrown.edu