Financial irregularities and reapplication rejection shut a Virginia school’s doors.
A northern Virginia for-profit school, ACT College, suddenly closed its doors last week, canceling classes as students and faculty arrived at its three campuses in Alexandria, Arlington and Manassas last week. The school made the decision to cease operations following rejection of its reapplication to participate in federal financial assistance programs reports the Washington Post.
Graduation Deferred
The college’s president signed a letter that was posted to the Arlington’s campus’ door explaining the closure and regretting the decision. Hundreds of students are now in limbo with some just weeks away from graduation.
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Education, Daren Briscoe, told the Post that the school’s reapplication was designated to “protect students and taxpayers.” In recent years the Department has been scrutinizing the finances of a number of for-profit schools finding many engaged in “deceptive practices” or fraud reports ABC News.
Professional Programs
ACT College opened in 1983 as Computer-Ease going through a name change and expanding it campuses before settling on its most recent name. Opened as a technology/business college, the school switched to Allied Health education, assuming its latest name when it began to grant associate degrees.
Like most for-profit schools, college revenue typically is derived from student aid money. In ACT College’s case the funding comprised as much as 90 percent of its revenue. Reportedly, the college held back funds due to students in violation of federal regulations. Under customary financing procedures, colleges pay a student or parent directly for the remaining monies left after covering tuition and fees.
ACT College was accredited with its radiology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The school also had institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and was certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Taking Action
Displaced students may be able to transfer to other schools with both the U.S. Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia working to identify what schools might take them. Affected students with federal student loans should immediately visit the federal student loan website to find out what their options are. If you don’t register in a new program, then the repayment period for your loans can start within six months, putting you into default if you are no longer enrolled in school and miss making your payments.
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