Students were informed of the closing by e-mail.
Education Corporation of America, which bought Vatterott in January, posted the following questions and answers about the closings on its website, making it clear they are closing shop immediately and don't have any intention of helping any of the students or instructors who will be affected by their decision.
1. Why did ECA make the decision to discontinue operations at its schools?
Recently, the Department of Education added requirements that made operating ECA schools more challenging. In addition, ACICS suspended the schools’ accreditation with intent to withdraw. The uncertainty of these circumstances resulted in an inability to acquire additional capital to operate the schools.
It is with extreme regret that this series of recent circumstances has forced ECA to discontinue the operations of its schools effective with the completion of the December module or term for most students. This is not the outcome that the organization envisioned and is one that ECA recognizes will have a dramatic effect on both the students that they have served and their employees.
2. Was this decision impacted by the accreditation situation?
Accreditation did not impact this until very recently. During the final week, ECA learned that ACICS suspended the schools’ accreditation with intent to withdraw. ACICS accreditation extends to all schools through December 21st. ECA will appeal that decision if needed. All credits earned on or before December 21st will be from an accredited school.
3. Can the U.S. Department of Education provide assistance and guidance to students who were enrolled at ECA’s closed schools?
Yes, the U.S. Department of Education will be hosting interactive webinars for all Brightwood Career Institute, Brightwood College, Ecotech Institute, Golf Academy of America, and Virginia College students to share information and address students’ questions and concerns. CLICK HERE for the webinar schedule and links.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Education has a website dedicated to providing information to students from closed schools. It can be found HERE.
4. Are students eligible to transfer to another school?
ECA encourages students to complete their training by requesting their transcripts and contacting other institutions to assess transferability. Transfer of credits is up to the receiving institution. CLICK HERE for a list of transfer options including schools offering fee waivers and tuition discounts.
5. If a student only needs to complete externship, can they complete their hours and turn in their timesheets to graduate?
If a student is currently on externship and can complete their hours before the school closes, their timesheets can be entered and ECA can process the student as a graduate. Once the school closes, ECA will not be able to process timesheets. However, ECA encourages students to request their transcripts and contact other institutions to assess transferability. Transfer of credits is up to the receiving institution.
6. How can a student request their transcripts?
If a student’s campus is still open, there are personnel on site who can print a transcript. After a school has closed, transcripts can be requested online. CLICK HERE for detailed information on transcript requests.
7. If a student is no longer able to graduate, will they receive a refund on tuition payments?
Unfortunately, ECA will not be able to process refunds for any completed course(s) in which a student made a payment. Students will get credit for those courses on their transcript if they passed. For more information, ECA encourages students to visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school.
8. Will students be responsible for paying back stipends they received while in school?
Any loan amounts borrowed that exceeded the direct cost of the courses taken and paid to students in the form of a stipend will be included in the students’ total loan obligation. For more information, ECA encourages students to visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school.
9. If a student is applying to another school and needs his/her financial aid account updated by ECA, how can that happen?
ECA students are encouraged to complete their career training at another institution. ECA is currently updating all student financial aid records as quickly as possible. Students should email the Student Finance team at disbursements@ecacolleges.com to request their financial aid record updates be prioritized. Students should provide the following information in the email:
First Name
Last Name
Student ID or last four of SSN
School Attended (including specific location)
Program
10. Does ECA recommend schools where former students can transfer to?
Yes, please CLICK HERE for a list of transfer options including information about any fee waivers or tuition reductions schools are offering to ECA students.
11. Will ECA offer any placement services?
Unfortunately, all schools are permanently closing and will not have any employees who can assist with placement services.
12. Has ECA notified the VA about their schools closing, and how will VA students be refunded?
ECA has notified the VA about the schools closing, and the VA will determine whether they will restore the student’s eligibility. ECA recommends that impacted students contact the State Approving Agency of their branch.
13. For graduates from ECA schools, are diplomas still valid?
All existing graduates still have a valid credential because they graduated from an accredited institution.
14. If a student needs to get his/her enrollment agreement for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, what is the process?
The student must go to the appropriate enrollment portal for his/her school and can then access his/her enrollment agreement. There is a password reset option if needed. The enrollment portals will be available until 2/1/2019.
The portals are:
https://enroll.brightwood.edu/
https://enroll.brightwoodcareer.edu/
https://enroll.golfacademy.edu/
https://enroll.ecotechinstitute.com/
https://enroll.vc.edu/
15. Is ECA going to pay for licensure or certification exams?
ECA has gone out of business and therefore has no funds with which to pay for certification or licensure exams.
16. Can students get a diploma?
Yes, the same vendor used for transcript requests will also be able to produce and send diplomas. For more information, please click HERE.
17. Will there be a graduation ceremony?
ECA understands that a graduation ceremony is an event in which students look forward to and enjoy sharing with their family and friends. Therefore, it is our regret that there will be no graduation ceremonies. ECA has gone out of business. There are no longer campus personnel or funds by which to host a graduation ceremony.
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