CARMEL, Ind. -- If you're a current or former student of ITT Technical Institute, you probably have one resounding question from Tuesday's news that the school is ceasing operations: Now what?
Harrison College released a statement on ITT's closure.
Harrison College is aware of ITT Technical Institute’s decision to cease operations. However, we are not familiar with the details of the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation of ITT and therefore cannot comment on their decision.
In light of ITT’s announcement, Harrison is prepared to review the grade transcripts of current and former ITT students to explore any opportunities to transfer into a current Harrison program. Harrison cannot guarantee the transfer of all course credits but will evaluate each student’s transcript on an individual basis to assess whether the credits earned are comparable with Harrison’s current programmatic offerings and with the student’s desired career path. Current or former ITT students who are interested in continuing their studies at Harrison should schedule a meeting at their nearest Harrison campus to discuss what credit transfer opportunities may be available.
Harrison remains in good standing with the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), the national accrediting body to Harrison College and more than 800 other institutions.
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Here are some of the top questions (and their answers) regarding the closure of ITT Technical Institute.
What has the school told students?
ITT Tech sent current students a letter today, detailing why they made the move to close the school.
The letter stated, in part:
Please know we worked diligently to identify alternatives that would have allowed you to start or continue your education at ITT Tech, and earn your degree. But the Department of Education’s actions have forced us to cease operations at the ITT Technical Institutes. We are truly sorry to have to make this decision, but wanted to communicate it to you as soon as possible so that you can begin deciding the next steps to take that are best for you.
...
Please know we are extremely disappointed to have to discontinue our operations after more than 50 years of serving students.
We want to thank all of the men and women who have diligently served you throughout your studies at ITT Technical Institute. We, and they, apologize for this unexpected disruption to your education and we sincerely wish you the best as you move forward.
How do I see my grades or get a transcript?
Both are available from the ITT Technical Institute website, via the student portal. Use the official email and password to log on. In the future, ITT Tech's student portal may no longer function. In which case, the transcripts will be available at ITT Tech's website at www.itt-tech.edu.
It's still advisable to get a copy of your transcript before that time, just in case.
Do I have to pay back my student loans?
Maybe. It depends on when you attended ITT Tech. If you were enrolled as a current student, and weren't able to complete the program, you're eligible. You're also eligible if the school closes within 120 days from when you withdraw.
You aren't eligible for loan discharge if you transferred your credits to another school, or if you completed the coursework for ITT Tech, regardless if you actually received a diploma.
For more information on the loan discharge process, contact your loan servicer. More information on the loan servicers is available here.
Will my credits transfer?
That depends on the university you're trying to transfer to. It's up to the receiving institution to make the decision to receive your credits.
For example, a representative from Ivy Tech said ITT Tech credits do not transfer-in, but they're working on "alternative options" for ITT Tech students. Some of those could include learning assessments and certification crosswalks.
ITT Tech provided a list of institutions, sorted by location, that offer similar programs to what it offered.
Students can also email their questions to StudentQuestions@itt-tech.edu.
I've already completed a degree at ITT Tech. Is it worthless?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, it's not! You still completed your degree at an operational institution, so nobody can take that away from you. But it's unlikely you'll be able to discharge your loans.
I feel cheated by ITT Tech. What can I do?
The Department of Education says the best thing to do is wait for more information on any future lawsuits or submit a Borrower Defense Claim.
To submit a Borrower Defense Claim, send the following information to FSAOperations@ed.gov:
- A statement that the borrower wishes to assert a borrower defense to repayment based on state law
- First, middle, and last name
- Date of birth
- The last four digits of the borrower’s Social Security number
- Home address
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
- Name and location of the school
- The program of study
- Degree, certificate, or other credential attained or sought
- Dates of enrollment
- Documentation to confirm the borrower’s school, program of study, and dates of enrollment. Suggested items include transcripts and registration documents indicating your specific program of study and dates of enrollment.
- Any details about the conduct of the school that the borrower believes violated state law
What happens to the employees?
According to ITT Tech, the 8,000 employees who worked at the school have been laid off.
ITT Tech's Carmel office was locked to the outside, but an employee at Bankers Life Co., which is in the same building, said the office is empty.
