ITT Educational Services, Inc. announced Tuesday morning that it will discontinue academic operations at all of its ITT Technical Institutes permanently. That includes the one located on Meridian Road in Austintown.

In August, the Department of Education banned ITT from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid. ITT was also ordered to pay millions to the Department of Education to cover student refunds and other liabilities in case the company closes.

In a news release, the company said, "What we believe is a complete disregard by the U.S. Department of Education for due process to the company, hundreds of thousands of current students and alumni and more than 8,000 employees will be negatively affected."

The statement goes on to say, "The actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education have forced us to cease operations of the ITT Technical Institutes, and we will not be offering our September quarter.

Students, including those set to graduate, showed up at the Austintown campus Tuesday morning to find out what was going on, and they were met by a double door that was locked, and no one to answer their questions.

Molly Dupuy of Youngstown threw her hands up in the air and said, "Seriously? I'm supposed to graduate. I'm supposed to graduate this quarter. Does anyone know anything about what's going on?"

Dupuy, a veteran who used the GI Bill to pay for her education is scheduled to graduate from ITT as a Medical Assistant on September 17th. But with the school permanently closing it's doors with no warning, she's not feeling confident she'll even get to see the degree she's worked for over the past two years.

"I'm wondering if I'm still going to have my degree? How do I get the diploma? Are we having our graduation? I have family coming in from out of state," Dupuy said.

One student after another was shocked to find the doors locked and no one to answer their questions about what happens now.

AnnaMarie Bossone of Boardman says this has been handled poorly all around, "I don't even understand legally how you can shut down a campus and we're left with nothing after so many months of hard work and dedication. It's just insane."

Chris Zysk of Austintown's biggest fear, "That I just wasted two years of my life on getting an education that I may have to pay for, that I can do nothing with, because I can't get my transcripts."

ITT Educational Services, is based in Carmel, Indiana and it operates ITT Technical campuses on North Meridian Road in Austintown, also in Akron, Columbus, and in Pittsburgh.

John B. King Jr., U.S. Secretary of Education issued a statement on Tuesday advising ITT students about two basic options:

Those who are currently or were recently enrolled at ITT, may be eligible to have federal student loans for their program at ITT discharged. The federal   loan debt will be wiped away and students will have the option of restarting their education somewhere new. The Department of Education will post and update information about how to receive a discharge at the ITT announcements page.

Those wishing to complete their program at a different school – especially if they are close to graduating – may be able to transfer credits. It is important to note that transferring credits may limit the student's ability to have their federal loans discharged. Closed school discharge may be an option for those enrolling in a different program that does not accept ITT credits.

Both of these options have pros and cons, depending on unique circumstances, so it is important to consider your specific situation carefully, according to King.

More information may be found at the Department of Education's ITT announcements page.