EGCC accepting transfers after ITT Tech shuts down
Eastern Gateway Community College announced on Wednesday that it is making special efforts to assist students left with incomplete course work after ITT Technical Institute closed its campuses around the country, including the school in Austintown.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Eastern Gateway Community College announced on Wednesday that it is making special efforts to assist students left with incomplete course work after ITT Technical Institute closed its campuses around the country, including the school in Austintown.
EGCC says it will make special efforts to accommodate students transferring from ITT in order to ease some of their stress regarding their future.
Ryan Ogrodnik, the dean of enrollment services at EGCC, said the college will offer as many options to students as possible.
ITT students interested in talking to someone from EGCC should contact the admissions office
at 330-480-0726 (X3109) in Youngstown or 740-266-9656 for the Steubenville campus.
ITT announced on 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.
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 specific situations carefully, according to King.
More information may be found at the Department of Education's ITT announcements page.
