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Career Point College Closes Leaving Hundreds Of Students Unsure Of Future

Joey Palacios
/
Texas Public Radio
Students rally outside of Wonderland of the Americas Mall where Career Point College hosts its base of operations and classes

Students at the for-profit Career Point College are at a loss for what to do next after the college suddenly ceased operations Monday.  The closure leaves students, many who took out $30,000  in loans, with questions about their educational future.

Nursing student Jessica Carta received the news via her student portal.

“I was just shocked. I just wanted to know what I am I going to do. I have a son I have to provide for. I have to start working soon," Carta says.

She and about 150 other students crowded outside of Career Point’s campus at Wonderland Mall on Monday hoping for answers.

Posted to the doors of darkened lobbies were notes from Career Point President Larry Earle.

“Career Point College management team discovered that three long-term employees had collaborated to violate the rules related to student aid funds,” it read.

The school self-reported these concerns to the U.S. Department of Education. Career Point provided a remedy plan but the school says the education department decided to restrict any further funds going to the campus; a decision which the school says is forcing it to close immediately.  Nursing student Kaitlyn Drummand said someone needs to be held accountable.

“Those people are the ones who took advantage of the system and our education,” she says.

TPR is awaiting a statement from the Department of Education about remedies and potential loan relief. The San Antonio Campus had about 1,100 students in nursing, business, cosmetology, medical and IT.

Another for-profit, Southern Careers Institute is offering some students in the medial field the option to continue at its school. Both the Alamo Colleges and the for-profit Galen College of Nursing don’t have remedy plans but are encouraging students to contact their admissions offices to see if they can help students continue their education at those institutions.

Joey Palacios can be reached atJoey@TPR.org and on Twitter at @Joeycules