When you've worked hard on your education, it can be a serious blow if your college abruptly shuts down, taking your hard-earned tuition dollars with it. While for-profit colleges have been quick to embrace online education models and offer flexibility to on-campus students, it can be challenging to sort the financially stable institutions from those with a more fly-by-night approach.

Unfortunately, in the last decade, many students have been victims of for-profit colleges shutting down abruptly, leaving students with no option to continue their educations. Most recently, students from Hussian College have been frustrated after hearing that the for-profit institution with campuses in four states shut down in June.

Hussian College Shuts Down

Even though Hussian College hasn't formally announced its shutdown, the website indicates the school is no longer accepting students, and according to Higher Ed Dive, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges confirmed the shutdown. Over the last few years, the Biden administration has worked to regulate for-profit colleges more closely, imposing standards that, if not met, can imperil a school's ability to receive federal funding. But Hussian's shutdown may still leave students with few options without a legal advisor guiding them. The Education Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help nationwide.

The Problem with For-Profit Colleges

Many of us are familiar with the traditional nonprofit college or university model. These colleges don't operate at a profit; rather, their purpose is to educate students and enrich their communities. But a for-profit college education model has emerged in the last few decades. While these schools offer higher acceptance rates, online options, and greater flexibility for nontraditional students, their foremost goal is to turn a profit. Sometimes this profit comes at the expense of students with higher tuition, more student loan debt, and lower graduation rates.

• Tuition Costs: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for-profit colleges charge an average of $17,000 a year in tuition versus the average of $9,000 for nonprofit institutions.
• Student Debt: Student loans are a big business at for-profit colleges. With higher tuition and fees, students often borrow tens of thousands of dollars more throughout their education, graduating with a monthly student loan payment that takes up a big chunk of their monthly pay.
• Lower Graduation Rates: Students at for-profit colleges have lower graduation rates. Some speculate that this happens in part because for-profit institutions are more concerned with getting tuition dollars than with educating students. When students face disciplinary action because of an academic or code of conduct violation, they can face suspension or expulsion, interrupting their education and, in some cases, ending it. When this happens, students can be left with tens of thousands to pay in student loans and no degree to show.

When a for-profit college like Hussian shuts down, it also leaves the students in the lurch. Credits may not be transferrable to another school, even if one is available, and students are left with debt and no degree.

You Need a Skilled Legal Advisor Guiding You

The process can be frustrating and stressful if you face a shutdown or a disciplinary matter at a for-profit college. But you don't have to figure this out on your own. The experienced Education Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help. They can help you negotiate a solution, a disciplinary hearing, or an appeal in disciplinary matters. If your college unexpectedly shuts down, you have legal options concerning your student loans and transferring your credits, and the Education Law Team can help you find the best path forward. They've been helping students nationwide through issues with colleges and universities for years. Call them today at 888-535-3686 or contact the LLF Law Firm online to schedule your consultation.