School closures are a sad reality, and they affect students, faculty, and employees equally. That said, if a school faces imminent closure, its leaders should follow certain protocols to protect students and staff and prepare them for what's to come.

But what if your school shuts its doors on you without warning? You should contact our Education Law Team for immediate help by completing our online form or calling 888.535.3686. In the meantime, though, let's look at what we can learn from a prominent recent school closure.

The Alderson Broaddus Controversy

In August 2023, West Virginia school Alderson Broaddus filed for bankruptcy after years of financial difficulty. The school's troubles culminated with West Virginia's higher education authority voting to revoke its accreditation, meaning it has no power to award degrees. As a result, the school is now closed.

Alderson Broaddus is one of many college casualties this year, with multiple schools closing their doors due to financial difficulties. However, they're not all facing litigation for allegedly breaking contractual obligations to staff and students.

So, what makes the Alderson Broaddus situation unique? Well, the school allegedly failed to honor a 90-day notice of closure, which left students and employees disadvantaged. The pending lawsuits allege that the school's actions cost students and staff job opportunities and caused considerable emotional distress. Had the school honored its 90-day notice, these individuals could have arranged transfers or taken positions at other schools in the meantime.

My School Is Closing, Now What?

If your school closes, don't panic. You do have legal rights, and it's crucial that you enforce them. While you should contact the Lento Law Firm Team to discuss your situation, here are some points to consider.

• If the school breaks its contract with you, then you may be able to file a civil lawsuit for breach of contract. You may be able to claim damages.
• The school should support you in finding an alternative placement, where possible.
• In some cases, you may be eligible for a federal loan discharge. This will depend on your enrollment status and the type of loan you have.

Your Options After a School Closure

The most obvious solution after a school closure is transferring to a new school to complete your program. This may be possible depending on factors such as the credits you have already earned and the quality of those earned credits.

Transferring is not without challenges. For example, if your school loses accreditation, other institutions may not recognize your earned credits. You may be required to start again or find an entirely new program of study.

The Lento Law Firm Team can explain how you might proceed depending on your program of study and credits earned.

Retain Our Student Defense Team | Lento Law Firm

A school closure can wreak havoc on a student's academic career. That's why, at the Lento Law Firm, our Education Law Team is standing by waiting to assist. We will listen to what happened, explain your options, and defend your legal and procedural rights at every stage of the process.

Your future is too precious to risk. Get legal advice rather than trying to handle a school closure alone. Call 888.535.3686 or leave us a message to schedule a meeting.