The fallout from ComputerTraining.edu's collapse -- owner David Rau speaks to The Baltimore Sun
In late December, a for-profit trade school called ComputerTraining.edu abruptly closed its doors, leaving students and employees with barely any notice that they were going out of business.
Students paid at least $13,500 for tuition at locations in 14 states, including two in Maryland. Stories were written about the school's sudden closure in communities across the country where the school operated. Some students and employees have kept in touch through Facebook.
A few talk about organizing a class action lawsuit. In some cases, it seems, students are applying to their respective states for refunds of their tuition (for-profit schools usually have to post a bond for each student, which can be used for such refunds.)
Why did ComputerTraining.edu, which is based in Hunt Valley, Md., close so suddenly? What happened to all the money it had been making and the $1.5 million business loan it obtained from lender BB&T? Are former employees entitled to any kind of severance?
My latest story appearing today tries to answer some of these questions, along with comments from David L. Rau, the school's owner, who had until earlier this week avoided the news media.
And then there are my two previous stories about ComputerTraining.edu:
:: BB&T sues closed computer school over loan, statements, March 16, 2010
This post will evolve, like a Wiki, as all of you help contribute to the research effort. If you're a former student or employee of ComputerTraining and wish to be of help, leave comments below about your personal experiences with the school. Or email me directly at gus.sentementes(at)baltsun(dot)com with your detailed account.
If you're an earnest Internet detective, we could use your help in finding facts. Only post facts and links -- libelous comments and personal attacks against individuals will be screened out. I will curate the information and post on the jump.
Other outstanding questions that remain:
:: Why was ComputerTraining's tuition $13,500 in some states (such as Maryland), but more than $27,000 in other states, such as Ohio?
Comments
13,500 hell, try 25,000 in 2007 for the class.
Posted by: Joe Brown | March 17, 2010 5:41 PM
Tuition was different in most campuses. If a center had high volumn than most likely they could get away with charging more. For some campuses that were already struggleing they lowered it to 13,500. After the first lay off in April 09, every campus lowered their tuition ranging from 10-18,500. They wanted to eventually raise it back to 28,500 but obviously that never happened
Posted by: SMITH | March 18, 2010 8:37 PM
Someone should ask about the parties that the Owners and Admission staff used to have on the beaches and cruises. And why in the fall of this year, Management took some of their (all female 24-28 year old staff) on a trip to Florida, when they were in serious financial trouble.
Posted by: unknown | April 11, 2010 10:22 AM