What is Virginia College Lawsuit?
Virginia College was a for-profit college chain that abruptly closed its doors in December 2018, leaving thousands of students without degrees and saddled with student loan debt. The closure of Virginia College was one of the largest for-profit college closures in U.S. history.
In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Virginia College and its parent company, Education Corporation of America (ECA). The lawsuit alleges that Virginia College misled students about the value of their degrees and engaged in predatory lending practices.
The lawsuit is still ongoing, but in August 2022, a federal judge approved a $28 million settlement between ECA and the plaintiffs. The settlement will provide partial relief to former Virginia College students who were enrolled in the school when it closed.
Conclusion
The Virginia College lawsuit is a reminder of the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges. For-profit colleges are often more expensive than public colleges, and they have a higher graduation rate. For-profit colleges are also more likely to engage in predatory lending practices.
If you are considering attending a for-profit college, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved. You should also compare the cost and graduation rate of the for-profit college to public colleges in your area.
FAQs
Q: What is the status of the Virginia College lawsuit?
A: The Virginia College lawsuit is still ongoing. A federal judge approved a $28 million settlement between ECA and the plaintiffs in August 2022, but the settlement is currently being appealed.
Q: Who is eligible for the Virginia College settlement?
A: Former Virginia College students who were enrolled in the school when it closed on December 5, 2018, are eligible for the settlement.
Q: How much money will I receive from the Virginia College settlement?
A: The amount of money you will receive from the settlement will depend on a number of factors, including how much tuition you paid and how many credits you completed.
Q: What do I need to do to file a claim for the Virginia College settlement?
A: To file a claim for the settlement, you must visit the settlement website and complete a claim form. The deadline to file a claim is December 5, 2023.
Q: What if I have questions about the Virginia College settlement?
A: If you have questions about the settlement, you can contact the settlement administrator at 1-800-599-3701 or https://www.hgdlawfirm.com/practice-areas/consumer-class-action-and-mass-tort/virginia-college-lawsuit/.
Q: What are the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges?
A: For-profit colleges are often more expensive than public colleges, and they have a higher graduation rate. For-profit colleges are also more likely to engage in predatory lending practices.
If you are considering attending a for-profit college, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved. You should also compare the cost and graduation rate of the for-profit college to public colleges in your area.
References:
- Shuttered for-profit college firm to pay $28M settlement over closures: https://www.highereddive.com/news/Education-Corporation-of-America-to-pay-28m-in-settlement/644857/
- Virginia College – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_College
- Methvin Terrell Currently Investigating Claims on Behalf of Virginia College Students: https://mtattorneys.com/virginia-college-lawsuit-methvin-terrell-currently-investigating-claims-on-behalf-of-virginia-college-students/
- Virginia College Lawsuit – Heninger Garrison Davis: https://www.hgdlawfirm.com/practice-areas/consumer-class-action-and-mass-tort/virginia-college-lawsuit/