For-Profit 'Star Career Academy' Closed Doors Without Notice, Students Claim
CLIFTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Star Academy, which provided training classes for medical tech, business administration, and culinary jobs suddenly closed its doors with not even a day's notice for students.
Magaly Ortega, 18, saved enough to get trained to be a medical assistant at the Star Career Academy with the hopes of getting a job and saving for college, but that dream hit a huge roadblock.
"I ran into a friend on the bus, and she told me school is closed," she told CBS2's Meg Baker.
Thousands of students in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania were abruptly told the Star Career Academy -- a for profit training school -- was permanently shut down, including a location in Clifton.
Danielel Salgado started on August 15, of this year.
"I was hysterical," she said, "It hurts. I was back stabbed. I feel like they knew the school was closing and they didn't say anything - signed me up knowing it was a sinking ship."
Some students claimed they were notified via text message, others just showed up to find the doors locked.
"I didn't receive anything from the school. Group text from teacher just said effective immediately school closed. I was in shock," Courtney Connolly said.
Teachers said they were not given any notice either, and don't expect to receive their last paycheck.
In a statement the company blamed the "negative financial impact of a continued declining student population while operating in the challenging for-profit post secondary school industry."
"We need someone to give us answers because I'm not leaving until we get answers," Kanaria Gabbidon said.
CBS2 tried calling and emailing the school, but has not heard back. The school's website has directed students to send an email request for their transcripts.
Lawmakers are urging the Department of Education to get involved. Many students had only three weeks left to complete their certification as medical assistants. They are worried their credits will not transfer to other schools and they will have to start all over again.
Last year, Star Career Academy was ordered to pay more than $9-million for defrauding students.
