Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the Department of Education (ED) is providing resources to Brightwood College students affected by the December 7^th closing of the Education Corporation of America (ECA) in Laredo, TX. This announcement comes as a result of ECA’s abrupt closure of dozens of institutions nationwide, affecting thousands of students. Students are encouraged to apply for a closed school loan discharge, if they meet certain criteria.

Congressman Cuellar stated, “It is our responsibility to ensure that every student, regardless of their economic background, is prepared to compete in a 21^st-century, competitive job market. These students, who have been unfairly deprived of their educational investment, must be justly compensated. 

“I would like to thank Laredo College and TAMIU for their efforts in helping students continue to pursue a higher education. It is my hope that the Department of Education is able to provide them with the federal assistance that they so greatly deserve.”

Students Eligible to Apply

Students may be eligible for a closed school loan discharge based on their attendance period at Brightwood College.

Student loan borrowers (and parents who took out PLUS loans on behalf of students) may be eligible for a 100-percent discharge of their federal student loans borrowed to attend the school under either of the following circumstances:

• Brightwood closed while the student was enrolled, and they did not complete their program because of the closure. If a student was on an approved leave of absence, they are considered to have been enrolled at the school; OR

• The student withdrew from all classes 120 days or less prior to the school closing. This requires active enrollment at Brightwood on or after August 9, 2018.

Transfer of Course Credits

Laredo College and Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) are offering their services to students who are interested in seeing if they are eligible for transfer. Students may contact the following offices for assistance:

Laredo College Office of Enrollment and Student Services

Fort McIntosh Campus

Lerma Peña Building, Room 116

West End Washington Street

Laredo, Texas 78040

Telephone: (956) 721-5109

 

South Campus

Billy Hall Student Center, Room 113

5000 South Zapata Highway

Laredo, Texas 78046

Telephone: (956) 794-4109

 

Texas A&M International University Office of Admissions

Zaffirini Success Center, Suite 129

5201 University Boulevard

Laredo, Texas 78041

Telephone: (956) 326-2200

Additional resources include various state agencies working in coordination with the Department of Education to transfer student course credits to other local institutions. The following Texas offices are participating:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

920 Colorado Street

Austin, TX 78701

Phone: 512-463-6599

Website: www.tdlr.texas.gov

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

1200 East Anderson Lane

Austin, TX 78752

Phone: 512-427-6101

Website: www.thecb.state.tx.us  

 

Texas Work Force Commission

101 East 15th Street

Austin, TX 78778

Phone: 512-936-3100

Website: www.twc.texas.gov

 

The ED is working on an institution-by-institution basis to facilitate these transfers of course credits. For more information on services offered by the ED to address the ECA school closings, visit www.StudentAid.gov/eca. Students can find resources to help transfer credits to another school, obtain their academic records, explore Pell grant eligibility, and more.