MedTech College to turn student records over to state

Students who were enrolled at MedTech College when it closed unexpectedly last week can pick up transcripts in order to transfer, state officials said.

MedTech officials allowed students to get transcripts last week. Anyone who didn’t pick one up will receive them through the mail. Former attendees and graduates can pick up records from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 2 at the MedTech campus at 1648 McGrathiana Parkway.

About 150 students were enrolled at the time of closure, said Hillary Fugate, president of MedTech’s Lexington campus.

In late July, the U.S. Department of Education notified the national MedTech offices that its campuses in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., would be denied re-certification, therefore ending any federal financial aid to students. MedTech officials said the denial was “without merit” but had not resolved the issues, leading to the closing of the Lexington campus.

“MedTech will cooperate with other post-secondary educational institutions in the Lexington market to meet with MedTech students to provide opportunities to transfer and continue their education,” according to a statement from the MedTech national office. “Each student will be contacted so that they may be provided an official transcript along with their financial aid information. Additionally, MedTech will comply with state licensure requirements to provide students ongoing access to their academic records.”

The Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education licenses for-profit schools in Kentucky.

“We know that many individuals in Central Kentucky have been impacted,” said Misty Edwards, executive director of the commission. “And we want to help them make as smooth a transition as possible.”

After Sept. 7, MedTech plans to turn over all student records to the commission, at which point state officials will begin processing the documents. The commission intends to make records available as soon as possible. In the future, students may receive copies by sending an email to kcpe@ky.gov.

All students are advised to obtain and compile the following information: student academic records, student financial records and copies of enrollment agreements and receipts.

Also, commission officials are working with the U.S. Department of Education and the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General to determine what financial recourse is available to former MedTech students.

The commission also administers the Student Protection Fund, which reimburses eligible students in the event a school closes, loses its accreditation or discontinues a program. The work of the commission is financed entirely through fees paid by licensed institutions.

“If you have not received a copy of your academic, attendance and financial records from MedTech College, you should do so immediately,” Edwards said. “These records are necessary if you plan to transfer to another school, submit a claim against the student protection fund, or ask for a student loan discharge from the U.S. Department of Education.”

For more information, go to KCPE.ky.gov.

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 9:29 AM with the headline "MedTech College to turn student records over to state."