CHAMPAIGN – Due to the abrupt closing of the ITT Technical Institute, Parkland College is offering enrollment advising and financial support to displaced students.
Dean of Enrollment Management, Julie Marlatt says the college has already begun helping ITT Tech students from their district who have reached out to Parkland.
“One of them was only 12 weeks away from obtaining his nursing associate’s degree,” Marlatt remarks.
ITT Tech permanently closed all its campuses on September 6, affecting more than 700 Illinois students. Since the closure, several entities from the U.S. Secretary of Education to local educational institutes like Richland Community College have reached out to help students. The Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs and Senator Dick Durbin have also issued statements on the closing.
Under the federal “Closed School Discharge” program, students who have been displaced can request their student loans be dismissed, but they must sacrifice their college credits if the loans are discharged. Students wishing to keep those ITT Tech credits must also retain their loan debt.
“We want these students to know that Parkland College stands ready to help them continue their educational progress,” Marlatt says.
Various student services within Parkland College are working to help the former students. Parkland College issued a statement Monday, September 12, outlining who students should contact for specific advice.
ITT Tech students needing help in determining which credits will transfer and what their degree options are should contact the Counseling and Advising Center:
John Sheahan
Director, Counseling and Advising
217/351-2555
Student Union, Room U276
Students who need help with financial aid and scholarships should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services:
Tim Wendt
Director, Enrollment Services
217/353-2673
Student Union, Room 291
In addition, the Parkland College Foundation is offering $500 scholarships to each student from ITT who transfers to Parkland.
Students wishing to enroll for midterm classes at Parkland College for fall 2016 are able to do so until October 13. These classes provide online, hybrid and traditional face-to-face courses for full semester credit. Classes begin October 17.
Students living outside District 505 should visit Parkland’s Admissions page to find out more information about residency requirements and tuition rates.
A national webinar for former ITT Tech students is also being held here.
