OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Years after Overland Park-based Wright Career College suddenly shut its doors, former students say they are still facing consequences.
Many students, like Jennifer Florez, are stuck with thousands of dollars worth of students loans after the institution suddenly shut down.
“You know it’s just a dark cloud over your head. It’s frustrating because it’s been a lengthy process,” said Florez.
She and 180 other students are now petitioning the government to have their student debts relieved.
“Everything [they and their] family wants to do: buy a house, get a new car, seek medical care that is otherwise not possible either becomes impossible or less likely,” said Andrew Smith, who is representing Florez and others.
He sent a five-page letter to U.S. Education Secretary Betsey DeVos asking that his clients’ loans be completely forgiven and reimbursed for the amounts they’ve already paid.
In April 2016, Wright Career College closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy, leaving students stranded the day they were supposed to start taking final exams.
More than a year later, Mission Group Kansas Inc, a nonprofit corporation doing business with Wright College Career, settled with 264 former students for $3 million dollars.
