BrightwoodCollegeClosure

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Maryland Brightwood Students: 

Students can sign up to receive email alerts by emailing brightwood.mhec@maryland.gov with the subject line "SUBSCRIBE." Students are encouraged to check the web page regularly for up-to-date information specific to Maryland. Additionally, students can call MHEC directly at 410-767-3300 or toll-free at 1-800-974-0203 for more information.

 Education Corporation of America, Inc. discontinued all academic operations in Maryland on December 7, 2018, including three locations in Maryland operating as Brightwood College (803 Glen Eagles Court, Towson; 1520 South Caton Avenue, Baltimore; 4600 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville). The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is working closely with students, ECA headquarters in Alabama, and Maryland institutions of higher education to support Maryland students through this transition. MHEC is working to identify processes for students to obtain records, as well as transfer options within the State.

Options for Brightwood Students

 Students affected by the closure of the Brightwood campuses have 3 options:

       1.    Pursue a federal loan discharge and state refund of self-paid or private lender monies paid to the school – see more information below regarding federal loan discharge

       2.    Pursue a transfer opportunity at a state-approved teach-out school – see more information below regarding teach-out and transfer

       3.    Pursue a self-chosen/determined transfer to another school (subject to all transfer policies of the accepting school)

If a student chooses option #2 or option #3 then the student cannot pursue option #1. If a student chooses option #1 the student cannot pursue a teach-out or transfer.

Information Regarding Federal Loan Forgiveness

• You may be eligible to have your federal student loans used to attend Brightwood College discharged and any amounts already paid on those loans reimbursed. Federal regulations provide that students who are actively enrolled in a school that closes, or who withdrew up to 120 days before the school closed, and were not able to complete their program of study can apply for a Closed School Discharge of their Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, or FFEL Loans used to attend the closed school.

•To receive a Closed School Discharge, you must file an application to your loan servicer. You can determine your current loan servicer and check how much you currently owe in federal debt at https://www.nslds.ed.gov. You should contact your loan servicer with questions related to the Closed School Discharge process and to obtain an application.  You can also print this application and submit it to your servicer (see link copied below). You can learn more about the Closed School Discharge at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school.

• Download the Closed School Loan Discharge Form here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/closed-school-loan-discharge-form.pdf

•Completing your program of study through another school can disqualify you from receiving a Closed School Discharge. As such, you should carefully consider your options and personal finances before continuing your studies or applying for a Closed School Discharge. For some people, having their loans discharged will be preferable to continuing their programs of study and being obligated to repay the student loan debt accrued at Brightwood College. Students whose loans are discharged have the option of pursuing a new degree at institutions that are less expensive, such as state schools or community colleges.

Information Regarding Refund through MHEC 

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   First Report of Claim Form for State-Issued Refunds

   : If you are not interested in transferring your Brightwood credits to a new institution, you may be eligible for a state-issued refund for any cash payments you made to Brightwood and any private loans used to fund your Brightwood education (this does not include any federal loans).  If you are interested in pursuing this option, please complete the First Report of Claim form.
   

 Teach-out and Transfer Agreements with Maryland Institutions

Teach-out agreements: Baltimore City Community College and Prince George's Community College have both signed teach-out agreements.  This is in addition to the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Cecil College, and York Technical Institute.  This means they have made a commitment to transfer Brightwood credit so that you may continue your academic program.  We expect more teach-out agreements to be signed and will alert you immediately when they are available for your review.  A teach-out agreement provides transparency and equity for all students impacted by a school closure.​

If a student chooses to pursue a teach-out or transfer opportunity, then the student cannot pursue loan discharge and state refund.  If a student chooses option #1 the student cannot pursue a teach-out or transfer.

Transfer Agreements:

Agreements will be posted here as they become finalized. 

Teach-out Agreements: 

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