Posted on Sunday, 8th January 2012 by Jana Sanders
American Commercial College continues to offer courses to already-enrolled Abilene students amid scrutiny from state and federal authorities.
The Lubbock-based college’s Abilene campus was raided Nov. 2 by federal agents representing the U.S. Department of Education, and state authorities separately revealed that they sent the college a notice of intent to revoke certification for the Abilene and Lubbock campuses — stipulating that those campuses could no longer enroll new students.
On Friday, the Texas Workforce Commission — which regulates for-profit colleges like American Commercial College — stated the Abilene campus still cannot enroll new students. It offers courses in medical assisting, among other specialties.
“We are very hopeful that we will be allowed to begin enrollments in Abilene soon; however, as of yet, due to the ongoing investigation by TWC, we have not been cleared to do so,” wrote Paige Griggs, director of the Abilene campus, adding that classes are continuing, with a graduation of some students set for Feb. 10.
The commission in December estimated that about 70 students were enrolled at the college.
Not among them is Mickie Heard, who withdrew shortly after the raid that unexpectedly shut down the school for a day.
“I don’t want to be associated with that,” said Heard, explaining she withdrew within days of the raid after completing about 11 weeks at the school.
While the commission has said currently enrolled students are eligible for a refund, Heard said Griggs told her she did not qualify for a refund.
“He was really nice about it,” Heard said, explaining that while she borrowed about $4,800 to attend the college, she no longer is angry at the school and has moved on to enroll at Cisco College.
State investigators found “evidence that critical information has been falsified by school personnel, including eligibility for admission to school programs (GEDs and high school diplomas), attendance records, and grades,” according to a statement from the Texas Workforce Commission.
U.S. Department of Education officials didn’t respond Monday when asked about the status of American Commercial College.
Kathy Colvin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office, declined to comment about the November raid or provide any new information about any federal inquiry into the school.
Texas Watchdog, an online news outlet, reported last week that a sealed whistle-blower complaint filed in federal court alleges that the school falsified student loan documents.
Asked about federal financial aid for current students, Griggs wrote: “As far as financial aid American Commercial College is still able to offer financial aid to our students but, while the investigation is still ongoing, we are on what is called ‘heightened cash monitoring,’ which means all financial aid for each student is being monitored by the Dept. of Education, which in turn makes it a much longer process for the school and the student.”
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