Contact:
Sue McConnell, Senior VP
216.623.8964 x109
sue@cleveland.bbb.org
(Student noted below has agreed to be interviewed).
For Immediate Release - January 6, 2010 – Computertraining.com (aka computertraining.edu), a 17-year-old business specializing in information technology training, closed its doors abruptly on New Year’s Eve leaving students concerned about their training as well as the prospect of tuition refunds.
The company, headquartered in Maryland, had facilities in Independence, Ohio, and 23 other locations. A local student alerted BBB earlier this week that he had received an e-mail from the school on December 31, 2009, advising that it had ceased operations, effective immediately. The e-mail stated, “It is with deep sadness and regret that Computertraining.edu announces it will cease operation and close all of the Computertraining.edu schools, effective immediately. These actions are due to circumstances beyond the company's control. There will be no further classes held at any of our schools.” The message directed students to contact the Ohio State Board of Schools for assistance. The student had obtained a $13,999 student loan through Sallie Mae for a six-month course that began September, 2009.
A statement on the company’s Web site, www.computertraining.edu, dated January 4, 2010, reported its assets were frozen by BB&T Bank, forcing the company to close their corporate offices and their schools.
BBB has verified that students who have paid for, but not completed their classes with ComputerTraining.edu should:
Ø E-mail Kimberly Stein at the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges & Schools (kimberly.stein@scr.state.oh.us), and provide name, address, phone, school location, start date, amount paid, and method of payment (i.e. personal check, student loan).
Ø Contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission at www.mhec.state.md.us or Mr. Les Bennett at 410-260-4535 or lbennett@mhec.state.md.us to file a complaint.
Ø File a complaint with BBB online at www.cleveland.bbb.org or call (216) 241-7678 to request a complaint form.
About BBB
BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports® and charity BBB Wise Giving Reports®, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. The organization is also a recognized leader in developing and administering self-regulation programs for the business community, and, with respect to the advertising industry, does that through a joint venture in conjunction with National Advertising Review Council partners. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 123 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Visit www.cleveland.bbb.org for more information.