Star Career Academy shuts down leaving students in lurch

The Star Career Academy has closed down all of its campuses across the tristate area, leaving hundreds of students wondering what will happen with their careers. Star Career Academy staffers say they

News 12 Staff

Nov 16, 2016, 9:15 AM

Updated 2,723 days ago

Share:

Star Career Academy shuts down leaving students in lurch
The Star Career Academy has closed down all of its campuses across the tristate area, leaving hundreds of students wondering what will happen with their careers.
Star Career Academy staffers say they were told they were out of a job and needed to pack up their belongings when they came into work Tuesday. Students were told classes were canceled for good via text message.
"I don't know where I go from here I'm left out in the cold," says former student Jessica Viglone, who was studying for her dialysis technicians' certification.
Star Career Academy has campuses in Brick, Newark, Egg Harbor and Clifton. News 12 New Jersey spoke to some students at the Brick campus. News 12 New Jersey is told that just over 100 students attended classes there and were working for certification in careers such as surgical techs or medical assistants.
"I felt like I woke up to a nightmare," says former student Dan Sutphin, who was also working towards a dialysis technicians' certification.
A school spokesperson says in a statement, "Star Career Academy's closing is the result of the negative financial impact of a continued declining student population while operating in the challenging for-profit post-secondary school industry."
Some of the students were close to finishing their education and are now worried about their career prospects.
"I am on month 13. I have 3 weeks left of school," says former student Rebecca Ornstein. "I can apply for jobs and hope I get hired with no certification given to me."
The students are also out of a lot of money due to student loans.
The school's website states that students can begin the process for a loan discharge in the next 30 days. But when it comes to any kind of tuition refund, nothing was mentioned.
Students say they are planning a protest against the school's closing Wednesday morning in Clifton.


More from News 12
1:38
Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

2:27
Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

1:01
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

0:26
‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

1:34
Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

0:28
Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

1:47
NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

0:27
Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

0:42
Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

0:16
Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

0:19
Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

0:17
Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

0:33
What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

What marijuana reclassification means for the United States