CARMEL, Ind. & GREENFIELD, Wis. - The for-profit college chain ITT Educational Services (ESI) is shutting down its campuses days after the U.S. Department of Education banned it from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid.

The company, which operates vocational schools, announced “with profound regret” in a statement Tuesday that it is ending academic operations at all of its more than 130 campuses across 38 states.

“The actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education have forced us to cease operations of the ITT Technical Institutes, and we will not be offering our September quarter. We reached this decision only after having exhausted the exploration of alternatives, including transfer of the schools to a non-profit or public institution,” the company said in a statement.

The company, based in Carmel, Indiana, says its move will have an impact on hundreds of thousands of students and alumni as well as more than 8,000 employees.

“Effective today, the company has eliminated the positions of the overwhelming majority of our more than 8,000 employees. Our focus and priority with our remaining staff is on helping the tens of thousands of unexpectedly displaced students with their records and future educational options,” the company said.

ITT Educational Services says it was forced to take the action after the U.S. Department of Education issued sanctions Aug. 25, including a ban on enrolling new students who rely on federal financial aid.

Some students arrived to ITT Tech’s Greenfield Campus Tuesday morning, only to find that the doors were locked.

Students were sent e-mails earlier in the morning announcing the closure.

Among the students who tried to get here this morning, was an army veteran who says he feels cheated.

“Another problem that we are having is these other colleges in the area, MATC, UW, ect., they’re not accepting ITT transcripts so where are we to go?”, said student Don Moulder.

Below is a part of the e-mail sent to students about the closure and what next steps they should take.

Important Information for You Going Forward

Please be assured that we are committed to keeping you informed about the impact on you of the closure of your school.

To that end, below is some key information to answer, what we imagine are, some of your immediate questions:

How do I see my grades?

You may access your academic record via the Student Portal by clicking this link.  Please use your student email and network password to login.  We expect to have all grades for the June 2016 quarter updated by Friday, September 9^th.

How do I obtain a copy of my official transcript?

You may request a copy of your official transcript via the Student Portal by clicking this link.  Please use your student email and network password to login.  Graduates may also request an official transcript via the Alumni website by clicking this link.

Will my credits transfer to another institution?

As always, the decision to accept transfer credits is up to the receiving institution.  You may view a list of other schools that have entered into articulation agreements with the ITT Technical Institutes at www.itt-tech.edu/articulation.  Additionally, we have compiled a list of schools in your area that offer similar programs of study, as well as some institutions offering similar programs online, which you may want to contact.  See the following question for a list of schools.

Are there any schools in my area with similar programs of study?

Click here to download a list of schools in your area with programs of study similar to those offered by your school, as well as some institutions offering similar programs online.

When is the last day my campus will be open?

While your campus will be closing immediately at the end of the June quarter, we will continue to provide resources to assist you in obtaining your transcript and other records.  Please check the Student Portal by clicking this link for updated information from us about the issues covered in this notice and other important matters.  In the near term, you may also email [email protected] with questions.

In the future, after the Student Portal is no longer accessible, how do I obtain a copy of my records?

After your campus has closed and the Student Portal is no longer accessible, you will be able to obtain your records and other key contact information at www.itt-tech.edu.  This site will house links to request your transcript, education verification, and other information.

Will I have to repay my student loans?

It may be possible for you to discharge your federal student loans and not have to repay them under certain circumstances.  For more information about this, please click here.

For additional information on student financial aid and other options available, please also see information provided by the U.S. Department of Education available by clicking here and here.

For additional information on GI Bill benefits, please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the GI Bill website by clicking here.

Please know we are extremely disappointed to have to discontinue our operations after more than 50 years of serving students.

We want to thank all of the men and women who have diligently served you throughout your studies at ITT Technical Institute.  We, and they, apologize for this unexpected disruption to your education and we sincerely wish you the best as you move forward.