Shelton school may take Bridgeport business school students

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) -- Business school students who showed up in Bridgeport to find out the school was closed may now have some hope in Shelton.

"We're angry, but we just want answers," said Orlanda Austin-Strong, Butler Business School student.

Strong and dozens of other Butler Business School students drove to the corporate office in Rhode Island Wednesday to try to get some answers. Since their school was abruptly shut down last week, they've heard nothing from top administrators. When they arrived in Rhode Island they found the building empty and locked up.

"I was mad as hell because I rode two hours with three, four cars full of students for it to be closed? We went up there to get answers, not to be rude, we went up to see what could we do to transfer our credits and there is no one to speak to," said Strong.

Their calls have remained unanswered, so they're left wondering what that means for their degrees and loans. One student tells News 8 she shelled out $22,000 for her degree, which she may never see.

"The loan people have agreed to default the loan and see what happens," Strong said, "but eventually, somehow we're going to have to pay this back."

The students say there may be some hope. They say Thursday morning they met with folks at the Lincoln Technical Institute in Shelton who are looking into helping them out by taking in all the students from all three campuses in CT.

Officials are meeting Friday to see if they can help out the 1,200 students.

"If they do make an agreement it basically probably will be for us to transfer our records," Strong said.

"And your loans would apply there," asked News 8's Ali Reed.

"Yes."

It would be a huge relief for the students, some of whom were just months away from earning their degree.

"So happy because I just want to finish and I just want to get my diploma," said Evelin Zapata, Butler Business School student, "and that's it. I just want to keep moving and be successful, that's all I want."