Long post ahead. But I need advice from someone who knows something.

I was enrolled at Independence University online. I have been enrolled with them since November of last year. I completed 9 courses with them. I excelled in my classes. Made honor roll. Worked my ass off to get good grades and lost out on tons of opportunities with my family & friends. Today I received an email stating that the college is now closing its doors. I am halfway through my program of medical assisting. & they are closing their doors. They gave us students very little notice. They are closing on August 1st. The school has admitted to knowing they would close since April of this year. They give us current students the option to enroll in two other colleges with online courses South University or Miami university of arts and design. However, these universities do not have my program that I am going for. So in order for me to enroll I will have to change my major- which is something I really do not want to do.

This is where things get messed up: they announced on Facebook before emailing their students a list of FAQ’s about the school closing. Shortly after it was posted on facebook- I received the email. In the email it clearly states “pending regulatory approval” they will transfer the students via a “teach out program”. The letter also states that “same or similar programs are offered” yet they offer no similar or same programs with these other universities. They said any questions could be answered via email or calling the SSA line. I reached out- no answer from anyone. All point of contact has been cut off and they aren’t answering student questions. The Facebook page I was on for the school has now deleted me & blocked me from messaging/replying/ commenting on their posts.

I owe $10k in student loans due to this school & I am fearful I have to pay them back even with no degree. I am so confused/upset/heartbroken over all of this. I am unfair what to do. I feel that the way they are handling things is seriously SO unprofessional. I did a little digging & found that the school is possibly going to be sued due to not paying their students the money they are owed. The board of education has cut all funds off to the college and has not paid them since May because of this issue. Can I get a loan discharge? Have I been scammed? There were thousands of other students enrolled in this college & many of them were set to graduate on the 29th of august but now they can’t because the college is closing. So they are left with debt, time wasted and no degree even when they are weeks away from taking their certified exams. I am frustrated. What can I do?