The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is urging current and former students of Argosy Hawaii to obtain their academic and financial records from the institution as soon as possible. These records might be necessary for students to secure financial aid, loan forgiveness or to continue their education, and graduates might require their transcripts for future use or employment.
Dream Center Education Holdings, the owner of Argosy Hawaii, provided notice to students that it filed Jan. 18 for receivership in federal bankruptcy court. Subsequently, Argosy Hawaii’s accrediting agency, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, placed the school on show-cause status. The school is still accredited and operating; however, students should be aware of the possibility that it could abruptly close prior to the completion of their program.
The Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program provided notice to all current Argosy Hawaii students with information about the institution’s situation and that a dedicated website is available with more information and updates.
Students also were advised to review the Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program’s resource guide in case the school closes. The “Closed School Guide for Students” can be viewed at: http://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/files/2014/11/HPEAP-Closed-School-Guide-for-StudentsOct2015.pdf.
This resource guide provides students with information about obtaining records, understanding available options, differentiating between teach out vs. transfer and explaining loan discharge. Information about the federal loan discharge criteria, process and application can be found at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school.
For more information, visit the HPEAP website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/main/argosy-university-status-information/, email hpeap@dcca.hawaii.gov or call 586-7327.