TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--ITT Tech students are not giving up on their dreams even though the doors are now closed.
The tech school shut down early in September. Thirty-eight states stopped online and classroom instruction, then ITT filed for bankruptcy.
Countless students were left high and dry without degrees, just like one nursing student here in Tallahassee who was expecting to graduate and become a registered nurse, but now it's going to take him longer than he planned.
Michael Harvey told me at first he thought a fellow student was kidding around when she told him she got an email that ITT Tech was closing.
That same day on September 6 he found out it was no joke
Harvey says he was just six months shy of graduating and becoming a registered nurse.
"(I was) heartbroken, disgusted," said Harvey. "They gave us no warning."
For Harvey, it was a sinking, panicked feeling to know the school was closed.
"We were told that we were getting our books later, and it seems like this was something planned all along," said Harvey.
Harvey says he would've taken the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX exam, an exam that shows you're able to start as an entry level nurse.
Instead, his world came crashing down.
Reporter: How much did it cost you to attend ITT Tech?
"Luckily I did have a previous degree so I did have credits that transferred, but for my fellow students it's a averaging about $50,000," said Harvey.
"All that money gone nothing to show for. If you try to get those loans repaid then you start at ground zero."
According to the U.S. Department of Education, students could apply for loan forgiveness or transfer earned credits to another institution.
However, having another program accept those college courses hasn't been easy.
"We did find there were a lot of students especially in nursing in their last semester which was very problematic and heartbreaking for many of them as well as it was for us," said Tallahassee Community College Provost Feleccia Moore-Davis. "There were others in others programs where were able to align for example with our CISCO and CNA program."
The CNA or certified nursing assistant prepares students for the state nursing assistant competency exam, but the nursing program has different standards.
"They may have to start over that are aligned with the ITT programs," said Moore-Davis. "Unfortunately I did not find any that would facilitate that seamless alignment, so they may lose those credits and not all to see what the future holds."
ITT Tech closed, Tallahassee Community College offered an information session concerning transferring.
Forty-five people showed up. About 20 enrolled.
"What TCC was able to do is we mobilized to serve those students," said Moore-Davis. "Those who did and didn't qualify for financial aid there were scholarships we provided for them. We also teamed with our foundation such that TCC Foundation provided $10,000 in scholarships for the students."
Harvey isn't attending TCC. He's trying to find ways to finish his degree. His teacher was given a termination letter on the day the school closed, but she is still helping students so the material they previously learned stays fresh on their minds.
"The NCLEX is a national wide exam and if these students lose their edge, it'll be hard for them to pass that NCLEX and the previous knowledge will be slow it'll be intense training so they'll need to pass those courses," Anne Marie Thompson.
Right now the students are trying not to look back, but ahead. Harvey says they are working to get a completion certification to where they will be allowed to take the NCLEX and become RN's.
"It's our hope," said Harvey. "If not, the dreams and dedication is gone to waste."
As Harvey continues to pursue his dream, we'll follow his progress and update you. As for other ITT Tech students looking to transfer, the TCC provost recommends checking the education department's website. You can peruse the site and see each college's level of accreditation.
Remember if you have a story for the insiders send us an email to abc27news@wtxl.tv attention insiders.
