Virginia College to shut down all campuses, including Jacksonville's

Students and staff members were blindsided Wednesday when they learned Virginia College was shutting down.

It comes after Education Corporation of America, the college’s parent company, lost its accreditation. Without it, the school cannot secure funds from investors.

News spread around 9:30 a.m. via a conference call. Locally, this means about 100 staff members will lose their jobs, and around 525 students will no longer have a school.

“I just wish that they could’ve told us before today, before our finals tomorrow,” said Sharon Lyn Billington.

STORY: Arlington Country Day School principal refuses to comment on reason for school's closure

STORY: Florida company accused of not paying workers shuts down, must pay $96K

Jacksonville’s campus president, Don Slayter, said they’ll remain open until Dec. 19. He’s encouraging students to reach out to Keiser University to see if their credits will transfer. Some students may be eligible for loan forgiveness.

Culinary student Brittany Riley said she was looking forward to externships the college had arranged for her. Now she’s wondering where she’ll go next.

“I don’t even know what the student loans I’ve pulled out yet (amount to), but I’ve invested about $400 so far out of my pocket,” said Riley.

Slayter said the staff will be paid for the hours they’ve worked. His last day will be Friday, Dec. 7, after being with the company for two years.

Cox Media Group