Rep. Aguilar Holds Workshop for Everest Students who are in Financial Limbo

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Debt relief is on the horizon months after Everest Colleges, a part of the Corinthian College Educational Group, shut down, leaving students in an educational and financial limbo.

Students of the now defunct for-profit Santa Ana-based Corinthian Colleges learned how they can get loan relief through various programs thanks to a seminar put on at San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday by Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Rancho Cucamonga.

"When I learned of this seminar I knew I needed to be here," William Peterson of Ontario said. "I was in the paralegal program when I showed up one day and the doors were closed without any notice."

Peterson said he racked up more than $18,000 in debt to pay for his education. He also said he's unable transfer his credits and still owes more than he'd pay for a good used car.

"At least a good used car would get me from A to B," he said. "The money I owe for school is just being thrown away thanks to Everest."

Three of the Corinthian-owned Everest College campuses were in San Bernardino County, one in San Bernardino and two in Ontario.

Corinthian Colleges, like other for-profit colleges and universities, has been criticized for the amount of debt students are saddled with.

"This workshop will hopefully help me either relieve my debt completely or allow me to transfer to an accredited college in order to continue my education," Peterson said.

On April 14, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was fining Corinthian $30 million. According to federal officials, Corinthian officials failed to respond to allegations that the school lied about its post-graduation job placement success -- a key selling point for many for-profit colleges -- and faked grades and attendance records.

"We believe that we have attempted to do everything within our power to provide a quality education and an opportunity for a better future for our students," Jack Massimino, chief executive officer of Corinthian, said in a prepared statement on their website in April. "Unfortunately the current regulatory environment would not allow us to complete a transaction with several interested parties that would have allowed for a seamless transition for our students. I would like to thank our employees for their selfless dedication and commitment to fulfilling the educational and career goals of all of our students."

Peterson said that even though it's a set-back, he doesn't plan on giving up anytime soon.

"I just want more of what life has to offer," he said. "And if this seminar will teach me how to get out from under this burden and continue my education to have my piece of the American Pie, then it's absolutely worth it to me."

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