Closure & Teach-Out Plan FAQs

 

Pittsburgh Technical College to Close on August 9, 2024

After careful deliberation and thorough exploration of alternative options, Pittsburgh
Technical College (PTC) will cease academic instruction with plans to remain closed
indefinitely, following the end of the Spring quarter on June 27, 2024.

 

Contents

• General Information
• FAQ for students
• On-Campus FAQ
• Financial Aid FAQ
• Teach Out FAQ
• Transcript FAQ
• Admitted Student FAQ
• Faculty & Staff FAQ
• Alumni FAQ

 

General Information

 

Why is Pittsburgh Technical College closing?

Like many colleges and universities across the United States, Pittsburgh Technical
College (PTC) has faced declining enrollment, market pressures, and inflation in recent
years due to the global pandemic and changing views of higher education, negatively
impacting revenue generation. At PTC, we are no exception. Despite PTC s in-demand
programs, the Board of Trustees determined, after extensive analysis of multiple
scenarios, that the College does not have the long-term financial resources to continue
operations. The school will close on August 9, 2024.

When will PTC officially close?

The Spring quarter, ending June 27, 2024, will be the final quarter for all PTC classes,
after which all instruction will cease.

What steps did the College take to mitigate its financial challenges?

The PTC Board and college leadership took strategic, creative and aggressive actions to
raise revenues and address the school s financial challenges, including successfully
reducing PTC s debt by $10 million, a carryover from the prior Pittsburgh Technical
Institute administration.

As part of its five-year strategic plan, PTC has expanded access, created public and
private partnerships, and has been actively focused on improving both enrollment and
retention of students to continue filling the regional workforce pipeline and educating the
next generation of workers.

PTC evaluated multiple potential operating models and explored a variety of different
scenarios, including mergers and partnerships, to avoid closure, but unfortunately, due to
the aforementioned reasons, PTCs Board of Trustees decided to close the college.

What will happen to the College campus and other real estate owned by the College?

This decision has not been made yet.

 

FAQ for Students

 

What can current students expect during the final quarter?

PTC classes will continue through June 27, 2024.

Coursework and student life activities will continue as planned, and the college s student
housing,caf , and student and academic support services will remain fully operational
through June 27, 2024.

In addition, currently enrolled students have access to a comprehensive teach-out plan that will provide
a smooth pathway for students to continue their degrees at other institutions.

Students are invited to attend informational sessions for guidance on the closure process,
record retention, distribution of transcripts, and sessions with the College s teach-out partners. Information about the info sessions is forthcoming.

Will there be a Class of 2024 Commencement?

Yes, PTC is looking forward to hosting a Commencement ceremony for graduating students on Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. at PTC s campus.

What is the College doing to assist current students?

PTC has entered teach-out agreements with multiple colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition for students so they can complete their education without interruption.

Working with these institutional partners, PTC will assist students in continuing their studies elsewhere as part of teach-out agreements with these schools.

Detailed information about these plans and colleges/universities is forthcoming.

What is the College doing to assist international students?

International students will be offered the same resources as those provided to local students.

Will I be able to participate in my planned clinicals, student teaching, internship, etc.?

More information is coming.

Will I be able to access my PTC email account?

No. All PTC accounts, including those of students, will terminate with the closure of the school on July 31^st, 2024.

How can I get more information?

Students are invited to attend upcoming informational sessions on multiple topics related to the closure. More information will be shared when available.

For students who have jobs on campus, what happens?

Every role is different. We recommend the student talks with his/her direct supervisor.

 

On-Campus FAQ

 

When do students have to be moved out of residence halls?

As previously planned, students are slated to move out on or before June 28, 2024. More details will be published when available.

 

Financial Aid FAQ

 

Will I be able to maintain my scholarship in the Spring 2024 quarter?

Yes. All financial aid commitments will continue through the current academic year.

Will I still get my financial aid refund?

Yes, the College remains eligible to participate in PA and federal financial aid programs
and continues to process all PA and federal financial aid for current students. If you are
eligible for a refund, you will still receive it

Will I still be responsible for paying the balance of my tuition once PTC closes?

Yes, students will be responsible for paying tuition and fees for the completed quarters.

Can I discharge my student loans since PTC is closing?

Loan discharge is the removal of your obligation to repay your loan under certain circumstances. There are certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a closed school loan discharge, and you must apply (https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/closed-school).
You can either:

• Complete and return the Closed School Loan Discharge Application and return it to your loan servicer(s), or
• Contact your loan servicer(s) about the application process.

U.S. Department of Education Resources:

• Student Loan Repayment Questions: https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans/
• Federal Loan Forgiveness: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/
• School Closed Information: Available for Direct Loans, FFEL Program loans, and Perkins Loans. Learn about the eligibility requirements for closed school discharge and how to apply- https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school

What should I do if I have already submitted my FAFSA for 2024-2025 at PTC?

If you filed a FAFSA for the 2024-25 award year identifying PTC as the institution you would be attending, and need the information forwarded to another institution, visit fafsa.gov to make changes to your filed application.

Do I need to complete a new FAFSA?

If you have completed a 2023-24 or 2024-25 FAFSA for PTC, you will only need to add the school code of the new school. Once the Financial Aid Office knows where students will be transitioning, they can assist you in adding the school code.

Will I be reimbursed if I have already made tuition payments for the next semester?

Yes.

 

Teach Out FAQ

 

What is a teach-out plan?

A teach-out plan is a pre-arranged plan outlined by a college to provide enrolled students in good standing* with:

• Access to specific, agreed-upon institutions that offer the same program in which a student in currently enrolled.
• Certain assurances regarding credits, tuition, and proposed date of graduation.
• The opportunity to meet with staff from respective teach-out receiving institutions for advising, admission, and next steps for students .
• PTC has created plans with several institutions who are committed to helping PTC students complete their programs of study. Each agreement is specific to the partner institution and will vary.

For those interested in an institution that is not a teach-out partner, many institutions accept applications for transfer, but the process may not be as seamless or may not have the same guarantees as with transitioning to a partnering teach-out institution.

Who are the teach-out institutions?

Per-school documents can be found here > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hkpinvlzIL6v8drxz1PImZfcT3Ob8qJC?usp=sharing

 

Carlow University

• Programs:
• Certificate Practical Nursing
• General Education
• BSBA to BSBA
• BS Applied Management
• AS Surgical Technology
• Contact Information:
• Mollie Cecere MeCecere@carlow.edu

 

Community College of Allegheny County

• Programs:
• Business Management
• Criminal Justice
• Culinary Program
• Digital Media and Video Production
• Electrician Technology
• Electronics Engineering
• Graphic Design
• HVAC
• Information Technology Network Administration
• Medical Coding
• Nursing
• Robotics and Autonomous Engineering
• Software Development
• Surgical Technologist
• Web-UX
• Welding
• Contact Information:
• Dr. Justin Tatar Jtatar@ccac.edu

 

Community College of Beaver County

• Programs:
• AS Computer Science Software Development
• ASN
• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Cyber Security: Info Security and Computer Forensics
• Cyber Security: ITNA
• Health Science for Medical Office Management
• Mechatronics for AS Electronics Engineering Technology
• Mechatronics for Robotics
• Welding Certificate
• Contact Information:
• Fran James Fran.James@ccbc.edu OR admissions@ccbc.edu

 

Penn Commercial Business/Technical School

• Programs:
• CAD Mechanical Engineering
• CAD Architectural Engineering
• Nursing
• Contact Information:
• Anita Rossell Arossell@penncommercial.edu
• Jayme Tuite Jtuite@penncommercial.edu
• Nicole Lane Nlane@penncommercial.edu

 

Point Park University

• Programs:
• Applied Management
• Information Systems and Technology Applied Computer Science
• Business Administration
• Contact Information:
• Natalie Batchen Nbatchen@PointPark.edu

 

Thomas Edison State University

• AS in Electronics Engineering Technology
• Contact Information:
• Joshua Hoftiezer Jhoftiezer@tesu.edu 609-984-1141 x3345

 

Westmoreland County Community College

• Programs:
• Baking & Pastry
• Culinary Arts
• Contact Information:
• Cindy Komarinsky (Culinary) komarinskic@westmoreland.edu
• Will Racin (Baking & Pastry) racinw@westmoreland.edu

 

Other institutions that are NOT Teach-Out Partners but expressed interest in helping PTC students:

      Penn State World Campus - transfercredit@worldcampus.psu.edu

      West Liberty University - kayla.waialae@westliberty.edu

      Westminster University - mcminnjg@westminster.edu

      Western Governors University - fred.vonderlage@wgu.edu

 

Should I start looking for another College?

PTC will remain operational through August 9, 2024, and will cease academic instruction in June 27, 2024. The College has put plans in place to ease students transitions and we will work with them to determine how best to complete their college degrees.

This includes teach-out agreements with other colleges and universities. We will share more about this plan as it becomes available.

What are my next steps as a student?

Continue your progress as normal and PTC will advise you of your next steps as we move
forward through the teach out process.

Will Students be assigned an advisor to assist?

• The College has put plans in place to ease students transition, including teach-out agreements with other colleges and universities.
• Your Academic Chair will work with you to determine how to best complete your college degree.
• Your Academic Chair will assist you with each step of the process and can help answer any questions.

 

Transcript FAQ

 

How will students and graduates be able to access their transcripts?

PTI graduates (up to 1999): 
PTC is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to house former PTI student records, and other closed school records the college maintains.

PTC graduates (2000 to present) :
PTI and PTC student records will be housed by Point Park University once all agreements are finalized. More information will be shared when available.

Current students and graduates: 
You can request a transcript today via National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Services. (https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select)

How will my potential employers verify my education at PTC?

You can order a transcript from the National Student Clearinghouse (https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select) to be sent directly to your employer for verification of your education.

 

Admitted Student FAQ

 

What if I have recently applied and/or been accepted to PTC?

PTC is no longer accepting new students. If you submitted an admission application for PTC, you should begin to make plans to attend another college. If you have made a tuition payment for an upcoming quarter at PTC, you will be refunded in full.

 

Faculty and Staff FAQ

 

What is the College doing to support faculty and staff?

Over the next several weeks and months, we will be working with faculty and staff to provide them with resources and support.

Details will be communicated individually to staff and faculty through their supervisor and Human Resources.

Will there be severance packages for faculty and staff?

Due to the school s financial challenges and limited financial resources available, PTC cannot offer severance packages now.

Will PTC help faculty and staff find new positions?

Leading up to the closure date, professionals will be available to help with resume writing, LinkedIn, and interviewing. Information will be provided to faculty and staff to schedule these sessions.

How long will faculty and staff be able to keep their health benefits?

Health insurance benefits will cease on the last day of the calendar month of the closure. Because the institution is closing, COBRA continuation will not be available, but professionals to guide you through evaluating healthcare options, including the marketplace and, if applicable, Medicare coverage.

What if I must provide an employment record about my work at PTC? Where should I go?

Employment records will be maintained by Point Park University. Upon closure, PTC will issue letters to verify employment to each employee to provide as evidence of employment.

What will happen to my 401k account?

Your Empower retirement account will need to be liquidated as the group plan will be
terminated after the school s closure. You will have options to choose from, including
conversion to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). We will provide guidance from
finance professionals onsite.

 

Alumni FAQ

 

What does PTC s closure mean for my resume? Will my PTC degree be recognized after the College closes?

Once you have earned your degree, nothing will change that. Degrees always remain valid if conferred from a fully accredited institution. PTC has remained fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and will continue to remain accredited until the College ceases operations.