PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A new law now requires private post-secondary schools to provide refunds and records transfers for students and give them 30 days' notice in the event that they should close.
The legislation, which was signed by the governor July 15 after passing the General Assembly in June, is a response to the abrupt closure of the Sawyer School in December, which left about 300 students without access to their prepaid tuition or academic records. The private, for-profit post-secondary school had two locations in Rhode Island; Pawtucket and Providence.
Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley, D-Central Falls, and Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, D-Providence, sponsored the legislation.
"People cannot afford to make this type of significant investment of their money, time and hard work, and then lose it all when a school goes out of business," said Senator Crowley."It's unacceptable for any school to leave them high and dry."
Under the legislation, private academies, colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education operating in Rhode Island will be required to notify students, anyone who has paid tuition and the Board of Education of their closure 30 days in advance. This closure plan must include a procedure for students to be refunded any prepaid tuition and deposits, as well as access to their academic records.
The law took effect immediately upon passage.