Regency Beauty Institute closed after more than 50 years of teaching students skills to succeed in the cosmetology industry.
Of their 79 campuses across the country, 4 of them were in Florida.
Students, who attended the campus in Carrollwood, expressed anger because they said they did not receive enough notice the school was permanently closing. They said they were notified about it for the first time last night.
"This is unbelievable, like, we were just here yesterday doing our normal thing," Krystle Torres said.
Torres would have graduated in 4 months. She invested $1,600 toward her education.
"I was making payments toward the school. (I) just made one last week so I'm not really too happy about that," Torres said.
Dori Farrell said administrators should have given students and teachers at least a month to prepare for the abrupt closure.
"I could be using that time to be researching other schools instead of coming here and putting in hours that ultimately might not transfer over somewhere else," Farrell said.
She was supposed to graduate today after spending $16,000 at the school.
"I was going to come in (to) complete my hour. (Then) go home and get ready for my ceremony and it didn't happen," Farrell said.
Farrell, like other students and teachers, packed up her supplies Thursday.
"I'm mad. (I'm) angry. I feel like I tried so hard and now it's just ….it's just….it's just another hurdle to get over. Actually, I'm going to get there," Farrell said.
Teachers said they were blindsided too. Lead Educator, Jessica Allen, said she taught at this campus for about a year.
"I'm trying to find a job. I love teaching. (I) love the cosmetology field so that's my next step to go out to see what I can find," Allen said.
Teachers and students were given various reasons for the closure. One of those reasons was not having enough money to continue operating.
"It's hard for me to believe that there's not enough money to run this business," Farrell said.
If you would like to read the entire notice, go to http://www.regency.edu/.
Students can go to the website for information about 'teach outs' to help them continue their education. According to the website, administrators are working with other accredited schools to offer 'teach-outs' at institutes close to all of the closed campuses. The site indicates the 'teach outs' will more than likely allow these students to enroll at selected schools for a lower cost.
