INDIANAPOLIS – When ITT Tech closed its doors for good in 2016, it left many students with questions – including veterans who used benefits to take courses.
Jason Nyikos, who served in the Navy for four years, said he was one semester away from earning his associate’s degree from ITT Tech when it closed in September. Nyikos’ benefits under the GI Bill covered his education costs when he returned home, but now he wants to know what happened to his benefits.
Many students have found their credits did not transfer to other schools.
“The 22 months I had given ITT and the VA had given me - that's gone. It just disappeared in thin air,” he said.
He was studying electrical engineering and said he liked ITT Tech’s program for several reasons.
"Their program was quicker, and it was more not so much math and science and all the regular beginner class I had dealt with before. It was get right to the program we want to train you on,” said Nyikos.
He said he received news of the school’s closing from a friend. To learn his options, he began reaching out to state representatives.
Rep. Luke Messer pushed for GI Bill benefits to be restored for Nyikos and the 7,000 other veterans who attended ITT Tech when it closed.
Nyikos recently enrolled in a radiology program at Ivy Tech and said he thinks his remaining benefits will cover an associate’s degree, but they won’t cover certifications he will need in order to get a job after graduation.
A congressional committee approved Messer’s proposal Wednesday and it could possibly be considered by the House of Representatives next week.
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