ITT Technical Institute closing all schools, including Pittsburgh

ITT Technical Institutes in the Pittsburgh area and across the country are closing, the for-profit college announced Tuesday.

The school operated 130 for-profit schools nationwide, including one in Pittsburgh and one in Tarentum.

More than 8,000 employees nationwide will immediately lose their jobs.

“We reached this decision only after having exhausted the exploration of alternatives, including transfer of the schools to a nonprofit or public institution,” the school said in a press release.

The move comes after the U.S. Department of Education banned ITT from enrolling students who use federal financial aid. According to the department, ITT received roughly $580 million in federal money in 2015. Government officials said the school failed to provide adequate job training for students.

The school stopped enrolling students last week.

ITT has been under increasing scrutiny from the education department following allegations of misconduct, fraud and questionable marketing practices.

“Our focus and priority with our remaining staff is on helping the tens of thousands of unexpectedly displaced students with their records and future educational options,” the press release said.

ITT has been ordered to pay $152 million to the federal government to cover student refunds and other liabilities.

Cox Media Group