BCTI Lawsuit Settled for $9M

I've pulled my posts on BCTI up to the top of the website, since the vast majority of my traffic is on these two posts.  I still get comments and emails regarding the situation, so hopefully it's a little easier to find now that it's not stuck in the archives somewhere. 

For everyone who has looked here for information, for help, or for support, the class action lawsuit against BCTI was settled as of May 12th for $9 million.  Comments on the previous post contain the contact information for the law offices that handled the suit in the different states that were affected, and their website is www.gth-law.com if you still have questions.  You are more than welcome to continue to add comments here as well. 

Comments

[mike]

i have recently just finised paying off the loans after having my taxes garnished for the last 6 years. I can say that bcti gave me nothing for what i paid into it. All the harassing phone calls and not having the thing i can give to my family because of the garnishings really hit me hard. i would like more info on the class action lawsuits going on so i can feel more like a person and less like a sucker... thanks

[Shari]

I'm in the same with Mike up there; my credit is screwed up, the only way to get in touch is through my parents. I have been waiting for some relief from this Hell. I did learn stuff that I didnt before I got there, but that was the kind Instructors who gave a shit about us students. I will only decide to go to a community schools, they wont screw with me or anyone else. Plus I found out that the owners own more Vocational schools here in my are of Renton/Tukwila, I dont trust as much anymore. Thank you for helping me and everyone in this Hell Hole. My email is lady_sharr_80@yahoo.com

[Sarom]

I graduated from BCTI in 2002 hoping to get into a career working in an office environment, but now after 5 years, I'm working at a manufacturing company as a team lead. I feel as if I didn't get the assistance I needed for what the money is worth. I didn't hear about the lawsuit until just a few days ago. I looked up google and here I am. Has anybody received reimbursment..?

[George]

I was told I can't get anything although the first time I heard about the lawsuit was Jan. 5th, 2008 in the The News Tribune.

http://www.gth-law.com/files/class_notice.pdf

Under "what are my choices"...It says "Stay in the class...I don't have to do anything to be a part of the lawsuit..." No one contacted me. I went and graduated from BCTI back in '95.

[Shannon]

I went to BCTI in 2001-2002. I pretty much learned nothing except how to not to pay off a student loan. It is very hard to pay with no money. Will anyone get reimbursed? I just this second talked to a B**** lady who sayed it doesn't matter if my children don't have clothing/food. I need to pay the Department of Education. Who else can we talk to to get money back?

[Melissa]

I was a student at BCTI in 2003. I no longer live in WA and have gotten almost no information except when I have been able to borrow someone elses computer to look information up. Has anyone else gotten any information on where to go from here? What can we, the ones who didn't have any info before the settlement, do at this point?

[Melissa]

I was a student at BCTI in 2003. I no longer live in WA and have gotten almost no information except when I have been able to borrow someone elses computer to look information up. Has anyone else gotten any information on where to go from here? What can we, the ones who didn't have any info before the settlement, do at this point?

[Belinda]

I didn't hear about any lawsuit until May of 2007 when a friend said she got a check from the BCTI settlement. I contacted the lawyers office that handled the first lawsuit here in Tacoma, WA and they told me to send them my information, within two days, I have an envelope in the mail and two weeks later, I received a copy of my transcript from Dept of Ed. That was back in January 08, I have yet to hear anything about it. Please let me know if you have anymore information then I do.

[Judy Pantelopoulos]

I attended BCTI in 99 and I am still paying off my studant loan. What gets me is that I no longer live in WA. I didn't hear anything regarding this situation intll recentlly and would like futher info. on this whole thing. If there is anyone who can send me info or numbers of who to talk to that would be great. Just looking to see what is going on with this whole situation..

Thanks

[Judy Pantelopoulos]

I attended BCTI in 99 and I am still paying off my studant loan. What gets me is that I no longer live in WA. I didn't hear anything regarding this situation intll recentlly and would like futher info. on this whole thing. If there is anyone who can send me info or numbers of who to talk to that would be great. Just looking to see what is going on with this whole situation..

Thanks

[Keenan U]

I just recently caught wind of this in California. I called the law office in Tacoma and the lady told me that I'm too late in receiving money from this settlement and forced to pay my loan. I also didn't receive a good paying job.

[charles]

Read the pdf file in this post. It clearly states that unless you opted out of the lawsuit by mail, you are in the lawsuit. My girlfriend was also told by the lawyers involved in the suit that she was too late. I believe this is a false statement and she is going to seek legal advise.
I think it is bullshit if there are only a few hundred people reimbursed and the thousands of others that knew nothing about the suit until recently are S.O.L. Plus they are still getting wages garnished and their tax returns taken, etc.

If we get enough people interested, we can take it to court for another suit. The courts have already ruled that BCTI is fraudulent so it shouldn't take much to get a settlement. Also, the attorneys that represented the students really dropped the ball by not letting you all know by mail or whatever means were necessary that there was a suit in play.
Let them know how you feel by emailing them at hspencer@gth-law.com

I may start a website for former students of BCTI to get together and potentially file a suit against either BCTI or the law firm that represented them. Let me know by email at colver66@hotmail.com if you are interested in stirring things up a bit. I hate seeing people taken advantage of in this way.

By the way, I have emailed the attorney at hspencer@gth-law.com asking how it is possible that it is too late to receive compensation when everyone who attended the school was involved in the suit. I will post their reply on this site (if they reply).

[theodore]

I am not employed in the computer field and am still working in landscaping fieldafter years of graduating, I get phone calls to pay the loans . it is stressful to think of that school and not be somewhere doing a great computer job with great pay.

[Sharon]

I attended this school from Jan. 2001-Sept. 2001. From the get go I knew something was off when our first teacher began talking to us like we were in kindergarten. This behavior was short lived, at least in our particular classes. I was having my own outside personal life issues and had no time in my life for this BS and aside from putting the teacher in check, reminding her that WE were paying her salary so bow down to me [so on and so forth] I also wrote a 7 page letter to the administration at the time which sparked some serious attitude & raised eyebrows. The only thing I miss about that school was Larry who died from a massive heart attack in 2002. He is missed deeply! I hope that I will recv my money quick because the state is living on my back.

[Nichol]

I was also told that I was too late to join in on the lawsuit. Frustrating! And this was right after the judgement. Let us know if anything developes. I graduated from BCTI in 1995 and am still paying on my loan! I have since gone back to school and will graduate from WSU in December. I was never able to get a good job after attending BCTI and am now attending a real school that is respected.

Ben

[SHERRI HOLLAND]

I Just talked to an attorney about this lawsuit and found out that Washington's was done last October. That really frustrates me.. Im still paying this school off with my income tax returns every year because I cant afford to pay it off every month because I dont have a job right now. I went to BCTI in 2002 and 2003. What am I supposed to do...Other people got their money back, how do we get ours back for the people that went here in those years? Like I said this really frustrates me..We even lost our stimulus checks because of them. It went to BCTI for this d@$* payment. If anyone knows of how I can get help on this can you please help. My email is sholland01@gmail.com

Thank You

Sherri

[Michael]

I am in the same boat as all of you. I was wondering if anyone had investigated the contract/agreement we all signed with Direct Loans for any kind of loop hole that would void the contract/agreement in a situation such as this. You would think that direct loans would come forward and void the contract/agreement but of course they want their money!

[Michael]

I found this on the Direct Loans website https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/OtherFormList.do?cmd=doViewRequirements&wizardName=False%20Certification%20Disqualifying%20Status%20Discharge

[Michael]

I may assert, in certain proceedings before ED, that I have a defense against repayment of a Direct Loan. ED may recognize
as a defense against repayment an act or omission by the school that I am/was attending that would give rise to a legal cause of action against the school under applicable State law, as long as that act or omission directly relates to the loan or to the school’s provision of educational services for which the loan is/was provided.
anyone know what this means?

[Beverlee]

I would like to also know what I can do now. I heard about the lawsuit at the begining but could never find out the info to talk with someone. Did not receive enough of an education to run a serch and I now provide care for the diabled and finally today ran into a girl that attended with me and told me what I should type into google. Finding this I do not feel so alone and screwed over this. I would like to know how to help myself climb from under the rock with you others. Also she said she was paid...behind this. Thank you.

[BRIDGETTE LOTT]

I ATTENDED BCTI IN 1992 AND AM STILL PAYING THE COLLECTIONS OFFICE. I MARRIED IN 1995, DIVORCED IN 2004 WHY WAS I NOT CONTACTED IN ANY WAY REGARDING THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. THE COLLECTIONS OFFICE AND DEPT OF EDUCATION KNEW MY WHEREABOUTS. HOW CAN I GET MY SITUATION RESOLVED? I KNOW ITS TOO LATE FOR SOME OF THE SETTLEMENT MONIES. BUT CAN I GET BACK WHAT I'VE BEEN PAYING TO THEM AND STOP COLLECTION?

[Kristina]

I attended BCTI from 1998-1999 and am still working on paying off my student loan. I have also had my tax refunds garnished for the last 8 years, which really sucks. No one ever contacted me with the information about the lawsuit and i don't think it is fair that we are TOO LATE to receive any part of the settlement! What is that about....we are all stuck paying the loans off but we don't qualify for the settlement pay??? WTF?
If anyone hears anything please post it on this page.

[Diane]

For students who were enrolled at BCTI when it closed, they might be able to have their loans "discharged" by filling out a closed school form. Here is the link: https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/OtherFormList.do?cmd=doViewRequirements&wizardName=Closed%20School%20Discharge.

[mike]

Any updates on how to get a loan discharged?

[William Randon]

I just found out about The BCTI law suit. I attended this school in 2002 and still repaying this loan as of this day. I work in a lumber mill. has there been any further progress for people who missed out on this lawsuit?

[mary]

Has anyone thought about starting a new class action lawsuit against BCTI & also the law firm that handled the first suit? I myself saw nothing about the lawsuit until it was too late to be a part of it. I feel the law firm did not sufficiently notify former BCTI students. When researching this, I can only find articles where they reached out the the former students in the Southend, Fife/Gig Harbor. It seems as though they did not try to truly represent everyone, as they claim. If anyone has any comments or would considering starting another class action suit involving both the law firm & BCTI, please send me an email. t-town26@lycos.com

Mary

[jennifer]

I like others also attended BCTI in Vancouver Washington in 2002-2003, Shortly after became homeless and lost everything, This also forced me to relocate, I moved back to the Portland area and found out about lawsuit. I wrote to the lawyers who handled the case and they wanted the promissory note from BCTI. They said that even though the suit was over I may still be able to get the loan forgiven however I would need the Promissory note I explained to them that would be impossible, So here I sit struggling to keep my head above water with almost 8000.00 in students loans being owed. If you went to school with me or you know anything about the new lawsuit I found online please email me at cali707fas@gmail.com

[Angela Wynacht]

Wow………………………………………………. we just found out. We currently live in a small town in Alaska. We have had nothing but hell due to this matter to find out we basically are getting ripped off again. My wife attended many years ago and we are still waiting for her graduation certificate...Not to mention she has never received a job....but due to the loans we have had.... harassing phone calls, garnishments ect. Turned down from purchasing the following home, car, and even further education. This affected our children and to say the lawsuit is over is bullshit in its self....Since finding out know one knows anything please help bring value back to U.S citizens or should we expect to get ripped off from everyone else? Should I teach my children to rob and steal with no value or any care. Are we turning into the third world country that we read about and only hear gossip of? We received phone calls just a few months ago about payment, but no one has mailed, emailed, knocked on the door, or anything about this suit. But we are reminded everyday that they got the best of us and not by logicality. We want refunded and our credit fixed or give the addresses of the guilty thieves. Please email us info or help find someone who can help. wynacht@hotmail.com

[Rex]

I completed my "certification" at BCTI's Everett training facility back in 1993. I never heard anything about this class-action lawsuit until I happened to hear a co-worker mention it the other day. It stuck in my head because I felt the place was a scam as much as anybody, and I miss my thousands of dollars gone down the drain. So I Google searched "BCTI lawsuit" and found this site. I am hearing mixed signals from this comment thread...if you haven't contacted somebody yet about being a former student, does that mean you're SOL?

[Becky]

The most recent lawsuit on behalf of the Oregon BCTI students has settled. This was a recent development and we do not yet know what the outcome is. The Law office which handled this case is the same as the previous but now has a slightly different name. Go to: http://www.pcvklaw.com/ I would suggest that you inquire if you can benefit from this settlement.

[Curtis]

wow my address has changed but my parents have not. no letter, phone call, or persons ever came to their home looking for me about this suit. i have my parents address on everything at bctie and my po box i still have to date, still no word on this. I found out camping just this last weekend befriended a state worker and she told me about lawsuit. I was solicited by bcti as i came out of the unemployment office, and was a student there in 02/03. i am still paying on loans and the creditials were never accepted anywhere i went to get a potion in secretarial work. Now i am embarrased to even mention it. how could we still be held to pay for something that is not creditaly speaking accorate anymore. i would like to find out if anyone is currently pursuing a lawsuit cwpetty2004@yahoo.com i will join it. i tried at 8 companies a day and 8 a dif day all over thurston and periece county, building exponecialy over 1000 apps in at that many dif companies and no one accepted the creditials. my friend got me in to the potion i am at now and i did it without mentioning bcti, until i was already employed and they all laughed i didn't think it was funny, i was a fish "FISH ON!!!" I hate that.

[janice]

Hi, I was misled also, I have a loan of about $7000, which i have to start paying asap? Upon completing that program I still couldn't find a job. The program was not beneficial to me. And also not worth the money. Is there anything I could do about it? Could please someone respond!

[janice]

I'm sorry if anyone have information please e-mail me @ janicecry@yahoo.com

[May]

Any updates on the Oregon settlement??

The most recent lawsuit on behalf of the Oregon BCTI students has settled. This was a recent development and we do not yet know what the outcome is. The Law office which handled this case is the same as the previous but now has a slightly different name. Go to: http://www.pcvklaw.com/ I would suggest that you inquire if you can benefit from this settlement.

Posted by: Becky | May 29, 2009 at 11:52 AM

[Lou Church (Richey)]

Hi
I was a student in BCTI 1990, I just now hear about the law suit and am looking for more information on this. I am still paying for student loans also. It have been hell trying to pay back all of the money for what litte I got.
You can reach me at my email chadmia1@yahoo.com
Lou

[Sarom]

I haven't heard anything since contacting the law firm in Tacoma. They were supposed to mail me some kind of packet, but never got it. I did receive a form to fill out and send to the direct loans processing center. It was a request form to be discharged from further loan payments. I haven't filled it out, but I am thinking about it. I have just canceled my automatic payment withdrawal from my bank account. WOW I just realized I've been paying since 2004. That is ALOT of money....., how bout they pay me some of that money back? well...I don't know if anyone still googles BCTI LAWSUIT, but if there is any information on what I can do, I appreciate it.

I have 2 kids and a wife to take care of. I'd rather be putting my money towards them.

sarommoeuk@msn.com

[Kathy Smith]

I went to Salem BCTI. After always being told don't worry every thing is okay. One day they said make sure you take everyting that is yours home. When someone asked them why they said dont worry. Next day theres a note on the door saying school is closed. They said to file a form I still say I sent that first form in. The Department of Education said they never recieved it. Well I let it go thinking it will just go away. Now years later and in a new field that has nothing to do with Computers. I recieve a judgement against me to have my taxes garnished. As of January 2009 I refiled the papers and they said I will know in 90 days the next time I am told 120 days. The next time after they still got my taxes. (which took away my means to buy my two granddaughters clothes I am raising them.)
They said another 120 days. I am stil waiting. I called in the beginning of August and the guy said this is what they are told to tell us. I said its not fair I had to start all over and now they can't even give me an answer weather or not they will drop it seeing that The school closed. He said that they will expedite things I will hear in 30 days he said to call back. I called the 1st of Sept. They said there will be a decission by the 13th to call back. I called back on the 14th and was told that the person before doesnt know what she was talking about it could take another 120 days this is really not fair. Theres no one to turn to. I thought that if the school closed than we didnt have to pay. Also the waiting to see if I still have to pay it would be nice to know what to tell the girls weather or not they can have new clothes for school. They already took over 5000.00 in taxes and I dont even know if they are going to take next year taxes. The last lady told me to look on the bright side they cant garnish you. I said how can that be a bright side when I sarted this in Jan. and they took my taxes in April. I even waited untill April 15th. I was told they couldnt take the taxes if you get the paper in before I filled I have been lied to every since they talked me into this school thing.
If any body has any sujestions please contact me at kathysmith149@comcast.net
Thank you
Psted by Kathy: September 19th 2009

[Kristenia]

sarommoeuk@msn.com - You were suppose to send that letter to Direct Loans months ago. The reason you are getting no action from the lawfirm is because they required you to do this as the Direct Loans were to send them your information for them to continue. It may be too late.

[Candace]

I went to BCTI in 2000 and it sucked. I've almost paid off my loan. I don't care at this point about reimbursement or suing the school. Its probably a waste of time since I didn't go there during the time of the lawsuit. I just want to know where I can get my transcrips from. Does anyone know how to do that?

[mike]

I went to BCTI in 2002, im still paying off my school loan til this day. if anyone has any updated information on this lawsuite or anything about reimbursement please let me know my email is mvmoefu@msn.com.

[Schwingee Baby]

Gee if no one told you yet the Judge said it was ok to get a hold of us by news media.my parents info never changed bcti destroyed their records so sue the Judge? I went there in 1990. the teachers quit so did my sales person Huh? the directors became THE INEPT STOOGES. I contacted the Law office they said they were handling this. Something like barely 5% percent of the people where contacted. I have not posessed a computer in 20 years or used one to research this. I avoided it like the plague>>> I'm never paying and never felt I should For What? The ciriculum is outdated we were Set Up Just Kiss My ass with the $9000.00 they got in the Settlement and call it a day wouldja?