Everest students worried about their future

Skylor Gélinas has spent $30,000 and more than three years of his life at Everest College.

He was just weeks away from finishing his health, fitness and nutrition course at the private career college's Sudbury branch when he learned operations at all 14 Everest branches were being shut down.

Gélinas, one of several Everest students who talked to NorthernLife.ca after the school's operations were suspended last week, said he's unsure whether or not he'll be able to receive the diploma he's worked so hard to earn.

Just how stressful is this? “Out of 10, it's like an 8.5,” Gélinas said.

The province suspended the private career college's licence Feb. 19 because it was concerned it could no longer be “financially responsible” for the schools' operation.

Everest was put up for sale last summer in the wake of a troubled relationship between the American government and the school's U.S. parent company, Corinthian Colleges.

The decision affected 2,450 Everest students, including 200 in Sudbury. The college also employs 450 staff across the province, and 35 locally.

Gélinas said he was on placement at a martial arts centre in Timmins when he heard the news. He'd already completed all of his coursework, and just had three weeks left on his placement before he could graduate.

He said he started Everest's massage therapy program before transferring to health, fitness and nutrition, and was planning to finish the massage course after working in his field for a year or two.

The student dreams of starting his own fitness consulting and massage business.
Although Gélinas passed his fitness certification a few weeks ago, he wants a college diploma on his wall too.

“I'd like the diploma to say that I actually went to school and to show clients that I actually know what I'm talking about,” he said.

Gélinas said his plans to become a massage therapist are also in jeopardy, as he's not sure if another college would recognize his credits.

Under provincial rules, a $3 million liability fund paid into by Everest has been set aside for the students' training completions or refunds.
So what, exactly, are students eligible to receive?

“Currently, ministry staff are reaching out to institutions to determine best options for students to complete their training,” said Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities spokesperson May Nazar, in an email statement.

“The Superintendent will provide each student with their training completion and refund options, and students will be asked to choose which approved training completion program they would like to enrol in, or opt for their eligible refund claim.

“As each student's claim amount is different, it is premature to know how many students will submit claim forms, or what their requirements might be.”

Given he was out of town when the news broke, Gélinas said he hasn't yet spoken to any provincial officials. He's heard he might qualify for a few thousand dollars in refunds, though.

Nakita Dumont, an Everest medical office administration student, is imploring the province to lift the suspension so she and her classmates can graduate.
A change.org petition urging the government to do just that has been signed by 6,885 people.

Dumont said she took out a $34,000 student loan, and was just 10 weeks away from graduating. “Everest College is a family, a home away from home,” she said in an email. “I paid to be there. They shouldn't be allowed to take it away from us like this.”

Everest student Sindhu Leela, who's been working on her personal support worker diploma since October, said another local private career college, Canadian Career College, said she could complete her course there starting in April.

But she said the situation has caused a lot of confusion for students.

“I'm really stressed,” Leela said. “I don't know what to do next. I'm struggling, really.”

Students can get more information about accessing and completing claim forms at [email protected].