Students demanding refunds as private Quebec colleges unexpectedly close

International students and students close to graduating are concerned for their future after three private colleges in Quebec unexpectedly close their doors.

Montreal’s M College in LaSalle recently locked its doors and students were greeted with news their school and two other colleges had filed for creditor protection.

Many of the school’s international students are from India and they say they are worried as they paid thousands of dollars in tuition or were on the brink of graduating.

“We have around 1,500 students back in our country who paid the amount, who did online classes, but their visas got rejected and they cannot get a refund back,” explained Harleen Kaur, student of M College of Canada.

M College in LaSalle, CDE College in Sherbrooke and CCSQ, which has campuses in Longueuil and Sherbrooke, all recently requested protection. About a year after M College and CDE were suspended for “questionable” recruitment practices for students in India.

“Today we are not able to complete our studies and today people have to suffer a lot,” said Deepakshi Bhandari, a student of CCSQ College. “Now, we are not able to do anything. We came here on the study permits and today we don’t have the status of the student right now. We don’t have student services.”

In a January 17 letter sent to students, Richter Advisory Group – the court-appointed monitor of the proceedings – said they and the Quebec Superior Court are aware of the students’ concerns and are taking the matter seriously.

Speaking on refunds, Richter Advisory Group says the companies do not have the required amount to refund the tuition fees and that will depend on the process of restructuring.

Protests are taking place in Quebec and Ontario demanding help for these students.

“Why they’re playing with our future, why they’re not answering, because we need the support of them today,” Deepakshi Bhandari, student of CCSQ College.

“We are hiring a lawyer. We are doing everything from our side, but there is no government authority that is coming forward to help,” added Kaur.

Quebec’s Ministry of Higher Education says they’re monitoring the situation closely and in a statement to CityNews says, “according to the information that the ministry has received from the legal representatives of the college, the college is not officially closed. Students who have completed their training should therefore receive their diploma by applying directly to the general management of the college.”

The president of M College Joseph Mastantuono sent a letter to students saying by February 25th, staff will begin issuing transcripts and letters of completion.

But some aren’t too optimistic.

“We cannot see any hope coming,” said Kaur. “I’m almost done with my studies, I would definitely be waiting for my completion letter right now, and there is no hope that I can get a completion letter because it’s already shut down.”