BCTI: Busines Computer Training Institute Apparently Now Known As BCT Institute. The Link From The Business Directory Took Me To The New Site Under Its Former Name. This Institution falsely certified me and honored me a certificate without a qualifying Diploma/Ged in 1997. Vancouver Washington

I attended BCTI back in 1997 from Feb/March to October or 1997 in Vancouver, WA. I was specifically informed that I "would have to get" a GED before being given a certificate of completion in Office Automation. I was granted my certificate without doing so. In reallity I probably should have been dropped from the program because I didn't attend much, if at all from early August, 1997 to the end of the program due to my father passing away. I know they must have falsified attendance/grading in order for me to achieve my certification.

I don't recall back that far to remember if they gave me an entrance exam or other testing for me to be eligable as "ability to benefit". I'm sure they must have though, considering I didn't have a GED/HS Diploma. Otherwise the federal government wouldn't have allowed me to attend and receive grants and such. Unless of course, there was falsified information on my enrollment documents.

Regardless of the above, the training was very poor, even for 1997 with limited computer/applications technology. I should have used my best judgement at that point and dropped out from the program when I realized the training was a farse and not attractive to potential employers. For the cost of the program I could have went to a community college and recieved an associates for about 1/6th of the price. But, I was desperate and they used that in their favor when recruiting by giving inflated projections such as job availability, entry wages, etc... Additionally, they came knocking on my door shortly after graduation to have me sign some papers so they wouldn't have to give me graduation services/employment services. I lived fifty miles away from them at the time. I thought that was aggressive. I now know why, after doing some reading. It was because I was unable to find work and they needed to keep their accredation by showing that over 50 percent of their students had gained employment. By signing away my graduate assistance they had one less to worry about in that accredation percentage. Very shady practices. I would almost consider it illegal. They obviously had no interest in assisting students to obtain employment. It was all about revenue for them. I have no idea how they became accredited in the first place. I don't know how that process works but it (certifying vocational schools) certainly needs to be addressed, monitored and audited for validity.

I was too late to join the class action suit filed in 2005 for the state of Washington, that suit was executed in November of 2007. I didn't hear about it until just a couple of months ago in February of 2009. I don't know if I can file with the Oregon suit that I have read about, but I am certainly one of the affected victims of this poor institution.

What can be done other than filing a Loan Discharge Application for False Certfication(ability to benefit)?

Thanks for any information.

Swc
Vancouver, Washington
U.S.A.