Information Pertaining to the Pending Closure of Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential
Status of Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential
On Friday, April 7, 2023, the Board of Directors of Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential (Wright Graduate University) determined it necessary to teach-out all programs and cease operations on May 1, 2024. This decision was communicated to the Wright Graduate University student body on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. On July 3, with the approval of a teach-out agreement with Maharishi International University and all currently enrolled students wanting to participate in the teach-out, Wright Graduate University made the decision to move the school closure date up to July 31, 2023. On July 31, 2023, Wright Graduate University will officially close, discontinuing operations as Wright Graduate University at Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and transferring administration of those campuses for teach-out purposes to Maharishi International University that will allow students to complete their programs.
Information for Students Receiving Federal Financial Aid
As a result of Wright Graduate University closing, students attending Wright Graduate University will no longer receive financial aid, such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans, starting August 1, 2023. Students enrolled at Wright Graduate University who are receiving federal financial aid have five (5) options:
- Option 1 - Participate in a teach-out, whereby students would complete their program of study at Maharishi International University and would continue to receive federal financial aid;
- Option 2 - Transfer Wright Graduate University credits to a similar program at another institution, (and likely have to complete additional credits to graduate);
- Option 3 - Transfer Wright Graduate University credits to, and complete a different program of study at another institution (and likely have to complete more additional credits to graduate);
- Option 4 - Enroll at a different institution without transferring any Wright Graduate University credits;
- Option 5 – Discontinue their education.
Students who have withdrawn from Wright Graduate University may also wish to explore the above options.
Option Analysis for Students with Federal Student Loans
To qualify for an automatic discharge of federal student loans, a student:
- must be enrolled at Wright Graduate University at the time of closure or in the 120 days prior to the closure;
- must not have completed their program at Wright Graduate University;
- must not have transferred Wright Graduate University credits to a comparable program of study at a different institution; and,
- must not have participated in a teach-out of their program with Wright Graduate University or another institution.
Options 1 and 2 from Section I above negate the student's ability to discharge federal loans. Moreover, if Wright Graduate University closes within 120 days of the student leaving Wright Graduate University, the student would need to pay back federal loans taken out while at Wright Graduate University. Students who have chosen options 1 or 2 would not be eligible for a loan discharge because under federal rules, they would be considered to be completing a comparable/similar educational program at another school:
- through a teach-out agreement with the school,
- by transferring academic credits or hours earned at the closed school to another school,
- or by any other comparable means.
The USDOE has provided additional guidance on what constitutes a comparable program.
Options 3, 4, and 5 from Section I above are consistent with a student's ability to discharge federal loans (provided other criteria are met, and students are enrolled at the time of closure or in the 120 days prior).
With regard to Option 3, students who transfer credits to pursue a completely different program are eligible for a loan discharge provided they are enrolled at Wright Graduate University within 120 days of closure, the loan servicer determines the completely program is different, and the student finishes the new program at the new institution.
With regard to Option 4, students who enroll at a different institution without transferring any Wright Graduate University credits are eligible for a loan discharge provided they were enrolled at Wright Graduate University within 120 days of closure.
With regard to Option 5, students who don't continue their education are not transferring any Wright Graduate University credits, and are eligible for a loan discharge provided they were enrolled at Wright Graduate University within 120 days of closure.
Wright Graduate University students interested in transferring credits should contact other institutions to discuss their options.
Options for Students with Private Student Loans and who Have Made Out-of-pocket Tuition Payments
Students enrolled at the time of closure or in 120 days prior to Wright Graduate University's closure who used private (non-federal) loans to help cover the cost of their tuition, such as Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo or other lenders, or who made out-of-pocket tuition payments, may be able to receive a refund through the EAP, if those loans were used to cover the cost of tuition to attend Wright Graduate University.
Students who had a private student loan that was used to pay tuition or made out-of-pocket tuition payments will need to substantiate such payments and provide the EAP with relevant paperwork, including:
- a completed IRS Form W-9,
- a receipt of payment, evidence of that the funds were used for payment of Wright Graduate University tuition (not other education-related expenses), and
- an original completed and signed W-9 form.
Requests for reimbursement must be mailed to:
USPS
Educational Approval Program
P.O. Box 8366
Madison, WI 53708-8366
FedEx or UPS
4822 Madison Yards Way, 3rd Floor
Attn: Educational Approval Program
Madison, WI 53705
No facsimiles or e-mails will be accepted.
Information for Former Wright Graduate University Students who Completed a Program or who Withdrew more than 120 Days Prior to Closure
Borrower Defense to Repayment
Students who completed a program or who withdrew more than 120 days prior to the closure of Wright Graduate University are not eligible for discharge of their federal loans under conventional USDOE processes and procedures. Students who believe they were defrauded by their school or that their school violated state law may be eligible for loan discharge. The law requires borrowers to submit a claim in order to receive debt relief. Details on the Act and the process for submitting a claim are laid out on the federal government's student aid website.
Information for Recipients of Veterans' Education Benefits – GI Bill®
Students who were GI Bill recipients can access information on the GI Bill at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill website. To learn more about options or to speak with a representative about benefits, students should contact the VA's Education Call Center. Students interested in transferring credits to another institution may be able to find a new program of study using the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Students may also contact the Wisconsin State Approving Agency for additional in-state information at 608-261-8771 or via email.
Information on Obtaining Student Transcripts
Transcripts can be ordered directly from Wright Graduate University until the closure on July 31, 2023. Students who choose to continue to participate in their program via the teach-out option with Maharishi International University, should reach out to Maharishi International University for copies of their student records and transcripts moving forward. Students who graduated and/or discontinued their studies prior to the closure of Wright Graduate University and/or who chose not to participate in the teach-out with Maharishi International University, can obtain copies of student records and transcripts from the EAP. Procedures to obtain copies of student records and transcripts can be found on the EAP Website. Updates to student transcript retention will also be available via the List of Closed Schools and Colleges on the EAP Website when available.
1098-T Tax Forms
The 1098-T tax forms used to substantiate tuition paid when filing 2023 taxes will be mailed out (to the most recent address on file with Wright Graduate University) directly and Maharishi International University for those students who participated in the teach-out. Students may wish to contact Wright Graduate University's Registrar's Office now to ensure their most recent address is on file for receipt of a 1098-T Tax Form.