Students seek answers after school’s closure

Yessica Ceja holds her 2-month-old daughter, Delaney Dominguez, as she stands with other students in front of Career Colleges of America’s South Gate campus Thursday. She enrolled at the school nearly two years ago, she said, because “I wanted a better future to support my family financially.” She owes nearly $20,000 in loans now. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 9, 2014 9:32 PM PT

Amid financial trouble, Career Colleges of America’s accreditation is revoked. The school, which has about 800 students enrolled at campuses in South Gate, mid-city Los Angeles and San Bernardino, abruptly closed this week. Students at the South Gate trade school protested Thursday.
Read more: Students and faculty blindsided by for-profit school’s closure

Norma Gil holds up a sign in protest in front of the South Gate school. Students demonstrated outside, demanding answers after school administrators told students and faculty to leave the building Wednesday. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia Rivas, a student at the South Gate campus for the last five months, examines paperwork. According to the document, she’s taken out $15,900 in loans. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Pandora Holmes, left, hugs Ago Shonicka Joe, a student at the South Gate campus. The school’s sudden closure surprised students, and federal officials say its loss of accreditation means students ineligible for financial aid. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Orlando Towner, left, and Alexus Pugh talk at the South Gate school. Towner says he thinks he owes $7,500 in student loans; Pugh said she owes $9,500. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Janel Hernandes attended classes at the South Gate campus to become a medical assistant. She says she’s taken out more than $10,000 in loans. “I wanted to get my education and now this comes up,” she said. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)