Students from the now-defunct Argosy University in Eagan are a step closer to having some of their debts forgiven.
With a unanimous vote, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill that would help students with some of their most recent debt from the school. The chain closed suddenly in March.
The legislation has already cleared the House and now heads to Gov. Tim Walz who is expected to sign it.
The chain of 16 schools in 11 states had been struggling financially. In February, the U.S. Department of Education cut off the school’s access to federally backed student loans after it learned the chain used $13 million owed to students to cover payroll.
Argosy closed weeks later after it was unable to find a buyer. In Eagan, about 1,000 students were affected.
WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?
The bills moving through the legislature would allow students who were going to get state aid through the university to receive that assistance directly. They also won’t be liable for courses they paid for but were unable to complete because of the school’s closure.