SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Students and staff at Coleman University are rushing to gather documents and information to move forward with their degrees and careers before the university shuts down August 5.
Each person who walks through the reflective double doors with their own story, "I was going to graduate in 10 weeks," Ryan O'Shaughnessy said.
"I would've liked this to be my final job, this is an amazing place," Graphic Designer Andrea O'Briant said. She worked for the school for two months.
READ RELATED: Lost bid for higher accreditation forces Coleman University to close its doors
Now students have to make the decision: transfer what credits another college will take, or wipe away their debt and education and start at square one.
"The forgiveness does sound nice, but like I said I don't want to do all the work all over again," O'Shaughnessy said. "I've got a baby on the way."
He said he needs this degree more now than ever to help provide for his family.
"I've already put in two and a half years, you know unless there's a situation where a lot of my credits won't transfer," O'Shaughnessy said.
Vice President of Coleman University Bruce Gilden says students will find out their options very soon.
"Thursday from 10 am to 7 p.m., Coleman University is hosting a number of institutions that have programs similar to those programs at Coleman and to which Coleman students can transfer their credits."
Gilden said many students have come to him anxious about what happens next and if their degree dissolves into thin air.
"We've had a number of alumni approach us, wondering whether now that Coleman is closing their degree means something and I can tell them absolutely it does," Gilden said, reminding them the school closed solely for financial reasons.
Students told 10News they wish they knew ahead of time what was happening. Now they're focused on the future.
Staff say they're busy helping students, working part-time and on-call through the end of the term. Then, they'll update their resumes to start the job search.
