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ASA College was a private for-profit college in New York City and Hialeah, Florida. The college had three campuses: Midtown Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn in New York, and Hialeah in Florida. It offered associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and professional certificates in the divisions of business administration, health disciplines, legal studies, and computer technology. Although it was accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, that accreditation was removed in 2023 as the college failed to meet several of the commission's standards.[2] The institution closed on March 1, 2023.[3]

Key Information

History

[edit]

ASA was founded in 1985 with one campus location in Manhattan, New York. Known then as Advanced Software Analysis, the college focused on computer programming, as New York had a dire shortage of qualified mainframe programmers at that time.[4]

In 1999, ASA received authorization from the New York State Board of Regents to confer degrees in accounting, computer programming, information technology, and medical assisting.[5]

The college's president, Alex Shchegol, was removed by the college's board of trustees in 2018 after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that resulted in over $2 million in out-of-court settlements. After the board denied his request in late 2021 to be reinstated, he used his power as owner of the college to replace five of the seven members of the board of trustees, and they reinstated him.[6]

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Education began to restrict the college's access to federal financial aid. Later that year, the college's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, announced its intention to stop accrediting the college in 2023. After being accused of "running misleading ads targeting low-income people and immigrants", ASA College agreed to pay over $100,000 to New York City's consumer protection division. It is also the subject of a class-action lawsuit by employees alleging that the college has not paid them. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education said that the college would close on February 24, 2023, and while initially, the college disputed the claim,[7] its last day of operation was March 1, 2023.[3]

Degree conferring authority was officially revoked by the New York State Education Department on July 25, 2024.[8]

Accreditations and approvals

[edit]

ASA College was authorized by the New York State Board of Regents to confer Associate of Occupational Studies and Associate in Applied Science degrees. ASA's associate degree program in Medical Assisting was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment.

The college was formerly accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education,[9] until its removal in 2023 for failing to meet several of the commission's accreditation standards.[2]

Athletics

[edit]

In 2008, ASA College launched their Athletic program out of their Brooklyn campus [1] known as the Avengers. Starting with a small basketball team, the athletic department expanded to 13 sports programs combined over the three campuses: including men's & women's soccer, varsity & JV football, men & women's basketball, baseball, men's lacrosse, men's & women's track & field and men's & women's tennis. All programs were members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I, Region XV.[2]

ASA Brooklyn, known as the Avengers, had four sports teams: men's & women's basketball, baseball, and football. ASA Manhattan, known as the Mad Titans, had one sports team, men's basketball. There were plans to add women's basketball, but they never came to fruition before the college's closure. ASA Miami, known as the Silver Storm, had 13 sports teams: men's & women's soccer, football, men & women's basketball, baseball, cheerleading, men's lacrosse, softball, men & women's track & field, and men & women's tennis.

Accomplishments

[edit]

Head tennis coach Brian Slack entered his sixth season at the helm of the men's and women's tennis programs at ASA College and his third at ASA College Miami. Slack won seven NJCAA National Championships, all with ASA College, four on the men's side and three on the women's side.

ASA NY's football program played their first season in 2009 and gained national recognition during their 2012–2013 season after being ranked #5 nationally and earning a Carrier Bowl bid against Snow College. During the 2017 season, ASA NY ranked 14th by the NJCAA with a 9–1 regular-season record. ASA NY earned an invite to the Valley of the Sun Bowl in Mesa, Arizona and came away victorious over Mesa Community College 28–23.

The ASA Miami football program began in 2015 and was the only junior college football program in the state of Florida before ASA's closure in 2023.

Notable alumni

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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ASA College

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ASA College was a private for-profit institution founded in 1985 in Brooklyn, New York, initially as Advanced Software Analysis, which expanded to offer associate and bachelor's degrees in programs such as business administration, medical assisting, pharmacy technology, criminal justice, and computer programming across campuses in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York, as well as Hialeah, Florida, and online.[1][2] The college primarily served urban and immigrant student populations, with tuition averaging around $12,700 annually before its closure.[2] Operated under the ownership of Alex Shchegol, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct including rape claims from at least ten women leading to his temporary ouster in 2019 before reinstatement in 2021, ASA encountered chronic issues including a 2014 class-action lawsuit alleging systematic deception of students regarding accreditation and job outcomes, settled in 2016 with promises of reform.[3][4] Further penalties included a nearly $113,000 fine from New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for misleading practices.[5] In November 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education withdrew accreditation due to failures in demonstrating compliance with standards and providing adequate teach-out plans, resulting in the cessation of instruction on February 24, 2023, and revocation of degree-conferring authority by the New York State Education Department in December 2023.[6][7][8]

History

Founding and Expansion (1994–2010)

ASA College was established in 1985 by Alex Shchegol in New York City as a small proprietary institution initially known as Advanced Software Analysis, focusing on computer technology training for a starting class of 12 students in a single classroom setting.[9][1] The early emphasis was on practical, job-oriented skills in software and business computing to meet urban workforce demands.[10] From the mid-1990s onward, the institution underwent steady expansion, broadening its curriculum beyond technology into areas such as business administration and allied health fields to align with evolving job market needs.[1] A pivotal development occurred in 1999, when the New York State Board of Regents granted ASA authority to confer associate degrees, enabling it to transition from certificate-focused training to formal higher education credentials.[8] This authorization supported program diversification and attracted a larger student body, primarily serving non-traditional learners in career preparation. By the 2000s, ASA operated multiple campuses within New York City, including facilities in Brooklyn and Manhattan, which facilitated increased enrollment and hands-on instruction in expanded offerings like medical assisting and criminal justice.[2] The period saw consistent program reviews and upgrades to incorporate employer feedback, contributing to growth from its modest origins to serving thousands of students annually by 2010.[1] In 2008, the college introduced intercollegiate athletics, adding extracurricular dimensions to campus life.[11]

Growth and Program Development (2011–2021)

During the 2010s, ASA College expanded its geographic footprint by establishing a third campus in Hialeah, Florida, which opened in early 2016 with classes beginning on May 24.[12] This development allowed the institution to serve students in the South Florida region, building on its established New York City locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and broadening access to its career-oriented programs in health, business, and technology fields.[13] Program offerings evolved to align with workforce demands, including the introduction of an Associate in Occupational Science (A.O.S.) in Massage Therapy in 2015.[1] The college's nursing program underwent re-registration with New York State authorities in fall 2016, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain and update health disciplines curricula.[14] By this period, ASA had also incorporated bachelor's degree options alongside its associate degrees and certificates, targeting fields such as health information technology and criminal justice. These additions aimed to provide pathways for advanced credentials responsive to industry changes, particularly in healthcare and information systems.[15] Enrollment figures demonstrated steady institutional scale during the decade, reaching 2,965 undergraduates in the 2017–2018 academic year, of which 2,580 were full-time.[16] This represented growth from earlier years, supported by the new campus and program diversification, though exact pre-2016 baselines are not uniformly reported in public data. By fall 2021, total enrollment was 2,745 students, with 2,365 full-time, indicating sustained but plateauing participation amid broader for-profit sector trends.[17]

Decline and Closure (2022–2023)

In November 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) withdrew accreditation from ASA College, citing the institution's failure to demonstrate it could provide a quality student learning experience and meet basic standards for financial viability and governance.[6][5] The accreditor had placed ASA on probation earlier and noted ongoing deficiencies, including inadequate resources and leadership instability, with accreditation set to terminate no later than March 1, 2023, unless appealed successfully.[6] ASA appealed the decision, but the process was abruptly halted by the school's subsequent closure.[18] Amid the accreditation crisis, ASA faced acute financial distress, including delayed payroll for employees and unsuccessful attempts to merge or sell the institution to other entities, some of which were rejected by MSCHE due to concerns over continuity of operations.[13] The college had been ineligible for Title IV federal student aid funds for an extended period prior to these events, exacerbating cash flow problems, and it had incurred fines from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs for regulatory violations.[8] These issues compounded a history of legal challenges, including a 2014 class-action lawsuit alleging deceptive practices toward students, settled in 2016 with commitments to reform recruitment and disclosures that were later scrutinized for non-compliance.[3] On February 8, 2023, ASA requested a brief extension from MSCHE to complete operations, which was denied, leading to the announcement of closure effective February 24, 2023—the final day of its fall term—without an approved teach-out plan for students to complete programs elsewhere.[19][20] The abrupt shutdown affected campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York; Hialeah, Florida; and online programs, leaving over 6,000 students disrupted, with many seeking loan discharges and transfer options through federal closed-school provisions.[21][22] On December 22, 2023, the New York State Education Department revoked all remaining degree registrations, formalizing the end of ASA's operations.[7]

Academic Programs and Campuses

Degree and Certificate Offerings

ASA College primarily offered associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificate programs designed for career preparation in fields such as business, health disciplines, information technology, and legal studies. These programs emphasized practical skills and job market alignment, with most associate degrees requiring 60-68 credits over four semesters and including externships where applicable.[1] Associate Degrees were the core of the institution's offerings, spanning multiple divisions. In business, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Business Administration included specializations in accounting, digital media marketing, fashion design, hospitality management, social media management, and sports management, totaling 61 credits. Health disciplines featured programs like the Associate of Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) in Medical Assisting (63 credits, with externship), Pharmacy Technology (60 credits), Massage Therapy (65 credits over five semesters), Healthcare Office Administration (61 credits), and the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology (68 credits over five semesters); additionally, an A.A.S. in Nursing required 68 credits over five semesters. Engineering and technology programs included the A.O.S. in Computer Programming and Information Technology (64 credits) and Network Administration and Security (61 credits). Legal studies offered A.A.S. degrees in Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies, each 61 credits.[1][23] Bachelor's Degrees were limited and built upon associate-level foundations, including the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration, focusing on advanced management skills in those sectors. These programs extended coursework in leadership, economics, and specialized applications, typically requiring additional credits beyond the associate level for transfer students.[1] Certificate Programs provided shorter, targeted training options, often 30-48 credits over two to three semesters, for entry-level roles or skill enhancement. Examples include certificates in Medical Billing and Coding (30 credits), Office Technology and Administration (30 credits), Computer Support Specialist (30 credits), Phlebotomy Technician, and Pharmacy Technology, with some aligning to professional certifications like those from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. English as a Second Language (ESL) certificates were also available at multiple levels for non-native speakers. Several certificates, such as those in medical assisting and health information technology, overlapped with associate programs for modular progression. Discontinuations occurred for certain certificates, including Internet Client-Server Application Development in October 2018 and PC Client-Server Programming in January 2018, reflecting shifts in program viability.[1]

Physical Locations and Facilities

ASA College operated three primary campuses prior to its cessation of instruction on February 24, 2023.[7] The main campus was located in Downtown Brooklyn at 151 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, with additional buildings at 383 Pearl Street in Brooklyn and a residence hall at 316 Atlantic Avenue.[1] The Manhattan extension center was situated at 1293 Broadway (One Herald Center), New York, NY 10001, near Herald Square.[1] A smaller campus in Hialeah, Florida, operated at 530 West 49th Street, Hialeah, FL 33012, primarily offering programs in paralegal studies.[1][24] The Brooklyn campus spanned 110,395 square feet and featured 48 lecture rooms, 22 supervised computer laboratories open seven days a week, nine clinical laboratories for health programs, a dedicated pharmacy laboratory, two medical coding labs, two ESL/language labs, and a clinical skills performance lab.[1] It also included the Arthur J. Hidalgo Library and Resource Center with computers and WiFi access supporting academic programs, a writing center on the second floor of the Pearl Street building equipped with multimedia resources, a 825-square-foot learning center seating 32 students, student lounges with vending machines, and simulation labs for nursing training.[1] Medical labs provided hands-on training under professional supervision, while the residence hall at 316 Atlantic Avenue offered a five-story building with 24-hour security, a weight room, Direct TV, and internet access.[1] At the Manhattan center, facilities encompassed 36 classrooms, 14 supervised computer labs on the fourth floor open extended hours (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), two ESL labs, and state-of-the-art medical labs on the fifth floor for programs in medical assisting, nursing, and pharmacy technology.[1] The extension library housed over 11,000 physical titles, 420,000 e-books, 54 databases, computers, and WiFi; a 1,272-square-foot learning center on the fourth floor seated 58 students; and student lounges were available on the fifth through seventh floors with flexible access.[1] A clinical performance laboratory supported health disciplines, and computer-based testing centers operated on the fifth floor.[1] The Hialeah campus facilities were more limited, focused on paralegal studies with no detailed descriptions of specialized labs or libraries available in institutional records from the period.[1] Across all sites, networking and computer labs used industry-standard equipment for technology programs, and massage therapy clinics featured professional tables, chairs, mats, lotions, and oils for supervised clinical hours.[1] Students were required to complete at least one course at the Brooklyn campus for graduation, regardless of primary enrollment site.[1]

Governance and Leadership

Ownership and Administration

ASA College was a privately owned for-profit institution, with principal ownership held by Alex Shchegol, its founder who emigrated from the Soviet Union and established the school in 1985 initially as a small software analysis class for 12 students.[8][1] Shchegol served in executive roles including president at various points, exerting significant influence over operations despite the presence of a Board of Trustees responsible for oversight and appointments.[8] Administration experienced marked instability, particularly tied to Shchegol's tenure. In 2019, Shchegol was ousted as president by the board amid allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of rape by at least 10 women, prompting lawsuits against the institution.[22][25] In 2021, Shchegol regained control, firing the entire board of directors before resigning again in January 2022 following public scrutiny and regulatory pressures.[3] Following Shchegol's 2021 resignation, Jose Valencia, previously vice president for finance, was appointed interim president by the reconstituted Board of Trustees in August 2021 and later served as president through the institution's closure in February 2023.[8][26] This period saw ongoing governance challenges, including delayed employee payments and disputes with accreditors over ethics, leadership continuity, and resource allocation, which the Middle States Commission on Higher Education cited as factors in the revocation of accreditation effective March 1, 2023.[26][13]

Financial Management Practices

ASA College, as a for-profit institution, derived the majority of its revenue from tuition payments subsidized by federal student aid programs. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the college reported total revenue of $52 million, with approximately $33.6 million—over 64%—coming directly from federal student aid.[13] This heavy dependence on Title IV funds was consistent with earlier patterns; for instance, during the 2010-2011 school year, federal aid accounted for more than $34 million of the college's revenue exceeding $78 million.[27] Undergraduate tuition stood at $13,680 in 2022, though the average net price paid by students after financial aid was reported as $28,764, reflecting additional costs of attendance and varying aid distribution.[17] Financial operations faced scrutiny for operational inefficiencies and delayed obligations. By November 2022, amid impending loss of accreditation, ASA College had failed to pay faculty salaries for over a month, prompting confrontations with owner Alex Shchegol and unfulfilled promises of back pay plus a 5% bonus.[13] These delays persisted into January 2023, leading to a class-action lawsuit filed on January 24, 2023, by unpaid staff.[13] The institution also imposed new fees on student accounts around November 17, 2022, totaling $558 per student (including a $200 technology fee), despite its deteriorating financial position and restrictions from accreditors.[13] Regulatory penalties further strained resources. In October 2022, ASA agreed to pay $112,500 in civil penalties to New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for deceptive advertising practices targeting immigrant students, which violated consumer protection laws.[28] Funding disruptions exacerbated issues; placement in "Heightened Cash Monitoring 2" status by the U.S. Department of Education delayed $4.8 million in reimbursements, with only partial expectations of $2.6 million by late November 2022.[13] These practices contributed to the college's abrupt closure on February 24, 2023, without an approved teach-out plan, leaving unresolved financial obligations for students and employees.[20]

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

Initial Accreditations and Approvals

ASA College, initially established as the ASA Institute of Business and Computer Technology in 1985, began operations as a proprietary vocational institution offering non-degree certificate programs under oversight from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In 1999, the New York State Board of Regents granted the institution absolute charter and authority to confer associate degrees, enabling it to expand into degree-granting programs such as Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) in fields including business administration, computer programming, and office technology.[8] Prior to regional accreditation, ASA held national accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which supported eligibility for federal student aid and program validation during its early growth phase. This accreditation facilitated the institution's development of career-oriented curricula but was later superseded.[8] A significant milestone occurred in 2010 when the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) awarded ASA its initial regional institutional accreditation, affirming compliance with standards for academic quality, governance, and student outcomes at that time. This approval enhanced the college's credibility for Title IV federal funding and allowed further program diversification, including into health sciences and criminal justice.[8][18]

Loss of Accreditation and Revocations

On November 11, 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) took immediate adverse action to withdraw accreditation from ASA College, citing the institution's failure to provide sufficient evidence and analysis demonstrating compliance with accreditation standards.[6] Specific deficiencies included non-compliance with requirements related to ethics and integrity, the student learning experience, and governance, as well as the absence of a comprehensive and implementable teach-out plan despite repeated requests for one with signed agreements from other institutions.[6] The withdrawal prohibited ASA College from enrolling new students or engaging in marketing activities, and required notification to all stakeholders, with accreditation set to cease no later than March 1, 2023, subject to any appeal or supplemental reporting.[6] The loss of MSCHE accreditation directly severed ASA College's access to Title IV federal student aid funds, exacerbating financial instability that contributed to the institution's closure on February 24, 2023, without an approved teach-out plan for continuing student education.[7] MSCHE subsequently confirmed the college's accreditation had ceased effective March 1, 2023, and deemed the institution closed as of the February closure date.[7] In response to these developments, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) discontinued registration for all ASA College degree and certificate programs on December 22, 2023.[7] Further, on July 25, 2024, the NYSED Board of Regents revoked the college's degree-conferring authority, finding violations of Part 52 of the Regulations of the Commissioner due to inadequate financial resources—including over $2.7 million in unpaid payroll across eight periods—inadequate faculty (with none employed by March 2023), and insufficient administration marked by disruptive leadership and a dissolved Board of Trustees.[8][7] These actions rendered any degrees issued post-closure invalid and left NYSED to handle transcript issuance for over 3,600 students since April 2023.[8]

Student Demographics and Outcomes

Enrollment Profile and Retention

ASA College's total enrollment hovered around 2,700 to 3,000 students in the years leading up to its closure, with approximately 86% of students enrolled full-time and the remainder part-time.[17][2] The institution primarily served urban, working-class students in New York City, drawing heavily from local immigrant and minority communities.[29] The student demographics reflected a highly diverse, non-traditional profile: 34.5% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% as Black or African American, 8.67% as Asian, and 7.8% as White, with an additional 18% comprising international students from non-U.S. residencies.[17] Gender distribution leaned female, consistent with patterns in associate-degree-focused for-profit institutions, though exact breakdowns varied by cohort; age demographics skewed toward adults, with the largest group aged 25-29.[30][31] Minority enrollment exceeded 95% overall, underscoring the college's role in access for underrepresented groups amid limited socioeconomic resources.[29] Retention rates at ASA College were notably low compared to national averages for similar institutions, with only 20% of full-time first-year students returning for their sophomore year as of the most recent available data.[2][32] This figure, drawn from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) reporting, persisted historically and aligned with challenges in for-profit sector retention, including high commuter rates and part-time work demands among students.[33] Part-time retention data was not consistently reported, but overall persistence reflected barriers like financial pressures and program alignment issues.[34]

Graduation Rates, Debt Levels, and Employment Metrics

Graduation rates at ASA College remained consistently low throughout its operation, reflecting challenges common to for-profit institutions serving non-traditional students. Data aggregated from the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) indicate a six-year graduation rate of 37% for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, with no improvement observed at the eight-year mark.[32] Independent analyses reported rates ranging from 24% to 29% within 150% of normal program time, underscoring limited completion success relative to national averages for associate-degree-granting colleges, which exceed 30%.[2][35] Student debt burdens were substantial, with 46% of undergraduates relying on federal loans averaging $6,964 per year of enrollment. The three-year cohort default rate reached 13.9%, signaling heightened financial risk for borrowers compared to public sector peers, where rates often fall below 10%. Average debt at graduation approximated $16,000, compounded by tuition levels around $14,500 annually that yielded limited earnings potential.[36][37][38] Employment metrics revealed subdued post-graduation outcomes, with median earnings for completers averaging $29,500 in the early career years and stabilizing near $28,400 after a decade—figures trailing national medians for associate degree holders by approximately 10-15%. While ASA College maintained career services including job fairs and resume assistance, verifiable placement rates were not publicly disclosed in federal datasets, and available earnings data suggest marginal return on investment given debt loads and opportunity costs.[39][29][40]

Controversies and Criticisms

Legal Actions and Lawsuits

In 2014, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) filed a putative class action lawsuit, Frica Sanchez v. ASA College, on behalf of former students alleging systemic fraud, including misleading recruitment practices targeting low-income and international students with promises of job placement and financial aid that were not fulfilled.[41][42] The case, filed in federal court, was settled in 2016, with ASA agreeing to reforms such as improved disclosures and cessation of deceptive practices, though no admission of wrongdoing was made.[41][8] In October 2022, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) settled with ASA for $112,500 in civil penalties over deceptive advertising that targeted immigrants with false claims about accreditation, program quality, and job outcomes, violating consumer protection laws; ASA committed to compliance without admitting liability.[43][8] Following ASA's abrupt closure on March 1, 2023, a class-action lawsuit was filed accusing the institution of withholding wages and delaying payments to employees, exacerbating financial distress amid the shutdown without a teach-out plan.[20] Separately, former employee Barry Newman sued ASA, owner Alexander Shchegol, and interim president Isaac Lafore in 2015 (with proceedings extending later) for unpaid wages and retaliation, claiming violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act; the case highlighted internal mismanagement but was resolved through settlement or dismissal details not publicly specified.[44] In 2020, landlord JEMB Realty, controlled by Joseph Jerome, sued ASA and Shchegol for missed rent payments totaling over $1 million during the COVID-19 period, leading to eviction threats; the dispute ended in September 2025 after negotiations, with ASA vacating properties.[45] ASA initiated several actions post-closure, including a 2024 federal lawsuit against the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) challenging its accreditation revocation, which resulted in a February 2025 judgment favoring MSCHE on procedural grounds.[46] In August 2025, ASA sued the U.S. government seeking nearly $6 million in Employee Retention Credit tax refunds for quarters ending in 2021, alleging wrongful denial amid closure-related claims.[47] An October 2025 arbitration case, MSCHE v. ASA, addressed residual accreditation disputes.[48] NYLAG continued post-closure assistance to students for potential claims related to disrupted education and loans, though no major new student suits were reported by late 2025.[41]

Allegations of Exploitation and Mismanagement

ASA College faced multiple allegations of exploiting vulnerable student populations, particularly low-income immigrants seeking F-1 visas, through deceptive marketing practices that promised assistance with U.S. residency and post-graduation financial incentives ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. These tactics were criticized by advocates like Jessica Ranucci of the New York Legal Assistance Group for misleading prospective students about educational quality and outcomes, contributing to high debt burdens without commensurate benefits. In October 2022, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection fined the institution over $112,000 for false advertising violations related to these claims.[49][50] Leadership misconduct further fueled exploitation claims, with former president Alex Shchegol accused by at least nine women—many foreign students—of sexual abuse, including rape, leveraging his position to target vulnerable individuals. A 2018 lawsuit alleged Shchegol employed a staff member to identify women for exploitation, resulting in a $500,000 settlement; Shchegol resigned that year but reinstated himself in October 2021 by replacing the board, prompting a second resignation on December 31, 2021, following investigative reporting. These incidents highlighted power imbalances in a for-profit environment enrolling around 3,000 students, many from immigrant backgrounds, and drew regulatory scrutiny over institutional safeguards.[51] A 2014 class-action lawsuit, Sanchez et al. v. ASA College, Inc., accused the college of systematic fraud in recruitment and admissions, including training staff to use misleading tactics to enroll students and secure federal loans for exorbitant tuition, leaving graduates with unpayable debt despite poor job prospects. Plaintiffs claimed financial aid partners were complicit in perpetuating awareness of these practices, though ASA announced the suit's dismissal in 2015. Such allegations underscored broader patterns of prioritizing enrollment revenue over student success.[52][53][54] Mismanagement allegations centered on chronic financial instability and governance lapses, including delayed employee payments and inadequate operational documentation, which eroded institutional viability. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education cited failures to address these alongside insufficient student "teach-out" plans, culminating in accreditation withdrawal on November 11, 2022. Post-resignation, Shchegol's covert influence over operations exacerbated leadership instability, as reported by former staff and regulators. Employee reviews described chaotic administration and inconsistent strategic direction, with frequent claims of financial losses used to justify operational cuts. These issues collectively impaired service delivery and contributed to the college's 2023 closure.[55][6][49][56]

Athletics

Program Overview

ASA College's athletics programs competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I, with separate teams at the Brooklyn and Miami campuses adhering to regional affiliations such as Region XV for Brooklyn and Region VIII for Miami.[57][58] The programs emphasized intercollegiate competition for full-time students, offering sports-related financial aid to participants.[59] At the Brooklyn campus, teams operated under the Avengers nickname and included football, which launched in 2009 as a junior college program attracting recruits for major universities; baseball; men's basketball; and track and field for both men and women in indoor and outdoor seasons.[60][61][62][57] Athletics initiatives at this location began in 2008, fostering a competitive environment within NJCAA guidelines.[11] The Miami campus teams, branded as the Silver Storm, encompassed football as the state's only JUCO program; men's basketball; and track and field events for men and women.[63][64][58] Across both campuses, approximately 451 student-athletes—predominantly male—participated, contributing to departmental revenues of $4,649,900 against expenses of $4,569,773 in available fiscal data.[59] These efforts supported student engagement but ceased following the institution's closure in February 2023.[65]

Key Accomplishments and Challenges

The ASA College men's tennis team, coached by Jay Slack, secured NJCAA Division I national championships in 2014 and 2015 while based at the New York campus.[66] These victories contributed to Slack's record of seven national titles across men's and women's teams during his tenure at ASA institutions. The women's tennis program at the Miami campus achieved a NJCAA Division I national title in 2019, defeating opponents in the championship match held in Tyler, Texas.[67] In football, the ASA New York Avengers recorded multiple victories in the 2017-18 season, including wins over Lackawanna College (21-14 on October 7, 2017), Erie Community College (50-6 on October 14, 2017), and Monroe College (10-7 on October 28, 2017), contributing to a competitive performance in NJCAA Division I independents play.[68] The baseball team claimed back-to-back Region XV Division I championships in 2010 and 2011.[69] Challenges in ASA's athletics programs included a controversial 2018 men's tennis match against Harford Community College, where Harford alleged procedural irregularities led to their 4-5 defeat, prompting criticism of match conduct and officiating.[70] Broader institutional issues, such as accreditation revocation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education on November 11, 2022, and the subsequent campus closure on February 24, 2023, abruptly terminated all athletic operations, leaving programs without completion of seasons or transfer support for athletes.[3][22] These events compounded financial strains, with athletics expenses nearly matching revenues at approximately $4.57 million in the final reported year, limiting sustainability amid the for-profit model's reliance on enrollment-driven federal aid.[59]

Closure and Aftermath

Immediate Closure Events

On January 24, 2023, ASA College notified the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) that its final day of classes would be February 24, 2023, with operations ceasing on March 1, 2023.[19] Despite this internal communication, college officials publicly denied closure rumors in response to media reports, asserting the institution would continue operations.[19] MSCHE required ASA to submit a substantive change request for closure by February 8, 2023, which the college failed to provide, and also denied a requested five-day extension for compliance.[19] February 24, 2023, marked the abrupt end of instruction at ASA's campuses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Miami, coinciding with the last day of the fall term and without prior accreditor approval while under adverse action for accreditation withdrawal.[20][18] The closure occurred without an approved teach-out plan, despite ASA proposing several transfer agreements with other institutions, all rejected by MSCHE due to inadequate provisions for student completion.[20] This sudden shutdown terminated ASA's ongoing appeal against the November 2022 accreditation revocation decision.[18] Students received email notifications approximately two weeks prior to the closure date, informing them of the impending shutdown but offering no structured transition options.[71] Campus access was immediately restricted post-February 24, halting administrative services and leaving unresolved issues such as transcript issuance and enrollment verification.[71] MSCHE subsequently coordinated with the U.S. Department of Education, New York State Education Department, and other agencies to identify potential host institutions for affected students, urging expressions of interest by February 24.[19]

Impact on Students and Staff

The abrupt closure of ASA College on February 24, 2023, without an approved teach-out plan left approximately 6,000 students—many of whom were pursuing associate and bachelor's degrees in fields like health sciences and business—facing immediate educational disruption.[20] The institution rejected accreditor-proposed transfer agreements to other colleges, forcing students to independently seek enrollment elsewhere, where receiving institutions determined credit acceptance independently.[20] [21] International students on F-1 visas encountered additional challenges, including risks to immigration status due to interrupted studies and difficulties obtaining transcripts for transfer or visa maintenance.[71] [72] ASA failed to adequately notify students in advance, provide financial aid counseling, or facilitate access to academic records, exacerbating uncertainty and delaying re-enrollment.[71] Affected students became eligible for federal closed school loan discharge, allowing cancellation of Direct Loans and potentially Perkins Loans taken for attendance at ASA, provided they met criteria such as non-completion of programs or inability to transfer credits fully.[21] [41] Advocacy groups like New York Legal Assistance Group assisted with discharges and reinstatement of aid, but many students reported prolonged delays in processing refunds or transfers, contributing to financial strain from halted Pell Grants and loans.[41] For staff, the closure resulted in sudden unemployment for hundreds of faculty and administrators, following months of operational instability including delayed payroll.[26] [8] A class-action lawsuit filed against ASA alleged systematic withholding and late payments to employees, leading to financial hardship and confrontations with ownership prior to shutdown.[20] [26] By March 2023, all faculty and staff positions were eliminated as operations fully ceased, marking the end of a period characterized by accreditation failures and mismanagement that undermined workplace stability.[8] [73]

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Following the abrupt closure of ASA College on February 24, 2023, several legal actions have persisted into 2025, primarily involving the institution's attempts to recover funds and disputes over prior accreditation decisions. In August 2025, ASA College, Inc. initiated a lawsuit against the United States in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Case No. 1:2025cv04412), seeking $5,972,225.51 in refunds under the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program for tax quarters ending March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2020.[74] [47] The suit alleges denial of eligible credits tied to COVID-19-related payroll retention efforts, with the court granting a stay on October 3, 2025, pending administrative review, leaving the matter unresolved as of late 2025.[74] Separately, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) filed a petition against ASA College, Inc. on October 15, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 1:2025cv08521), seeking judicial confirmation of an arbitration award related to the accreditor's withdrawal of recognition.[48] This action follows ASA's unsuccessful 2024 challenge to the accreditation revocation—upheld in February 2025—and a dismissed second arbitration bid in October 2025 on res judicata grounds, aiming to enforce MSCHE's prior decisions amid the college's defunct status.[46] [75] Former employees and students have pursued relief through administrative channels rather than new federal litigation, including borrower defense to repayment applications for federal loans, facilitated by groups like the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) for nursing program enrollees affected by the closure.[76] Earlier wage claims, such as Barry Newman's 2023 suit for unpaid compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law, resulted in a default judgment for the plaintiff but no indications of active enforcement proceedings in 2025.[77] No class-action lawsuits directly tied to the closure remain pending in federal courts as of October 2025.

Notable Alumni and Legacy

ASA College produced several athletes who advanced to higher levels of competition, particularly through its junior college football program. Eddy Piñeiro, a kicker who initially played soccer at the institution's Miami campus, transitioned to football and later signed with the University of Florida, eventually entering the NFL where he has played for teams including the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, compiling over 100 career field goals as of 2023.[78][79] Charles Baldwin, an offensive tackle from the New York campus, earned recognition as one of the top junior college linemen in 2015 before transferring to the University of Alabama and later the University of Kansas, where he contributed to the offensive line during his collegiate career.[80][81] The college's athletics programs, especially football and basketball, served as a pipeline for student-athletes from diverse backgrounds, many of whom were immigrants or first-generation college attendees, facilitating transfers to NCAA Division I institutions. Over its operation from 1985 to 2023, ASA enrolled thousands of students in vocational programs, emphasizing fields like healthcare, business, and information technology, which aimed to prepare underserved populations for entry-level employment in New York City's economy.[60] However, documented challenges in job placement and program quality tempered broader alumni outcomes, with reports indicating limited verifiable long-term success stories beyond athletics.[82] ASA's legacy remains tied to its role in accessible higher education for non-traditional students, graduating over 11,000 alumni who entered professions such as medical assisting and computer programming, though the institution's abrupt closure in February 2023 amid accreditation loss and legal issues overshadowed these contributions.[83] The college's emphasis on rapid credentialing influenced for-profit education models but highlighted systemic risks in such institutions, including high student debt relative to earnings potential.[84]

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