Long Island Culinary Academy in Syosset abruptly closes

Dozens of aspiring chefs are demanding answers after their culinary school closed without any notice. Students at the Long Island Culinary Academy in Syosset were shocked to discover the doors were

News 12 Staff

Nov 17, 2016, 3:45 AM

Updated 2,885 days ago

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Dozens of aspiring chefs are demanding answers after their culinary school closed without any notice.
Students at the Long Island Culinary Academy in Syosset were shocked to discover the doors were locked and the school had shut down.
They were told via text message that classes were canceled for good. The school is part of Star Career Academy.
More than 1,000 students were enrolled at their campuses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
Many veterans were enrolled at the culinary academy and used GI Bill money to pay for tuition.
"I feel like I've been cheated," said Ronnie Brandafino, of Sayville. "I fought two wars for that GI Bill time. I think I earned a certificate of completion through a school that I spent eight months sweating and bleeding for."
In a statement, a spokesman said, "Star Academy's closing is the result of the negative financial impact of a continued declining student population while operating in the challenging for-profit post-secondary school industry."
Star Academy did not return News 12's calls for comment.
The school's website says students can begin the process for a loan discharge in the next 30 days. It does not mention anything about tuition refunds.
The shutdown affects 60 students at the culinary academy. Each paid $18,000 in tuition.