From Union Sheet Metal Worker to Westwood Graduate: A Story of Resilience and the Fight for Fair Compensation
When the recession hit the construction industry in 2008, a seasoned union sheet metal worker with over 20 years of experience found himself forced into a menial production job. He had attended college before but never completed a degree. Westwood College promised a path forward—a way to earn a credential in the construction trades that would shield him from future factory work. His decision felt like a no-brainer. But looking at the historical context of for-profit education during that era, we now see a pattern of inflated job placement claims, misleading accreditation statements, and loan burdens that far outweighed the value of the degrees awarded. For thousands of Westwood students, that "no-brainer" turned into a lifelong financial trap.
Today, in 2026, Westwood College is no longer enrolling students, but the consequences of its practices are still unfolding in courtrooms across the country. Former students—from the sheet metal workers to aspiring healthcare professionals—are now seeking justice through mass tort and class action litigation. This legal context demands that every former Westwood student understand their rights before the statute of limitations expires.
The Promise vs. Reality: How Westwood College Misled Students Like You
Westwood’s marketing painted a picture of industry-experienced instructors and hands-on training that would lead directly to stable careers. As one former student put it, "Having instructors who were professionals in the subjects they taught was very refreshing. They were able to share not just details about the trades, but also personal stories and situations they encountered." But behind that refreshing facade lay a darker truth. Investigations by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorneys general revealed that Westwood systematically exaggerated job placement rates, misrepresented the transferability of credits, and failed to disclose that many programs did not meet state licensing requirements—particularly in allied health fields where FDA-approved curricula were essential for certification.
"I had to make some difficult choices. I had to sacrifice time with family and friends, I had to take on student loans and I had to mentally prepare myself to go back to school after so many years."
— Former Westwood College student, reflecting on his decision to enroll. Read the full testimony at westwoodcollegesuccess.com/node/185.
The financial fallout was devastating. While Westwood charged tuition of $15,000–$20,000 per year for associate programs, comparable public community colleges charged under $5,000. Default rates among Westwood graduates soared above 30%, and median earnings for graduates were often lower than those of high school-only workers in the same fields.
| Metric | Westwood College (2008–2015) | Public Community College (Same Period) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Tuition (Associate Degree) | $17,500 | $3,800 |
| Graduation Rate (3-year) | 22% | 35% |
| Student Loan Default Rate (3-year) | 31% | 12% |
| Median Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment | $29,000 | $35,000 |
Your Legal Options: Understanding MDL, Class Action, and Mass Tort Litigation
Former Westwood students are not alone. The wave of litigation against for-profit colleges has consolidated into a mass tort multidistrict litigation (MDL) that includes claims from Westwood, ITT Tech, and Corinthian College alumni. As a plaintiff in this litigation, you can seek compensation for the real harms you suffered: inflated tuition, fraudulent promises of job placement, and the long-term damage to your credit from federal and private loans that provided no career pathway. Key legal terms every former student should know include:
- Statute of Limitations: In most states, you have 3–6 years from the time you discovered (or should have discovered) the fraud to file a claim. For many Westwood students, that clock started ticking when they defaulted on a loan or when the Department of Education announced Westwood’s loss of accreditation in 2015. Check your state’s deadline immediately.
- Class Action vs. MDL: A class action bundles all claims into one representative lawsuit; an MDL (multidistrict litigation) consolidates many individual lawsuits for pretrial handling while keeping each plaintiff’s case distinct. Westwood claims are currently being coordinated under an MDL to streamline discovery and settlement negotiations.
- Adverse Event: The term typically used for medical harms, but in this context, each student's loan default, home foreclosure, or mental health crisis due to debt is an adverse event that strengthens your claim for damages.
Westwood’s student loan debts have been at the center of multiple settlement efforts. In 2020, the school’s lender agreed to a $12 million settlement to resolve some borrower defense claims, but that only covered a fraction of the total harm. Ongoing MDL and mass tort litigation seeks broader compensation—including refunds of tuition paid with federal loans, and discharge of private loan balances. The Department of Education has also begun processing borrower defense applications from Westwood students who can prove their school’s misconduct.
What to Do Now: A Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Fight
If you attended Westwood College—whether in construction management, design, healthcare, or any other program—you may be eligible for compensation. Follow these immediate steps to protect your rights:
- Gather your documents: Collect enrollment agreements, loan promissory notes, transcripts, financial aid records, and any correspondence from Westwood about job placement rates or accreditation. These are critical evidence for any litigation.
- Submit a borrower defense application: File with the U.S. Department of Education using the borrower defense to repayment application. This can lead to federal loan discharge even if you haven’t joined a lawsuit.
- Consult with an attorney who specializes in mass tort and class action litigation against for-profit colleges. Many firms offer a free case review and work on contingency—you pay nothing unless you win a settlement or judgment.
- Check the statute of limitations in your state. Don’t assume you have time. Some states have already seen filing windows close for Westwood claims.
- Ask about joining the existing MDL. If your case shares common facts with others, consolidation can strengthen your position and lower costs. Your attorney can explain the difference between MDL participation and a class action.
The Westwood story is not one of failure—it’s one of resilience. Students like that sheet metal worker made sacrifices to better their lives, and they deserve to be compensated for deception. If you or someone you know was misled by Westwood, do not wait. The window for justice is narrowing, but the fight for fair compensation is still very much alive. Start your free case review today and learn what your claim may be worth.