Former Greenway University Student to Get Refund After School Shuts Down

A former student of Greenway University in Denver will receive half his tuition back after demanding a refund when the college shut down this summer.

The state education board that keeps tabs on private occupation schools ordered Greenway to close in July when it discovered that the owner failed to list a previous felony conviction on his application to run the school. Owner Gus Escamilla pleaded guilty of felony grand theft in California in 2000, while another top official with Greenway previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Neither incident was listed on Greenway’s application with the state.

After the university closed its doors, student Aaron Smith filed a complaint with the board asking for a full refund, according to CBS4 in Denver. The board determined that Smith should get 50 percent of his money back.

Other students seeking a refund must file an official complaint with the state board.

Greenway offered a variety of courses tied to the medical marijuana industry – including classes on bookkeeping, opening a dispensary and making edibles – as well as certification programs. Escamilla initially expressed optimism that the university would reopen. The university’s website is still operational and makes no mention of the closure.