American Commercial College
Strong Case for Borrower Defense

If you attended American Commercial College (ACC), you may be eligible for full federal Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) relief. ACC settled a major False Claims Act lawsuit for allegedly manipulating financial aid compliance, representing core misconduct recognized under Borrower Defense. ACC was also included in the $6 billion Sweet v Cardona settlement.

Why ACC’s Settlement Matters

Between 2010–2013, whistleblowers Shawn Clark and Juan Delgado filed suit under the False Claims Act. They alleged:

• False certification to the Department of Education about complying with the “90/10 Rule” (federal aid must stay under 90% of revenue).
• Misrepresentation of student attendance, academic progress, and job placement.
• Creation of short term private loans paid back using federal Title IV funds—artificially inflating non federal revenue.

In May 2013, ACC agreed to pay at least $1 million over five years—with contingency up to $2.5 million—for settlements in two FCA cases. Federal intervention came in Feb 2012. 

These admissions and legal findings significantly support BDR claims, as federal rules recognize false statements, deceptive loan arrangements, and misrepresentation as valid grounds for discharge.

What This Means for Borrowers

Eligibility window
If you attended ACC during or before 2013, your case aligns squarely with the misconduct period.

Misleading financial practices
The false loan schemes likely misled students about ACC’s credibility and the value of its programs—another recognized BDR trigger.

Document your experience
Gather any materials from your ACC enrollment—recruitment literature, payment schedules, communications referencing private loans, or job placement guarantees.

Take Action Now

DIY Application

Prefer to manage it yourself? Follow our easy Borrower Defense DIY Guide for step-by-step help, including how to reference ACC’s legal record.

Get Expert Help

Need support? Our team at DefenseClaims.com specializes in BDR filings citing for-profit college misconduct.

Other Schools Making Headlines

We’ve covered similar cases for multiple schools. If you attended any of the schools listed here, you may be eligible for Borrower Defense. Link your experience to one of these deep dive articles:

1. American Intercontinental University Under Fire
2. Sanford-Brown’s Legal Turmoil
3. Lincoln Educational Services Legal Battles
4. University of Phoenix  and Corinthian Colleges  Lawsuits
5. ITT Technical Institute’s Legal Turmoil
6. DeVry Scandals
7. The Legal Legacy of Westwood College

Check out more at our Latest News for inspiration and success stories.

Bottom Line

ACC’s admissions of deceiving the federal government provide clear grounds for a compelling Borrower Defense case. Whether you go DIY or opt for full-service support, the time to act—and reclaim fair relief—is now.

Check your eligibility for FREE or speak with a specialist NOW for support submitting your claim.