Nearly 200 students who paid tuition for classes they never took because their school closed will get their money back, more than a year and a half after it was paid.

Without a word to students, the Computer Learning Center in Laurel closed in January last year under a directive by the U.S. Department of Education, keeping $657,000 paid for classes that were never taught.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission, which oversees private career schools, took action, and a bond claim against the center was settled this week.

More than $400,000 collected by the commission will be returned to students in sums ranging from $100 to $13,000. The remaining $257,000 will be sent to lenders on behalf of students who took out loans to pay tuition.