Nearly 200 students who paid tuition for classes they weren't able to take because their school closed will get their money back in full, more than a year and a half after they paid it.

Without a word to students, the Computer Learning Center (CLC) in Laurel shut its doors in January 2001 under a directive by the U.S. Department of Education, keeping $657,000 paid for classes that never were taught.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission, which oversees private career schools, took action, and this week a bond claim against the center was settled. More than $400,000 collected by the commission will be returned to students in sums ranging from $100 to $13,000.

Another $257,000 will be sent to lenders on behalf of CLC students who took out loans to pay tuition. The lenders will then forgive the loans.

"This is great news for the students, many of whom had to put their lives on hold until this issue was resolved," said Karen R. Johnson, the state's secretary of higher education. "These students can now get on with their lives."