WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Thirteen-thousand students and about 800 employees will be directly affected by a University of Phoenix shut down.

The country's largest for-profit college will close 90 learning centers and 25 campuses across the U.S.

The Apollo Group, the company that owns the university, says the move is part of a plan to cut operating costs by $300 million within two years.

Students are being encouraged to continue their studies online or other locations.