Article Author:
Associated Press
Carol Feldman Chrissie Thompson
WASHINGTON (AP) — Department of Education withdraws and jeopardizes accreditation of accreditation body that oversees primarily for-profit universities . Survival of schools serving approximately 5,000 students.
This decision prohibits colleges accredited by the Accreditation Council of Independent Colleges and Schools from participating in federal student assistance programs unless approval is obtained elsewhere. increase. Schools have 18 months to find new accreditation.
Undersecretary of Education James Coebar said on Friday that 27 universities would be affected, three of which he is already in talks with other agencies. Department officials did not provide the name of the school.
The department's action is the culmination of years of efforts to put ACICS out of business, which began under the Obama administration, uncovering misconduct at the for-profit university, There was lax enforcement by the U.S. government. Accreditation organization. Betsy DeVos, who served as secretary of education under President Donald Trump, has regained federal agency recognition.
The certifier's reprieve was short-lived. In 2020, a USA Today investigation found that the group approved a South Dakota university, but there was no evidence that it had students or faculty. The Department of Education began reexamining her ACICS and dismissed the certifier's final appeal on Friday.
At one time, ACICS accredited over 240 institutions, received a total of $4.76 billion in federal aid in 2015, and enrolled over 600,000 students.
Accreditation bodies act as federal gatekeepers, ensuring the legitimacy and quality of universities. If the college is approved by a recognized accreditor, you can receive federal money such as student loan payments and Pell grants. Its funding is essential to the survival of many universities, especially for-profit universities accredited by ACICS.
"ACICS is known for accrediting notorious universities like Corinthian College and he ITT. These universities were involved in widespread fraud." he said Kvaal. "The cost of that misconduct to students and taxpayers is still tallying up, as shown by the forgiveness of nearly $4 billion in debt for more than 200,000 former ITT students, which the department announced just three days ago."
He said the decision was made not because of ACICS' history or reputation, but because it did not meet the minimum standards required of an accreditation body. These duties include overseeing colleges whose finances and practices are at risk of closing while students are completing their degrees.
Students in the 27 schools accredited by ACICS will not lose their financial aid anytime soon. Their school receives interim accreditation that allows them to participate in federal financial aid programs while they search for new accreditation.
It was not immediately clear whether the decision would be contested in court. ACICS did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.
"Unless a court orders otherwise, departments have a responsibility to strengthen accountability in the accreditation system and ensure that students and taxpayers are protected," he said.
The department's decision requires affected schools to submit "teach-out" plans for students to complete their studies if the college must be closed. Universities are also prohibited from admitting new students to programs they cannot complete within 18 months, or from adding new programs or locations that qualify for federal aid.
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Thompson reported from Denver.
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