The U.S. Department of Education recently released notification that it will stop recognizing the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (or ACICS) as an agency that can provide schools with an accreditation that makes them eligible for participation in federal aid.
The Department has issued several resources to help students: 1. learn if their school is ACICS-accredited; 2. check their school's accreditation status; 3. learn about the failures that led to the end of ACICS' accreditation by the Department.
Students at schools accredited by ACICS are advised by the Department of keep track of their school's next steps in seeking accreditation over the next 18 months. The 18-month timeframe means that some students who have already started a program at one of these schools may be able to complete their certificates or degrees before anything changes. Students near the end of a program, or preparing to transfer to another school, probably will not be impacted by this change. School will let students know directly if this is not the case.
Persons with questions regarding their school's accreditation are encouraged to read this resource document, and contact their school directly to learn how changes in accreditation status may impact them.