MSCHE Statement on the Announced Closure of ASA College

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is aware of media reports citing statements from ASA College that the institution will not be closing. In light of such reports, it has become necessary for the Commission to correct misleading information being shared by ASA College in accordance with the Commission’s Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures, Procedures Section VII. H.

On January 24, 2023, ASA College submitted documentation to MSCHE indicating that the last day of classes for ASA College students was February 24, 2023, that the school is closing, and that operations will cease as of March 1, 2023.

Following receipt of the notification of closure by ASA College, the Commission took action on January 31, 2023, to require the institution to submit the substantive change request for institutional closure by February 8, 2023. This is the direct result of material ASA College submitted to the Commission about the status of the institution.

On February 8, 2023, ASA College requested that MSCHE grant a five-day extension. That request was denied by Dr. Heather F. Perfetti, President of the Commission. ASA College failed to submit the required report due by 4:30 p.m. ET on February 8, 2023. It has never been submitted.

MSCHE continues to work with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the Florida Commission on Independent Education (CIE), and the United States Department of Education (USDE), to the extent feasible, to assist students in finding reasonable opportunities to complete their education without additional charge in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.24(d) as a result of the institution’s closure and its repeated failures to provide requested information. MSCHE staff also outreached to the following agencies to obtain information that could be helpful to students and the Commission: USDE Federal Student Aid Office (FSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

Institutions interested in providing options for ASA College students should contact the Commission at president@msche.org as soon as possible and by February 24, 2023.

The Commission will continue to post any updates at www.msche.org, including through the ASA College Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource at https://go.msche.org/ASA-College-FAQ.