What does the loss of accreditation mean for current students at ASA College?
The Commission took action to withdraw accreditation from ASA College on November 11, 2022. Since that action, the institution announced it will close all campuses at the end of fall semester on February 24, 2023.
The following teach-out agreements have been approved by the Commission:
The following teach-out agreements have not been approved and remain under review:
- Florida Memorial
- Keiser University
- Southeastern University
- United International College
Students who were made aware of a potential teach-out agreement between ASA College and Albizu University should understand that Albizu University withdrew that teach-out agreement. It is not approved or under review by the Commission. Students who wish to transfer to Albizu University should contact them directly.
What are teach-out plans and teach-out agreements?
The Commission required ASA College to complete and submit for approval a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements. A teach-out plan is a written plan developed by the institution that provides for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education. The purpose of the teach-out plan is to make reasonable accommodations and assist students with completing educational programs or credentials or transferring to a new institution. The Commission requires a teach-out plan and teach-out agreements when an institution risks the loss of accreditation or intends to close. The Commission has acted to approve some teach-out agreements, and the teach-out plan remains under review by the Commission. Students can still transfer at any time to another institution.
Teach-out agreements are specific agreements made by the institution with appropriate teach-out partner institutions. The purpose of the teach-out agreement is to make accommodations for and assist students as much as possible and provide clear and transparent information regarding those arrangements. They are intended to facilitate students’ transition to another institution so they can graduate in a program of their choosing. These agreements were negotiated between ASA and other institutions with similar programs of study. The purpose and importance of clear and transparent teach-out agreements was reiterated to ASA College by the Commission in written and verbal communications. MSCHE has repeatedly required ASA College to provide information on how students in all ASA College programs of student and locations will be accommodated through teach-out agreements and to act expeditiously to find options to accommodate all students.
ASA College has reported that they have publicly disclosed the teach-out plan and all relevant information on their websites. MSCHE has been unable to locate that information at the websites for either New York or Florida students and has reminded ASA College of their obligations to place the appropriate information on their homepages. The quality and substance of reports from ASA College remain insufficient.
In addition, ASA College was required to provide a train-out plan for the Florida Commission for Independent Education for the institution’s locations in Florida. MSCHE has received a copy of the plan submitted to the Florida Commission for Independent Education, and the quality and substance of that report was insufficient to permit Commission review.
Can students transfer to another institution?
The institution has announced its closure as of February 24, 2023. Current students can transfer at any time and to any institution, including those without a teach-out agreement. Students are entitled to receive clear, accurate, and thorough information from ASA College about their options to pursue other educational opportunities.
Students cannot be charged additional fees for exercising the option to transfer.
Where can students transfer?
Students can apply for transfer to any institution that meets their needs and where they may qualify for admission. Transfer opportunities are not limited to those institutions that have teach-out agreements with ASA College. Students can transfer at any time and to any institution.
What other things should students consider when transferring?
Students should look for an institution that is in good standing with accreditors (not on probation or an equivalent status). Students should always research the accreditation status of the institution they are considering for transfer. MSCHE posts accreditation status for its member institutions in the Institution Directory on our website: https://www.msche.org/institution/.
Individual programs may also be accredited by a programmatic accreditor. Students are encouraged to contact both the institutional and programmatic accreditors of institutions and programs to verify the accreditation status of the institution they are considering.
Visit the resources available at https://www.msche.org/student-resources/.
Can ASA College charge students additional fees if they withdraw or transfer?
No, ASA College cannot charge students additional fees for withdrawing or transferring.
Will all students receive a copy of their transcripts?
ASA College has reported that students can obtain transcripts from the institution or Parchment Exchange. ASA College has provided the following link to Parchment Exchange for students to use to request transcripts: https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/32515115/institution.
MSCHE required ASA College to provide details of the contract with Parchment Exchange and evidence of payment. The quality and substance of that report remain insufficient.
Commission policy and procedure require the institution to provide a copy of transcripts to all current students. ASA College cannot withhold student transcripts. New York law prevents institutions from withholding student transcripts and from charging students higher fees for their transcripts if they have unpaid debts (N.Y. Educ. Law § 640).
Where can students find more information on ASA College’s website?
ASA College has reported that it has provided appropriate disclosures to students, including at its website. MSCHE has been unable to verify what information has been provided to students and has required that ASA College share more information with the Commission and post appropriate public disclosures on the homepage of its websites, including both those for its New York and Florida locations.
After repeated reminders to ASA College, the website continues to reflect insufficient information for students.
Who can students contact at ASA College for more information?
MSCHE reminded ASA College of the need for accurate information and additional support for students during a meeting on December 19, 2022, and has made efforts to contact college officials who were reportedly available for students and held information needed about the status of the institution. MSCHE required that ASA College address the availability of staff that they have reported in the teach-out plan as being resources for students. The quality and substance of that report was insufficient.
MSCHE has also outreached to members of the regulatory triad and other agencies to obtain contact information that may be helpful to students. Resources for students include:
United States Department of Education
https://www.ed.gov/
https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/
https://fsapartners.ed.gov/help-center/fsa-customer-service-center/service-centers-for-schools/closed-school-contacts
Office of Federal Student Aid
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/closed-school
The above link can provide assistance if your college or career school closed while you were enrolled, or soon after you withdrew.
https://studentaid.gov/borrower-defense/
If your school misled you or engaged in other misconduct in violation of certain state laws, you may be eligible for “borrower defense to loan repayment,” sometimes shortened to “borrower defense.” This is the discharge of some or all of your federal student loan debt. Visit the link above for more information.
New York State Education Department
http://www.nysed.gov/
http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/closures-degree-granting-institutions
http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/transcripts
https://www.op.nysed.gov/
http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/complaints
Florida Commission for Independent Education
https://www.fldoe.org/policy/cie/
https://web02.fldoe.org/CIE/Transcript/TranscriptRequest.aspx
Student and Exchange Visitor Program
https://www.ice.gov/sevis/students
https://www.ice.gov/sevis/whats-new
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search
SEVP Response Center: Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov
New York Legal Assistance Group: Phone: 212-659-6166 Email: ASAHotline@nylag.org
National Junior College Athletic Association: Phone: 719-590-9788 Email: compliance@njcaa.org
What does it mean for students applying for admission now and for future students of ASA College?
ASA College has announced its closure. In addition, MSCHE has not permitted ASA College to market to or enroll new students.
The Commission became aware of marketing materials disseminated by ASA College since the November 11, 2022, adverse action was taken. In a meeting with ASA College on December 19, 2023, Commission staff reminded the College that it could not advertise for any programs, whether credit or continuing education.
What does the closure and withdraw of accreditation mean for students who recently graduated or who expect to graduate by the to-be-determined accreditation cease date from ASA College?
ASA College has announced its closure, and MSCHE continues to attempt to obtain information for students and other constituents.
In terms of the withdrawal of accreditation, student coursework and degrees are considered to have been granted from an accredited institution so long as they are received prior to the date that accreditation will cease. The Commission is reviewing the institution’s closure and will determine an appropriate end date for accreditation.
What are the next steps involving ASA College’s accreditation?
At the time of the action of withdrawal, the Commission requested a supplemental information report, teach-out plan, and teach out agreements. The Commission received the supplemental information report due December 9, 2022, and additional information on December 20, 2022, and has been following the procedures required for review. This process includes evaluating any teach-out agreements to ensure all students will be accommodated. Despite Commission staff’s repeated requests for additional information from ASA College regarding the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements and meeting with potential teach-out partners and ASA College, MSCHE again requested ASA College to provide additional details needed for the teach-out agreements. ASA College provided additional information on February 24, 2023, when it also informed the Commission that it will close all campuses at the end of fall semester on February 24, 2023.
ASA College was advised to continue identifying appropriate teach-out partners for all students for all programs of study. The Commission will continue to consider teach out agreements should any additional agreements be developed.
When will ASA College lose its accreditation?
ASA College has announced its closure, and MSCHE continues to attempt to obtain information for students and other constituents. The Commission is reviewing the institution’s closure and will determine an appropriate date that accreditation will cease.
Student coursework and degrees are considered to have been granted from an accredited institution so long as they are received prior to the date that accreditation will cease. The Commission is reviewing the institution’s closure and will determine an appropriate end date for accreditation. MSCHE’s understanding is that the institution intends to close on February 24, 2023. MSCHE always attempts to continue accreditation so that students who are currently enrolled are not impacted by the withdrawal of accreditation.
How can I contact MSCHE?
MSCHE welcomes inquiries and questions. Please email communications@msche.org.
How can students file a complaint against ASA College or another member institution?
ASA College has announced its closure. MSCHE can continue to accept complaints and wants to be made aware of continuing complaints against the institution. Those can be emailed to complaints@msche.org or submitted using the online complaint submission form, which can be found at https://www.msche.org/complaints/. MSCHE staff reviewed student complaints with ASA College in a meeting on December 19, 2022, and the Commission will continue to address complaints in accordance with a condensed timeline in light of the circumstances.
MSCHE will continue to accept complaints against any of its member institutions, via its Complaints Involving Member and Candidate Institutions policy and procedures. The details of that process can be found at https://www.msche.org/complaints/ at the bottom of the page. This includes complaints involving any teach-out partner accredited by MSCHE.
Some of the teach-out partners are not accredited by MSCHE, and students will need to pursue complaints with that institution’s accreditor.
