Wells College Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are teach-out plans and teach-out agreements? 

The Commission required Wells College to complete and submit for approval a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements.

On May 28, 2024, the Commission acted to require an updated teach-out plan due June 5, 2024, providing evidence that required activities with the New York State Education Department and the United States Department of Education have been completed.

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. 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 are to be negotiated between Wells College and other institutions with similar programs of study. Teach-out agreements must focus on students and offer a variety of options for students to complete their educations; therefore, institutions cannot designate a preferred or legacy teach-out partner institution.

The Commission has approved teach-out agreements with the following MSCHE institutions:

Alfred University, Alfred, NY

Daemen University, Amherst, NY 

Excelsior University, Albany, NY 

Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY 

Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 

Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY 

Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY

Manhattanville University, Purchase, NY

Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY

Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY

Russell Sage College, Troy, NY 

St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkhill, NY

SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY

State University of New York Brockport, Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY

SUNY College at Potsdam, Potsdam, NY

SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Morrisville, Morrisville, NY

SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY

SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY  

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

The Commission approved teach-out agreements with the following institutions that hold accreditation with another accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education:

Albion College, Albion, MI (Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission) 

Beloit College, Beloit, WI (Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission) 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY (Accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education) 

Roanoke College, Salem, VA (Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges)

MSCHE required Wells College to provide an updated teach-out plan, due June 5, 2024, that includes information regarding any recruitment of online students for an anticipated bachelor of arts in theater degree.

Can students transfer to another institution?

The institution has announced its closure as of June 30, 2024. Current students can transfer at any time and to any institution where they may qualify for admission, including those without a teach-out agreement. Students are entitled to receive clear, accurate, and thorough information from Wells 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 Wells 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. 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.

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 MSCHE Student Resources page for additional information. 

Can Wells College charge students additional fees if they withdraw or transfer? 

No, Wells College cannot charge students additional fees for withdrawing or transferring. 

Will all students receive a copy of their transcripts?

Commission policy and procedure require the institution to provide a copy of transcripts to all current students. Wells 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).

MSCHE has required Wells College to provide a teach-out plan, due June 5, 2024, that includes (1) evidence that communications regarding student records has occurred; (2) evidence of a finalized agreement and the arrangements for the permanent disposition of student records so that students and alumni will be able to obtain accurate and complete transcripts now and in the future; and (3) evidence of a finalized agreement for institutional records and the process and date by which records have been transferred to the final repository.

Visit Resources for additional information. 

How does Wells College’s closure affect international students?  

MSCHE has required Wells College to provide an updated teach-out plan, due June 5, 2024, that includes documentation of appropriate advisement and support services specific to the needs of international students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

International students attending Wells College on a student visa have unique considerations. International students may find more information at EducationUSA’s International Student Visas page. 

Please note that the institution cannot withhold the transfer of international students’ I-20 to another institution due to unpaid balances. International students should research the SEVP Certification status of the institution they are considering for transfer. SEVP posts SEVP Certified schools on its SEVP School Search. 

Visit Resources for additional information. 

Who should international students contact for more information?

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) encourages international students to contact the SEVP Response Center for assistance: Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: [email protected].

How does Wells College’s loss of accreditation affect student athletes and eligibility?

MSCHE has required Wells College to provide an updated teach-out plan, due June 5, 2024, that includes documentation and appropriate advisement and support services specific to the needs of student athletes and reporting to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Visit Resources for additional information.

What Is Wells College doing to support faculty and staff?

MSCHE has required Wells College to provide an updated teach-out plan, due June 5, 2024, that includes documentation of financial and human resources necessary to implement the teach-out plan including but not limited to financial resources to meet staffing and payroll obligations. MSCHE has also required the institution provide compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act and with the New York State Attorney General.

What do other institutions with questions about teach-out agreements need to know? 

In accordance with the Commission’s Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures, the teach-out institutions must have candidate for accreditation status or accreditation status and be in good standing with an accrediting agency recognized by the USDE. In addition, the teach-out institution must not be subject to any of the following criteria:

1. A determination by an independent auditor expressing doubt about the institution’s ability to operate as a going concern, or an adverse opinion, or a finding of material weakness;
2. The institution is on probation or equivalent status;
3. The institution is participating in title IV, HEA under a provisional participation agreement;
4. The Secretary has placed the institution on heightened cash management (HCM2);
5. The Secretary has initiated an emergency action against the institution to limit participation in any title IV, HEA program;
6. An agency has acted to withdraw, terminate, or suspend the accreditation or preaccreditation of the institution;
7. The institution intends to cease operations entirely;
8. A state licensing or authorizing agency will or has revoked the institution’s legal authorization;
9. The institution is under investigation, subject to an action, or being prosecuted for an issue related to academic quality, misrepresentation, fraud, or other severe matters by a law enforcement agency.

Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures Section IV. Procedures for the Submission of Teach-Out Agreements of the Procedures outlines the purpose of teach-out agreements, what the agreements should include, and the conditions that a teach-out partner must meet. The responsibility to develop teach-out agreements rests with Wells College, which is required to submit a teach-out plan and agreement(s), and MSCHE does not develop the agreements. Teach-out plans and agreements must be approved by MSCHE. 

A teach-out agreement should include a comprehensive description of the arrangements being made for students between the two institutions, including at least the following critical information: 

• Information on the number and types of credits that will be accepted by the teach-out institution. 

• Information on the specific locations where instruction will be offered by the teach-out institution. 
• Any additional financial charges or changes in tuition and fees. 
• A description of the relevant educational program to ensure that it is comparable in quality and reasonably similar in content, delivery modality, and scheduling. 
• Any institutional policy or curriculum exceptions for the benefit of the students. 

Can institutions without an approved teach-out agreement accept students who wish to transfer from Wells College?  

Yes, any institution can consider transfer students from Wells College. Institutions without an approved teach-out agreement can accept students who wish to transfer from Wells College. If any exceptions to institutions’ policies or procedures are made to facilitate the award of transfer credit and academic progress for students, including but not limited to admissions, transfer of credit, or residency requirements, the exceptions and conditions under which the exception was applied must be justified and documented and must continue to comply with applicable law.  

Can institutions receiving Wells College students make exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies to assist students?  

Some institutions do include exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies in the teach-out agreements; however, institutions must document under what circumstances an exception was made and the conditions that must be met for the exception to be applied. Without a teach-out agreement, institutions making exceptions to accommodate Wells College students who transfer must also document exceptions.  

Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures requires institutions to seek to minimize the loss of credit for students wherever possible. Institutions should strive for appropriate balance among consistency, fairness, flexibility, good educational practice, and academic program integrity.  

In addition, institutions must always remain mindful of state requirements and regulations and, in matters governed by state regulations, comply with state law or obtain an exception from the appropriate state agency. The institution must also comply with the requirements for programmatic accreditors.  

Can institutions enter into a teach-out agreement that includes a program not currently offered?  

The partner institution must have the appropriate state authority and the capacity to offer a program. Institutions are responsible for ensuring appropriate program approval and registration. Institutional representatives should outreach to their state licensing agency to ensure any requirements relating to programs delivered in the state are met. Institutions must be mindful of programmatic accreditor requirements and should consult with the programmatic accreditor to ensure that their requirements are met.  

Can institutions make exceptions to some degree and/or general education requirements?  

Partner institutions should do a program-to-program articulation, which includes an analysis of how student learning outcomes for courses in one institution are equivalent to outcomes for courses in the other institution. Institutions must determine degree requirements and any substitutions based on institutional policies and procedures. If exceptions are made, those should be documented and justified.

Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures

Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures

Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures

Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures

Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation

Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures

Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures

Substantive Change Policy and Procedures

United States Department of Education

United States Department of Education

Federal Student Aid Closed School Contacts

Office of Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid Feedback Center

Federal Student Aid Closed School

The above link can provide assistance if your college or career school closed while you were enrolled, or soon after you withdrew.

Federal Student Aid Borrower Defense Loan Discharge

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 

New York State Education Department (NYSED) 

NYSED Closures of Degree-Granting Institutions 

NYSED Transcripts from Closed Colleges 

NYSED Office of the Professions 

NYSED College or University Complaints 

Student and Exchange Visitor Program

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

SEVIS What’s New

Department of Homeland Security Study in the States

SEVP Response Center: Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: [email protected]

Education USA

Education USA International Student Visas

Athletic Association Websites

NCAA Division III 

NCAA Transfer 

Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC)

How can I contact MSCHE?

MSCHE welcomes inquiries and questions. Please email [email protected].