ACICS to Begin an Orderly Dissolution of the Corporation; Will Not Appeal August 19 Decision from the Department of Education
September 6, 2022
The Board of Directors of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) announced today its intention to begin an orderly dissolution of the corporation, following the August 19 decision by Deputy Secretary of Education, Cindy Marten, to terminate ACICS’s recognition status.
Furthermore, while we maintain that ACICS has been in substantial compliance with any objective, consistent, and reasonable interpretation of the recognition criteria, the organization will not appeal the August 19 decision.
ACICS will work with its remaining 44 accredited institutions with 67 campuses to prepare for the transition. Approximately two thirds of ACICS campuses currently participate in the Title IV program. According to guidance from the Department, those schools will be considered “as holding nationally recognized accreditation for a period of up to 18 months,” including maintaining Title IV eligibility. The Title IV eligible institutions will be placed on provisional certification until they receive accreditation by another recognized accreditor. If they do not receive accreditation within the 18-month period, they will cease to be considered a nationally recognized accredited institution and will lose Title IV eligibility at that time.
