On Aug. 19, 2022, the Deputy Secretary of Education, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Education, upheld the decision of the Senior Department Official to terminate the recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). This decision means that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) no longer considers ACICS to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs the agency accredits and, therefore, its accreditation no longer makes schools eligible to participate in the Title IV, HEA student financial assistance programs (Title IV programs).
This decision follows recommendations by ED staff and the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) for ED to terminate the agency’s recognition. The Deputy Secretary’s decision is considered final and officially starts an 18-month period during which institutions accredited by ACICS must find another recognized accrediting agency to continue participating in the Title IV programs.
ED previously withdrew recognition of ACICS on Dec. 12, 2016, when then-Secretary John B. King, Jr. upheld a separate SDO decision and recommendations of NACIQI and ED staff to cease recognition of ACICS. This decision was overturned by a March 2018 court ruling, and on November 21, 2018 then-Secretary Betsy DeVos subsequently decided to fully reinstate the agency, retroactive to Dec. 12, 2016.
Additional information about this decision, including a Q&A for students attending schools accredited by ACICS, is available at ed.gov/acics. Questions about the information in this Electronic Announcement can be sent through the Customer Support form in the Partner Connect Help Center. To submit a question, complete the form, and select “General” as the topic.