Contacting Argosy University: A Guide For Students

Argosy University's closure in 2019 created serious challenges for students. The American Psychological Association (APA) was deeply concerned about the impact on students, faculty, and staff across Argosy's campuses. The APA developed resources to support the Argosy community, including an FAQ page and a Psychology Student Action Center.

Former Argosy students could request transcripts, diplomas, and enrollment verifications through a third-party company called Parchment. Additionally, Argosy University Online transcripts were available from the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

Several institutions worked to facilitate transfer options for Argosy students, including Northwestern Health Sciences University, Augsburg University, Adler University, and various WSCUC-accredited institutions. These universities aimed to recognize Argosy students' prior accomplishments and help them resume their programs.

The APA and other organizations also advocated for financial relief for Argosy students, with some success in the form of loan discharges and state legislation.

Argosy University transcript requests

Alternatively, students can contact the Argosy University Registrar's Office at 1400 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, by phone at 866-427-4679, or by fax at 412-992-9613. Students should include their first and last name, the university identification number (if available), the date of their enrolment, the class number, and their student number in their request.

It is important to note that Argosy University may not be able to issue official transcripts due to budget constraints. In this case, students should contact the program to which they wish to transfer their credits and request an official transcript for the semester.

For Argosy University Online transcripts, students can contact Kevin La Mountain at the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education via email at kevin.lamountain@azppse.gov.

Argosy University's accreditation status

Argosy University was first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1981 and then by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2011. Its most recent review was in 2018, at which time the school was placed on "show cause" status.

On February 27, 2019, the US Department of Education stated that they were cutting off federal funding to Argosy University. The US Department of Education placed Argosy University on Heightened Cash Monitoring Level 2 (HCM2) and then issued a letter ending Argosy's participation in federal student aid programs.

On March 17, 2019, WSCUC officially withdrew Argosy's accreditation. Argosy's accreditation continued through May 12, 2019, for the exclusive purposes of:

• Issuing degrees to students in their final term (provided Argosy faculty certified those students as completing their degree requirements)
• Providing students with access to academic transcripts and services to facilitate transfer to or completion at other institutions

WSCUC's top priority was to support students through this transition by sharing resources and information related to transcripts and student records, transfer credits, federal financial aid, and other matters.

In March 2019, the American Psychological Association (APA) approved teach-out proposals from five programs that were not previously APA-accredited. These programs were granted "accredited, inactive" status, which allowed them to teach out impacted students from Argosy University's APA-accredited Clinical Psy.D. programs.

Argosy University's closure and its impact on students' federal loans

Argosy University's closure has had a significant impact on its students, particularly concerning their federal loans. The university's financial mismanagement of federal student aid funds left thousands of students in a difficult situation. The US Department of Education suspended Argosy University from receiving further financial aid due to its failure to pay credit balance refunds to students.

• Loan Discharge Options: Students affected by the closure may be eligible for a "Closed School Discharge" (CSD) of their federal student loans. This applies if they were enrolled when the school closed, on an approved leave of absence, or if the school closed within 120 days of their withdrawal. However, those who completed their program or transferred credits to a comparable program are not eligible for CSD.
• Transfer and Teach-Out Options: Some students may opt to transfer their credits to another institution or participate in a "teach-out," where credits are transferred to a similar program at a nearby school. While this allows for degree completion, it disqualifies students from CSD.
• Private Loans and Pell Grants: Unfortunately, private student loans, Pell Grants, and GI Bill benefits are not eligible for discharge or refund. Students with private loans should contact their lenders to discuss payment plan options.
• Continuing Education: Students can continue their education at another institution, but it's important to note that previous student loan limits are not reset. They may still be eligible for federal aid and Grad PLUS loans.
• Loan Forgiveness Programs: Forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans can be beneficial for those with high loan amounts. PSLF offers complete loan forgiveness after 10 years of full-time work in the public sector, while IDR plans provide forgiveness after 20-25 years.
• Impact on Career Choices: The closure may cause students to reconsider their career paths and take on additional student debt. It's essential to weigh the potential income increase from continuing education against the cost of further borrowing.
• Support and Resources: Argosy University continues to offer career services to assist students with employment opportunities and job skills development. The university also provides resources for obtaining transcripts, diplomas, and other academic records.

The closure of Argosy University has undoubtedly caused disruptions and financial challenges for its students. It is important for affected students to carefully review their options, stay informed about updates from the US Department of Education, and seek guidance from relevant organizations to make informed decisions regarding their federal loans and future education.

Argosy University's closure and its impact on students' private loans

The closure of Argosy University has had a significant impact on students with private loans. While federal loans can be discharged through the Closed School Discharge process, private loans do not qualify for this program. As a result, students with private loans are faced with the challenge of managing their debt without the benefit of loan forgiveness. However, there are still some options available for those affected.

Firstly, students with private loans can contact their lender to discuss alternative payment plans. This may involve extending the repayment period or negotiating a lower interest rate to reduce the monthly burden. Additionally, the higher education office in the state where the closed school was located may have special processes or funds to assist non-federal student aid borrowers.

In the case of Argosy University, there has been some positive news for students with private loans. A lawsuit was filed against the school and its owner, Dream Center Education Holdings, alleging misrepresentations about its nonprofit status and job placement rates. As a result of this settlement, students with institutional loans owed to Argosy became eligible for debt relief cancellation, totaling over $2 million across 12 campuses.

It is important to note that the availability of such relief measures may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Students with private loans from Argosy University or other closed schools should stay informed about their options and actively seek out resources to manage their debt. This may include contacting the relevant state agencies, exploring loan refinancing options, or seeking legal advice to understand their rights and protections.

The impact of Argosy University's closure on students with private loans extends beyond the financial realm. The sudden closure disrupted the education of many students, causing them to transfer to other institutions or seek alternative pathways to complete their degrees. This process can be challenging, especially for students in unique or high-demand programs.

Overall, while the closure of Argosy University has created financial challenges for students with private loans, there are options available to mitigate the impact. A combination of lender negotiations, state assistance, and legal settlements can provide some relief. However, each situation is unique, and students should stay informed and proactive in managing their private loan obligations.

Argosy University's closure and its impact on students' financial aid

Argosy University's abrupt closure in March 2019 left students scrambling to transfer their academic credits and figure out their financial aid situation. The university shut its doors halfway through the spring semester, affecting close to 1,000 students enrolled at its Twin Cities campus alone.

The impact of the closure on students' financial aid was significant. Many students did not receive grant and loan funds they were relying on to pay for living expenses and tuition. Argosy University's parent company, Dream Center Education Holdings, was placed into receivership, and there were concerns about the mismanagement of student loan money from the US Department of Education.

In response to the closure, several states, including Minnesota and Illinois, took action to protect students' financial interests. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) worked with Argosy University and other educational institutions to facilitate transfer options and ensure students received their financial aid refunds. The state also passed legislation to release Argosy students from liability for Minnesota SELF student loans for the spring 2019 semester and provide direct financial aid payments. Similarly, the Illinois Board of Higher Education launched an investigation and appointed a hearing officer to review Argosy University's authority to operate in the state.

At the federal level, the US Department of Education discharged all federal loans for the spring 2019 semester and reset Pell Grant eligibility. They also began the process of identifying and cancelling federal direct student loan disbursements for the current term for students transferring to a new school. Additionally, Argosy students became eligible for a "Closed School Discharge" (CSD) of their federal student loans, provided they met certain criteria. However, students who transferred their credits to a comparable program at another school were not eligible for CSD.

The impact of the closure extended beyond financial aid, as students also faced challenges in obtaining transcripts, diplomas, and employment assistance. Argosy University continued to provide career services and resources to help students with job searches and resume building.

Frequently asked questions