Lori Meadows
The US Department of Education's decision to revoke ACICS's accreditation powers has impacted an estimated 16,000 international students, either enrolled in or planning to join ACICS-accredited institutions. This decision has resulted in the termination of F-1 status for international students, affecting their ability to remain in the country and pursue further opportunities like the STEM OPT Extension. The situation has left international students in a vulnerable position, facing uncertainty about their academic and immigration status, with concerns about the time, money, and effort invested in their studies. While ACICS works to regain its recognition, affected students are seeking guidance and exploring options to continue their education or transfer to other institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students affected by ACICS losing accreditation | 16,000 |
| What the students will lose | OPT extensions, eligibility for the H-1B advanced degree lottery, I-140 petition for a green card, and STEM OPT extension |
| What the students can do | Continue studies until the end of the current session, transfer to a new school with proper accreditation, contact the Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) |
| What the schools can do | Seek reapproval by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to continue operating in California, seek reaccreditation with a different federally recognized accrediting agency |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for OPT extensions
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) was a US Department of Education-approved accrediting body. However, in 2016, the Department of Education announced that it no longer recognized ACICS as an accrediting agency. This decision was informed by a departmental report that found that ACICS routinely failed to adequately perform its duties. The loss of recognition has affected an estimated 16,000 international students, either studying on English language programs or planning to remain in the US under the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
Regarding OPT extensions for international students, there are several requirements that must be met to be eligible. Firstly, students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that is certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. F-1 students are those who are authorized to remain in the United States as full-time students at an academic institution approved by the US government.
To be eligible for an OPT extension, F-1 students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study.
For STEM OPT extensions, there are additional requirements. F-1 students must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP-certified school that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. The degree must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List at the time of application, rather than at the time the student received the degree. Students must also be employed by an employer enrolled in USCIS' E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and must work a minimum of 20 hours per week, receiving formal training and learning objectives.
It is important to note that students cannot qualify for STEM OPT extensions unless they will be bona fide employees of the employer signing Form I-983. The employer must maintain a genuine employer-employee relationship with the student and provide appropriate training. Students may participate in the STEM OPT extension program twice over their academic career.
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The impact on international students' visas
The impact of ACICS losing its accreditation powers has had a significant effect on international students' visas. ACICS, or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, was a national accreditor recognised by the US Department of Education. However, in 2021, the Department of Education withdrew its recognition of ACICS, affecting an estimated 16,000 international students.
This decision has had a direct impact on the visa status of international students. ACICS-accredited universities can no longer issue new Form I-20s, which are the certificates of eligibility that international students need to obtain a study visa. As a result, these universities will be unable to admit new international students. Additionally, international students currently enrolled in ACICS-accredited English language programs have had their F-1 status terminated, affecting their visa and immigration status.
The loss of accreditation has also impacted the ability of international students to renew their visas under the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program allows students to remain in the US to gain practical training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. However, with the revocation of ACICS's accreditation, students will be unable to renew their OPT visas, forcing them to leave the country prematurely.
Furthermore, the decision has caused uncertainty and concern among international students regarding the validity of their degrees. Degrees obtained from ACICS-accredited universities may no longer be recognised by prospective employers or other academic institutions, potentially affecting the students' future career prospects and academic pursuits.
To address these issues, affected international students may need to consider transferring to properly accredited institutions to ensure their degrees remain valid and to maintain their visa status. Additionally, seeking guidance from organisations like the Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) can help students navigate their options and make informed decisions regarding their education and visa situation.
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International students' recourse to action
The US Department of Education withdrew its recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) in 2021, affecting an estimated 16,000 international students. This decision pertained to ACICS's failure to adequately police schools, one of which was exposed as a visa mill.
International students enrolled at ACICS-accredited universities can continue their studies until the end of the current session. However, their F-1 status cannot be extended unless the university obtains new accreditation. As a result, the university will be unable to admit new international students.
International students can take the following recourse of action:
- Students can monitor the U.S. Department of Education’s press releases, visit the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s website, or visit the ACICS website directly.
- Students can contact the Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) to address any questions regarding their situation.
- Students can continue their education at their current institution if their school re-establishes approval with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and/or obtains accreditation with another federally recognized accrediting body.
- Students can transfer to another school using some or all of the credits that they’ve earned at their former school.
- Students who graduated before the accreditation was revoked will not be affected.
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International students' ability to transfer credits
International students wishing to transfer credits from their home country to a US university should start the process early. They should also be aware that the process of transferring credits can be lengthy, and they may not know which credits have been accepted until their studies begin. Course evaluations can take several weeks, so it is important to begin the process early to avoid missing admissions deadlines.
International students should also be aware that some credits may not transfer to their new school in the US, and their GPA may be calculated differently. They should take English proficiency tests, such as the TOEFL, and any required college admissions exams before considering transfer options.
The US government uses SEVIS to maintain information on international students. The academic transfer has to happen first. Once a student is admitted to the new school, they can request that their current school transfers the SEVIS record so that the new school can issue an I-20, a form certifying the student is eligible for F-1 academic or M-1 vocational student status.
The decision to accept credits earned abroad varies from school to school. Some factors that institutions consider include whether the institution the student attended is recognised by their country's ministry of education, whether the courses taken are similar to those offered by the new institution, and whether the courses meet the requirements for the degree and major the student wishes to transfer into. Many academic institutions may allow credit transfers but limit how many foreign credits they accept.
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International students' ability to receive federal financial aid
International students are not eligible for federal financial aid in the US. However, they may be eligible for other types of financial aid, such as merit-based or need-based aid.
International students can explore the following options to secure financial aid for their studies in the US:
- University Scholarships: Many universities in the US offer scholarships for international students. These scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or both. For example, Howard University offers freshman scholarships for international students, while some universities provide full scholarships for international students who excel in sports. It is important to contact the Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office of your chosen university to understand the specific financial aid options available.
- Government-Backed Scholarships: International students can explore government-backed scholarships offered by their home country's ministry or department of education, as well as through their embassy and consulate in the US. These scholarships can provide significant financial support for studying abroad.
- Private Scholarships: In addition to institutional scholarships, international students can apply for private scholarships offered by corporations, nonprofits, and other organisations. There are free scholarship databases available to search for opportunities that align with the student's background and interests.
- Assistantships and Fellowships: For graduate studies, international students may be eligible for assistantships and fellowships offered by public and private universities. These opportunities provide financial support in exchange for research or teaching assistance.
- Federal Student Aid in Rare Cases: Although rare, some universities may require international students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In such cases, international students can submit the FAFSA on paper to attempt to receive institutional aid. However, it is important to note that federal financial aid is typically reserved for US citizens and permanent residents.
It is important to note that the loss of accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) has impacted approximately 16,000 international students in the US. This has resulted in difficulties for students in renewing their F-1 status and obtaining OPT extensions, affecting their ability to remain in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Department of Education's decision to withdraw recognition of ACICS as an accrediting body has affected an estimated 16,000 international students. International students enrolled in ACICS-accredited universities can continue their studies until the end of the current session, but their F-1 status cannot be extended unless the university obtains new accreditation. This also means that international students will be unable to obtain a new Form I-20, the certificate of eligibility needed to obtain a study visa.
International students at ACICS-accredited universities can contact the Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) for guidance and support. Students can also monitor the U.S. Department of Education’s press releases, visit the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s website, or visit the ACICS website directly for updates.
Students can consider transferring to another school using some or all of the credits they have earned. Alternatively, if their school re-establishes approval with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and/or obtains accreditation with another federally recognized accrediting body, they may have the option to continue their education at their current institution.
Graduates from ACICS-accredited universities will not qualify for the STEM OPT Extension, and their applications will be automatically rejected. Additionally, degrees obtained from ACICS-accredited universities after August 19th will not be eligible for the H-1B advanced degree lottery (master's cap) and the I-140 petition for a green card under the advanced degree and professional classifications.
