Understanding accreditation is complicated. Why bother? Two reasons.

First: Financial aid. Students who attend schools that are not accredited are not eligible to apply for Pell Grants. Pell is a federally funded program that provides low-income students free money, no strings attached, for college. It is not a loan. That is your best route. Even if you don’t qualify for Pell, you most likely qualify for federally subsidized student loans. If your school is not accredited, you will not be entitled to subsidized loans. How do you know if your school of choice is accredited? If your school’s admissions or financial aid office suggest private student loans or income share agreements (ISAs), then they are not accredited and you could potentially lose out on federal help.

Second: You may end up with a degree that employers do not accept and credits that do not transfer to another college.

Tens of thousands of students were left with massive amounts of debt, no transferable credits, and no degrees or certificates when hundreds of for-profit and career colleges closed their doors. Tens of thousands of students were left to an uncertain future.

There are thousands of “accrediting” bodies. The pertinent issue for students is whether or not the US Department of Education recognizes them. The Council for Higher Education*
is an excellent resource. It has a database of more than 7,700 accredited colleges and universities and nearly 19,000 accredited programs and links to their accreditors. You can check to see if an institution is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Another good resource is the Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs*.

What if I decide to get a bachelor’s degree? 

The good news is that most two-year community and technical colleges are accredited, especially those which are publicly funded. If you are taking courses from those institutions, you will have fewer worries in transferring credits. Many community colleges already have articulation agreements in place which provide for the transfer of an entire prescribed program of study to a four-year university.

And don’t forget that accreditation also ensures the quality of the faculty.  By holding an institution accountable in terms of faculty credentials and education levels, students benefit.

Remember, an investment in your education is an investment in your future—and you want to ensure that your education will pay off in your long-term future.

*Resources: https://www.chea.org, https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home

Tip: Remember that online colleges can provide the same credentials as on-campus schools. Be sure to check their accreditation.

7 RED Flags that reveal a college is not accredited by the US Department of Education:

1. Students are not eligible for Pell Grants, GI Benefits or other federal financial aid.
2. The “accrediting agency” for the institution is not listed as a recognized agency by the US Department of Education.
3. Your credits do not transfer to a four-year college.
4. The college does not qualify for employer tuition assistance.
5. There is evidence of numerous student complaints about educational quality.
6. Credits are awarded for very little work.
7. The institution has a name that is very similar to a well-known college or university.