Education Department terminates federal recognition of for-profit college accreditor

The Obama administration on Thursday terminated the federal recognition of the nation’s largest accreditor of for-profit colleges — a rare move that could ultimately jeopardize the ability of hundreds of schools to access federal student aid.

The decision against the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which is likely to be appealed, was based on Education Department findings that the organization failed to properly monitor and discipline the colleges it oversees.


ACICS will now have 30 days to file an appeal directly to Education Secretary John B. King Jr., who on Wednesday pledged to resolve such an appeal “quickly.”