Is AU closing?
The University’s Board of Trustees voted on Thursday, June 29, 2023 to halt educational offerings for the New York and Online locations of the University effective August 31, 2023. (Note: The branch campus in Puerto Rico has authorization from the Board of Trustees to continue teach-out operations through the end of December 2023, during which time it may pursue becoming an independent entity.)
What does this mean for recently active AU students?
Students that were actively enrolled at AU in Spring 2023 or Summer 2023 may apply to one of the colleges that the university has partnered with through a teach-out agreement. Some agreements are effective only for Fall 2023 admission and others allow for Spring 2024 admission or even later.
Please refer to the list of teach-out institutions as an option for pursuing your academic career: https://allianceu.edu/about-au/accreditations A shared Drive of teach-out arrangements by program was available to @allianceu.edu accounts through August 31, 2023 and is no longer accessible to students. It contained student notes on particular aspects of each teach-out agreement (e.g., waiver of application fee, limitations on the agreement, negotiation of tuition and financial aid, etc.) and drafted or finalized program equivalency charts.
The following options were offered and have now expired:
- Change your major to an associate degree or shorter graduate program to aid in graduating in August 2023 (expired July 21, 2023).
- Seek independent/guided studies for July/August to aid in graduating in August 2023 (registration expired July 13, 2023; assignment/grade completion expired August 25, 2023 with no option for incomplete, extensions, or grade changes).
- Submit intent to graduate in August 2023 (expired August 11, 2023).
- Submit CLEP credit to assist in program completion (expired August 25, 2023).
Guidance regarding transferring to teach-out institutions to complete a program:
- Will there be an admissions/transfer fair to help me apply elsewhere?
Representatives from most of the teach-out institutions were available virtually in July and August. The list was made available on page https://allianceu.edu/about-au/accreditations/ via the Student Transfer Info Sessions button; the button has now been disabled.
- Do I have to apply at the new school or am I automatically transferred?
AU students have to apply individually to the institution to which they wish to transfer. Application fees will be waived.
- Is admission guaranteed?
No. The admissions process has been streamlined on the basis of the teach-out agreements, but the agreements also require that students are in good standing academically, socially, and/or financially.
- Will all of my credits transfer to the new institution?
AU has signed teach-out agreements that streamline the acceptance and transfer of credits because the program equivalency charts correlate AU courses to that institution’s required courses. Some institutions and/or programs have stringent requirements for the graduate level, for licensure, for certification, or for accreditation that require certain grades or GPAs be maintained in order for the credits to apply toward degree. Specific information by program and teach-out institution was made available through a shared Drive, but that access expired August 31, 2023.
- Will tuition cost more at another institution? What about my scholarships?
AU has signed teach-out agreements that advocate for the least impact on tuition, fees, and the application of scholarships. In some cases, AU students will pay the same or less for the next one to five years (with predetermined annual increases). In some cases the financial arrangements are a different model but still beneficial for students. Specific information by program and teach-out institution was made available through a shared Drive, but that access expired August 31, 2023.
If scholarship monies are from outside sources (e.g., church grant or specific organization grant or employer credit), it is the student’s responsibility to notify those external sources to have the funding redirected from AU to the new school for the upcoming year.
- Will advisement services be available?
Counseling was made available through the end of August 2023 via the Advisement Center Success, via your department by contacting your Dean, Program Director/Department Chair, or your faculty advisor, and via Student Financial Services.
- Will counseling services be available?
Counseling services were made available to students in the NY/NJ area until August 25, 2023.
- Will tutoring services be available?
Tutoring were made available until August 25, 2023 in order to help assist students in independent studies.
- Who can help me with my writing for classes and transfer applications?
The Writing Center was made available through the end of August 2023. Tutoring was made available until August 25, 2023.
- How long will I have access to the library?
The Eastman Library was open until August 25, 2023.
What if I owe AU money? Do I still have to pay?
You can make an online payment via https://answers.allianceu.edu/financial-aid/make-a-payment-on-your-student-account to have the balance paid. In addition, Beyond Green Solutions will be calling students with outstanding bills for collection.
Be advised that a Town Hall Meeting occurred on Tuesday, August 8th, 2:00-4:00 pm, hosted by Student Financial Services via Zoom. The meeting addressed and answered any financial aid questions or concerns of students.
See also the response for the “Closed School Discharge” question at the end.
I made a deposit for the Fall 2023 semester. Will I get a refund?
The Student Financial Services Office will process and return all tuition deposits received from students who had intentions of enrolling at AU for the Fall 2023 semester. These refunds will be returned to the student either as check to the student (so please make sure we have your current address) or as a return to the government to directly reduce your loan.
How do I get a copy of my transcript?
Former students and alumni can order official transcripts via the Parchment link for Alliance University. Houghton University (One Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744) is the custodian for the permanent disposition of Alliance University student records available through Parchment. Use the link to request your transcript.
How do I get a copy of my student records?
Please see the transcript information in the previous question, as this is the primary academic student record.
Former students and alumni can request certain academic records from Houghton University (One Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744), which is the custodian of AU’s student records.
- Employment verification – Use the Parchment link for Alliance University
- Athletic medical records – Contact Houghton University’s Athletics Office (matthew.webb@houghton.edu)
- Counseling Center records – Contact Houghton University’s licensed therapist Bill Burrichter (bill.burrichter@houghton.edu)
- Student Financial Services records – Contact Houghton University’s Student Financial Services office (marianne.loper@houghton.edu)
- International Student records – Contact Houghton University’s Office of Student Life (kim.cockle@houghton.edu)
- Licensure verification – See response to the question “What does this mean for students in licensure/certification programs?” below.
How do I get enrollment verification?
Enrollment verifications can be ordered via the Parchment link for Alliance University. Houghton University (One Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744) is the custodian for the permanent disposition of Alliance University student records available through Parchment. Use the link to request your enrollment verification.
What does this mean for prospective AU students?
The withdrawal of accreditation by Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the subsequent end of educational offerings this August means that prospective students will have to be admitted to another institution in order to begin or continue their studies.
In many cases, prospective students are included in the teach-out agreements AU has collected. Please refer to the list of teach-out institutions as an option for pursuing your academic career: https://allianceu.edu/about-au/accreditations
What does this mean for Nyack College / AU alumni?
This means the end of an era, but not the end of the institution’s kingdom impact. Continue to seek ways to make a difference in the world.
Alumni can order official transcripts via the Parchment link for Alliance University. Houghton University (One Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744) is the custodian for the permanent disposition of Alliance University student records available through Parchment. Use the link to request your transcript..
What does this mean for athletes?
This varies by institution. Information about whether or not athletic try-outs were included in teach-out agreements was made available through a shared Drive, but that access expired August 31, 2023.
Many colleges said in the teach-out agreements that net tuition and fees would remain the same for at least the first year. So, it would be likely that the scholarship amount would be taken into consideration to offset tuition costs, though it might or might not be called an athletic scholarship specifically.
On June 27, 2023, in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.2, the Permission to Contact letter was sent by the Director of Athletics. In that letter, it states that Alliance University grants permission to contact any institution due to Alliance University ceasing athletics operations, effective immediately, as the following sport programs have been discontinued:
Men’s Sports: Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Baseball
Women’s Sports: Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Softball, Lacrosse
If you need access to your athletic medical records, please contact Houghton University’s Athletics Office (the custodian of Alliance University’s student-athlete records).
What does this mean for HEOP students?
Students who were enrolled in the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) can transfer to another school with HEOP, EOP, or SEEK support. Teach-out agreements have been signed with Mercy College and Queens College of the City University of New York in order to assist AU’s HEOP population. Specific information by program and teach-out institution was made available through a shared Drive, but that access expired August 31, 2023.
What does this mean for International students?
International students can transfer their I-20 to another school with SEVP Certification status. Most schools on the list of teach-out institutions are SEVP certified schools, though not all programs are offered in-person. International students are not limited to the schools with teach-out agreements. SEVP posts SEVP Certified schools on its website: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search.
Students on OPT under Alliance University will be transferred to OPT under Houghton University. Contact Kim Cockle in Houghton University’s Office of Student Life.
What does this mean for students in licensure/certification programs?
Students who were enrolled in licensure programs or certification programs have been addressed through the teach-out plan. Deans/Chairs/Directors selected programs that have the same or similar qualifications and program-level accreditations in order to meet the needs of students in licensure/certification programs. Specific information by program and teach-out institution was made available through a shared Drive, but that access expired August 31, 2023.
Alumni needing verifications for licensure in Mental Health Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, Social Work, and Nursing should contact Houghton University, the custodian of Alliance University’s student records.
- Marriage & Family Therapy – bill.burrichter@houghton.edu
- Mental Health Counseling – bill.burrichter@houghton.edu
- Nursing – jared.pemberton@houghton.edu
- Social Work – kevin.kettinger@houghton.edu
Alumni of teacher certification programs were already recommended in TEACH for NY State certification; Houghton cannot make recommendations for NY certification for AU alumni.
When will The Bay close? What if I stored belongings there?
The Bay closed at the end of July 2023.
- If you left belongings with people who were living in the dorm, make your own arrangements to collect your things from them.
- If you left belongings in the storage facility across the street, make your own arrangements to collect your things from that location.
How long will I have access to my @allianceu.edu account?
Access to email ended mid-September 2023.
How long will I have access to my e360 or Brightspace accounts?
E360 – Students access ended July 31, 2023; Faculty/staff access ended mid-September 2023.
Brightspace – Students access ended July 31, 2023; Faculty/staff access ended mid-September 2023.
How do I obtain a closed school discharge?
You may or may not be eligible for discharge of your federal student loan because of Alliance University’s closure. Loan discharge means that under certain circumstances your obligation to repay your loan may be removed. Please note that if you have already completed your program at Alliance University or if you are transferring to another institution to complete your program, you are NOT eligible for a loan discharge.
Please read the following information from studentaid.gov to understand whether or not you are eligible and the process for obtaining a discharge.
Source: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school
| Closed School Discharge
If your school closes while you’re enrolled or soon after you withdraw, you may be eligible for discharge of your federal student loan. Loan discharge is the removal of your obligation to repay your loan under certain circumstances. There are certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a closed school loan discharge; you must apply to get a discharge. It’s important for you to obtain your academic and financial aid records if your school closes, since you might need those records if you plan to attend another school or want your student loans discharged. Loan Discharge Criteria You may be eligible for a 100 percent discharge of your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, or Federal Perkins Loans if you were unable to complete your program because your school closed, and if
You are not eligible for discharge of your loans if your school closes and any of the following is true:
Loan Discharge Process If you meet the eligibility requirements for a discharge of loans you obtained to attend a school that closed, the Secretary will automatically send you an application you can submit to your loan servicer. Or, you can contact your loan servicer directly about the application process for getting your loan discharged. Be sure to continue to make payments on your loan while your discharge application is being processed. Find out what happens if your loan discharge is approved. Find out what happens if your loan discharge is denied. Automatic Closed School Loan Discharge If you meet the eligibility requirements for a closed school discharge of your loans obtained to attend a school that closed on or after Nov. 1, 2013, but before July 1, 2020, and you have not enrolled at another school that participates in the federal student aid programs within three years of the date your school closed, you will receive an automatic closed school discharge. This discharge will be initiated by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and you will be notified by your loan servicer. Although this closed school loan discharge is granted automatically after three years have passed since your school’s closure, nothing prevents you from applying for and receiving a closed school discharge as soon as your school’s official closure date is confirmed by ED. If you 1) attended a school that closed less than three years ago, 2) meet the eligibility requirements for a closed school discharge, and 3) want your loans discharged, contact your loan servicer about applying for a closed school discharge now instead of waiting for three years to receive an automatic closed school discharge. |
* Quotations and many of the questions were gleaned from https://www.msche.org/institutions/asa-college-frequently-asked-questions-faq/