Clinton College under review by its accrediting monitor, association says
Clinton College is under review by its accreditation agency amid recent financial and payroll problems, the agency told The Herald.
Timothy Eaton, the president of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, said the agency is following federal regulations after Clinton reported its financial issues in June.
Federal regulations require accrediting agencies to evaluate an institution’s “fiscal capacity,” according to the U.S. Congress.
Clinton has been dealing with “severe cash-flow issues” due to funding shortages and delayed reimbursements, The Herald reported June 23.
The college’s 86 faculty and employees have had delayed payroll and deactivated medical insurance.
Eaton said Clinton will maintain its accreditation throughout the review process, which will include a campus visit by the association.
The Herald has reached out to Clinton College for comment about the review process.
Eaton said the status of Clinton’s accreditation will be determined by the association’s accreditation commission, which is a 17-member board.
He added that Clinton will have the opportunity to respond to any findings and appear in front of the accreditation committee before a decision is made.
More about the accrediting organization
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a non-profit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that promotes and develops Christian post-secondary institutions, according to its website.
There are 109 colleges and universities accredited by the association, including some institutions outside the U.S.
Clinton has been accredited by the organization since 2003, according to its membership directory.
Its accreditation was reaffirmed in 2023, which is valid for 10 years.
What if Clinton loses accreditation?
Colleges who lose accreditation are unable to distribute federal financial aid, like Pell grants or direct loans. Credits from unaccredited colleges are also generally not recognized by other universities.
As a historically Black college, Clinton is a recipient of Title III funding, which is federal money intended for HBCUs.
Federal aid is distributed to 87% of Clinton students, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Colleges and universities are often stripped of accreditation, or investigated by accreditors, due to financial problems.
Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte was placed on probation by its accreditor last June due to problems with “financial responsibility,” The Charlotte Observer reported.
Concord’s Barber-Scotia College lost accreditation in 2004, and has been fighting to regain it ever since.
