You've worked hard to get into college. You are continuing that hard work as you pursue your degree. And, of course, you are spending a significant amount of money on your tuition to ultimately achieve a degree. So, what happens if your school loses its accreditation?

It's not an impossibility. Just this year, Bay State College, a for-profit institution in Massachusetts, learned, despite appealing an earlier decision made by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), it would lose its accreditation.

What Is Accreditation – And Why Does It Matter?

Accreditation is an important bona fide for colleges and universities. Schools are only granted this designation if they can prove to non-governmental organizations like NECHE, as well as federal and state government agencies, that it can provide students with a high-quality education based on widely-accepted standards. When schools lose their accreditation, they not only lose their reputation in the greater educational and regional communities. They also can lose their ability to distribute financial aid to students.

This can impact students in several ways. First, a degree from a non-accredited college or university is simply not as valuable as one from an accredited school. Future employers or graduate schools will worry you lack the knowledge and skills that you may have gotten at an accredited school. Second, if you attend an unaccredited school that cannot disperse federal or state financial aid dollars, you are likely looking at paying more for a degree that is worth less. Finally, if you have only started school, there's no guarantee that your unaccredited college or university will still be open by the time you are due to graduate. Between the hits to reputation and funding, it's incredibly hard for unaccredited schools to remain open. Most expect Bay State College to close within the year.

Protect Your Educational Investment

If you are a student whose college has lost its accreditation, you may be sad, worried, or even angry. You may wonder what to do next – or how to make sure you don't throw good money after bad trying to complete your degree. An Attorney-Advisor likeJoseph D. Lento, and the Lento Student Defense Team, can help. The Lento Law Firm has vast experience working with for-profit colleges and universities. They understand the ins and outs of how these schools operate – and how to make sure students' rights are protected no matter what situation they may be facing.

When you retain Attorney-Advocate Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Student Defense Team, they can help you determine your next steps. Your now unaccredited school may have protocols and procedures in place to help you finish your degree elsewhere. They can also determine whether your school should be returning any of your tuition dollars to help you do so.

Don't let your school's problems affect your dreams. To learn more about how we can help you, contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Student Defense Team at (888) 535-3686 today.