What's next for Lincoln College students?

From news reports
·7 min read

Students at Lincoln College were stunned by the news of the school closing at the end of the 2022 semester. Information taken from the Lincoln College web page is answering some of the questions that students may have regarding the closure. School officials have provided the following information and ask students to check their student email frequently for important announcements

Does closure mean I won't be able to complete my degree at Lincoln College?

Only students who can complete all degree requirements by the close of spring semester 2022 are eligible to complete their degree at Lincoln College.

Will I be able to complete the classes that I am currently taking this semester/term?

Yes, students may complete the classes in which they are currently enrolled. Future courses will not be available at Lincoln College.

Will academic and student services continue while I complete my classes?

Yes, the same services and resources offered now will continue until the end of the spring 2022 semester.

Will there be honors and commencement ceremonies in May 2022?

Yes. The honors and commencement ceremonies will take place as scheduled on Saturday, May 7, 2022. The Honors Ceremony will take place at 9 a.m., and the Commencement Ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are required for admission to the Commencement Ceremony. More information and future updates regarding Commencement will be made available through the Canvas group.

Will I be able to live on campus this summer?

The College will officially close at the end of the spring 2022 semester. All residential and dining services will close as well. As is the case each year, students not graduating must move off-campus after their last final exam. Graduating students must move out of the residence halls immediately following the commencement ceremony.

What happens to the credits I have taken at Lincoln College?

All credits earned at Lincoln College are valid even after the College has closed. The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredited Lincoln College, and credits will be considered for transfer by any other regionally accredited institution.

What happens to my academic records after closure?

Academic records will be preserved and accessible after Lincoln College closes. Records will be transferred to a custodian institution which is still to be determined. More information regarding academic records and how to access them after the closure will be made available through the Registrar’s webpage as details are finalized.

Will my Lincoln College degree still be considered valid after the College closes?

Yes. The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredited Lincoln College, and employers and other colleges/universities will recognize your degree as a valid degree with full regional accreditation.

Will Lincoln College assist me in finding another college to attend for next year?

Yes. The college will invite colleges to come to the campus to meet with students and answer questions about the next steps. An on-campus college fair will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the Lincoln Center. The college is working on a virtual college fair for ABE and graduate students.

I am an incoming student. How do I receive a refund for my enrollment and housing deposits?

The college will process enrollment and housing refunds for fall 2022 incoming students as soon as possible.

I am a student-athlete. Will I be able to compete at another college next year?

The college will notify NAIA of their closure and invite coaches from other colleges and universities to consider recruiting you to play on their team next year. There are no guarantees as athletic recruitment is competitive. However, the college will do everything they can to help students find the next college/university.

I am an international student. What will happen to my I-20 now that the College is closing?

Your I-20 with Lincoln College is valid through the end of the spring semester. For those who plan to attend a college/university in the United States next year, see Valerie or Jason in the Admissions Office to discuss transferring your I-20 to another college.

I am using a college laptop this semester; can I keep it?

No. The college laptops must be returned in accordance with the laptop policy that was signed at checkout. There will be details regarding laptop returns in the coming weeks. To avoid charges for the laptop, be sure to return the college laptops in good condition at the scheduled times at the end of the semester.

Will I still receive a HERFF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) check this spring?

Yes, students that received a HERFF check in the fall and are enrolled during the spring semester will receive a check during the spring semester.

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How will I be able to obtain an official transcript?

Until May 13, 2022, you may order and receive a transcript in this manner. Ordering is available 24 hours a day through the online form: https://secure.studentclearinghouse.org/tsorder/schoolwelcome?ficecode=00170900

Delivery options are available to:

  • Send a PDF copy electronically (Only available through National Student Clearinghouse; please ensure that you are entering email address information appropriate to your intended recipient.)

  • Hold for Pick-Up at the Registrar's Office

  • First Class mailing via USPS

  • Order updates will be emailed to you. You can also track your order online.

  • Fees may vary between $7.50 and $9.25 depending on delivery options selected

  • After May 13, 2022, academic records will be transferred to a custodian institution which is to be determined.

Since Lincoln College is closing, do I have to pay any balance owed on my account at the College?

Yes, for students who are enrolled this semester, will still owe tuition, fees, room, and board. Students are responsible for paying for the services at Lincoln College for this academic year. Students must pay off the account before receiving an official transcript from Lincoln College.

More: Employed by Lincoln College? What to know about your employment amid the college's closure

I am overwhelmed and need someone to talk to about this news

Lincoln College has partnered with TalkCampus to offer 24/7 support for students.Visit https://www.talkcampus.io/. Also, the College will host professional counselors on campus to meet with students and employees over the next few weeks. Please reach out to anyone on staff if you need to talk.

Lincoln College recently held its first Hooding Ceremony for graduate students. The formal event marked the first time since 1919 Lincoln College has honored master’s degree candidates. Sixteen students from the graduating cohort will be hooded for their completion of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership or Master of Business Administration degrees.

I worked on campus in 2022. How will I receive my tax information (W2, ACA, 1099, etc)?

Tax information will be mailed to each employee or contractor per the address on record by January 31, 2023. If you address changes, email your new contact information to lcbusinessoffice@lincolncollege.edu. More information is forthcoming.

Student Loan Information

I have federal student loans, and my school is closing. What happens next?

There are many issues involving student loans if a student's school closes before they complete their degree. First, it is important to know about all of the student loans, including the loan debt, which schools the loans were borrowed from, and who your current loan servicer is (the agency that is responsible for collecting payments on your loans).

Students can find all of the federal student loan information by accessing the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at https://nslds.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

Students can access the site using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) User ID and qualifying personal identification information.

Who is my loan servicer? How do I find that out?

When students log into NSLDS, they will see a list of every federal loan they have received. Each loan will be assigned to a loan servicer. Usually, they try to keep all of your loans with one servicer. If you click on the "servicer" link, the website will bring up the contact information for that servicer.

Where can I find more information on the terms of my loans and repayment options?

Go to the federal student loans website by visiting https://studentaid.gov/. At this site, the student can complete "loan exit counseling" and view "repayment calculators."

Since Lincoln College is closing, do I have to repay the loans I borrowed while attending the College?

There are many different criteria including if students transfer credits to another school to complete the degree, and if they were enrolled at the closed school within 120 days of its closure. The following link to the federal student aid site has information for students. It answers many different questions a student may have:

https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school

Whom can I speak to if I have further questions?

For questions concerning Academics, please get in touch with Vice President Donna Bradley at donna.bradley@lincolncollege.edu or 217-735-7275.

For questions concerning Student Affairs and Student Services, please contact Vice President Susan Boehler at sboehler@lincolncollege.edu or 217-735-7227.

This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Students seek answers on the closing of their college