Student Q&As
Keystone College is exercising its right to appeal the recent Adverse Action by its accreditor, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), to withdraw accreditation. While the final decision on that appeal is not expected until March or April 2025, Keystone College will remain accredited through the appeal process. Keystone College is not permitted to market to, recruit, or enroll new students during the appeal process. And, while Keystone is in the appeal process, MSCHE has notified Keystone that it must implement and make available the College’s Teach-Out Plan to interested students. Please bookmark this page http://1bi2.cnlawyer18.com/teach-out for information about Teach-Out plans.
Please submit questions to questions@cnlawyer18.com.
Student Questions and Answers
If I want to stay at Keystone College for the Spring 2025 semester, is there anything that I need to do?
Yes, if you have not already done so, please be sure that you speak with your academic advisor to register for classes for the Spring 2025 semester.
If I want to pursue leaving Keystone College for one of the Teach-Out Partner institutions, what do I need to do?
Please email questions@cnlawyer18.com to express your interest in speaking with a Keystone College counselor who will personally assist you with the next steps of this process to connect with one of the Teach-Out institutions.
When will Keystone College officially close?
At this time, Keystone College does not intend to close and will await the final decision by MSCHE on our appeal. Should that decision be unsuccessful, Keystone will provide you with the appropriate update.
Will there be a Class of 2025 Commencement? Will my degree from Keystone College be considered valid?
At this time, we do anticipate that there will be a Commencement ceremony in May 2025. However, this final determination will be made after MSCHE provides its decision after the anticipated March/April 2025 appeal hearing. However, we anticipate, that no matter what that final decision of the appeal turns out to be, favorable or unfavorable, that Keystone will be allowed to hold Commencement in May 2025. And, yes, your degree from Keystone College would be from an accredited college.
Can students continue to live on campus until Keystone closes? What will be the final date to move out of the residence halls?
Yes, as an accredited, operating college, residence students would continue to be permitted to live in campus housing.
I am a student worker on campus. Will my job continue for the Spring 2025 semester?
Yes, student workers from the Fall 2024 semester, who are enrolled for the Spring 2025 semester, would be eligible to continue as a student worker for the Spring 2025.
What should I do if a news reporter contacts me about the College’s announcement?
You are never obligated to talk with a reporter or the media. Please direct reporters to the President’s Office, to questions@cnlawyer18.com or 1-800-824-2764. You can also direct them to the Q&A pages on 1bi2.cnlawyer18.com/teach-out.
Completing My Degree/Diploma
What is the difference between a Teach-Out Institution and transferring?
Teach-Out Agreements entered into by Keystone College for its students typically include protections that exceed what non-partnering institutions typically provide. These include the following:
- Automatic admission of Keystone students in good academic standing (see more information below)
- Guaranteed acceptance of 100% successfully completed credits at Keystone College
- Guaranteed same time to degree completion – Students will be able to complete their degree in the same number of remaining semesters at the Teach-Out Institution as they would have at Keystone College.
- Comparable net tuition – Students will receive comparable financial aid packages so that the net tuition amount the student is expected to contribute to complete their degree will be the same (or less) as they would have had to pay at Keystone. While the scholarships may be packaged differently and with different names, the amounts will be comparable. Keystone students will not need to negotiate that process or be concerned about the Teach-Out Institution’s published “sticker” price.
Many institutions accept applications for transfer students, but the process may not be as seamless or have the same guarantees as with transitioning to a partnering Teach-Out Institution. Therefore, if a student is interested in leaving Keystone College and enrolling elsewhere, it is often in the best interest of students to transition to a designated Teach-Out Institution.
Will student accessibility services continue to be available to me to help me with this transition?
Keystone’s accessibility services will continue to support you throughout your academic transition process.
Teach-Out Information
So far Keystone College has negotiated Teach-Out Agreements with the institutions listed below this section. Keystone College will continue to negotiate additional Teach-Out Agreements as necessary and will post them as they are finalized.
FOR A LIST OF TEACH-OUT INSTITUTIONS SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT SECTION NAMED – TEACH-OUT INSTITUTIONS
Do I have to apply to the designated Teach-Out Institutions, or will I be automatically accepted?
You will need to complete a streamlined application, but you can also be assured that you will be automatically admitted to partner Teach-Out Institutions if you are in good standing (in most cases, a minimum GPA of 2.0) at Keystone College. You will not be required to pay an application fee or submit supplemental materials such as essays or letters of recommendation. Keystone College representatives can assist you in gaining access to your transcript and connect you with staff at the Teach-Out Institution(s) of your choice. They will arrange to talk with you about your degree progression (i.e., how many credits and requirements you have remaining).
If you are not in good academic standing, your advisor will help you think through ways that you might begin to improve your GPA.
What about my General Education requirements?
If you have already fulfilled your General Education requirements at Keystone College, then you will not have to re-take them at the designated Teach-Out Institution. In contrast, if you transfer to any other institution, that institution will determine which of your credits they will accept.
If you have not yet completed your General Education requirements, then staff at the Teach-Out Institution will review your transcript, determine which of your Keystone courses can fulfill that institution’s requirements, and communicate what courses you would still need to complete.
Will all of my academic credits recognized at Keystone automatically transfer to the Teach-Out Institutions?
Yes, this is one of the advantages of choosing a designated Teach-Out Institution. These institutions guarantee acceptance of all Keystone College academic credits earned.
Do the Teach-Out Institutions I am considering have my major or a close match?
While all of Keystone’s majors (or close matches) are available at one or more of the designated institutions, they may or may not offer more majors and academic offerings than we have at Keystone. Therefore, in some cases, the Teach-Out Institution may have a major that closely aligns with your particular area of interest. Please take time to review all of the Teach-Out Institution’s academic offerings.
How will my grade point average (GPA) be calculated by the Teach-Out Institutions? Will my GPA be a “start fresh” or will my Keystone College grades be calculated into a new GPA?
Your GPA calculation is subject to the Teach-Out Institution’s policies. In most cases students will most likely have a “start fresh” GPA at their new institution.
Will I graduate “on time” with a Teach-Out Institution?
Yes, one of the advantages offered by a Teach-Out Institution is that they guarantee the same time to degree completion. This means that students will need to complete the same number of semesters at the Teach-Out Institution as they would have at Keystone to finish their degrees.
If I already have transfer credits from other (non-KC) institutions, will they be accepted by the Teach-Out institution?
If your non-Keystone College credits were accepted by Keystone, they will be accepted by the Teach-Out Institution. If they were not accepted by Keystone, then we encourage you to discuss with the advisor at the Teach-Out Institution.
Are student-athletes invited to join sports teams at Teach-Out institutions?
Keystone can assist you with setting up meetings for interested athletes with coaches so that they can discuss athletic opportunities. For more information see Q&As for Student-Athletes.
Transfer Information
I am not interested in attending any of the Teach-Out Institutions. How do I apply to transfer to a college of my choice?
Keystone College advisors and coaches can work with you individually to assist you with this process. However, each student is responsible for their own admission and financial aid applications to transfer (non-teach-out) institutions.
If I am already a transfer student, how will my credits from other institutions be counted if I transfer again?
Each institution has its own transfer credit policies and will need to review your transcripts and decide what credits it will accept. Keystone College staff will assist you in interpreting the policies, but it is important to read them carefully and ask questions throughout the transfer process.
Information for International Students
What will happen to my I-20?
If you leave Keystone College for a Teach-Out Institution, you can work with your assigned counselor on what you need to do to process your I-20.
If you transfer to a non-partnering institution, you should work with their international transfer admission counselor or other designated contact to discuss what will be required by that institution.
Keystone College advisors will work with each International student to discuss their situation and assess their educational options.