"Unless they find another accreditor within 18 months, three higher education institutions in Virginia could lose their ability to offer federal aid after a recent decision terminated the federal government’s recognition of their accrediting agency. 

This August the U.S. Department of Education terminated the certification of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools after it “failed to demonstrate it could effectively evaluate, monitor and enforce quality standards for schools.”

ACICS had certified dozens of institutions nationally, including Virginia campuses of the University of North America, Stratford University, Fairfax University of America and California University of Management and Sciences.

The impact of ACICS’ loss of recognition in Virginia 'will not be very large, but three schools will need to find another accreditor,' wrote Joe DeFilippo, director of academic affairs for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in an email," reports Virginia Mercury.

 Photo: Students at Stratford University campuses in Virginia are concerned about the costs and challenges if they lose their credits as the institution is set to close on Friday. (Getty Images / ferrantraite)