As of August 19, 2022, the US Department of Education nolonger recognizes the accreditation of institutions by the Accrediting Councilfor Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
On November 1, 2022, the USCIS explained in a News Alert how this loss of recognition willaffect the following immigration-related student programs:
- 24-Month STEM OPT Extension Program
- USCISwill issue a denial to any F-1 student filing a Form I-765 STEM OPT extensionif:
- TheSTEM degree that is the basis for the STEM OPT extension was obtained from acollege or university that was accredited by ACICS; and
- Thestudent’s DSO recommendation for a STEM OPT extension, as indicated on FormI-20, is dated on or after August 19, 2022 (the date when ACICS ceased to berecognized as an accrediting agency).
- STEM-OPTstudents whose Forms I-20 have a DSO recommendation date prior to August 19,2022 are not affected.
- H-1B Master’s CAP Eligibility and I-140 AdvancedDegree/Professional Eligibility
- Students who obtain theirdegree after August 19, 2022 from an institution that is solelyaccredited by ACICS may NOT use that degree to qualify for the H-1B Master’sCAP or to qualify for an I-140 petition filed under the advanced degree andprofessional classifications.
- If astudent’s degree was conferred prior to August 19, 2022 from anACICS-accredited school, that degree may still be used to qualify for the H-1BMaster’s CAP or to qualify for an I-140 petition filed under the advanceddegree and professional classifications, as long as all other requirements aremet.
- H-1B CAP Exemption/ACWIA Fee Exemption
- Aninstitution accredited solely by ACICS no longer qualifies for an exemptionfrom the H-1B cap or the ACWIA fee, unless the institution is exempt on anotherbasis.
ACICS’s website provides a list of institutions currentlyaccredited by ACICS.