General Closure
Will the university still hold commencement ceremonies for those students finishing prior to formal closure?
Spring 2020 Commencement ceremonies will continue as scheduled.
What will happen to the CU-P campus after the university closes?
The Northeast campus has been part of the Portland community for more than a hundred years. Upon closure, the University will return the Northeast property to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of our lenders, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. We expect they will seek a buyer for the 24-acre campus property.
Academic Records
What will happen to my academic records after closure?
Academic records will be preserved and accessible after CU-P closes. Records will be transferred to a custodian institution. Once the custodian institution is approved, we will update all students with detailed information. Additionally, the State of Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission will keep record of the custodian institution for ease of access to official transcripts in the future.
How do I obtain official transcripts and duplicate diplomas now – before the university’s closure?
Official transcripts and duplicate diplomas can be ordered online through the Office of the Registrar page on the Concordia University – Portland website.
Please Note: The fee associated for processing transcripts are simply to cover the cost of processing and printing on the official transcript paper stock, required by the Department of Education and expected by receiving institutions for document authenticity. If sending directly to a receiving institution, please consider sending electronically for a reduced fee, also assessed by our third-party transcript vendor. Unofficial transcripts are accessible on MyCU. Transcripts and duplicate diplomas can currently be requested through July 1, 2020.
How do I obtain unofficial transcripts today, for reference and transfer fairs?
You can find instructions for printing out your own transcripts on MyCU here. Unofficial transcripts are free to print.
How do I obtain official transcripts after the university closes?
Official transcripts and other information will also be accessible through a custodian institution. The university will provide this information as soon as it is available.
If I finish my degree after Spring 2020, what will my diploma say? Who will my degree be from?
Following the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester, students who have not completed all degree requirements will need to transfer to an alternate institution to complete their degree(s).
Will my graduation application fee be refunded due to the Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement?
The $100 graduation application fee is not impacted by commencement, the mode of delivery, or a graduate’s decision to participate in their applicable ceremony. The graduation application fee covers the administrative costs to award a student’s degree, resolve their academic record with the university and compliance reporting agencies, and for the printing and shipping of their decorative diploma for display. Payment of the fee is required for students to order official transcripts noting conferral of their degree and to receive their diploma.
Accreditation
What happens to the credits I have taken at CU-P?
Concordia University – Portland is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and will remain accredited until university closure. As a regionally accredited university, CU-P’s credits may be considered for transfer to an alternate regionally accredited institution.
Are my credits considered regionally accredited, even if the university is closed?
Yes.
Will my degree from CU-P still be considered valuable?
Yes, your degree from CU-P is still a valid degree with full regional accreditation.
Admitted Students Fall 2020
Admission deadlines at many schools have passed for the 2020-21 academic year. Did I miss the window to enroll somewhere else this fall?
We are working to partner with other schools to make special arrangements to admit impacted CU-P students. Your academic advisor can assist you in finding the best option. We will be hosting a number of open houses with potential transfer institutions. The schedule of transfer open houses will be posted.
Degree Completion
Does closure mean I won’t be able to complete my degree or certificate at Concordia University - Portland?
Students who have completed all degree requirements by the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester will be eligible for degree conferral at Concordia University – Portland (CU-P), once confirmed by the Office of the Registrar. Students who have not completed all degree requirements will be given extensive information outlining pathways towards successful degree completion with confirmed partnering institutions.
Please Note: Each student’s academic opportunities are unique and require thoughtful consideration. Students are encouraged to contact the Academic Advising and Student Support teams to schedule an appointment to discuss their options and upcoming events to support their future academic success towards degree completion.
Where can I complete my degree?
Each situation is unique, and our advising team is available to ensure your transition is supported. More information about partner institutions will be provided as it becomes available. Students may also choose to transfer to another school of their choice, and CU-P will work to make the transition smooth. We will be hosting a number of open houses with potential transfer institutions. More information to come in future weeks.
Will other institutions accept CU-P credits?
Transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
If I need to take time off from my studies, can I come back at a later date and still complete my degree even if the university is closing?
Spring 2020 semester will be our final comprehensive semester of academic instruction at CU-P.
What happens to coursework that I have Incomplete (I) or In Progress (IP) grades in?
Students need to complete all course requirements by the end of Spring 2020 semester. All outstanding assignments must be submitted to your instructor by April 24, 2020 for final grade submission. Students who are not able to complete by that deadline may have the option to petition for a late withdrawal. Academic advising can assist with determining the best course of action for your particular situation.
What is CU-P required to do to help students complete their programs? What is its “teach-out plan”?
CU-P is engaging with our accrediting body, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), to build a teach-out plan which includes a description of what we are doing to help students finish their programs. We will be working with NWCCU to ensure that we have a satisfactory teach-out plan. The teach-out plan will address students in each of Concordia’s academic programs.
Will my graduation application fee be refunded due to the Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement?
The $100 graduation application fee is not impacted by commencement, the mode of delivery, or a graduate’s decision to participate in their applicable ceremony. The graduation application fee covers the administrative costs to award a student’s degree, resolve their academic record with the university and compliance reporting agencies, and for the printing and shipping of their decorative diploma for display. Payment of the fee is required for students to order official transcripts noting conferral of their degree and to receive their diploma.
Financial Aid
I have a scholarship. Will I still continue to have that scholarship as I complete my degree at CU-P? What if I transfer elsewhere?
Yes, your scholarship will still be valid at CU-P through Spring 2020. Each student has a unique situation and the university will be providing financial and academic counseling to all impacted students on an individual basis.
Can I receive a full refund for my Spring term courses?
Concordia University - Portland will complete the scheduled spring term. Because we are teaching through the end of the Spring 2020 semester, our University withdrawal and payment policy will continue as posted on the website. Refunds are subject to the policies for early withdrawal, which may or may not result in a refund. Students who choose to withdraw prior to the completion of Spring term should check with Financial Aid on the impact to their student account.
Now that Concordia University – Portland has announced it will cease operations, what happens next with my federal student loans?
It is important to know about all of your student loans, including your loan debt, which schools the loans were borrowed from, and who your current loan servicer is. A loan servicer is the agency that is responsible for collecting payments on your loans.
You can find all your federal student loan information by accessing the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You can log-in by using your FSA User ID and qualifying personal identification information.
How do I find out who my loan servicer is?
When you log into NSLDS, you will see a list of every federal loan you have received. Each loan will be assigned to a loan servicer. When you click on the “Servicer” link, the NSLDS website will bring up the contact information for that servicer.
Where can I find more information about the terms of my loans and repayment options?
Visit the federal student loans website. At this site, you can complete “Loan Exit Counseling” and view “Repayment Calculators”
Can I transfer my financial aid from Concordia University - Portland to another institution?
No, financial aid does not transfer from one school to another. However, you can apply for financial aid at another school by adding the new school to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. It is at the discretion of the new institution to determine what aid you will qualify for.
If you’re applying to a different institution?
Update your FAFSA, and include the new institution in the section for Colleges.
Now that Concordia University – Portland has announced it will cease operations; do I have to repay the loans I borrowed while enrolled at CU-P?
There are many different criteria including if you transfer credits to another institution to complete your degree, and if you were enrolled at the closed institution within 120 days of its closure. The federal student aid website contains a lot of information to answer these questions.
If you do not intend to complete your education via a teach-out or transfer, consult the following page on the federal student aid website. You may receive further information directly from the Department of Education in the coming months.
Housing
If I live in Campus Housing, what does this mean?
On-Campus housing will operate normally through the Spring 2020 semester with standard check-out processes occurring during finals week. Students who are typically approved for late-stay by staff/coaches and approved by Housing & Residence Life (i.e. – student athletes playing in spring season or post-season) will be allowed to stay in housing into May 2020 as needed and approved. Housing & Residence Life staff will be available to support you throughout this time period. Housing will officially close after this period.
I’ve paid a deposit for housing next year. Will that deposit be returned?
Yes, all deposits for future terms and future housing will be refunded. Refunds will begin processing on March 12, 2020.
Law School
What is the status of the Concordia University- Portland law school in Boise?
Concordia University, St. Paul has reached an agreement with Concordia University – Portland to become Concordia University School of Law’s new parent institution—a deal that will provide the law school, students, faculty, and staff financial and institutional stability and preserve the legacy established by Concordia University-Portland leaders more than a decade ago.
There were multiple interested parties, why did you choose CU- St. Paul?
Concordia University, St. Paul is an excellent fit with the law school’s mission, values and commitment to providing affordable, high-quality legal education for the next generation of servant leaders.
What are the financial parameters of the agreement?
As a private institution we can’t disclose that at this time. What we can tell you is that we are committed to the existing program of legal education and Concordia Law continuing with business as usual, particularly with respect to staffing, tuition and fees, scholarships, and the 2020-21 academic calendar.
What does this mean for the closure of CU- Portland?
This agreement has no impact on the transition plan for CU-Portland. We remain committed to working with each member of the faculty and staff and all students on the best possible outcome.
Student Athletes
Will athletic teams continue to compete throughout Spring 2020?
Yes. All winter & spring sports will complete their 2020 season/post-season. All fall sports will cease team activities immediately, but student-athletes can continue to train & use athletic facilities throughout the semester. Coaches and athletic staff will work to assist student-athletes identity other opportunities to continue your athletic & academic careers
Do I need to request to be entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal?
No, all CU Student-Athletes were entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal on February 11, 2020.
Will my transfer tracer remain in the NCAA Transfer Portal after the Concordia University, Portland Campus closes?
Yes, information on all CU Student-Athletes will remain on the Transfer Portal until the individual has matriculated to a new institution and moved on to the next school.
How will my new institution get the eligibility information they need?
All the information needed on eligibility is included on the Transfer Tracer that was created in the portal on February 11, 2020. These transfer tracers will be completed in the portal by April 1, with information through the start of the Spring 2020 semester. Once the term completes at the end of April, the transfer tracer located in the portal will be updated to reflect the Spring 2020 semester grades.
Can I talk with coaches at other colleges or reach out to other college coaches?
Yes, CU Student-Athletes can talk to other coaches and sign aid agreements with other schools starting February 10, 2020. Permission to contact has been granted, but as per Bylaw 13.1.1.2.5 it is not necessary.
For more information about "Red-Shirt" Verification, Hardship Waivers, Medical Documentation/Physicals, Season of Competition Waivers, and Suggested Action Items for Concordia University Student-Athletes, download this fact sheet.
Student Services
I have disability accommodations at CU-P. Do I have to go through the same application process when I transfer to another institution?
Because each institution has different processes in place, it will be up to that institution to guide you on specifics. You may request copies of your disability accommodations at CU-P.
Will student services be available to me, such as academic advising or career services?
The university is working hard to support all impacted students. Academic advising, career services, and financial counseling will be staffed through the end of the Spring 2020 term to ensure that you have time to make all necessary arrangements. We will hold several academic and financial sessions during the weeks ahead. Dates and times will be posted soon.
Resources
What will happen to books that are housed in the online bookstore? Will I lose access to them after spring term ends?
Books will still be accessible after closure. You can access your books by logging into VitalSource.com or using the VitalSource Bookshelf app. Keep in mind that some books have an expiration date and do not have perpetual access. For books that do have perpetual access, you can download them for offline access. They are usually only accessible online for the first year, then should be accessed offline. For support, see https://get.vitalsource.com/contact-us.
Veterans Affairs
Will I owe the VA money back if I withdraw/drop my course(s)?
If the course(s) you are dropping has yet to start, then no, you will not owe the VA any money. If you are withdrawing from course(s) that have already started and are past the add/drop period, please contact Vets@cu-portland.edu or call 503-493-6215 to discuss your situation.
If I transfer will I be able to receive benefit time back from the VA?
Currently the department of VA is determining the process of appeal for return of benefit time. If you have individual questions place contact Josh Grover or stop by the VRC from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For information regarding continued access to technology services, check out this IT FAQ page. Below are some of the questions answered on this page.
How long will I have access to my Concordia Portland Login / Office 365 E-mail account?
How long will I have access to my course materials in Blackboard?
As a resident student, can I forward my mail after the closure?
For information regarding library collections and services, check out this FAQ page.
Important Note:
For the most accurate, up-to-date information about the closure, please see cu-portland.edu and your preferred email account, where we will be sending pertinent communication.