Student FAQ

Former Students

For questions concerning Student Affairs and Student Services, please contact Vice President Susan Boehler at [email protected] or 217-735-7227.

Illinois Attorney General Helpline - 1-800-455-2456

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

Only students who could complete all degree requirements by the close of spring semester 2022 were 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, you may complete the classes in which you are currently enrolled. Future courses will not be available at Lincoln College.

Will there be honors and commencement ceremonies in May 2022?

Lincoln College held honors and commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Will I be able to live on campus this summer?

The College officially closed at the end of the spring 2022 semester. All residential and dining services have ended.

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

All credits earned at Lincoln College are valid after closure. The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredited Lincoln College, and credits are 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 the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

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.

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

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

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 of 2022.

You may contact SEVIS at https://egov.ice.gov/sevis or 1-800-892-4829 for assistance with your I-20.

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

Federal and state grantors graciously approved the retention of laptops by students, if they were purchased with grant funds. Eligible students should have received a notification from Information Technology and may pick up laptops no later than June 30, 2022.

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 were enrolled during the spring semester received a check during the spring semester.

How will I be able to obtain an official transcript?

Lincoln College is still fulfilling transcript requests. We have not yet identified the date when the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will become the official custodian of transcripts. It will likely transition in June.

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

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

Yes, if you were enrolled in the spring semester 2022, you still owe tuition, fees, room, and board. You are responsible for paying for the services at Lincoln College for this academic year. You must pay off your account before receiving an official transcript from Lincoln College.

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 your address changes, email your new contact information to [email protected].

Will Lincoln College help me pay fees at my new institution?

Students can request financial assistance from Lincoln College for housing and enrollment deposits or application fees associated with the transfer process. *Fees will be covered on a first-come-first-serve basis as funds are limited. Please click HERE to apply.

What will happen to my student health files?

As of May 27, 2022, student health and personal counseling records are in Lincoln Memorial Hospital’s Department of Health Information Management custody at 217-605-5570. Please contact LMH if you need access to your health or counseling records.

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 your student loans, including your 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).

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

You 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 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. 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, you 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 you transfer credits to another school to complete your degree, and if you 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

How do I discharge my student loans since Lincoln College is closing?

Loan discharge is the removal of your obligation to repay your loan under certain circumstances. There is certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a closed school loan discharge; you must apply.

For more information, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website at https://www.isbe.net/.

Whom can I speak with if I have further questions?

For questions concerning Academics, please get in touch with Vice President Donna Bradley at [email protected] or 217-735-7275.