Frequently Asked Questions

Trinity will cease academic operations at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. Trinity will continue to offer a full course schedule, housing, and meal plans through the end of the spring 2026 semester.

Like many small, private universities across the country, we have been financially impacted by fast-evolving economic and cultural realities: post-Covid financial losses; persistent operating deficits; a decline in college enrollment and increased competition for students; and a shift in donor giving and financial circumstances. Unfortunately, after reviewing assessments from financial and higher education advisors, and following a period of intense and prayerful deliberation and discernment, Trinity’s Board of Trustees has determined there is no path toward long-term sustainability for our beloved institution.

Trinity’s Board of Trustees, along with financial and higher education advisors, evaluated multiple options, including significant programmatic changes, strategic partnerships, and the like. Ultimately, it was determined that these and other alternatives were insufficient to overcome the College’s deficit and allow the College to sustain its mission of providing a student-centered, high-quality education rooted in the Reformed tradition.

Trinity Christian College is looking forward to hosting the Spring 2026 Commencement on May 8, 2026. Furthermore, all degrees conferred by the College at any time will always be valid because Trinity Christian College has been fully accredited throughout the time of degree conferral.

We have worked diligently to ensure that students not eligible for degree completion this academic year have access to teach-out institutions who can provide a smooth as possible transition for you to complete your degree, on a similar timeline and at a similar cost. View this document for the most up-to-date information about teach-out agreements and institutions.

Teach-out institutions work directly with Trinity, so they are able to provide enhanced credit, tuition, and degree-completion protections that students typically would not receive from institutions outside the agreement. These include the following:

• Automatic admission for current Trinity students in good academic standing
• Credit transfer and time to degree aligned so students can finish in roughly the same timeframe as they would have at Trinity
• Comparable out-of-pocket costs, with financial aid structured to ensure similar net pricing, without students needing to negotiate or worry about the listed “sticker price”

Trinity will provide individualized and group advising sessions for academic services, financial aid, and transfer processes. The Chief Academic Officer and Associate Vice Presidents will hold at least two academic forums to ensure students have access to procedures, plans, and a platform to ask in-person questions about the provisional teach-out plan and transfer institutions. Faculty advisors will be available to ensure students have the resources and knowledge to understand their individual academic plans, graduation requirements, and transfer opportunities.

Financial aid and student billing staff will be available to ensure students have the resources and knowledge of their financial packages, billing, federal loans, discharge, and state refund process.

Trinity will provide a dedicated transfer team to ensure students understand the transfer process, teach-out agreements, and transfer agreements. Please reach out to questions@trnty.edu with the subject line, “Transfer Team Question,” to connect with this team.

You will still need to complete a simplified, school-specific application, but if you are in good academic standing, you are guaranteed automatic admission and credit transfers to our teach-out institutions.

Yes, this is one of the advantages of choosing a designated teach-out institution. These institutions guarantee acceptance of all Trinity academic credits earned.

We have worked hard, and will continue to work, to ensure students in all academic programs have a teach-out institution to which they can transfer. Please refer to this document as the list of teach-out and transfer institutions continues to grow.

Trinity's faculty advisors or transfer team will work with you one-on-one to help identify the institution that best fits your goals. While every college has its own application process that you must follow, Trinity staff will be available to guide and support you along the way. You can connect with the transfer team by emailing questions@trnty.edu or calling 708.239.4770. However, students are ultimately responsible for submitting their own admission and financial aid applications to their chosen transfer institutions.

We welcome all former students to return and complete any outstanding credits during the spring 2026 semester. Please reach out to the registrar’s office at registrar@trnty.edu for more information.

This depends on the transfer or teach-out institution; students should check with their intended school for information specific to their situation.

Yes, we are working diligently to ensure students have the best Trinity experience possible during their final semester.

Yes, student meal plans will be available through the spring semester, in accordance with Trinity Christian College policies.

Yes, students will continue their co-op, internship, and Earn Network Learn (ENL) programs through the spring semester, in accordance with Trinity Christian College policies.

Current students will be allowed to continue living in the dorms until the end of the spring semester, in accordance with Trinity Christian College policies. Official move-out dates will be communicated as soon as they are available.

Student workers will be allowed to continue working in their current job as long as that role is needed. Where possible and necessary, Trinity will work to find another suitable job on campus for students, though we cannot guarantee a position.

Trinity will continue to provide students with necessary services to ensure their academic success and well-being.

You will have access to individualized academic advising, Trinity’s counseling center, and student life and campus ministries staff for personal support through this transition.

Trinity has worked diligently to ensure students have access to teach-out institutions that will provide comparable out-of-pocket costs, ensuring financial aid is structured to provide similar net pricing, without students needing to negotiate or worry about the listed “sticker price.”

If you transfer to an institution with whom Trinity does not have a teach-out agreement, then you will need to work with that institution on your financial aid package.

No. You will not need to pay any of the Trinity scholarships, grants, or aid.

While Trinity will not pay for visits to other schools, Trinity will be hosting teach-out and transfer institutions at on-campus college fairs for no cost.

If you have already filed your 2026-2027 FAFSA, you do not need to submit a new application. You can visit StudentAid.gov to make changes to your filed application, including adding the school code for the new school

Students remain responsible for any federal or state loans borrowed while attending Trinity. If you transfer or enroll at a teach-out institution, your new school will report your continued enrollment, but you should still follow up with your loan servicer to ensure your status is updated correctly. If you take more than a six-month break from enrollment, your student loans may enter repayment. For more details, visit StudentAid.gov or contact your loan servicer directly.

Taking more than a six-month break could cause student loans to go into repayment. Please refer to StudentAid.gov or your loan servicer for additional information regarding student loans.

Loan discharge is the removal of a student’s obligation to repay student loans under certain circumstances. There are certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a closed school loan discharge, and students must apply. Additional information can be found at StudentAid.gov.

Closed School Loan Discharge Applications must be sent to the loan servicer(s), not Trinity Christian College. To find out the appropriate loan servicer, log into My Federal Student Aid or call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243; TTY for the hearing impaired 1.800.730.8913).

Be sure to continue to make payments while the discharge application is being processed. If a student does not meet the criteria for a loan discharge, they will be informed by the loan servicer(s) and must continue making payments on their loans based on the terms of their promissory note.

US Department of Education Resources:

• Student Loan Repayment Questions: https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
• Federal Loan Forgiveness: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
• Closed Information: Available for Direct Loans, FFEL Program loans, and Perkins Learn about the eligibility requirements for closed school discharge and how to apply: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school

For information about your federal student aid history and your remaining eligibility for certain federal student aid programs, log in and visit your My Aid page at StudentAid.gov.  When enrolling in a new institution, please contact that school’s financial aid office to determine your financial aid eligibility.

You will need to contact your private lender to discuss your options. 

Yes, you are legally required to pay any balance due as posted to your student bill.

Students who are eligible to receive a 1098-T will receive their final documents from Trinity Christian College through ECSI, Trinity Christian College’s contracted third-party service provider for the current academic year.

No, you will not receive refunds for courses in progress, already completed, or other charges posted to your student bill

Yes, you can still graduate on time, if you are on track to complete your degree requirements by the end of the spring 2026 semester. If you are not on track to complete your degree requirements by the end of the spring 2026 semester, you can graduate on the same academic timeline at a teach-out institution. One of the advantages offered by a teach-out institution is that they guarantee the same time to degree completion. This means that you will need to complete the same number of semesters at the teach-out institution as you would have at Trinity to finish your degree.

Prior to closure, you can request a replacement or duplicate diploma by emailing diplomas@trnty.edu during the 2025-2026 academic year.  Calvin University will serve as the primary record holder for Trinity Christian College upon closure. Students will be able to access all student records by contacting Calvin and following university policy and procedures. 

Prior to closure, student transcripts will be available for request through Parchment. For more information, click here . Upon closure, you will be able to access all student records by contacting Calvin University and following university policy and procedures. 

Prior to closure, you can request degree verification from the National Student Clearinghouse. For more information, click here. Upon closure, degrees can be verified through Calvin University. 

Trinity’s closure will not change a student athlete's eligibility. Student athletes will only be charged eligibility for the seasons in which they competed based on NAIA eligibility rules. 

Student athletes who transfer to one of our teach-out institutions will have their out-of-pocket tuition costs remain the same, based on the parameters of each teach-out agreement. While the out-of-pocket cost will remain the same, the scholarship awarded by the receiving institution may not have the same scholarship name or type. 

We are planning that all Trinity athletics will continue as scheduled for the remainder of their 2025-2026 seasons. Any changes to this plan will be communicated as quickly as possible. 

Student athletes who wish to inquire about competing at one of the teach-out institutions should contact the athletic department at that institution. Each teach-out institution will decide whether Trinity student athletes will be invited to be part of their program. We recommend student athletes work with their Trinity coach(es) to help navigate this process. 

F1 visas will transfer to eligible institutions in accordance with SEVIS policies and procedures. 

Transferring your SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record means that your F-1 visa status will move from your current SEVP-certified school to your new school without ending your F-1 status. You will not need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again or apply for a new visa (as long as your current visa is still valid).

You may transfer your SEVIS record if you:

• Are currently in active F-1 status at a SEVP-certified institution
• Have been admitted to another SEVP-certified school
• Will begin classes at your new school within 5 months of completing or withdrawing from your current program (or your OPT end date)

Apply and be admitted to your new SEVP-certified school. Inform your Trinity DSO of your intention to transfer and provide them with:

• The name of your new school
• The SEVIS school code of the transfer-in school
• The SEVIS release date (the date your record will transfer)

Your Trinity DSO will set your SEVIS release date in SEVIS. Once the record is released, your new school will issue your new Form I-20.

You will need:

• Your admission letter from the new school
• A completed Transfer Out Request Form
• Contact information for your Trinity DSO (Designated School Official)
• The SEVIS school code for the transfer-in school

Your new school may ask for additional documents, such as a copy of your I-94 or current I-20.

The release date should be within 60 days of finishing classes or completing your OPT at Trinity. The program start date at the transfer in school must begin within 5 months of your release date or your OPT end date. If you are traveling internationally before your new program starts, discuss timing with both DSOs to avoid issues at re-entry.

Yes. Your new school will issue a “Transfer Pending” I-20 after your SEVIS record is released. Once you register for classes and report to your new DSO, you will receive an updated “Continued Attendance” I-20.

Yes, but you must have:

• Your Transfer Pending I-20 from the new school
• A valid F-1 visa and passport

Always consult your new DSO before traveling to confirm your SEVIS record is properly released and your travel timing won’t disrupt your status.

Please reach out to your Trinity DSO for more information.

Trinity Christian College is no longer accepting new students for future semesters. We encourage you to make plans to attend another college or university.

Unfortunately, no. Each institution sets its own application process and requirements. Students must submit their application materials (such as transcripts, test scores, recommendation letters, essays, etc.) directly to the schools they wish to apply to, following that school’s specific guidelines.

We welcome all former students to return and complete any outstanding credits during the spring 2026 semester. Please reach out to the registrar’s office (registrar@trnty.edu) for more information.

There will be some reductions in the workforce. As we look at the wind-down process with a commitment to our students through May, there will be some positions that will not be essential throughout the coming months. We plan to communicate these timelines and this process as soon as we are able.

Trinity faculty and staff have access to a variety of free, confidential support resources through our Employee Assistance Program. Services include in-person or virtual counseling, financial wellness consultations, and work-life web services.

These resources can be accessed by calling 800.450.1327 or visiting Magellan Healthcare's client portal. Select the option to "Sign Up" for a new account, and enter "Principal Core" as the organization name.

As more resources become available for faculty and staff, they will be directly communicated.

You can contact our Human Resources team directly with any questions that you might have or to obtain additional employment resources. All faculty and staff will receive information on unemployment and letters of reference as needed. The Human Resources team is readily available and prepared to support you through next steps.

Trinity staff and faculty will continue to receive their benefits throughout the duration of their employment with the college. Additionally, any staff and faculty currently in the Trinity health plan who lose coverage due to layoffs will be offered the option of COBRA for continued coverage.

All staff and faculty with retirement accounts can continue to access their accounts through the TIAA website or contact the Human Resources team for support.

Yes, the State of Illinois will determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits, should you choose to apply. The Human Resources team can provide you with more information about this process.

Yes, all employees will receive their W-2 or 1099-NEC forms by January 31, 2026, and 2027 as legally required.

Yes. Degrees from a fully accredited institution remain valid, even if the institution later closes. Trinity is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Prior to closure, you can request degree verification from the National Student Clearinghouse. For more information, click here.  Upon closure, degrees can be verified through Calvin University.

You are welcome to join our regularly scheduled campus events throughout the year. We look forward to celebrating with you the impact and legacy of the Trinity Christian College community.

Prior to closure, student transcripts will also be available for request through Parchment. For more information, click here.  Upon closure, you will be able to access all student records by contacting Calvin University and following university policy and procedures. 

Gifts made now are vital. All gifts will go directly to support the College’s mission through its final academic year. Specifically, new gifts or donations at this time will help:

• Support students as they complete their education at Trinity
• Maintain student support services and activities through the end of the academic year
• Care for faculty and staff during the transition
• Ensure the faithful and orderly closure of the College’s mission and operations
• Preserve the records and history of Trinity

Funds that were given for specific purposes—such as scholarships, programs, or endowed funds—will continue to be used as intended for as long as those purposes remain active. However, after the College’s closure, those purposes will no longer have a home. For that reason, we are reaching out to donors and endowment holders to ask if they would prayerfully consider releasing restrictions on their gifts. This would allow those funds to be used now to meet critical needs related to student support and the wind-down of the College. Specifically, released endowment funds will help:

• Support students as they complete their education at Trinity
• Maintain student support services and activities through the end of the academic year
• Care for faculty and staff during the transition
• Ensure the faithful and orderly closure of the College’s mission and operations
• Preserve the records and history of Trinity

Donors with endowed funds will receive information via mail from Trinity. This mailing will include an endowment release form. You can indicate your decision on that form, sign it, and return it to Trinity in the return envelope provided for you. The form also allows you to request a conversation if you'd like to speak with someone before deciding.

Restricted funds will remain dedicated to their original purposes. When the College no longer exists to carry out those purposes, those funds will be held until a legal resolution can determine an alternate use that aligns as closely as possible with the donor’s intent. Within the state of Illinois, this process is overseen by the Attorney General. We will work carefully through that process, in consultation with the State Attorney General’s office and in accordance with charitable giving laws, for all restricted funds not released to the College.

Yes, absolutely. Gifts can be made in all of the same ways done previously (i.e., online, DAF, IRA, check), with more information found here. Every contribution—of any size—helps us finish this chapter strong, supporting our students and honoring the legacy of the College.

Trinity property, including buildings and land, will be sold to help the College fulfill its debt obligations.

We plan to continue holding events as scheduled for the remainder of the academic year. If any changes occur, we will communicate with you as soon as possible.

Please reach out to your institutional contact with any questions about specific details related to your relationship with the College.