Barber-Scotia College Looks to Get Back on Its Feet

Barber-Scotia College, a historically black educational institution in Concord, North Carolina, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, has fallen on tough times. In 2004 the college lost its accreditation. As a result, its students could no longer receive federal financial aid on which 95 percent of the student body depended. Enrollments plummeted. The college is $8 million in debt. The college’s Web site is still up and running, but under the latest news section on its home page is the announcement of an upcoming event in April 2006.

After an attempt to become a business school, the college now offers religion as its only major. There were about 20 students at the college in the most recent academic year.

Officials at the college have now applied for accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The accreditation process could take a number of years, but if the college is named a candidate for accreditation, students at Barber-Scotia will become eligible for federal funds.

Copyright © 2008. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.