Historically Black Paul Quinn College Fights For Its Life

In June, Paul Quinn College, the historically black educational institution in Dallas, was notified that it had lost its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The accrediting agency cited financial and academic problems for its decision.

The loss of accreditation is often the death knell for a college or university. Students at schools without accreditation are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. More than 80 percent of the student body at Paul Quinn College receives federal Pell Grants for low-income students.

The college is not going down without a fight. It is appealing the decision which stripped the college of accreditation. The school has also established a new Web site to raise money to shore up the college’s finances. Visitors to the site are able to see a list of people who have contributed to the effort and can make an online donation by credit card. Supporters can also sign up for an e-mail newsletter to keep them abreast of developments in the effort to save the college.

Copyright © 2009. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.