Historic HBCU Morris Brown College is on track to regain its accreditation after losing it in 2002.
On Wednesday, the announcement was made that the Transnational Association had approved the school’s application for accreditation of Christian Colleges. A final decision will be made as early as April to reinstate the private historically black liberal arts school to full accreditation status. This means that the college will be able to receive federal funding and offer financial aid to its students.
President Kevin James confirmed the news in a statement to the Associated Press.
“This is history in the making. Morris Brown intends to become the first HBCU to earn its accreditation back twenty years after losing it. When Morris Brown achieves candidacy status, hopefully by April 2021, it will give the college all the rights of a fully accredited college, allowing students to receive federal financial aid. Additionally, student degrees will be recognized by other schools and/or employers.”
Morris Brown was previously accredited via the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. However, the school was stripped of its accreditation after mismanagement by former president Dolores Cross, who was convicted of embezzling money from the school. Once the college was no longer accredited, enrollment dropped to less than 10%. In addition, the institution was left with $30 million worth of debt. This led to a bankruptcy filing in 2012.
Founded in Atlanta in January 1881, Morris Brown was the first college for Black students in Georgia. During its glory days, the school saw many notable alumni, including Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author James Alan McPherson and Civil Rights Activist Hosea Williams.
