CCA will wind down its current operations and will close by the end of the 2026–27 academic year. Vanderbilt will then become the owner of the campus and will establish undergraduate and graduate programming, including art and design programs, at the campus. To read the full announcement, visit cca.edu.

We understand you may have many questions and have included detailed Q&As below for all students and F-1 international students. For other questions not addressed here, please email ask@cca.edu.

Start Here

Staying at CCA Through 2026–27

Financial Aid, Awards, Tuition, and Refunds

Teach-Out Pathways and Partner Schools

Vanderbilt Transfer Pathways

Transfer Outside of Teach-Out Agreements

Records, Transcripts, and Academic Standing

F-1 International Students

Contact

Continuing students should stay focused on their coursework and academic progress while also beginning to explore their post-CCA transition options. We will continue to share timely updates as teach-out agreements, partner benefits, and transition resources are finalized.

You can review partner agreement highlights and watch recordings of previous Teach-Out Partner Info Sessions on Portal.

Complete the teach-out interest form to indicate which, if any, teach-out partners you are considering; authorize CCA to share your academic records with teach-out partners, if you choose; and let us know if you are considering transferring to a school that is not a teach-out partner.

Yes! Student Services is now offering Transition Support appointments to provide individualized support for students who have questions about their options. Keep in mind that teach-out agreements only take effect when the college closes at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, when it is no longer possible for students to take courses at CCA.

During these one-on-one sessions, our team can help you:

• How to prepare for Summer, Fall, and Spring registration
• Understand your academic plan and anticipated graduation timeline
• Discuss what a teach-out option could mean for you
• Discuss if there are ways to accelerate your academic program (increased courses, concurrent enrollment, etc.).
• Explore what it means to transfer to another college or university.

These appointments are personalized to support your individual academic progress and goals. Visit the Transition Hub for more information.

The Student Transition Portal now features a directory of the teach-out pathways currently in development. You can visit Teach-Out Resources and Pathways to explore which CCA majors are expected to align with the proposed agreements at our partner institutions. We are sharing what we know today and will continue to update the portal as teach-out agreements are finalized, with the goal of providing clear and stable options for students.

Teach-out agreements are being designed at the program level. This means our partner institutions are evaluating the CCA curriculum to support direct transition pathways for students in specific majors to continue toward degree completion.

Once you have reviewed the directory and identified the prospective partner programs that match your major, we highly recommend booking a Transition Support appointment. An academic advisor can help you select Fall 2026 courses that best position you for a seamless transition into your target program.

Yes. You are encouraged to explore more than one teach-out partner so you can compare program fit, financial aid packages, transfer credit evaluations, location, and other factors that matter to you.  Reviewing multiple options can help you make an informed final decision about where to complete your degree. We encourage you to fill out a short form to help us better support you through your post-CCA transition as you continue exploring your options. This form allows you to:

• Indicate which (if any) teach-out partners you are considering
• Authorize CCA to share your academic records with teach-out partners (optional)
• Indicate whether you are considering transferring to another school that is not a teach-out partner

Complete your interest form

Yes. Students who are not graduating this year can continue taking classes at CCA while the college remains open through the 2026–27 academic year.

Academic advisors are available to support students with academic planning and registration based on their academic progress and individual circumstances.

CCA is moving forward to continue through the 2026–27 academic year. We are here to support and celebrate you every step of the way.

The quality of your education remains our priority across all courses, shops, and studios, and expect your classes, capstones, exhibitions, theses, and commencement to proceed as planned. Furthermore, we are maximizing our facilities to provide continuing students with greater access to exhibition opportunities, resources, and dedicated studio spaces during this time.

Yes. CCA will remain an accredited institution through our closure by the end of academic year 2026–27. All degrees awarded during this period are fully and permanently recognized–just as they are today.

Students who graduate from CCA in Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 will receive a California College of the Arts diploma, and their degrees should be treated no differently by employers, graduate schools, or licensing bodies.

Yes, these activities will continue as in the past through to closure by the end of the 2026–27 academic year.

Yes, CCA will offer courses during our Summer 2026 sessions that will support students on track to graduate by May 2027. These courses will also support those students looking to accelerate their degree completion at other schools after CCA closes.

Yes. CCA will be working with students to complete by the end of May 2027, but for students in MFA Comics, accommodations may be possible to allow completion in June 2027.

The college is committed to ensuring that all students on track to graduate by June 2027 have a clear path to degree completion at CCA. We are currently conducting a program-by-program review of the 2026–27 course schedule.

This review includes evaluating the necessary flexibility for course enrollment minimums to ensure that the required curriculum remains available for seniors to complete their degrees. Academic leadership is working with program chairs to develop individualized completion plans where necessary to ensure no student’s graduation is delayed due to shifting enrollment numbers.

No. The college will not grant Leaves of Absence that include the Spring or Summer 2027 semesters because CCA will not be operating beyond the 2026-27 Academic Year. We are not able to approve leaves of absence that extend into a future period when the college will no longer be in operation. Maintaining your enrollment through Spring 2027 is a requirement to remain eligible for the formal teach-out pathways and transition benefits that take effect after the college closes. 

If you have questions about your specific academic situation or wish to explore your options, we encourage you to schedule a Transition Support appointment. Advising appointments are also available now for students who want to map out their final semesters. You can also reach out to the transition team directly at ask@cca.edu for personalized assistance.

Yes. CCA will honor all current merit scholarships for this academic year, as well as the next academic year, as promised in your admission letters.

Need-based aid will also continue to be available based on your annual FAFSA or CADAA application. This means that while your merit scholarship stays the same, your need-based awards may change if your family's financial situation changes. Federal and state programs like Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and federal student loans are expected to remain available as long as you continue to meet the standard eligibility requirements.

Tuition rates will remain unchanged for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Yes. You are eligible for the $1,000 Summer Access Award if you enroll in at least 6 units during the Summer 2026 term. Your eligibility for this award is based on your summer enrollment rather than your participation in the commencement ceremony. Participating in the May ceremony does not change your status as an active student for the summer session. As long as you meet the 6-unit minimum requirement, the $1,000 award will be applied to your summer tuition.

No. The $1,000 Summer 2026 Access Award requires a minimum enrollment of 6 units during the summer term. If you enroll in fewer than 6 units, the Access Award will not be applied to your account. 

We understand that some students may only need 3 units to complete a specific prerequisite. If you are in this situation, we highly recommend scheduling a Transition Support appointment before you register, to help you determine whether adding an additional course to reach 6 units makes sense for your academic and financial goals.

No. The CCA Legacy Award is an “on top of award and will not reduce your existing financial aid. It is designed to increase your total support.

Because CCA-funded aid is capped at 60% of tuition:

• If you are already at or above the cap, you will not receive a Legacy Award, but your current aid will not change.
• If you are below the cap, you may receive a full or partial award up to that limit.

These awards will be added to student financial aid packages for fall as the Financial Aid Office completes updates.

This cap does not include Pell Grants, Cal Grants, or outside scholarships.

Yes. Students who register by the May 1 deadline secure their Legacy Award . If your plans change, you are eligible for a full refund of tuition and fees if you withdraw before the September 15, 2026, add-drop deadline. The $115 registration fee is non-refundable. For students who have already moved into campus housing, housing and dining charges will be prorated based on the number of nights stayed. We encourage early registration to ensure your financial aid and course selections are locked in for the upcoming year.

*The deadline was extended to May 1 on Tuesday, April 7.

Teach-out agreements are designed to protect your earned credits and keep you on track to graduate on time. This is the most effective way to ensure your financial aid eligibility lasts until you finish your program. If you choose to transfer to a school outside of these agreements, you may lose some credits. This could increase the time you spend in school and cause your aid eligibility to run out before you graduate.

You can check your remaining federal loan and Pell Grant eligibility by logging into your account at studentaid.gov. It is also important to know that every school has a different cost of attendance and different scholarship programs. Your out-of-pocket costs at a new school may be higher or lower than they currently are at CCA.

Students who transfer to a new school or participate in a teach-out agreement will likely be subject to the new loan limits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) after July 1, 2026. For undergraduate students, the OBBBA did not change Federal Direct Student Loan limits. The OBBBA caps Parent PLUS loans at $20,000 annually and $65,000 aggregate per student. For graduate students, the OBBBA limits graduate loans to $20,500 annually and $100,000 aggregate per student (in addition to any undergraduate loans). The OBBBA also imposes a total lifetime limit on all federal loans, both undergraduate and graduate, of $257,500. If you have any questions about your remaining student aid eligibility, should you transfer to another school, please contact the financial aid office.

Some scholarships, such as the Visionary Practice Scholarship, are specific to CCA and will not automatically transfer to another institution. However, part of our teach-out planning is to minimize disruption for students, including attention to the total cost of attendance.

CCA is working with potential teach-out partners to ensure students can complete their degrees without a significant increase in net tuition. These provisions will be finalized as part of individual teach-out agreements and we will share details as soon as agreements are complete.

Relocation assistance is determined by each individual partner institution. ArtCenter is offering a $2,000 one-time relocation award for all students, which, for some students, will be increased to $3,000 and made renewable. You should visit the individual partner pages on the Teach-Out Portal page to see if your chosen school offers this specific support. If available, these funds are typically processed as part of your financial aid package after you have officially enrolled at the new institution.

Pratt has established a renewable tuition award of $36,000 for admitted CCA students. You should review your formal financial aid offer from Pratt to confirm the steps required to receive and maintain this award. Please also note that Pratt has specific service fees, such as international student fees, that are listed separately from the standard cost of attendance.

Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence (LOA) are governed by federal "Return to Title IV" (R2T4) regulations. If a student withdraws or takes an LOA, the college must report the departure to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and, if applicable, the VA. If the student has completed more than 60% of the semester, then there is no adjustment to Title IV aid, although the student may be entitled to post-withdrawal disbursement. If a student withdraws before completing more than 60% of the semester, the college is required to recalculate eligibility and potentially return a portion of the aid to the DOE or the VA. VA benefit payments, in contrast, are based on your continued enrollment through the end of the semester. Withdrawals before the end of the semester must be reported to VA and will impact your benefit; you may need to repay some of the VA awards, although mitigating circumstances may apply. We strongly recommend that any student considering a mid-semester exit meet with a Financial Aid counselor or School Certifying Official (SCO for VA) to review the impact of the withdrawal before finalizing their paperwork.

Because of the very specific eligibility requirements and their impact on closed school loan discharge, it is best to ask your loan servicer directly if you meet all eligibility requirements. For more information, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website.

It’s important for you to obtain your academic and financial aid records from CCA in case they are needed to attend another school or pursue a student loan discharge.

You can generate and print an unofficial transcript at any time through your Workday account. To find this tool, log in to Workday and navigate to the Academics Hub by clicking the student icon on the left side navigation bar. Here you’ll find a button to “Print Unofficial Transcript”. You can also type "Print Unofficial Transcript" directly into the search bar at the top of the page. Once you select this task, you will see a prompt to choose your print format.

There are now two versions of the unofficial transcript available for students. The first option is the standard transcript which provides a basic overview of your courses and grades. The second and newest option includes your full transcript followed by a detailed listing of every course you have completed. This expanded version includes full course section descriptions and specific learning outcomes for each class. This detailed format is especially helpful if you are preparing for a transfer or need to provide comprehensive course information to another institution. You can find more detailed instructions and links to student records on the CCA Portal Academic Planning and Registration page.

Federal student loan discharge is managed by the U.S. Department of Education and is not an automatic process. According to the U.S. Department of Education, if the college closes while you’re enrolled or soon after you withdraw, you may be eligible for discharge of your federal student loan.

Federal guidelines state that you do not qualify for discharge if you completed your program before the closure. You also do not qualify if you completed your program by transferring your credits to a comparable program at another school or participating in a formal teach-out agreement.

CCA does not determine eligibility for any loan discharge. For official rules and application steps, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

These federal loan discharge programs do not cover private student loans. If you have private loans, you must contact your lender directly to ask about hardship relief or other options.

Questions about a student’s individual financial aid situation are best addressed by the Financial Aid Office. Because financial aid is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and depends on individual records, responses to specific questions may require careful review and can take time, particularly during periods of high inquiry volume. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@cca.edu.

General updates will be shared through official communications, and students are encouraged to review those updates as they are released.

An external teach-out agreement is a formal agreement between CCA and another accredited institution that ensures students have clear, pre-approved paths to transfer credits and complete their degrees.

A teach-out agreement prioritizes maintaining student costs and time to graduation; and establishes what requirements, fees, etc. may be waived for students enrolling under the agreement.

Because it establishes a clear pathway for students transferring, it can be advantageous for students to use the teach-out agreement when moving to another school.

Teach-out agreements will take effect when the college closes by the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

While transferring under the teach-out agreement is optional, there are benefits to doing so that students should carefully consider as they make future plans.

Yes. CCA has finalized teach-out agreements with several partner institutions and will continue to share updates as additional agreements or details become available.

Because teach-out agreements are developed at the program level, available pathways may vary by major, degree level, and partner institution. Students can review the current list of partner agreement highlights and benefits by CCA program or institution on the Student Transition Portal.

As a reminder, teach-out agreements take effect after CCA closes at the end of the 2026–27 academic year. Students must remain enrolled at CCA through Spring 2027 to be eligible for teach-out pathways.

No. Teach-out agreements only take effect when the college closes at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, when it is no longer possible for students to take courses at CCA

Teach-out agreements will benefit CCA students in two important ways: by maintaining student costs and time to graduation. The agreements establish what academic requirements, fees, etc. may be waived for students enrolling from CCA, benefits that may not be available if a student transfers out.

Transferring on your own means a new school will evaluate your application as it generally would any student applying to transfer there, including evaluating credits and coursework individually and, potentially, requiring additional verifications and supporting documents or application fees as they would any other transfer applicant. In other words, there is no commitment from the new school to providing any particular support for you as a transfer student. Under the teach-out plan, these issues are resolved by agreement between CCA and the other school(s).

The teach-out pathways are designed for students to transition directly following the conclusion of CCA operations in Spring 2027, so the standard expectation is to begin in Fall 2027. Approval of a later start date would depend on the policies, program availability, and admissions timelines of the partner institution. Some partners may be able to consider additional flexibility. If there is a need to delay your start, you should discuss this directly with the partner school during the application process.

Admission to highly competitive or impacted programs may be based on portfolio strength and available space. If you are not admitted to your first choice major, partner schools can help you explore comparable alternative pathways so you can continue toward degree completion.

If you wish to change your major, you must meet with a CCA advisor to discuss how this affects your graduation timeline. Please be aware that changing your major now could impact your eligibility for specific program-level teach-out agreements.

Teach-out agreements are designed to cover your primary major. If you are pursuing a minor, we recommend scheduling a Transition Support appointment to discuss your specific situation. Pursuing your minor will depend on which minors are offered at each partner institution. While it is up to each partner institution whether they will support CCA students in pursuing a minor, we have sensed openness to this in initial conversations. We will share more information as this question is discussed more fully with each partner.

Partner institutions like CalArts and Woodbury have agreed to accept all credits currently on your CCA transcript. This includes credits you earned at other institutions before coming to CCA. Other partners are still evaluating their specific credit policies. Once you have determined interest in a particular teach-out partner, fill out this form in Workday to initiate a conversation with advisors from the institution.

Admission requirements and GPA evaluations are determined by each individual partner institution. Most partners will review your cumulative GPA at the time of your application and again after the completion of your final semester at CCA. While some schools require a specific minimum GPA for guaranteed admission, others may evaluate your academic standing as part of a holistic review. You should visit the individual partner pages on the Student Transition Portal to see the specific requirements for your chosen school. We recommend scheduling a Transition Support appointment to review your academic progress and ensure you meet the criteria for your preferred pathway.

Students are responsible for the transport and storage of their own artwork and materials. For the most affordable shipping, we recommend using standard providers like FedEx and following their professional packing guidelines to ensure your work stays safe. If you require specialized professional services, local art handlers like Uovo or Atthowe provide expert shipping and storage options. You should contact these providers directly to find the service that best fits your specific budget and timeline.

At this time, with the possible exception of architecture students, Vanderbilt does not anticipate offering transfer opportunities to its San Francisco location for Fall 2027.

Vanderbilt is exploring the possibility of offering a transfer pathway for CCA architecture students in San Francisco. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) may allow accreditation of the existing programs to continue under Vanderbilt’s ownership, creating a potential pathway that is not available in other disciplines. CCA has been communicating, and will continue to communicate, with its architecture students about this potential opportunity.

Vanderbilt is coordinating with CCA leadership and designating a liaison within its Office of Undergraduate Admissions to consider CCA students for transfer admission to Vanderbilt’s Nashville campus for Fall 2027.

Eligibility for transfer to Vanderbilt’s Nashville campus would depend on several factors, including a student’s academic standing, progress within their current program at CCA, and alignment with Vanderbilt’s curriculum and accreditation requirements.

No. All Vanderbilt discussions regarding transfer pathways remain subject to further academic, operational, and accreditation review. Vanderbilt has not made any final decisions at this time.

Vanderbilt is committed to providing clear and timely communication. The university will share additional information about any potential transfer pathways as more details are confirmed. 

CCA’s primary focus at this time is on developing formal teach-out agreements with accredited partner institutions for students who will not complete their degrees by the end of the 2026-27 academic year. These agreements are being designed and negotiated specifically for CCA students and are intended to offer clearer and more supportive academic and financial pathways than a typical transfer process.

Some students may choose to pursue an individual transfer instead. In those cases, application deadlines and admissions decisions are set by the receiving institutions. While CCA anticipates that some schools may choose to offer flexibility to CCA students given the college’s transition, those decisions ultimately rest with the receiving institution.

Because CCA intends to continue to offer a full academic experience through the end of the 2026-27 academic year, many students may find it beneficial to remain enrolled during that time and, if needed, transition through a teach-out partner for Fall 2027 or beyond. We will continue to share updates as these agreements take shape.

In some cases, students may be able to take coursework at another institution and apply it toward their CCA degree. Students considering this option should speak with an academic advisor before enrolling elsewhere to understand eligibility, approval requirements, and how credits may apply.

Academic residency refers to the minimum number of credits you must earn at the new institution to be eligible for their degree. Most colleges require you to complete your final 30 credits (usually your entire senior year) in residence, possibly more. In addition, most colleges also require that you take with them a specific number of upper-division credits in your major program. For example, even if you've taken “Advanced Studio” at CCA, a transfer college might insist that you take their version of the course before you can earn their degree. Additionally, many schools cap transfer credits at 70-90 units (often referred to as “transfer credit caps or limits”). As a senior, you likely have 90+ transferable credits, meaning you could stand to “lose” credits in the move due to transfer credit caps. Again, these requirements are likely to be waived or relaxed under a formal teach-out agreement but that may not be possible if you transfer on your own.

Residency requirements and transfer credit limits would not typically prevent you from transferring independently, but they may require you to take more coursework to meet additional residency degree requirements than would otherwise be required, potentially extending the timeline for your degree. Accordingly, for many students, transferring under a teach-out agreement may be more beneficial than transferring independently, because in many cases residency requirements or transfer credit limits won’t apply.

For students who will need additional time to complete their studies, we are working closely with accredited institutions to establish transfer and completion pathways. These arrangements will allow students to continue their studies without interruption, and more information will be shared about the teach-out plans as agreements are finalized. To check your progress to date, please use this link: How do I check my progress towards degree completion?

You can generate and print an unofficial transcript at any time through your Workday account. To find this tool, log in to Workday and navigate to the Academics Hub by clicking the student icon on the left side navigation bar. Here you’ll find a button to "Print Unofficial Transcript". You can also type "Print Unofficial Transcript" directly into the search bar at the top of the page. Once you select this task, you will see a prompt to choose your print format.

There are now two versions of the unofficial transcript available for students. The first option is the standard transcript which provides a basic overview of your courses and grades. The second and newest option includes your full transcript followed by a detailed listing of every course you have completed. This expanded version includes full course section descriptions and specific learning outcomes for each class. This detailed format is especially helpful if you are preparing for a transfer or need to provide comprehensive course information to another institution. You can find more detailed instructions and links to student records on the CCA Portal Academic Planning and Registration page.

First, determine whether an unofficial transcript, which is free, would meet your needs. Many schools can discuss initial transfer options with an unofficial transcript. Current and former students can download unofficial transcripts at any time from the Academics Hub in Workday. (How to)

Current and former students can order official transcripts (electronic or paper) at any time through the Academics Hub in Workday or through CCA’s Parchment website.

More information on transcripts can be found here.

After CCA closes by the end of the 2026-27 academic year, Vanderbilt will serve as the custodian of CCA’s student education records. Vanderbilt will maintain these records and provide access to transcripts and other official academic documentation for former students and alumni.

Additional information about how to access records after the end of the 2026-27 academic year will be shared before the college closes.

Academic Advising & Planning and Student Records can help students understand their current class standing, academic standing, and progress toward degree completion. Current students are invited to make an Advising & Planning appointment for additional guidance.

International students can contact (iss@cca.edu) or schedule an appointment. You may find answers to many of your questions in this FAQ, but we understand that there are many unique circumstances. If you have questions not answered here, you can email ask@cca.edu, and we will route your question to the right area.

CCA was recently approved to offer this new BA degree program by our primary accreditor, WASC, to provide students with an alternative pathway to complete their degrees. However, before enrolling F-1 students, all new degree programs require approval by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Unfortunately, the current timeline for SEVP review of a new degree program is 18 to 24 months. So, this new program cannot be approved to enroll our F-1 students before CCA closes after the 2026–27 academic year.

CCA continues to have approval to host F-1 international students. There is no impact on your SEVIS record or ability to maintain F-1 status while CCA is open.

You must request that International Student Services (ISS) release your SEVIS record to your new school. More information can be found on the SEVIS Transfer Information page on CCA Portal: Transferring F-1 SEVIS record out of CCA

The timeline to transfer with an active SEVIS record is something students should discuss with ISS, so please schedule an appointment to review all information.

F-1 students must be enrolled full-time each academic semester to maintain nonimmigrant status. If you are deciding to withdraw from CCA classes and leave the U.S. once the semester has started, withdrawing from classes means that you cannot maintain your F-1 status in the United States since you aren't enrolled full-time. ISS will need to terminate your F-1 SEVIS record within 15 days of the withdrawal from CCA classes. You should make plans to depart the U.S. before the end of that 15-day period to avoid any undue hardship with future immigration requests.

Please schedule an appointment to discuss more about your situation.

Yes. You will be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT, provided you meet standard F-1 OPT eligibility criteria. The ISS team at CCA will assist you with this process. As always, ISS recommends applying for post-completion OPT as early as possible to avoid processing delays by USCIS.

CCA has secured an agreement with a fellow AICAD school to take over the administration and continued oversight of SEVIS records for CCA alumni who are on OPT at the time of CCA’s closure. Please visit the ISS Applying for OPT page for more information.

Answer updated 3/12/2026

You may find answers to many of your questions in this FAQ, but we understand that there are many unique circumstances. If you have questions not answered here, you can email ask@cca.edu, and we will route your question to the right area.

Additional questions? Submit using this Google Form.