Providence Christian College Announces Closure at the Conclusion of the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
The Providence Christian College Board of Trustees announced on February 7, 2026 that it will cease academic operations at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Message
From The President
Dear Providence community,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. Facing declining enrollments, rising operational costs, heightened accreditation expectations, and the loss of Federal funds, the board of trustees, on February 7, 2026, voted to close Providence Christian College at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.
We are overwhelmingly thankful to our supporters who have faithfully and generously given to the college over the years, ensuring that our students received an excellent mission-aligned education. However, the challenges of ongoing low enrollment coupled with the high expense of operating a college in Southern California were insurmountable factors. Being mindful of stewarding God’s resources well and after exhausting a number of different options to decrease operational expenses, recruit additional students, and even change the campus location, the board felt that this was the only option remaining.
Providence has served students faithfully for 20 years, educating them from a Reformed Christian, liberal arts perspective. God has used our educational program to change student lives and impact communities and the world for God’s glory. We have remained faithful to our original mission to firmly ground students in biblical truth, thoroughly educate them in the liberal arts, and equip them to become fully engaged in their churches, their communities, and the world for the glory of God.
While this is a difficult decision, we can look back fondly and see how God has used Providence to be a blessing to our students, families, staff, and faculty. God has provided in immeasurable ways through faithful supporters, board members, families, churches, alumni, and students who have walked this journey with us.
The board has chosen to make this decision in February to provide time to close well. Caring for our students and staff is paramount. Over half of our full-time students are scheduled to graduate in May, and we are committed to supporting our underclassmen in finding right-fit colleges for them to finish their degrees. Finally, a decision now allows our staff and faculty the time to uncover where God will use them next. Their love and care for our students cannot be overstated. What a blessing that they have been to our college, and we know that God will continue to use them for His glory.
We have begun the process of closing operations which includes notifying our accrediting body, setting up teach-out agreements with local Christian colleges and sister institutions, working with our landlords and vendors to honorably end those contracts, and communicating to our constituents. On the college’s website, over the next few days, you will find further information about this decision and next steps.
I want to end by pointing us back to our beginning. Over 20 years ago, our founders selected “Providence” as our name because they believed deeply in God’s providential care. This care is beautifully reflected in the Heidelberg Catechism. Because of our belief in God’s Providence … “We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future, we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that [nothing] can separate us from his love.”
It is in that confidence that we know God will be with us as we process this difficult news and look to the future.
In Him who gives us strength,
Steven B. Kortenhoeven, Ed.D.
President
Academic
Records
Providence Christian College students can access their academic records including Transcripts, Diplomas, and Degree Verification Services from this page.
Request Transcripts
- At the conclusion of the Academic Year, all students and alumni will receive their final transcript in digital format via email. Please ensure that you update your email address with the Registrar’s Office or in your Populi profile.
- To order official transcripts from Providence please complete the Request Transcript Electronic Form.
- After officially closing, transcripts will be held by another custodian of record. As soon as that relationship is finalized, we will update the website with that information. Access to your official transcripts will not be lost during any time in this transition and beyond it.
Release of Records
- All current students who are planning on transferring to another institution must have a “Release of Records” form on file with the Registrar’s office.
Degree Verification
- Providence Christian College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verification.
Contact
Information
President’s Office
Dr. Steven Kortenhoeven, President
Email: president@providencecc.edu
Academic / Teach-Out Questions
Dr. David Alexander, VP of Academic Affairs
Email: academics@providencecc.edu
Advancement / Alumni Questions
Email: advancement@providencecc.edu
Financial Aid Questions
Email: aid@providencecc.edu
Human Resources Questions
Brandon Addison, VP of Finance and Operations
Email: hr@providencecc.edu
Registrar / Transcripts Questions
Elijah Villafana, Registrar
Email: registrar@providencecc.edu
Student Billing Questions
Lorraine Ruiz, Staff Accountant and Student Accounts Manager
Email: businessoffice@providencecc.edu
External Contact Information
Accreditation Questions
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Senior College and University Commission
Email: mail@acswasc.org
Phone: (510) 748-9001
California State Bureau of Private, Postsecondary Education
Phone: (916) 574-8900 or (888) 370-7589
Website: https://www.bppe.ca.gov/
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)
Phone: (800) 4-FED-AID or (800) 433-3243
Website: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
International Student Questions
Study in the States (SEVIS)
Email: SEVP@ice.dhs.gov
Phone: 703.603.3400 or 1-800-892-4829
Frequently Asked
Questions
1. General College Closure Information
Q: When will Providence close?
A: Providence will cease academic operations at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. Providence will continue to offer a full course schedule and housing through the end of the spring 2026 semester.
Q: Why is Providence closing?
A: The institution has been financially impacted by declining enrollment, increased competition for students, loss of Federal grant funds, and shifts in donor giving and financial circumstances. After review, the Board of Trustees determined there is no path toward long-term sustainability.
Q: What other options were considered?
A: The Board, with advisors, evaluated various options (campus moves, programmatic changes, strategic partnerships, etc.) but found them insufficient to overcome the enrollment challenges and sustain the mission.
2. Current Students and Families
Q: Will there be a Class of 2026 commencement? Will my degree from Providence Christian College be considered valid?
Q: Where can I finish my degree after Providence closes?
Q: What is the difference between a teach-out institution and another institution?
Q: Who will help me navigate the transfer and transition process?
Q: How do I apply to a teach-out institution? Will my record automatically be transferred to them?
Q: Will all of my academic credits from Providence automatically transfer to the teach-out institutions?
Q: What if the schools do not have my academic program?
Q: I am not interested in attending any of the teach-out institutions. How do I apply to transfer to another college of my choice?
Q: Will Providence still offer student activities during its final semester?
Q: Will my meal plan still be available?
Q: Can I continue to live on campus until Providence closes? What will be the final date to move out of the residence halls?
Q: I am a student worker on campus. Will my job continue?
Q: Will student accessibility services continue to be available to me through the spring semester?
Q: What resources are available to support me in processing this closure?
Q: I transferred to Providence. What does my new university need?
3. Financial Aid and Student Billing
Q: Will I have the same financial package at a teach-out or transfer-out school?
Q: Will I need to repay any of the Providence Scholarships, grants, or aid that I have received in the past?
Q: What should I do if I already submitted my FAFSA for 2026-27? Do I need to complete a new FAFSA?
A: No — if you filed the 2026-2027 FAFSA you do not need to start a new application. You can update your FAFSA and add the code for your new school via StudentAid.gov.
Q: What happens to my federal or state student loans, and when do I have to begin repayment?
A: You remain responsible for loans borrowed while attending Providence. If you transfer or enroll at a teach-out institution, your new school will report your enrollment. If you take more than a six-month break from enrollment, loans may enter repayment early. Consult StudentAid.gov for more information.
Q: What will happen to my federal or state loans if I decide to take a gap year or withdraw?
A: Taking a break over six months may cause your loans to enter repayment. Consult StudentAid.gov and your loan servicer for details.
Q: Can students discharge federal or state student loans since Providence is no longer enrolling students?
A: Possibly — certain eligibility criteria apply for a closed-school loan discharge. You must apply and provide required documentation. While processing, you should continue making required payments.
Q: Where can I find information about the federal student aid I’ve received and how much more I might be eligible to receive?
A: Log into your account at StudentAid.gov (under “My Aid”) to review your aid history and remaining eligibility. Contact the financial aid office at your new institution to verify your eligibility.
Q: I am an international student. Can I travel outside the U.S. during my transfer?
A: Yes — but you must have your Transfer Pending I-20 from the new school and a valid F-1 visa/passport. You should consult your new DSO to ensure your SEVIS record is properly released and your travel timing won’t disrupt your status. Consult Providence’s DSO for specific questions at registrar@providencecc.edu.
Q: Who should I contact for help with my SEVIS transfer?
A: Reach out to your Providence Designated School Official (DSO) for assistance at registrar@providencecc.edu.
4. Prospective Students
Q: Will I have support in finding another college?
A: Please reach out to the admissions counselor you have been working with or email admissions@providencecc.edu. Our teach-out and transfer partner colleges may be a good fit for you, and we will help connect you to their admissions staff.
Q: I have submitted my enrollment deposit for next year. Will that deposit be refunded?
Teach Out
Information
Teach-Out Partnerships
Teach-out agreements entered into by Providence Christian College generally include guarantees that will give further benefits to students above what is typically provided in a transfer. These benefits may include the following:
- Providence students will receive automatic admission as long as they are in good standing.
- Students should expect to finish their degree in a similar amount of time as they would have at Providence Christian College. Credits transferred into Providence and earned at Providence will be accepted by the receiving institution.
- The net out-of-pocket tuition cost will be the same or comparable at the receiving institution. The student will not have to negotiate their packages. Not all packaging may include room-and-board guarantees.
Teach-Out Partner Institutions
- Biola University
- Concordia University
- The Master’s University
Transfer Partnerships
Transfer agreements do not offer all the guarantees that teach-out agreements offer. These agreements will offer benefits above the normal transfer process.
Transfer Partner Institutions
- Dordt University
- Calvin University
- Covenant College
