What if Columbia University has its accreditation revoked, as Trump has threatened?

Columbia University could find itself facing far-reaching consequences as the Trump administration threatens its accreditation and accuses the school of violating federal anti-discrimination laws.

CNN “After Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus,” US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said Wednesday.

The Department of Education announced Wednesday it had notified Columbia’s accrediting agency – the Middle States Commission on Higher Education – of the school’s alleged violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and said the school “no longer appears to meet” the commission’s accreditation standards.

Loss of accreditation could have sweeping consequences for Columbia students, rendering their academic credits ineligible for transfer and potentially disqualifying them from admission to many graduate programs, which typically require a degree from an accredited institution. And accreditation is required for federal student loans and Pell Grant eligibility.