General Closure
Will the university still hold commencement ceremonies for those students finishing prior to formal closure?
Regrettably, the Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony, which was postponed to August 22, 2020 due to COVID-19, will be cancelled. Regrettably we will not have the staff and financial resources available to hold the ceremony.
What will happen to the Concordia University - Portland & Boise School of Law campus after the university closes?
The Northeast campus has been part of the Portland community for more than a hundred years and the Boise campus for nearly a decade. Upon closure, the University will return the properties to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of our lenders, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. We expect they will seek a buyer for the campus properties.
Will Concordia Law still serve as a host site for the Idaho State Bar examination (July 28-29) and Idaho State Bar Virtual Annual Meeting (July 23& 24th)?
At the present time, Concordia Law still plans to fulfill its obligations and commitments to the Idaho State Bar for these two endeavors. Please direct all inquiries to the Idaho State Bar.
Student Records (Admission Application, Grades, Transcript, and Character & Fitness)
What will happen to my student records after closure?
Student records will be preserved and accessible after CU-P closes. Records will be transferred to a custodian institution. Once the custodian institution is approved, we will update all students with detailed information. Additionally, the State of Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission will keep record of the custodian institution for ease of access to official transcripts in the future.
How do I obtain official transcripts and duplicate diplomas now – before the university’s closure?
Official transcripts and duplicate diplomas can be ordered online through the Office of the Registrar page on the Concordia University – Portland website.
Please Note: The fee associated for processing transcripts are simply to cover the cost of processing and printing on the official transcript paper stock, required by the Department of Education and expected by receiving institutions for document authenticity. If sending directly to a receiving institution, please consider sending electronically for a reduced fee, also assessed by our third-party transcript vendor. Unofficial transcripts are accessible on MyCU. Transcripts and duplicate diplomas can be requested through July 31, 2020.
How do I obtain a Letter of Standing required for transfer?
A general Letter of Standing will be provided to each student via their CU-Portland email address prior to June 30, 2020. The letter will include current class rank, current academic standing, and current character/disciplinary standing. Please inquire to the transferring institution if they will accept the general Letter of Standing before you request a Letter of Standing specific to a transferring institution. If a Letter of Standing addressed and mailed directly to the transferring institution is required, please submit your request (including the name, address block, and mailing address of the institution) by emailing becramer@cu-portland.edu.
How do I obtain unofficial transcripts today, for reference and transfer?
You can find instructions for printing out your own transcripts on MyCU here. Unofficial transcripts are free to print.
How do I obtain official transcripts after the university closes?
Official transcripts and other information will also be accessible through a custodian institution. The university will provide this information as soon as it is available.
How do I obtain a letter of standing after the university closes?
Please attempt to utilize the general Letter of Standing provided prior to June 30, 2020. If that is insufficient, the custodian institution should be contacted to obtain the Letter of Standing.
How can I access application documents I have already submitted to CU-P?
The documents the Concordia Law received as a part of your admission application should still be on file through your LSAC profile. However, the Office of Admission will release application documents we have received back to the student via email (transcripts and test scores will be unofficial); please reach out to your admission counselor. Note: Letters of Recommendation are considered confidential and cannot be released to the student.
Will I get a refund of my tuition deposit?
Yes; deposit refunds will be released and refunded as soon as possible. Your deposit will be refunded in the format in which it was received.
If I finish my degree after Summer 2020, what will my diploma say? Who will my degree be from?
Following the conclusion of the Summer 2020 term, students who have not completed all degree requirements will need to transfer to an alternate institution to complete their degree(s) or participate in the approved teach-out plan. To ensure current students can complete their education, the School of Law is modifying its teach-out plan that it will submit to the ABA for approval.
Will my graduation application fee be refunded due to the cancellation of the rescheduled ceremony?
The $100 graduation application fee is not impacted by commencement, the mode of delivery, or a graduate’s decision to participate in their applicable ceremony. The graduation application fee covers the administrative costs to award a student’s degree, resolve their academic record with the university and compliance reporting agencies, and for the printing and shipping of their decorative diploma for display. Payment of the fee is required for students to order official transcripts noting conferral of their degree and to receive their diploma.
My transferring institution requires a course prospectus/syllabus to evaluate course credit and requirements. How do I obtain this information?
Students are encouraged to download and retain a copy of all syllabi during your time at Concordia Law. Syllabi are typically available via TWEN. Historical course syllabi will be transferred to the custodial institution.
Accreditation
Will CU-P still be accredited through the end of the Summer 2020 term?
Yes, provided it complies with an approved/modified teach-out plan, CU-P will remain accredited by the ABA and NWCCU through the Summer 2020 term.
What happens to the credits I have taken at CU-P?
Concordia University School of Law is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) will remain accredited until university closure, provided it complies with the teach-out requirements. As an ABA and regionally accredited university, Concordia Law credits may be considered for transfer to an alternate accredited institution.
Are my credits considered regionally or ABA accredited, even if the university is closed?
Yes. Credits completed at Concordia Law while it was regionally, or ABA accredited remain so after closure.
Will my degree from CU-P still be considered valuable?
Yes, your degree from CU-P is still a valid degree with regional and ABA accreditation.
LAW Admitted Students Fall 2020
Admission deadlines at many schools have passed for the 2020-21 academic year. Did I miss the window to enroll somewhere else this fall?
We are working to partner with other schools to make special arrangements to admit impacted Concordia Law students. The Office of Admission will work with you to assist in finding an alternate option. Please complete this form to allow the Office of Admission to work on your behalf to find an alternate school. Please send all inquires to lawadmission@cu-portland.edu.
Bar Application and Licensure Support
The State Bar I am applying to (or expect to apply to) requires a copy of my law school application and/or character and fitness disclosures and updates from all institutions attended. How do I obtain those copies from Concordia Law?
This information can be requested by contacting becramer@cu-portland.edu.
After closure, this information can be requested through Concordia Law’s custodian institution. More information will be available about the custodian institution when it becomes available.
How do I obtain official transcripts after the university closes?
Official transcripts and other information will also be accessible through a custodian institution. The university will provide this information as soon as it is available.
What is the impact on my currently active Legal Intern License (Limited License – IBCR 226)?
Concordia Law is in communication with the Idaho State Bar regarding the closure. As a part of these communications, a determination will be made on the impact and steps regarding Legal Intern Licenses.
How do I obtain Law School certification of Accommodations for NCBEX (MPRE) or a State Bar?
If you have transferred to a new institution, your new institution will be responsible for completing these forms.
If you have graduated from Concordia Law, please see section in Alumni resources.
LAW Degree Completion
Does closure mean I won’t be able to complete my degree or certificate at Concordia University - Portland?
Students who have completed all degree requirements by the conclusion of the Summer 2020 term (July 31, 2020) will be eligible for degree conferral at Concordia University – Portland (CU-P), once confirmed by the Office of the Registrar. Students who have not completed all degree requirements will be given extensive information outlining pathways towards successful degree completion with confirmed partnering institutions.
Please Note: Each student’s academic opportunities are unique and require thoughtful consideration. Students are encouraged to contact Student Affairs or their Faculty Advisor to schedule an appointment to discuss their options to support their future academic success towards degree completion.
What is our assurance that we will be able to finish our Summer 2020 term at Concordia University - Portland?
CU-P has committed to students and our accrediting body, Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU), to remain open through the end of summer term.
Where can I complete my degree?
Each situation is unique, and Student Affairs or your Faculty Advisor are available to ensure your transition is supported. More information about teach-out institutions will be provided as it becomes available. Students may also choose to transfer to another school of their choice, and CU-P will work to make the transition smooth.
Will other institutions accept CU-P credits?
Transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Will other institutions accept pro bono hours completed at Concordia Law?
Acceptance of prior pro bono hours is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. CUP will provide a letter to each currently enrolled student indictating the number of pro bono hours completed and recorded (in HCL) prior to July 17, 2020. That letter will be provided to a students CUP email account around the first week of August 2020.
If I need to take time off from my studies, can I come back at a later date and still complete my degree even if the university is closing?
Summer 2020 term will be our final comprehensive term of academic instruction at Concordia Law. To ensure current students can complete their education, the School of Law is modifying its teach-out plan that it will submit to the ABA for approval.
What happens to coursework that I have Incomplete (I) or In Progress (IP) grades in?
Students need to complete all course requirements by the end of Summer 2020 term (July 31, 2020). All outstanding assignments must be submitted to your instructor by July 30, 2020 for final grade submission. Students who are not able to complete by that deadline may have the option to petition for a late withdrawal. Student Affairs or your Faculty Advisor can assist with determining the best course of action for your particular situation.
What is CU-P required to do to help students complete their programs? What is its “teach-out plan”?
To ensure current students can complete their education, the School of Law is modifying its teach-out plan that it will submit to the ABA for approval.
When will graduates receive their diploma?
All degree candidates will receive their diploma in the mail following degree conferral. Your final degree requirements will be certified, and your degree will be awarded two to four weeks from the submission of your final grade(s). Your diploma will be mailed to the address indicated on your graduation application approximately eight to ten weeks after your graduation date. If your address has changed, contact the Office of the Registrar immediately.
Please note: The diploma is a ceremonial document only and the receipt of a diploma does not testify to completion of your degree. The official record of degree completion will be stated on your academic transcript.
LAW Financial Aid
I have a scholarship. Will I still continue to have that scholarship as I complete my degree at CU-P? What if I transfer elsewhere?
Yes, your scholarship will still be valid at CU-P through Summer 2020. Each student has a unique situation and the university will be providing financial and academic counseling to all impacted students on an individual basis.
Can I receive a full refund for my Summer term courses?
Concordia University - Portland will complete the scheduled summer term. Because we are teaching through the end of the Summer 2020 term, our University withdrawal and payment policy will continue as posted on the website. Refunds are subject to the policies for early withdrawal, which may or may not result in a refund. Students who choose to withdraw prior to the completion of Summer term should check with Financial Aid on the impact to their student account.
Now that Concordia University – Portland has announced it will cease operations, what happens next with my federal student loans?
It is important to know about all of your student loans, including your loan debt, which schools the loans were borrowed from, and who your current loan servicer is. A loan servicer is the agency that is responsible for collecting payments on your loans.
You can find all your federal student loan information by accessing the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You can log-in by using your FSA User ID and qualifying personal identification information.
How do I find out who my loan servicer is?
When you log into NSLDS, you will see a list of every federal loan you have received. Each loan will be assigned to a loan servicer. When you click on the “Servicer” link, the NSLDS website will bring up the contact information for that servicer.
Where can I find more information about the terms of my loans and repayment options?
Visit the federal student loans website. At this site, you can complete “Loan Exit Counseling” and view “Repayment Calculators”
Can I transfer my financial aid from Concordia University - Portland to another institution?
No, financial aid does not transfer from one school to another. However, you can apply for financial aid at another school by adding the new school to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. It is at the discretion of the new institution to determine what aid you will qualify for.
If you’re applying to a different institution?
Update your FAFSA and include the new institution in the section for Colleges.
Now that Concordia University – Portland has announced it will cease operations; do I have to repay the loans I borrowed while enrolled at CU-P [a.k.a. “Closed School Discharge”]?
There are many different criteria including if you transfer credits to another institution to complete your degree, and if you were enrolled at the closed institution within 120 days of its closure. The federal student aid website contains a lot of information to answer these questions.
If you do not intend to complete your education via a teach-out or transfer, consult the following page on the federal student aid website. You may receive further information directly from the Department of Education in the coming months.
LAW Career & Student Services
I have disability accommodations at Concordia Law. Do I have to go through the same application process when I transfer to another institution?
Because each institution has different processes in place, it will be up to that institution to guide you on specifics. You may request copies of your disability accommodations documentation at Concordia Law by emailing becramer@cu-portland.edu. After closure, the records will be available from the custodian institution.
How do I obtain Law School certification for disability accommodations for NCBEX (MPRE) or a State Bar?
If you have transferred to a new institution, your new institution will be responsible for completing these forms.
If you have graduated from Concordia Law, please see section in Alumni resources.
Will student services be available to me, such as academic advising or career services?
The university is working hard to support all impacted students. You will receive more information on the services available.
Will Hire Concordia Law (HCL) be available to me?
Hire Concordia Law (HCL) will be discontinued at the conclusion of the Summer 2020 term. Students and alumni are encouraged to utilize the Idaho State Bar Job Announcements page for information on available employment opportunities in Idaho.
What is the impact on my currently active Legal Intern License (Limited License – IBCR 226)?
Concordia Law is in communication with the Idaho State Bar regarding the closure. As a part of these communications, a determination will be made on the impact and steps regarding Legal Intern Licenses.
The State Bar I am applying to requires a copy of my law school application and/or character and fitness disclosures and updates from all institutions attended. How do I obtain those copies from Concordia Law?
This information can be requested by contacting becramer@cu-portland.edu. After closure, the information can be requested through Concordia Law’s custodian institution. More information will be available about the custodian institution when it becomes available.
When do I pick up my personal items in my locker/carrel or in the student commons?
All personal items must be collected prior to July 17, 2020. The Law School hours will remain M – Th, 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM. If you have forgotten your locker number or combination, please contact becramer@cu-portland.edu. If you are located out of state and unable to return to the law school prior to July 17th, Concordia Law will assist in boxing up your items. That box can be picked up by a peer you designate or Concordia Law will assist you in shipping the items back to you (unfortunately, at your expense).
How do I obtain a refund for my Barristers Ball Tickets?
If you have not already obtained a refund, please provide your name, mailing address, G#, and amount spent to becramer@cu-portland.edu. A refund request will be submitted to Accounts Payable for processing.
LAW Library
When do I need to return books to the Law Library?
Please return all books and materials prior to July 17, 2020.
Can I purchase books or materials currently in the law library?
All items owned by CU-P and housed at Concordia Law are subject to one or more liens and presently unavailable for sale.
I need a resource for my law review article, other scholarly publication, or to complete classwork related to the summer term.
All classwork for the Summer term must be completed prior to July 17, 2020. All Law Library books and resources must also be returned by this time.
The Idaho State Law Library is an alternative resource available to obtain legal research and other resources. They are open to the public and available online at: https://isll.idaho.gov/
When will my access to TWEN, Lexis, Westlaw, and other online resources end?
We are in the process of identifying how long we can continue to provide these services.
Concordia St. Paul
Am I able to continue my Juris Doctor degree with Concordia, St. Paul?
Concordia St Paul is not approved by their regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, to offer a Juris Doctor degree. Therefore, there is not an option to continue as a Juris Doctor student at Concordia, St. Paul.
Veterans Affairs
Will I owe the VA money back if I withdraw/drop my course(s)?
If the course(s) you are dropping has yet to start, then no, you will not owe the VA any money. If you are withdrawing from course(s) that have already started and are past the add/drop period, please contact vets@cu-portland.edu to discuss your situation.
If I transfer will I be able to receive benefit time back from the VA?
Currently the department of VA is determining the process of appeal for return of benefit time.
For information regarding continued access to technology services, check out this IT FAQ page. Below are some of the questions answered on this page.
How long will I have access to my Concordia Portland Login / Office 365 E-mail account?
How long will I have access to my course materials in Blackboard?
As a resident student, can I forward my mail after the closure?
For information regarding library collections and services, check out this FAQ page.
Important Note:
For the most accurate, up-to-date information about the closure, please see cu-portland.edu and your preferred email account, where we will be sending pertinent communication.