Frequently Asked Questions
Recent Students and Families
Where can I finish my degree after Trinity closes?
We have worked diligently to ensure that students not eligible for degree completion in Trinity’s final academic year have access to teach-out institutions who can provide a smooth as possible transition for you to complete your degree, on a similar timeline and at a similar cost. You can view those schools and the teach-out programs offered HERE.
What is the difference between a teach-out institution and another institution?
Teach-out institutions work directly with Trinity, so they are able to provide enhanced credit, tuition, and degree-completion protections that students typically would not receive from institutions outside the agreement. These include the following:
- Automatic admission for current Trinity students in good academic standing
- Credit transfer and time to degree aligned so students can finish in roughly the same timeframe as they would have at Trinity
- Comparable out-of-pocket costs, with financial aid structured to ensure similar net pricing, without students needing to negotiate or worry about the listed “sticker price”
Will all of my academic credits recognized at Trinity automatically transfer to the teach-out institutions?
Yes, this is one of the advantages of choosing a designated teach-out institution. These institutions guarantee acceptance of all Trinity academic credits earned.
How long will students and alumni retain access to their Trinity email account?
All online accounts and resources tied to a Trinity-issued login are no longer available, as of July 1, 2026.
International Students
I am an international student. Who will facilitate my OPT?
All current and active OPT SEVIS records will be transferred to Saint Xavier University. You can contact Saint Xavier’s PDSO directly:
Brian Hotzfield
hotzfield@sxu.edu
Financial Aid and Student Billing
Will I have the same financial package at a teach-out or transfer-out school?
Trinity has worked diligently to ensure students have access to teach-out institutions that will provide comparable out-of-pocket costs, ensuring financial aid is structured to provide similar net pricing, without students needing to negotiate or worry about the listed “sticker price.”
If you transfer to an institution with whom Trinity does not have a teach-out agreement, then you will need to work with that institution on your financial aid package.
Will I need to repay any of the Trinity scholarships, grants, or aid that I have received in the past?
No. You will not need to pay any of the Trinity scholarships, grants, or aid.
What happens to my federal or state student loans, and when do I have to begin repayment?
Students remain responsible for any federal or state loans borrowed while attending Trinity. If you transfer or enroll at a teach-out institution, your new school will report your continued enrollment, but you should still follow up with your loan servicer to ensure your status is updated correctly. If you take more than a six-month break from enrollment, your student loans may enter repayment. For more details, visit StudentAid.gov or contact your loan servicer directly.
What will happen to my federal or state loans if I decide to take a gap year or withdraw?
Taking more than a six-month break could cause student loans to go into repayment. Please refer to StudentAid.gov or your loan servicer for additional information regarding student loans.
Can students discharge federal or state student loans since Trinity is no longer enrolling students?
Loan discharge is the removal of a student’s obligation to repay student loans under certain circumstances. There are certain eligibility requirements to qualify for a closed school loan discharge, and students must apply. Additional information can be found at StudentAid.gov.
Closed School Loan Discharge Applications must be sent to the loan servicer(s), not Trinity Christian College. To find out the appropriate loan servicer, log into My Federal Student Aid or call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243; TTY for the hearing impaired 1.800.730.8913).
Be sure to continue to make payments while the discharge application is being processed. If a student does not meet the criteria for a loan discharge, they will be informed by the loan servicer(s) and must continue making payments on their loans based on the terms of their promissory note.
US Department of Education Resources:
- Student Loan Repayment Questions: https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
- Federal Loan Forgiveness: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
- Closed Information: Available for Direct Loans, FFEL Program loans, and Perkins Learn about the eligibility requirements for closed school discharge and how to apply: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school
Where can I find information about the federal student aid I've received and how much more I might be eligible to receive?
For information about your federal student aid history and your remaining eligibility for certain federal student aid programs, log in and visit your My Aid page at StudentAid.gov. When enrolling in a new institution, please contact that school’s financial aid office to determine your financial aid eligibility.
Will my nonfederal loans through private lenders be discharged?
You will need to contact your private lender to discuss your options.
Will students still get a 1098-T?
Students who are eligible to receive a 1098-T will receive their final documents from Trinity Christian College through ECSI, Trinity Christian College’s contracted third-party service provider for the current academic year.
Academic Records
How do I get my diploma?
Calvin University will serve as the primary record holder for Trinity Christian College after September 7, 2026. Students will be able to request a diploma by clicking the following link: https://calvin.edu/registrars-office/forms-policies.
How do I get my transcripts?
Transcripts for all Trinity Christian College students will be available through Calvin University after September 7, 2026. You can request your transcripts from Calvin by contacting their registrar’s office or clicking the following link: https://calvin.edu/registrars-office/transcript-request.
How can a potential employer or other entity verify a degree or dates of attendance?
Potential employers can verify Trinity Christian College degrees through the National Student Clearinghouse.
How can I access past catalogs (including course descriptions)?
Click HERE to access course catalogs from previous years.
Faculty and Staff
What will happen to my benefit coverages?
Faculty and staff will continue to receive benefits throughout the duration of their employment with the college. Additionally, any faculty and staff currently in the Trinity health plan who lose coverage may have the option of COBRA for continued coverage. For specific health benefit-related questions, please feel free to reach out to the email questions@trnty.edu or contact our benefits consultant, Garrick Stryker at 708-675-1560 or Garrick_Stryker@aig.com.
All faculty and staff with retirement accounts can continue to access their accounts through the TIAA website. If you have specific questions about your TIAA 403b account, you can contact TIAA at 800-842-2252 (7 am – 9 pm CT), or work with your financial planner.
Will I still receive a W2?
Yes, all faculty and staff will receive their W-2 or 1099-NEC forms by January 31, 2027, as required by law. Please note that you may receive your W-2 earlier than usual.
To ensure proper delivery of your final W-2, please email questions@trnty.edu if you need to update your mailing address.
How will I verify my employment with Trinity Christian College?
Employment at Trinity Christian College can be verified after September 7, 2026 by contacting Calvin University’s HR department directly at https://calvin.edu/human-resources/contact-us.
Alumni and Donors
Will my Trinity Christian College degree be recognized as valid after the College closes?
Yes. Degrees from a fully accredited institution remain valid, even if the institution later closes. Trinity is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How can a potential employer or other entity verify my degree or dates of attendance?
Potential employers can verify Trinity Christian College degrees through the National Student Clearinghouse.
How will I be able to get a copy of my transcript in the future?
Transcripts for all Trinity Christian College students will be available through Calvin University after September 7, 2026. You can request your transcripts from Calvin by contacting their registrar’s office or clicking the following link: https://calvin.edu/registrars-office/transcript-request.
How long will students and alumni retain access to their Trinity email account?
All online accounts and resources tied to a Trinity-issued login are no longer available, as of July 1, 2026.
Is the College still accepting donations? How will any future donations be used?
Trinity is still able to accept donations as a charitable 501c3 educational institution. If you wish to make a gift to Trinity during this period of institutional wind down, donations are accepted online via the following form: Trinity Christian College General Donation or via USPS mail at: Trinity Christian College, 13020 S. Central Avenue, Crestwood, IL 60418.
What is happening with the College’s endowed funds?
Most of the funds in Trinity’s endowment were dedicated to supporting students through named scholarship funds. After Trinity announced closure, we worked closely with donor families to allocate endowed funds for a variety of purposes. Funds which were not reallocated for a different purpose within donor intent are included as part of a Court Petition that Trinity will file jointly with the Illinois State Attorney General’s Office, following applicable Illinois law. If you have questions about this process, please contact questions@trnty.edu or the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Where can I learn more about Trinity’s story of ending well?
- Donor communication and experiencing joy: Mackenzi Huyser: The Death of … – The Keynote on Speaking Engagement – Apple Podcasts
- Engagement with Trinity Alumni: What Closure Can Teach Us About Engagement
Trinity’s communication with donors and alumni: Say the hard thing—but say it with care | LinkedIn
Trinity’s disposition of the Seerveld art collection and the emeriti faculty stewards: Where does Cal’s legacy go? | Christian Courier
Campus Sale Listing: Soon-to-shutter Trinity Christian College campus up for sale – Chicago Sun-Times
Trinity’s campus sale: US Colleges Are Closing and Selling Their Campuses to Repay Debt – Bloomberg
Trinity's Campus
What will happen to Trinity’s campus?
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Trinity Christian College closed on the sale of its campus to Chicago Christian Educational Opportunities, LLC. All property, including furniture, fixtures, and equipment, were included in the sale.
For generations, this campus has served as much more than a physical space. It has been a gathering place for learning, worship, service, and community—upholding the daily rhythms, traditions, and defining moments of Trinity’s mission. With the Chicago Christian community as its new steward, we are grateful that the space’s meaning and legacy will endure far into the future.
Trinity's Legacy
How will Trinity’s legacy live on?
Trinity Christian College is taking meaningful steps to ensure its legacy endures and that the faithful work of generations of faculty, staff, and students continues to make an impact far beyond the walls of our physical campus. See below for more information.
Trinity Programs
We are pleased to have secured new institutional homes for several Trinity programs. These include:
- Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education -> Lewis University
- Ed VanderWeele Curriculum Center -> Calvin Christian School
- Mathematics Triathlon -> Illiana Christian High School
- Semester in Spain -> Living and Learning International
- Young Authors -> Chicago Christian Schools
- Van Namen Dutch Heritage Center -> Village of South Holland
- Trinity Christian College Historical Archives -> Calvin University
Virtual Campus Experience
We’ve also partnered with Perduras, a digital preservation platform, to create an immersive, walkable virtual experience of our campus. This initiative will allow alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to explore Trinity’s halls, classrooms, and shared spaces indefinitely—even after the physical campus closes its doors. With an annual subscription, you can explore the campus virtually for years to come here:
Perduras: Endurance Beyond the Walls
Artwork
We’ve partnered with artist, Jake Van Wyk, who in 1977 was commissioned by Trinity to create an original painting capturing Trinity’s early campus. A print of this piece is now available to alumni, faculty, and anyone with a connection to Trinity. You can find more information here:
Campus Painting- Jake Van Wyk
Trinity’s Historical Archives
Trinity has partnered with Calvin University to hold the Trinity Historical Archives. You can access Trinity’s historical archives by clicking HERE.
