In fall 2024, leaders of the two storied Seattle institutions – whose mission and values are well aligned – began discussing how the institutions might enhance arts education and provide a sustainable path forward for Cornish College of the Arts. Following a thorough review of options, the boards of the two institutions approved an agreement known as an asset contribution. The presidents signed the agreement on March 14, 2025.

The transaction is anticipated to close on May 31, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions. Upon closing of the transaction, Cornish will contribute substantially all its assets to Seattle University and eventually dissolve and cease to exist as a nonprofit and separate degree-granting institution. Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University will launch and operate at the South Lake Union campus.

Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University will operate at the South Lake Union campus.

Yes!  Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University will continue to offer Cornish+ programs, which provide inclusive, high-quality arts education for youth, adults, and professionals.  From pre-college programs such as Summer@Cornish and Cornish+ In the Schools, to advanced Continuing Education training and professional development and partner programs, Seattle University will support creative growth at every stage, welcoming all to explore, connect, and thrive in the visual and performing arts.

If you’ve been admitted to both Seattle University and Cornish for Fall 2025, congratulations! That means you have a unique choice to make. While Seattle University is teaching out the Cornish programs, the academic majors offered by each school remain distinct. If you choose to pursue one of the Cornish Design programs, you’ll be considered a Seattle University student and have access to all SU services—but you’ll follow the Cornish curriculum in full. If you choose a Seattle University major like Interdisciplinary Arts (IA), you’ll follow the Seattle University curriculum and core. You’ll confirm your enrollment with the school whose program you choose.

Your financial aid will match the program you choose. If you select a Cornish Design program, the Cornish aid package you received will apply—but it will be adjusted to reflect Seattle University tuition, so that your cost remains the same. If you choose a Seattle University program, your Seattle University aid package will apply. You cannot combine or “mix and match” the two aid packages. 

All students entering in Fall 2025—whether you choose a Seattle University program or a Cornish Design program—will be Seattle University students. You’ll have full access to Seattle University amenities and services regardless of which program you select.

Following regulatory approval and closing of the transaction, students enrolled at Cornish College of the Arts may elect to continue their program at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University. This transition is made possible by a Teach-Out Agreement executed by the institutions. Teach-outs are written plans and agreements approved by accrediting agencies that allow students to finish a program of study even if their institution closes or the program of study is closed to new students. Our admissions teams are working together to make this transition process as smooth as possible.

Not much is expected to change in terms of the classroom or academic experience if you are a current or incoming Cornish student transitioning to Seattle University. Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University will be on a semester schedule. There will be no additional changes to the 2025-26 academic calendar. Additionally, you will have access to the support services and wide array of student life activities and programming available to all Seattle University students. This will include services and activities on the South Lake Union campus in addition to those offered at the university’s main campus.

Under the Teach-Out Agreement the parties have agreed upon, students who participate in the teach-out arrangement at SU will receive an amount of financial aid such that they will not be financially responsible for more out-of-pocket tuition costs than they would have been at Cornish for academic year 2025-2026.  In subsequent academic years, such amount will increase by the same percentage as any increase in tuition for other SU undergraduate students.

Students graduating in 2026 and onward would receive a degree granted from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle University with that wording, or similar, printed on the diploma.

For current and incoming Cornish students transitioning to Seattle University, you will be able to complete your degree program as planned, with an academic experience that remains true to your expectations. Additionally, you will have access to the support, services and wide array of student life activities and programming available to all Seattle University students.

Yes. In connection with the asset contribution agreement, the institutions have executed Teach-Out Agreements. If the transaction closes as expected, under the primary Teach-Out Agreement all current and incoming Cornish students will have the opportunity to complete their Cornish degree programs through Seattle University. If the transaction does not close, then under a separate partial Teach-Out Agreement current and incoming Cornish students in all programs except Interior Architecture, Dance, and Game Art, will have the opportunity to transfer into similar SU programs in order to complete their degrees through Seattle University. Students who participate in the teach-out arrangements at SU will have access to the support, services, and wide array of student life activities and programming available to all Seattle University students.

Teach-outs are written plans and agreements approved by accrediting agencies that allow students to finish a program of study even if their institution closes or the program of study is closed to new students.

Under the Teach-Out Agreement, Cornish students who transition to Seattle University can enroll and complete their degree with SU without any application or admissions fees, and, importantly, SU also will accept all academic credit previously awarded by Cornish.  As described elsewhere in these FAQs, the Teach-Out Agreement also includes a commitment by SU to provide financial aid to transferring Cornish students such that out-of-pocket tuition costs for academic year 2025-2026 will be no higher than they would have been at Cornish.  Although current Cornish students also have the option to withdraw or independently seek out different transfer options, any institution other than SU may not accept academic credit previously earned at Cornish, and institutions other than SU may charge higher tuition and fees without additional financial aid.  It also is important to note that students who enrolled in Cornish and, for whatever reason, choose not to transition to SU, may be eligible for a closed school discharge of federal student loans that they obtained to attend Cornish from the U.S. Department of Education.  To learn more about the specific criteria and other requirements for that discharge, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school.

This is an exciting time for Seattle University and Cornish students alike as we work to establish Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University. While cross-campus course enrollments are not allowed at this time due to federal regulatory requirements, we will be exploring these possibilities very soon. When the transaction closes, the University will seek approval from the U.S. Department of Education for the Cornish location and academic programs to be approved as a Seattle University location and programs. As the transaction and regulatory process move forward, we will keep SU students informed of the possibility to enroll in course offerings at the Cornish campus location.

The two-year on-campus residential living requirement for both campuses will remain in place for this upcoming academic year. Cornish students will remain in the Cornish Commons on the South Lake Union campus. Cornish students can apply for housing and get questions addressed via the Cornish Commons website.  During the 2025–2026 academic year, we will be exploring future housing options that may be available to Seattle University and Cornish College of Art @ Seattle University students.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “If your school closes while you’re enrolled or soon after you withdraw, you may be eligible for discharge of your federal student loan. Loan discharge is the removal of your obligation to repay your loan under certain circumstances.” To learn more of this process please visit studentaid.gov

Yes, if you have already submitted your 2025-26 FAFSA, you will need to go to the Federal Student Aid website and make a correction to add Seattle University’s School Code of 003790. If you haven’t completed your 2025-26 FAFSA, please make sure you add both Cornish College of the Arts school code 012315 and Seattle University’s School Code of 003790. If you have any questions, please reach out to finaid@cornish.edu.

If your financial circumstances have changed, please reach out to Cornish’s Office of Financial Aid at finaid@cornish.edu for information on a Special Circumstances review.

For the 2025-26 academic year, there will be no significant changes to the Cornish Student Senate (CSS). In academic year 2025-2026 a representative from CSS will be elected as a liaison to the Student Government at Seattle University (SGSU). The expectation is for CSS to be fully integrated into SGSU for academic year 2026-2027. 

Yes. Cornish students can schedule an appointment with a Cornish advisor through the OnceHub scheduling links listed below.

• Dejan Perez – Acting/Original Works, Musical Theater, Dance, and Performance Production
• Therese Buchmiller – Art, Design, Illustration, Interaction Design, and Interior Architecture
• Mary Sciscente-Bonilla – Animation, Film, Game Art, and Music
• Yanmei Shi – International & VA Students

Seattle University is evaluating hiring decisions. We anticipate making offers to most Cornish faculty and staff to ensure continuity and support for Cornish students throughout this transition and beyond. Our commitment is to both maintain and enhance the high-quality education and support that Cornish students have come to expect. This includes additional services, support and activities available to all Seattle University students. Overall, Seattle University’s pay scales are higher than those of Cornish. The plan is to make all decisions as soon as possible and before the end of May.