The history of higher education in America is rife with success stories. Conversely, college closures have disrupted the learning and career goals of their abandoned students. The impact of those closures can be widely felt.

Today, thousands of active learners nationwide found themselves facing a dilemma as Argosy University closes. The school also includes several Art Institutes and South University.

While institutional leaders and policymakers sort out the aftermath of the closures, it is students who are left scrambling to ensure they can continue their education. For some, the closures are enough of a barrier to either pause or discontinue their college education. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here are a few steps you can take right now to keep moving forward on your learning path.

1. Contact Transfer-Friendly Universities

While the impact and the inconvenience on those students who suddenly find themselves without an educational home is considerable, many institutions, including American Public University, have team representatives prepared to help you transfer and maintain continuity in your education.

At APU, we want to help you make a plan that’s right for you. Whether you are interested in transferring to APU or another institution, our representatives are available to answer your questions about the transfer process and find the right degree program to match your goals, financial aid and much more. You’ll also want to verify that the institution has the right degree or certificate type, along with programs that align with your discipline (for example, American Public University offers over 200 programs).

Call 877-777-9081, email info@apus.edu or start a Live Chat to connect with an admissions representative for assistance. Normal hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m ET.

Read More: A Basic Primer on Transfer Credit

2. Gather Your Academic and Financial Aid Records Immediately

According to the U.S. Department of Education website, “It’s important for you to obtain your academic and financial aid records if your school closes since you might need those records if you plan to attend another school.”

If you do not have your complete academic or financial aid records on hand, do not hesitate to request them from your institution. “Prior to closing, your school is required to make accommodations for you to access your academic records indefinitely. Your school must communicate information about your academic transcripts once the location has been determined,” ED explains.

Be sure to check back often and request all of your records as soon as possible. That way, you will have the documentation needed when you’re ready to transfer to your next university, so that you can be moved into a new program, minimize delays and complete your education.

3. Understand Your Financial Aid Options

If your school closes while you’re enrolled or soon after you withdraw, you may be eligible for the discharge of your federal student loan. If you were receiving financial aid, it’s important that you contact your loan servicer promptly so that you understand all of your options for either continuing your financial aid at another school, or if you wish to learn more about eligibility requirements for a loan discharge due to a school closure. Visit the Federal Student Aid site for further guidance.

4. Maximize Your Credits

Don’t leave your hard-earned credits behind. Be sure that any college you look into has a robust transfer credit process. American Public University has a transfer credit evaluation (TCE) website to help current and incoming students receive the maximum credit for their previous academic and professional experience.

By transferring credits from an accredited institution or from personal professional experience, students enrolling in American Public University’s online programs will join the 87 percent of our students who have an average of 37 transfer credits. Those transfer credits can accelerate the pursuit of a degree or certificate and save money on educational costs.

In addition, a new policy under “Associate Degree General Education Fulfillment” allows prospective students with an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to leverage that degree for up to 30 credits of the general education requirements of a bachelor’s degree. Credit may vary based on specific program requirements.

5. Verify Accreditation Type and Status

Understanding the value of accreditation and what it means to you as a student and to your professional goals is as important as researching and deciding which college best suits your needs. Academic quality, reputation among employers, credit transferability with peer institutions and qualifying for Federal Student Aid are all influenced by accreditation status.

Accreditation is the certification by a recognized accrediting body that an educational institution has voluntarily met established academic requirements through comprehensive and continual review.

ED formally recognizes the accrediting commissions that meet required federal standards. As you consider the schools you might transfer to, be sure to review their accreditation status as an institution. Many specific degree programs, like nursing or business, have specialty accreditation that are common to the industries they serve.

American Public University is part of American Public University System accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC accredits degree-granting institutions located in a 19-state region, and is recognized by ED and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. For detailed information about institutional and specialty accreditation, check out American Public University.