EAC is winding down operations in Gila County.

Will I be able to complete my classes on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses?

Yes, students currently enrolled in two-year programs can complete their classes on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses. However, if a student is required to complete an additional semester or block after June 30, 2025, they must finish it on EAC’s Thatcher Campus or online.

Will EAC continue to admit students to one-year programs on the Gila County campuses?

EAC will admit students to one-year programs until the Fall 2024 semester, after which no new students will be admitted to one-year programs.

What classes will EAC offer on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses through June 30, 2025?

EAC will offer regularly scheduled courses on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses for one-year programs that begin in the Spring 2024 semester and one-year programs that begin in the Fall 2024 semester. During the Spring 2025 semester – the final semester of the contract – only semester-length credentials and classes that allow students to finish their currently declared degree or certificate will be offered. Courses that are single semester in length, including personal interest courses, will continue to be offered through the Spring 2025 semester.

What changes will I see when EAC and the Gila Board’s contract ends? 

After June 30, 2025, EAC will no longer offer educational courses in Gila County. You will see no changes to your EAC educational record, course progress, or progress towards a degree program. EAC will continue to provide online and in-person courses on the Thatcher Campus. You will remain an EAC student and will continue to have access to academic services and support that are available to all EAC students.

Can I still finish my degree during and after June 30, 2025?

Yes. Currently enrolled students will continue to have access to courses required for their degree plan during the 2024-2025 academic year. After June 30, 2025, you can continue to pursue EAC courses online or in-person on the Thatcher Campus.

After June 30, 2025, do I need to reapply to Eastern Arizona College?

No. As the college of record, you will remain a student with EAC and can continue to take classes online or through the Thatcher Campus.

How will I know what classes I have left to finish my degree? 

Please reach out to one of EAC’s counselors using the information below or send an email to counseling@eac.edu.  EAC’s counselors will review your transcripts and educational goals with you. All degree requirements are also posted in EAC’s Course Catalog. Gila Pueblo Counseling Marcella James or Norma Rios (928) 425-8481 Payson Counseling Christine McKellips or Keith Van Zile (928) 468-8039 District Office Counseling Delaney Mortensen (928) 428-8253

Will my credits still transfer to other schools?

All courses current students have taken on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses are Eastern Arizona College classes and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. These classes will transfer to other community colleges and universities according to their policies and any articulation agreements that are in place. Check with the institution you plan on transferring into to determine how your credits will transfer.

Will my tuition rate change by attending online or on the Thatcher campus?

Your tuition rates will not change if you take classes online or if you decide to attend in-person on the Thatcher campus.

What will happen with my academic records? How can I obtain copies now and going forward?

Your academic records will remain EAC academic records and unofficial transcripts can be obtained anytime through Gila Hank Online. Official transcripts can be requested from EAC’s ordering site through the National Student Clearinghouse. You may request a transcript be sent electronically, by mail, or held for pick up at the Records Office in Thatcher. For assistance accessing your Gila Hank account or ordering your official transcript, please contact EAC’s Records Department at (928) 428- 8270 or Records@eac.edu.

When will the Gila Board announce a new educational provider?

EAC is committed to assisting all students complete their educational goals whether at EAC or at the new provider institution. When the Gila Board announces their new educational provider, EAC will work with the new provider to assist students in transferring any academic records to the new institution.

What will happen if the Gila Board announces a new education partner before June 30, 2025?

The Gila Board has expressed their desire to contract with a different educational provider other than EAC. With the extension that EAC has provided,  EAC expects the Gila Board to find a new educational provider during this period. If, and when, a new educational provider has been identified, EAC will work with that new institution to smoothly transition educational services.

What is a “Teach Out” and how do I know if I must do one?

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) defines a teach out agreement as “a written agreement between institutions that provides for the equitable treatment of students and a reasonable opportunity for students to complete their program of study if an institution, or an institutional location that provides 100 percent of at least one program offered, ceases to operate or plans to cease operations before all enrolled students have completed their program of study.” At this time, EAC does not have, nor will it require any student to enter a teach out agreement to remain enrolled in the College. EAC will provide educational opportunities for students to finish or continue in the degree program they have declared and will provide educational support and guidance for any student. EAC does not have a teach out agreement for currently enrolled students. This may change for select students and will be assessed on a continual basis. If you have any questions about finishing your degree, please contact the EAC Counseling Department at (928) 428-8253 or by email at Counseling@eac.edu.

I’m a prospective student who is interested in the Nursing Program at Eastern Arizona College:

Students who are interested in applying for and attending the Nursing Program at Eastern Arizona College will be able to do so at the Thatcher Campus. For more information, please click here.

Will there be any clinicals in Globe and Payson?

Yes, we still have clinical agreements with our partners in Gila County.

Will the pre-requisite courses I took apply to other nursing programs?

Required pre-requisite and co-requisite courses are set by individual nursing programs. They are not all the same. Students need to check with the educational institution they are interested in to determine specific course requirements. Any courses taken at EAC are accredited and recognized within the state of Arizona.

Will my degree still be recognized and valid after the campuses close?

Your education degree is and will continue to remain an Eastern Arizona College degree and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. As such, your EAC degree is recognized as a valid and accredited degree by employers and other higher educational institutions.

How will I be able to get a copy of my transcripts going forward?

Official transcripts can be requested from EAC’s ordering site through the National Student Clearinghouse. You may request a transcript be sent electronically, by mail, or held for pick up at the Records Department in Thatcher. If you are a current student, unofficial transcripts can be viewed and downloaded at no cost from your Gila Hank Online account by selecting Transcripts under Documents. If you cannot log into your account, please call  (928) 428-8270 for assistance.

If I stopped attending classes on the Gila Pueblo and Payson campuses and would like to begin again, do I need to reapply to EAC? 

No, you will not need to reapply for admission to EAC. It is recommended that you update your student information and contact an academic counselor to review program requirements and course catalog information since they may have changed since your last enrollment.

Do I need to resubmit a FAFSA application if I attend the EAC Online or EAC Thatcher campuses?

You will not need to change your FAFSA application if you move your courses to EAC Online or the EAC Thatcher Campus.

Can I transfer the financial aid I have been awarded at Eastern Arizona College to another college? Do I need to complete the verification process for financial aid again if I transfer to another college?

If you decide to switch colleges, you will need to go back into your FAFSA application and add the school codes for the other colleges you are considering and then complete your financial aid file at your newly chosen college. For financial aid verification, you may need to submit documents again for the new college. Each college will have its own individual policies. When the Gila Board announces their new provider, you will complete all admission requirements that the institution requires which could include financial aid requirements.

Will EAC continue to provide courses for high school students to take? 

High school students will continue to have access to EAC’s online course offerings at the discounted high school tuition rate.

I am taking dual enrollment courses through CVIT, NAVIT, or in-person on my high school campus. Will I be able to continue taking classes through EAC?

EAC has come to an agreement with the Gila Board to provide dual enrollment classes to participating high schools through June 2025. Once the Gila Board announces its education provider, EAC will work with that institution to provide continuation of services within our legal authority.

Why is EAC ceasing educational offerings in Gila County? 

For nearly 50 years, EAC has contracted with the Gila County Provisional Community College District (Gila Board) to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary educational opportunities to Gila County residents. On May 8, 2023, the Gila Board unilaterally terminated its educational services and programs contract. As we wind down operations in Gila County, EAC will continue to offer educational courses in the county until June 30, 2025. Per Arizona state statue, Eastern Arizona College is not legally authorized to provide in-person educational services in Gila County without a contractual agreement in place. Gila County residents will continue to have access to EAC’s numerous online course offerings and can take classes in-person on the Thatcher Campus.

Will I still be able to enroll in personal enrichment courses?

Courses that are single semester in length, including personal interest courses, will continue to be offered through the Spring 2025 semester.

Will the campus facilities still be open to the community?

The campus facilities remain the property of Gila County Provisional Community College District and are subject to their operational control.

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