GREENSBORO — Bennett College for Women is having its accreditation status reviewed by a regional agency that cites financial instability as the reason for placing the college on a six-month probation.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports Saturday that the school learned this week about the decision by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

School President Julianne Malveaux (mal-VOH’) says she’s surprised by the decision because the agency renewed Bennett’s accreditation in 2009 for a 10-year period.

Malveaux says she’s confident the school can prove to the commission in an October meeting that Bennett is on sound financial footing. She says the Methodist-affiliated college has seen unprecedented growth in the last four years.

The association accredits colleges and universities in 11 Southern states.