ACE, Other Groups Ask Education Department to Rescind State Authorization Rule
From the American Council on Education
The American Council on Education (ACE) and 59 higher education and accrediting organizations yesterday sent a letter to the Department of Education requesting that it rescind the so-called state authorization regulation released in October as part of the final package of program integrity rules. The final rules are scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2011.
The state authorization rule has caused considerable concern in the higher education community since it was first released in draft form in June 2010. The letter outlines two primary problems with the final rule.
Under the Higher Education Act, an institution must be “legally authorized” by the state in which it is located to participate in Title IV federal student aid programs. The new rule expands this requirement by establishing minimum standards a state must follow in the authorizing process. In their letter, the groups express “grave concerns” about how the federal effort will substantially complicate the process, chiefly for private, non-profit institutions. Religious institutions are particularly concerned that the rule could lead to the imposition of new state requirements that would be inconsistent with or contrary to their missions.
Continued at: http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=HENA&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=40122
Just what I was looking for:)
Andy, look on the WCET website for more information about this. This organization is keeping very close watch on these policies and procedures, including putting together a state-by-state guide re: approvals. If you can, get UIS to join WCET, right now with all this happening it would be worth the money. Otherwise, let me know if I can help as I’m a member. Cheers!