Online Learning Update

Campus executives are likely unaware of what needs to be accomplished and when to comply.  On Dec. 11, 2013, the United States Department of Education posted a 68-page draft of regulations for “Gainful Employment (GE).” Largely ignored by the press, this document — soon to be final regulations — is becoming the template for change of federal financial aid eligibility for college and university students.  Gainful Employment currently only applies to certificate and other programs that do not lead to a degree, but may be extended to all postsecondary programs.  For the first time, these regulations introduce starting salaries as a condition for students to receive federal financial aid. The regulations also impose financial penalties for institutions whose students in these programs fail to repay their federal student loans. Required disclosures to students have been expanded, as has reporting to the U.S. Department of Education.