Category: Higher Ed
California Assembly Recommends Eliminating For-Profit Institutions from Cal Grant Program
Kate Lee Carey and Vince Sampson
While there are indications that Washington has lessened its antipathy towards for-profit institutions, states continue to go in their own directions. This post focuses on the California Assembly’s recommendation to eliminate for-profit institutions from the Cal Grant program.
State Authorization and Licensing: Recent Developments and Trends to Watch
State authorization requirements, particularly for online education programs, remain in flux even as more states join the state reciprocity compact, known as SARA, which applies to accredited institutions.
Assessing Kaplan-Purdue – Revolution or Evolution??
The announcement that Purdue University, a Big Ten public institution, has agreed to acquire Kaplan University, a 30,000-student for-profit online institution, has sent shock waves across the entire higher education community.
As the Department of Education Revisits the Gainful Employment Rule California Legislators Propose a State Alternative
Jonathon Glass, Kate Lee Carey and Joseph Mensah
With continued questions about the Trump Administration’s commitment to Obama-era regulations, including the Gainful Employment (GE) Rule, one state is ready to jump into the fray and offer its own state-based alternative to the federal GE Rule.
New Department of Education Accreditation Database: A Promising Start, But Clearly a Work in Progress
Robin Dasher-Alston, Mike Goldstein and Jay Vaughan
The Department of Education (ED) has launched a new online database intended to provide current and prospective students, as well as the broader community, with current information on the accreditation status of institutions that participate in the federal student grant and loan programs.
Department of Defense to Outsource, Strengthen Institutional Compliance Program
Matthew Johnson and Marjorie Arrington
The US Department of Defense (DoD) plans to retain the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct Institutional Compliance Program (ICP) audits of schools participating in DoD’s Tuition Assistance Program.
More Fallout from ACICS Loss of Recognition – SEVP Removes Grace Period
Mike Goldstein, Paul Thompson and Jay Vaughan
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program will no longer allow ACICS schools 18 months to find new accreditors.
Administration Releases “Skinny” Budget; Education Feels the Pinch
Yesterday, the Administration released its Budget Blueprint for 2018. Overall, the Blueprint upholds many of the campaign promises the President made, increasing military spending by significantly cutting funds from almost all domestic agencies, including education.
March 28 Deadline Looms for Online Schools to Obtain Authorization in New York
Nancy Anderson, Mike Goldstein and Paul Thompson
Last September, the New York Board of Regents issued new regulations requiring all degree-granting out-of-state institutions seeking to enroll New York residents in their online programs to obtain authorization from the Board.
Important New Gainful Employment Guidance Released
Today, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance giving schools four extra months to comply with requirements of the Gainful Employment (GE) rule.
Federal Judge Denies ACICS Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Late yesterday afternoon, US District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton denied the request of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) seeking a preliminary injunction (PI) directing the US Department of Education (ED or the Department) to restore ACICS’s status as a federally recognized accrediting agency.
Secretary DeVos is on the Job; Roster Spots and Policy Positions Remain Unfilled
On February 7, Betsy DeVos was sworn in as the 11th Secretary of the US Department of Education. Her path to 400 Maryland Avenue was historic. The Senate vote was tied at 50-50 forcing Vice President Mike Pence to take the unprecedented step of breaking the tie for a cabinet nominee. With Secretary DeVos in place, the next steps for the Department are articulating policy positions and filling key positions.