Is a Kinder, Gentler Gainful Employment Reg in the Works While ED Announces Steps to Publish New Rates?

Jonathon Glass and Kate Lee Carey

Keeping up with the GE Rule has been a full time job in recent months, including new Department of Education actions to prepare a second set of GE rates, negotiated rulemaking to write a new rule, a lawsuit against the department for not implementing the current rule and proposed legislation in Congress.

Purdue Unbound: The Road Ahead for Conversions and Shared Services Transactions

Mike Goldstein

This week the Higher Learning Commission gave final approval to the Kaplan-Purdue transaction. In this post, we discuss the changes in the regulatory environment and at the accreditor level that led to HLC’s approval of the deal and potential for similar partnerships in the future.

Department of Education Defends Its Actions in GE Rule Lawsuit

Nancy Anderson, Jonathon Glass and Kate Lee Carey

The debate over the current and future Gainful Employment Rule continues in all three branches of the federal government.

Another New Gainful Employment Disclosure Template, With Some Unexpected Changes

Jonathon Glass and Kate Lee Carey

The Department of Education announces changes to the Gainful Employment Disclosure Template. In its Electronic Announcement, ED set April 6, 2018 as the new deadline for covered institutions to update and publish the 2018 version of the GE Disclosure Template.

New Year’s Resolution for Edtech Companies: Get Ready for GDPR

Sarah Pearce, Randy Sabett, Diane Savage and Matt Johnson

January marked the start of the five-month countdown to the European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation. This post outlines a five-month plan to help your organization be GDPR-ready.

Another Disclosure Requirement for California Higher Education Institutions Signals an Accelerating State Role in Student Disclosure

Kate Lee Carey and Mike Goldstein

Beginning with the 2018-19 academic year, all higher education institutions in California, except the California Community College system, will have to provide their students an annual summary of their total borrowing to pursue their education and an estimate of their future monthly payments.

The State Authorization Rule Still Lives – Be Ready

Nancy Anderson

The Department’s state authorization for distance education rule is slated to go into effect July 1, 2018. Institutions should start preparing now.

Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: After 60 Years, Looking at What Still Works – Or Not

Vince Sampson and Mike Goldstein

Congress is poised to give the HEA a much-needed update. The House of Representatives have introduced legislation and discussions are picking up in the Senate, but questions remain as to the scope and timing for completing action.

Cooley Team at FSA Training Conference

Marjorie Arrington, Lisa Bureau, Pat Dickerson and Rebecca Flake

The 2017 FSA Training Conference is November 28-December 1, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. The FSA Conference is the largest training program in the US for school and institution financial aid professionals. Cooley team members will be attending the Conference.

Department of Education Pushes Back Effective Date of Borrower Defense Rule – Again

Mike Goldstein and Kate Lee Carey

The drama surrounding the US Department of Education’s Borrower Defense to Repayment Rule continues, with the date the rule would come into effect now delayed to July 1, 2019. 

ED’s New Audit Guide – 90/10 Compliance

Jonathon Glass, Naomi Harralson May and Rebecca Flake

Financial statement audits prepared under the Department of Education’s new Audit Guide will involve more detailed 90/10 testing and note disclosures. Read more in the seventh post of our Audit Guide series.

New ED Audit Guide Updates Requirements Concerning Third-Party Servicers

Nancy Anderson and Rebecca Flake

The sixth post in our Audit Guide series focuses on the new requirements for third-party servicers. Institutions of all types that use any third-party servicers should become familiar with these new Audit Guide requirements.