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04.06.2024
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Mountain or Speed Bump: Update on New & Proposed Department of Education Distance Education Regulations

April 5, 2024 - Resource shared at a recent conference outlining some spring 2024 U.S. Department of Education important issues to watch.

Download the document for details on the topic areas listed below.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has been very active in developing new and amended regulations affecting institution participation in Title IV HEA programs:

  • New regulations were released last fall that will be effective July 1, 2024. 
  • Additionally, the Department recently completed negotiations that considered several regulatory changes for distance and digital education, but those would become effective no earlier than July 1, 2025. 

The proposed changes are aimed at protecting students as consumers, but will they raise barriers that are mountainous or just speed bumps for institutions offering distance education?

Topic Areas: 

  • New Final Federal Regulations Affecting Distance Education Effective July 1, 2024 - Certification Procedures 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32) 
  • Regulations in Development During the Winter 2024 Federal Rulemaking Committee Meetings Affecting Distance Education  - Will Not Be Effective Until July 1, 2025, At the Earliest!
    • State Authorization - Reciprocity Agreements
    • Distance Education 
    • Books & Resources/Inclusive Access

Next steps

Institutions that enroll students in distance education courses and programs using Title IV financial aid should:

  • Review current processes to determine what changes might need to be made should the proposed language be finalized as regulations.
  • Work with your government relations department to contact your federal and state elected officials. 
  • Be prepared to explain the impact on students that the proposed language would have.

Resources

Presenters:

Cheryl Dowd; Senior Director State Authorization Network (SAN) & WCET Policy Innovations

Russ Poulin; Executive Director, WCET & Vice President Technology Enhanced Education, WICHE

Spring 2024 U.S. Department of Education Update
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