- ICYMI: Department of Education issues final regulations on program integrity and institutional quality
- 119th Congress begins, new leaders at the helm of key committees
- Department of Education issues new guidance on OPMs
ICYMI: Department of Education issues final regulations on program integrity and institutional quality
In late December, the Department of Education (ED) released final rules on program integrity and institutional quality issues, including Return of Title IV funds (R2T4) and distance education. As AACC’s David Baime writes in the Community College Daily, the final rules reflect the positions of community college negotiators and formal comments submitted by AACC. Of note, the final rules no longer include a requirement that institutions take attendance for students enrolled in online courses, as proposed in the draft rules and strongly opposed by AACC. The draft rules would have eliminated Title IV eligibility for asynchronous clock-hour programs offered via distance education. This eligibility was maintained in the final rules, again reflecting AACC’s comments. The rules, set to go into effect on July 1, 2027, will require colleges to newly report to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) all students enrolled in distance education courses who receive federal financial aid.
119th Congress begins, new leaders at the helm of key committees
The 119th Congress welcomed new leadership at the helm of key education committees. In the House, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) oversaw his first hearing as the new chair of the Education and Workforce Committee. He took over for term-limited outgoing chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina), who remains a member of the committee. Walberg has served on the committee for his entire 16-year stint in Congress and is a supporter of workforce Pell. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) will remain the top Democrat on the committee.
As AACC’s Matthew Dembicki writes in the Community College Daily, Wednesday’s hearing gave Chair Walberg an opportunity to welcome new members and outline his topline priorities, including addressing college costs, combatting antisemitism on campuses, and encouraging innovation in workforce development. Ranking Member Scott, in his opening remarks, reiterated his commitment to reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), after the Committee’s bipartisan proposal, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWAA), nearly made it into the year-end funding extension bill before being stripped out.
As a reminder, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) is the new chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), after serving as ranking member in the 118th Congress. Cassidy is a longtime supporter of workforce Pell and the College Transparency Act – two top priorities for AACC. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) will serve as the committee’s ranking member. The HELP Committee’s first hearing is scheduled for January 21.
Department of Education issues new guidance on OPMs
On Wednesday, the Department of Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) reminding colleges and universities of their responsibilities in disclosing and accurately representing their partnerships with Online Program Managers (OPMs). OPMs and other third-party servicer partnerships have been a key area of interest for the Biden Administration. In February 2023, ED issued a sweeping DCL subjecting colleges and universities to a battery of new reporting and auditing requirements for all partnerships that could be characterized as a third-party servicer under a new and much broader definition. The Biden Administration later withdrew this guidance after implementation questions and concerns from higher education groups, including AACC. It is unclear if this new guidance will be maintained by the incoming Trump Administration.