Understanding Federal Compliance Expectations for the Self-Study Ellie A. Fogarty – Vice President Debra G. Klinman – Vice President Middle States Commission on Higher Education1

Overview National Context Certification Statement – Distance Education (Student Identity Verification) – Transfer of Credit – Credit Hours – Title IV Cohort Default Rate Resources for Additional Information Middle States Commission on Higher Education2

National Context Accreditation developed and evolved to promote mission-centered, continuous quality improvement through peer evaluation. HEA 1965 (with subsequent re-authorizations, including 2008) named accreditors as gatekeepers for institutional access to federal funding. Various regulations have ensued. Today, while accreditors continue to focus on quality improvement, USDE sees the primary purpose of accreditation as safeguarding federal funds.

Certification Statement Signed by CEO and Board Chair Attached to the executive summary of the Self-Study report Affirms compliance with – MSCHE Requirements of Affiliation – Accreditation-relevant federal requirements Student Achievement is documented through compliance with Standards 8, 11, 12, and 14

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6 Distance Education Generally addressed under Standard 13 MSCHE-approved Distance Education Programs – 50 percent or more of a program’s credits are approved for electronic delivery – Approved via Substantive Change process – Listed on Statement of Accreditation Status Designated peer reviewer added to visiting teams for institutions with distance education courses and programs Middle States Commission on Higher Education 6

7 Student Identity Verification HEOA 2008: Institutions must document how student identity is verified – Secure username and password – Proctored exams – New technologies – Protection of student privacy – Notification of student fees at registration Peer reviewers evaluate compliance Middle States Commission on Higher Education 7

8 Transfer of Credit Generally addressed under Standards 8 and 11 HEOA 2008: Institutions must publicly document – Criteria for Transfer Decisions – List of Articulation Agreements Peer reviewers evaluate compliance Middle States Commission on Higher Education 8

9 Credit Hours Unit of measurement of academic work Federal definition consistent with Carnegie Unit HEOA 2008: Institutions must document that any “reasonable equivalencies” to federal definition can be verified through student learning outcomes Peer reviewers evaluate compliance Middle States Commission on Higher Education 9

10 Title IV Cohort Default Rate The percentage of students in a given fiscal year who cannot repay federal loans Each year, the US Department of Education calculates and publishes the average rate Institutions must document where they stand in relation to averages Typically the responsibility of the financial aid office or CFO Peer reviewers evaluate compliance Middle States Commission on Higher Education 10

Resources US Dept of Education Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools Middle States Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Higher Education11

Questions? Middle States Commission on Higher Education12