The Higher Education Act Implementation

In late February, the U.S. Department of Education announced negotiated rulemaking meetings related to the implementation of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (PL 110-315). This process will allow for five committees to prepare proposed regulations for the newly enacted law. The Committees are: Team I, General/Lender Loan Issues; Team II, School-based Loan Issues; Team III, Accreditation; Team IV, Discretionary Grants (to include TRIO, GEAR UP, HEP and CAMP); and Team V, General and Non-Loan Programmatic Issues.

In early March, the first meeting of the Accreditation group was held. Discussion centered on assessing distance education, monitoring of institutions that are growing and appeals by institutions to accrediting agencies. The next Accreditation session will be held in late April.

Education GRO will continue to monitor this process in partnership with the Office on Accreditation.