Advocacy Alert: USDE Releases Proposed Amendments for Distance Education, Return of Title IV Funds, and Federal TRIO Programs

The United States Department of Education has released proposed amendments to regulations regarding Distance Education, Return of Title IV, and Federal TRIO Programs. Members of the public will have until August 23, 2024, to submit comments.

As part of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s (MSCHE) strategic priority to promote advocacy initiatives for its members and others, we encourage our constituents to submit comments on the proposed regulations. The Federal Register includes instructions on how to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

Distance Education

The Department proposes to amend the definitions of several terms. The amended definition of additional location would include virtual locations for programs that are 100 percent online. The revised definition of clock hour excludes asynchronous coursework via distance education from the coursework that may apply to a student’s eligibility for Title IV funds. In addition, USDE proposes that only asynchronous coursework offered in credit-hour programs can count toward the definition of academic year. Lastly, the Department proposes to require institutions to report distance education or correspondence course enrollment. 

Return of Title IV Funds

USDE proposes several changes in regard to Return of Title IV funds. These changes include new borrowing terms and new procedures and processes for student withdrawal. 

Federal TRIO Programs

The Department proposes expanded student access to five of the nine Federal TRIO programs: Educational Opportunity Centers, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, and Veterans Upward Bound.