State authorization regulations will adversely impact distance education, including correspondence study and online learning. Under the new state authorization rules, a student enrolled in a distance education program offered by an institution cannot use Title IV Higher Education Act funds if that institution does not have authorization in the student’s state of residence. If a state fails to comply with state authorization regulations, the consequences can be severe. Join us online to learn about the new Title IV regulations, the timelines involved, and processes you can use to ensure compliance.

Learning Outcomes

1. Cite new Title IV regulations approaches to ensure compliance.
2. Discuss challenges for your campus and its financial aid program.
3. Identify new federal regulations.
4. Create a process for compliance.
5. State consequences of noncompliance.
6. Identify resources to help with compliance.

Agenda

• Challenges for your campus and its financial aid program
• New federal regulations
  • “Credit hour” definition and application to online learning
  • State authorization
    • Cost associated
• What the Department of Education expects
• Creating a process for compliance
• Implications of noncompliance
• What are the consequences?
• Implications of US district court ruling on compliance
• Resources

Instructors

John Ebersole, MPA, MBA, EdS, LPD
President, Excelsior College

Prior to coming to Excelsior College, John was responsible for distance education at Boston University (where he created the online program), Colorado State University, and the University of California, Berkeley, where he oversaw the construction of online programming under a $2.5 million Sloan Foundation grant. In the mid-1980s while serving at John F. Kennedy University, John developed the first accredited online degree program (an MBA). A retired military training specialist, he is past president of the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA).

Paul H. Shiffman, EdD
Executive Director, President’s Forum and Assistant Vice President for Strategic and Governmental Relations, Excelsior College

Paul develops concepts and programs focused on supporting and accomplishing Excelsior’s strategic and long-range goals with a particular focus on advocacy for and delivery of online learning and adult distance education. He leads an annual policy institute, The Presidents’ Forum, comprising a national membership of higher education leadership, focusing on policy, regulatory, and fiscal issues associated with adult-serving and distance-learning institutions. Prior to joining Excelsior College, Paul served in a variety of administrative roles in academe and public service, including vice president for institutional planning and advancement at SUNY Rockland Community College, executive associate to the president and assistant vice president for government relations at SUNY Empire State College, executive associate to the vice chancellor for educational technology of the SUNY System, coordinator of legislative and educational policy for the National Education Association of New York, executive director of the Standing Committee on Education of the New York State Assembly, and educational planner for early childhood through secondary education in the Office of Planning and Budget for the Governor of the State of Georgia.

 Additional Resources

• State Authorization and Title IV Compliance: What Presidents and Provosts Need to Know
• Backing Off on State Authorization