September 25, 2017
Western Governors University Cited by Government Watchdog
Western Governors University (WGU) has been reprimanded by the Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the failure to meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in the federal student aid programs.
An audit by the OIG has revealed that more than 50 percent of WGU’s courses do not provide adequate interaction between faculty and students. The OIG has recommended that WGU repay $712 million for failing to provide “regular and substantive interaction between students and their instructors,” as required of distance education providers by federal law.
The OIG’s recommendation is not binding on the Department. Western Governors University will have 30 days to submit additional information for the audit report, and then the Department will decide whether it imposes any financial penalties.
An audit by the OIG has revealed that more than 50 percent of WGU’s courses do not provide adequate interaction between faculty and students. The OIG has recommended that WGU repay $712 million for failing to provide “regular and substantive interaction between students and their instructors,” as required of distance education providers by federal law.
The OIG’s recommendation is not binding on the Department. Western Governors University will have 30 days to submit additional information for the audit report, and then the Department will decide whether it imposes any financial penalties.
For more information, please contact:
Tim Powers