NAICU Testifies at Public Hearing on Negotiated Rulemaking Proposal

The Department of Education held a public hearing soliciting comments on its recent negotiated rulemaking announcement regarding major revisions to the Title IV student financial aid programs. Jody Feder, NAICU’s Director of Accountability and Regulatory Affairs, testified on behalf of NAICU and used the opportunity to emphasize policy priorities regarding accreditation, deregulation, financial responsibility standards, and fraud and abuse in the for-profit sector. NAICU also submitted written comments to the Department.

In July, the Department announced its intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to consider numerous revisions to the regulations governing the federal financial aid programs.  Among the issues under consideration are rules related to: accreditation; state authorization; state authorization of distance education; credit hour definition; the teach-out process; competency-based education; TEACH grants; barriers to innovation and competition; barriers to student completion, graduation, or employment; and eligibility of faith-based institutions to participate in the student aid programs.

The Department is accepting public comments through September 14 and expects to convene the negotiated rulemaking committee by January.