34 C.F.R. PART 668—STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 34 - Education
Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002, 1003, 1085, 1088, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1099c, and 1099c–1, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This part establishes general rules that apply to an institution that participates in any student financial assistance program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV, HEA program). To the extent that an institution contracts with a third-party servicer to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, the applicable rules in this part also apply to that servicer. An institution's use of a third-party servicer does not alter the institution's responsibility for compliance with the rules in this part. (b) As used in this part, an “institution” includes— (1) An institution of higher education as defined in 34 CFR 600.4; (2) A proprietary institution of higher education as defined in 34 CFR 600.5; and (3) A postsecondary vocational institution as defined in 34 CFR 600.6. (c) The Title IV, HEA programs include— (1) The Federal Pell Grant Program (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.; 34 CFR part 690); (2) The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Program (20 U.S.C. 1070a–1; 34 CFR part 691); (3) The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program (20 U.S.C. 1070b et seq.; 34 CFR parts 673 and 676); (4) The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program (20 U.S.C. 1070c et seq.; 34 CFR part 692); (5) The Federal Stafford Loan Program (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.; 34 CFR part 682); (6) The Federal PLUS Program (20 U.S.C. 1078–2; 34 CFR part 682); (7) The Federal Consolidation Loan Program (20 U.S.C. 1078–3; 34 CFR part 682); (8) The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program (42 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.; 34 CFR parts 673 and 675); (9) The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.; 34 CFR part 685); (10) The Federal Perkins Loan Program (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.; 34 CFR parts 673 and 674); and (11) The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) Program (20 U.S.C. 1070a–1; 34 CFR part 691). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) [52 FR 45724, Dec. 1, 1987, as amended at 56 FR 36696, July 31, 1991; 59 FR 22418, Apr. 29, 1994; 61 FR 60396, Nov. 27, 1996; 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998; 65 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45692, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) The following definitions are contained in the regulations for Institutional Eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 34 CFR part 600:
Accredited Award year Branch campus Clock hour Correspondence course Educational program Eligible institution Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs Incarcerated student Institution of higher education Legally authorized Nationally recognized accrediting agency Nonprofit institution One-year training program Postsecondary vocational institution Preaccredited Proprietary institution of higher education Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma Recognized occupation Regular student Secretary State Telecommunications course (b) The following definitions apply to all Title IV, HEA programs: Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Program: A grant program authorized by Title IV–A–1 of the HEA under which grants are awarded during the first and second academic years of study to eligible financially needy undergraduate students who successfully complete rigorous secondary school programs of study. Campus-based programs: (1) The Federal Perkins Loan Program (34 CFR parts 673 and 674); (2) The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program (34 CFR parts 673 and 675); and (3) The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program (34 CFR parts 673 and 676). Defense loan: A loan made before July 1, 1972, under Title II of the National Defense Education Act of 1958. Dependent student: Any student who does not qualify as an independent student (see Independent student). Designated department official: An official of the Department of Education to whom the Secretary has delegated responsibilities indicated in this part. Direct Loan Program loan: A loan made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Direct PLUS Loan: A loan made under the Federal Direct PLUS Program. Direct Subsidized Loan: A loan made under the Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan Program. Direct Unsubsidized Loan: A loan made under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan Program. Enrolled: The status of a student who— (1) Has completed the registration requirements (except for the payment of tuition and fees) at the institution that he or she is attending; or (2) Has been admitted into an educational program offered predominantly by correspondence and has submitted one lesson, completed by him or her after acceptance for enrollment and without the help of a representative of the institution. Expected family contribution (EFC): The amount, as determined under title IV, part F of the HEA, an applicant and his or her spouse and family are expected to contribute toward the applicant's cost of attendance. Federal Consolidation Loan program: The loan program authorized by Title IV-B, section 428C, of the HEA that encourages the making of loans to borrowers for the purpose of consolidating their repayment obligations, with respect to loans received by those borrowers, under the Federal Insured Student Loan (FISL) Program as defined in 34 CFR part 682, the Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS (as in effect before October 17, 1986), Federal Consolidation Loan, Federal SLS, ALAS (as in effect before October 17, 1986), Federal Direct Student Loan, and Federal Perkins Loan programs, and under the Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) Program authorized by subpart II of part C of Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, for parent Federal PLUS borrowers whose loans were made after October 17, 1986, and for Higher Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) authorized by subpart I of part A of Title VII of the Public Health Services Act. Federal Direct PLUS Program: A loan program authorized by Title IV, Part D of the HEA that is one of the components of the Direct Loan Program. The Federal Direct PLUS Program provides loans to parents of dependent students attending schools that participate in the Direct Loan Program. The borrower is responsible for the interest that accrues during any period. Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan Program: A loan program authorized by Title IV, Part D of the HEA that is one of the components of the Direct Loan Program. The Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan Program provides loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students attending schools that participate in the Direct Loan Program. The Secretary subsidizes the interest while the borrower is in an in-school, grace, or deferment period. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan Program: A loan program authorized by Title IV, Part D of the HEA that is one of the components of the Direct Loan Program. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan Program provides loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students attending schools that participate in the Direct Loan Program. The borrower is responsible for the interest that accrues during any period. Federal Pell Grant Program: A grant program authorized by Title IV–A–1 of the HEA under which grants are awarded to help financially needy students meet the cost of their postsecondary education. Federal Perkins loan: A loan made under Title IV-E of the HEA to cover the cost of attendance for a period of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1987, to an individual who on July 1, 1987, had no outstanding balance of principal or interest owing on any loan previously made under Title IV-E of the HEA. Federal Perkins Loan program: The student loan program authorized by Title IV-E of the HEA after October 16, 1986. Unless otherwise noted, as used in this part, the Federal Perkins Loan Program includes the National Direct Student Loan Program and the National Defense Student Loan Program. Federal PLUS loan: A loan made under the Federal PLUS Program. Federal PLUS program: The loan program authorized by Title IV-B, section 428B, of the HEA, that encourages the making of loans to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Before October 17, 1986, the PLUS Program also provided for making loans to graduate, professional, and independent undergraduate students. Before July 1, 1993, the PLUS Program also provided for making loans to parents of dependent graduate students. Federal SLS loan: A loan made under the Federal SLS Program. Federal Stafford loan: A loan made under the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Federal Stafford Loan program: The loan program authorized by Title IV-B (exclusive of sections 428A, 428B, and 428C) that encourages the making of subsidized Federal Stafford and unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans as defined in 34 CFR part 682 to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program: The grant program authorized by Title IV-A–2 of the HEA. Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (Federal SLS) Program: The loan program authorized by Title IV-B, section 428A of the HEA, as in effect for periods of enrollment that began before July 1, 1994. The Federal SLS Program encourages the making of loans to graduate, professional, independent undergraduate, and certain dependent undergraduate students. Federal Work Study (FWS) program: The part-time employment program for students authorized by Title IV-C of the HEA. FFELP loan: A loan made under the FFEL programs. Full-time student: An enrolled student who is carrying a full-time academic workload (other than by correspondence) as determined by the institution under a standard applicable to all students enrolled in a particular educational program. The student's workload may include any combination of courses, work, research, or special studies that the institution considers sufficient to classify the student as a full-time student. However, for an undergraduate student, an institution's minimum standard must equal or exceed one of the following minimum requirements: (1) Twelve semester hours or 12 quarter hours per academic term in an educational program using a semester, trimester, or quarter system. (2) Twenty-four semester hours or 36 quarter hours per academic year for an educational program using credit hours but not using a semester, trimester, or quarter system, or the prorated equivalent for a program of less than one academic year. (3) Twenty-four clock hours per week for an educational program using clock hours. (4) In an educational program using both credit and clock hours, any combination of credit and clock hours where the sum of the following fractions is equal to or greater than one: (i) For a program using a semester, trimester, or quarter system— (ii) For a program not using a semester, trimester, or quarter system— (5) A series of courses or seminars that equals 12 semester hours or 12 quarter hours in a maximum of 18 weeks. (6) The work portion of a cooperative education program in which the amount of work performed is equivalent to the academic workload of a full-time student. HEA: The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Independent student: A student who qualifies as an independent student under section 480(d) of the HEA. Initiating official: The designated department official authorized to begin an emergency action under 34 CFR 668.83. Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program: The grant program authorized by Title IV-A–4 of the HEA. National Defense Student Loan program: The student loan program authorized by Title II of the National Defense Education Act of 1958. National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program: The student loan program authorized by Title IV-E of the HEA between July 1, 1972, and October 16, 1986. National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership (NEISP) program: The scholarship program authorized by Chapter 2 of subpart 1 of Title IV-A of the HEA. National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) Program: A grant program authorized by Title IV–A–1 of the HEA under which grants are awarded during the third and fourth academic years of study to eligible financially needy undergraduate students pursuing eligible majors in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering, or foreign languages determined to be critical to the national security of the United States. One-third of an academic year: A period that is at least one-third of an academic year as determined by an institution. At a minimum, one-third of an academic year must be a period that begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of classes or examinations and is a minimum of 10 weeks of instructional time during which, for an undergraduate educational program, a full-time student is expected to complete at least 8 semester or trimester hours or 12 quarter hours in an educational program whose length is measured in credit hours or 300 clock hours in an educational program whose length is measured in clock hours. For an institution whose academic year has been reduced under §668.3, one-third of an academic year is the pro-rated equivalent, as measured in weeks and credit or clock hours, of at least one-third of the institution's academic year. Output document: The Student Aid Report (SAR), Electronic Student Aid Report (ESAR), or other document or automated data generated by the Department of Education's central processing system or Multiple Data Entry processing system as the result of the processing of data provided in a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Parent: A student's biological or adoptive mother or father or the student's stepparent, if the biological parent or adoptive mother or father has remarried at the time of application. Participating institution: An eligible institution that meets the standards for participation in Title IV, HEA programs in subpart B and has a current program participation agreement with the Secretary. Show-cause official: The designated department official authorized to conduct a show-cause proceeding for an emergency action under 34 CFR 668.83. Third-party servicer: (1) An individual or a State, or a private, profit or nonprofit organization that enters into a contract with an eligible institution to administer, through either manual or automated processing, any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. The Secretary considers administration of participation in a Title IV, HEA program to— (i) Include performing any function required by any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA, such as, but not restricted to— (A) Processing student financial aid applications; (B) Performing need analysis; (C) Determining student eligibility and related activities; (D) Certifying loan applications; (E) Processing output documents for payment to students; (F) Receiving, disbursing, or delivering Title IV, HEA program funds, excluding lock-box processing of loan payments and normal bank electronic fund transfers; (G) Conducting activities required by the provisions governing student consumer information services in subpart D of this part; (H) Preparing and certifying requests for advance or reimbursement funding; (I) Loan servicing and collection; (J) Preparing and submitting notices and applications required under 34 CFR part 600 and subpart B of this part; and (K) Preparing a Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP); (ii) Exclude the following functions— (A) Publishing ability-to-benefit tests; (B) Performing functions as a Multiple Data Entry Processor (MDE); (C) Financial and compliance auditing; (D) Mailing of documents prepared by the institution; (E) Warehousing of records; and (F) Providing computer services or software; and (iii) Notwithstanding the exclusions referred to in paragraph (1)(ii) of this definition, include any activity comprised of any function described in paragraph (1)(i) of this definition. (2) For purposes of this definition, an employee of an institution is not a third-party servicer. The Secretary considers an individual to be an employee if the individual— (i) Works on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis; (ii) Performs all duties on site at the institution under the supervision of the institution; (iii) Is paid directly by the institution; (iv) Is not employed by or associated with a third-party servicer; and (v) Is not a third-party servicer for any other institution. Two-thirds of an academic year: A period that is at least two-thirds of an academic year as determined by an institution. At a minimum, two-thirds of an academic year must be a period that begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of classes or examinations and is a minimum of 20 weeks of instructional time during which, for an undergraduate educational program, a full-time student is expected to complete at least 16 semester or trimester hours or 24 quarter hours in an educational program whose length is measured in credit hours or 600 clock hours in an educational program whose length is measured in clock hours. For an institution whose academic year has been reduced under §668.3, two-thirds of an academic year is the pro-rated equivalent, as measured in weeks and credit or clock hours, of at least two-thirds of the institution's academic year. U.S. citizen or national: (1) A citizen of the United States; or (2) A person defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22), who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States. Valid institutional student information report (valid ISIR): A valid institutional student information report as defined in 34 CFR 690.2 for purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program. Valid student aid report (valid SAR): A valid student aid report (valid SAR) as defined in 34 CFR 690.2 for purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program. William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program: The loan program authorized by Title IV, Part D of the HEA. [59 FR 22418, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 61178, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 61809, Dec. 1, 1995; 61 FR 60396, Nov. 27, 1996; 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 65 FR 65674, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 67071, Nov. 1, 2002; 69 FR 12275, Mar. 16, 2004; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45693, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, an academic year is a period that begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of classes or examinations during which— (1) An institution provides a minimum of 30 weeks of instructional time; and (2) For an undergraduate educational program, a full-time student is expected to complete at least— (i) Twenty-four semester or trimester credit hours or 36 quarter credit hours for a program measured in credit hours; or (ii) 900 clock hours for a program measured in clock hours. (b) Definitions. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section— (1) A week is a consecutive seven-day period; (2) A week of instructional time is any week in which at least one day of regularly scheduled instruction or examinations occurs or, after the last scheduled day of classes for a term or payment period, at least one day of study for final examinations occurs; and (3) Instructional time does not include any vacation periods, homework, or periods of orientation or counseling. (c) Reduction in the length of an academic year. (1) Upon the written request of an institution, the Secretary may approve, for good cause, an academic year of 26 through 29 weeks of instructional time for educational programs offered by the institution if the institution offers a two-year program leading to an associate degree or a four-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree. (2) An institution's written request must— (i) Identify each educational program for which the institution requests a reduction, and the requested number of weeks of instructional time for that program; (ii) Demonstrate good cause for the requested reductions; and (iii) Include any other information that the Secretary may require to determine whether to grant the request. (3)(i) The Secretary approves the request of an eligible institution for a reduction in the length of its academic year if the institution has demonstrated good cause for granting the request and the institution's accrediting agency and State licensing agency have approved the request. (ii) If the Secretary approves the request, the approval terminates when the institution's program participation agreement expires. The institution may request an extension of that approval as part of the recertification process. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1088) [67 FR 67071, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) Payment periods for an eligible program that measures progress in credit hours and has academic terms. For a student enrolled in an eligible program that measures progress in credit hours and has academic terms, the payment period is the academic term. (b) Payment periods for an eligible program that measures progress in credit hours and does not have academic terms. (1) For a student enrolled in an eligible program that is one academic year or less in length— (i) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of credit hours in the program and half the number of weeks in the program; and (ii) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the program. (2) For a student enrolled in an eligible program that is more than one academic year in length— (i) For the first academic year and any subsequent full academic year— (A) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of credit hours in the academic year and half the number of weeks in the academic year; and (B) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the academic year. (ii) For any remaining portion of an eligible program that is more than one-half an academic year but less than a full academic year in length— (A) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of credit hours in the remaining portion of the program and half the number of weeks remaining in the program; and (B) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the remainder of the program. (iii) For any remaining portion of an eligible program that is not more than half an academic year, the payment period is the remainder of the program. (3) For purposes of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, if an institution is unable to determine when a student has completed half of the credit hours in a program, academic year, or remainder of a program; the student is considered to begin the second payment period of the program, academic year, or remainder of a program at the later of— (i) The date, as determined by the institution, on which the student has completed half of the academic coursework in the program, academic year, or remainder of the program; or (ii) The calendar midpoint between the first and last scheduled days of class of the program, academic year, or remainder of the program. (c) Payment periods for an eligible program that measures progress in clock hours. (1) For a student enrolled in an eligible program that is one academic year or less in length— (i) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of clock hours in the program; and (ii) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the program. (2) For a student enrolled in an eligible program that is more than one academic year in length— (i) For the first academic year and any subsequent full academic year— (A) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of clock hours in the academic year; and (B) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the academic year. (ii) For any remaining portion of an eligible program that is more than one-half an academic year but less than a full academic year in length— (A) The first payment period is the period of time in which the student completes half the number of clock hours in the remaining portion of the program; and (B) The second payment period is the period of time in which the student completes the remainder of the program. (iii) For any remaining portion of an eligible program that is not more than one half of an academic year, the payment period is the remainder of the program. (d) Number of payment periods. Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, an institution may choose to have more than two payment periods. If an institution so chooses, the regulations in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section are modified to reflect the increased number of payment periods. For example, if an institution chooses to have three payment periods in an academic year in a program that measures progress in credit hours but does not have academic terms, each payment period must correspond to one-third of the academic year measured in both credit hours and weeks of instruction. (e) Re-entry within 180 days. If a student withdraws from a program described in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section during a payment period and then reenters the same program within 180 days, the student remains in that same payment period when he or she returns and, subject to conditions established by the Secretary or by the FFEL lender or guaranty agency, is eligible to receive any title IV, HEA program funds for which he or she was eligible prior to withdrawal, including funds that were returned by the institution or student under the provisions of §668.22. (f) Re-entry after 180 days or transfer. (1) Subject to the conditions of paragraph (f)(2) of this section, an institution calculates new payment periods for the remainder of a student's program based on paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, for a student who withdraws from a program described in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, and— (i) Reenters that program after 180 days, (ii) Transfers into another program at the same institution within any time period, or (iii) Transfers into a program at another institution within any time period. (2) For a student described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section— (i) For the purpose of calculating payment periods only, the length of the program is the number of credit hours and the number of weeks, or the number of clock hours, that the student has remaining in the program he or she enters or reenters; and (ii) If the remaining hours, and weeks if applicable, constitute one-half of an academic year or less, the remaining hours constitute one payment period. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) [67 FR 67071, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) Written arrangements between eligible institutions. If an eligible institution enters into a written arrangement with another eligible institution, or with a consortium of eligible institutions, under which the other eligible institution or consortium provides all or part of the educational program of students enrolled in the former institution, the Secretary considers that educational program to be an eligible program if it otherwise satisfies the requirements of §668.8. (b) Written arrangements for study-abroad. Under a study abroad program, if an eligible institution enters into a written arrangement with a foreign institution, or an organization acting on behalf of a foreign institution, under which the foreign institution provides part of the educational program of students enrolled in the eligible institution, the Secretary considers that educational program to be an eligible program if it otherwise satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this section. (c) Written arrangements between an eligible institution and an ineligible institution or organization. If an eligible institution enters into a written arrangement with an institution or organization that is not an eligible institution under which the ineligible institution or organization provides part of the educational program of students enrolled in the eligible institution, the Secretary considers that educational program to be an eligible program if— (1) The ineligible institution or organization has not had its eligibility to participate in the title IV, HEA programs terminated by the Secretary, or has not voluntarily withdrawn from participation in those programs under a termination, show-cause, suspension, or similar type proceeding initiated by the institution's State licensing agency, accrediting agency, guarantor, or by the Secretary; (2) The educational program otherwise satisfies the requirements of §668.8; and (3)(i) The ineligible institution or organization provides not more than 25 percent of the educational program; or (ii)(A) The ineligible institution or organization provides more than 25 percent but not more than 50 percent of the educational program; (B) The eligible institution and the ineligible institution or organization are not owned or controlled by the same individual, partnership, or corporation; and (C) The eligible institution's accrediting agency, or if the institution is a public postsecondary vocational educational institution, the State agency listed in the (d) Administration of title IV, HEA programs. (1) If an institution enters into a written arrangement as described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section, except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the institution at which the student is enrolled as a regular student must determine the student's eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds, and must calculate and disburse those funds to that student. (2) In the case of a written arrangement between eligible institutions, the institutions may agree in writing to have any eligible institution in the written arrangement make those calculations and disbursements, and the Secretary does not consider that institution to be a third-party servicer for that arrangement. (3) The institution that calculates and disburses a student's title IV, HEA program assistance under paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section must— (i) Take into account all the hours in which the student enrolls at each institution that apply to the student's degree or certificate when determining the student's enrollment status and cost of attendance; and (ii) Maintain all records regarding the student's eligibility for and receipt of title IV, HEA program funds. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [65 FR 65674, Nov. 1, 2000]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45693, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) General. An eligible program is an educational program that— (1) Is provided by a participating institution; and (2) Satisfies the other relevant requirements contained in this section. (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section— (1) The Secretary considers the “equivalent of an associate degree” to be— (i) An associate degree; or (ii) The successful completion of at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree and qualifies a student for admission into the third year of a bachelor's degree program; (2) A week is a consecutive seven-day period; and (3)(i) The Secretary considers that an institution provides one week of instructional time in an academic program during any week the institution provides at least one day of regularly scheduled instruction or examinations, or, after the last scheduled day of classes for a term or a payment period, at least one day of study for final examinations. (ii) Instructional time does not include any vacation periods, homework, or periods of orientation or counseling. (c) Institution of higher education. An eligible program provided by an institution of higher education must— (1) Lead to an associate, bachelor's, professional, or graduate degree; (2) Be at least a two-academic-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree; or (3) Be at least a one-academic-year training program that leads to a certificate, degree, or other recognized educational credential and that prepares a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. (d) Proprietary institution of higher education and postsecondary vocational institution. An eligible program provided by a proprietary institution of higher education or postsecondary vocational institution— (1)(i) Must require a minimum of 15 weeks of instruction, beginning on the first day of classes and ending on the last day of classes or examinations; (ii) Must be at least 600 clock hours, 16 semester or trimester hours, or 24 quarter hours; (iii) Must provide undergraduate training that prepares a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and (iv) May admit as regular students persons who have not completed the equivalent of an associate degree; (2) Must— (i) Require a minimum of 10 weeks of instruction, beginning on the first day of classes and ending on the last day of classes or examinations; (ii) Be at least 300 clock hours, 8 semester or trimester hours, or 12 quarter hours; (iii) Provide training that prepares a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and (iv)(A) Be a graduate or professional program; or (B) Admit as regular students only persons who have completed the equivalent of an associate degree; or (3) For purposes of the FFEL and Direct Loan programs only, must— (i) Require a minimum of 10 weeks of instruction, beginning on the first day of classes and ending on the last day of classes or examinations; (ii) Be at least 300 clock hours but less than 600 clock hours; (iii) Provide undergraduate training that prepares a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; (iv) Admit as regular students some persons who have not completed the equivalent of an associate degree; and (v) Satisfy the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section. (e) Qualitative factors. (1) An educational program that satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section qualifies as an eligible program only if— (i) The program has a substantiated completion rate of at least 70 percent, as calculated under paragraph (f) of this section; (ii) The program has a substantiated placement rate of at least 70 percent, as calculated under paragraph (g) of this section; (iii) The number of clock hours provided in the program does not exceed by more than 50 percent the minimum number of clock hours required for training in the recognized occupation for which the program prepares students, as established by the State in which the program is offered, if the State has established such a requirement, or as established by any Federal agency; and (iv) The program has been in existence for at least one year. The Secretary considers an educational program to have been in existence for at least one year only if an institution has been legally authorized to provide, and has continuously provided, the program during the 12 months (except for normal vacation periods and, at the discretion of the Secretary, periods when the institution closes due to a natural disaster that directly affects the institution or the institution's students) preceding the date on which the institution applied for eligibility for that program. (2) An institution shall substantiate the calculation of its completion and placement rates by having the certified public accountant who prepares its audit report required under §668.23 report on the institution's calculation based on performing an attestation engagement in accordance with the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). (f) Calculation of completion rate. An institution shall calculate its completion rate for an educational program for any award year as follows: (1) Determine the number of regular students who were enrolled in the program during the award year. (2) Subtract from the number of students determined under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the number of regular students who, during that award year, withdrew from, dropped out of, or were expelled from the program and were entitled to and actually received, in a timely manner a refund of 100 percent of their tuition and fees. (3) Subtract from the total obtained under paragraph (f)(2) of this section the number of students who were enrolled in the program at the end of that award year. (4) Determine the number of regular students who, during that award year, received within 150 percent of the published length of the educational program the degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential awarded for successfully completing the program. (5) Divide the number determined under paragraph (f)(4) of this section by the total obtained under paragraph (f)(3) of this section. (g) Calculation of placement rate. (1) An institution shall calculate its placement rate for an educational program for any award year as follows: (i) Determine the number of students who, during the award year, received the degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential awarded for successfully completing the program. (ii) Of the total obtained under paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, determine the number of students who, within 180 days of the day they received their degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential, obtained gainful employment in the recognized occupation for which they were trained or in a related comparable recognized occupation and, on the date of this calculation, are employed, or have been employed, for at least 13 weeks following receipt of the credential from the institution. (iii) Divide the number of students determined under paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section by the total obtained under paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section. (2) An institution shall document that each student described in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section obtained gainful employment in the recognized occupation for which he or she was trained or in a related comparable recognized occupation. Examples of satisfactory documentation of a student's gainful employment include, but are not limited to— (i) A written statement from the student's employer; (ii) Signed copies of State or Federal income tax forms; and (iii) Written evidence of payments of Social Security taxes. (h) Eligibility for Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, and FSEOG Programs. In addition to satisfying other relevant provisions of the section— (1) An educational program qualifies as an eligible program for purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program only if the educational program is an undergraduate program or a postbaccalaureate teacher certificate or licensing program as described in 34 CFR 690.6(c); and (2) An educational program qualifies as an eligible program for purposes of the ACG, National SMART Grant, and FSEOG programs only if the educational program is an undergraduate program. (i) Flight training. In addition to satisfying other relevant provisions of this section, for a program of flight training to be an eligible program, it must have a current valid certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. (j) English as a second language (ESL). (1) In addition to satisfying the relevant provisions of this section, an educational program that consists solely of instruction in ESL qualifies as an eligible program if— (i) The institution admits to the program only students who the institution determines need the ESL instruction to use already existing knowledge, training, or skills; and (ii) The program leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. (2) An institution shall document its determination that ESL instruction is necessary to enable each student enrolled in its ESL program to use already existing knowledge, training, or skills with regard to the students that it admits to its ESL program under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section. (3) An ESL program that qualifies as an eligible program under this paragraph is eligible for purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program only. (k) Undergraduate educational program in credit hours. If an institution offers an undergraduate educational program in credit hours, the institution must use the formula contained in paragraph (l) of this section to determine whether that program satisfies the requirements contained in paragraph (c)(3) or (d) of this section, and the number of credit hours in that educational program for purposes of the Title IV, HEA programs, unless— (1) The program is at least two academic years in length and provides an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, a professional degree, or an equivalent degree as determined by the Secretary; or (2) Each course within the program is acceptable for full credit toward that institution's associate degree, bachelor's degree, professional degree, or equivalent degree as determined by the Secretary, provided that the institution's degree requires at least two academic years of study. (l) Formula. For purposes of determining whether a program described in paragraph (k) of this section satisfies the requirements contained in paragraph (c)(3) or (d) of this section, and the number of credit hours in that educational program with regard to the Title IV, HEA programs— (1) A semester hour must include at least 30 clock hours of instruction; (2) A trimester hour must include at least 30 clock hours of instruction; and (3) A quarter hour must include at least 20 hours of instruction. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a, 1070a–1, 1070b, 1070c–1, 1070c–2, 1085, 1087aa–1087hh, 1088, 1091, and 42 U.S.C. 2753) [59 FR 22421, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 59 FR 61179, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 42408, Aug. 15, 1995; 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 58291, Oct. 28, 1999; 64 FR 59037, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 65675, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 67072, Nov. 1, 2002; 68 FR 19152, Apr. 18, 2003; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) In determining the amount of Title IV, HEA program assistance that a student who is enrolled in a program described in §668.8(k) is eligible to receive, the institution shall apply the formula contained in §668.8(l) to determine the number of semester, trimester, or quarter hours in that program, if the institution measures academic progress in that program in semester, trimester, or quarter hours. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, a public or private nonprofit hospital-based school of nursing that awards a diploma at the completion of the school's program of education is not required to apply the formula contained in §668.8(l) to determine the number of semester, trimester, or quarter hours in that program for purposes of calculating Title IV, HEA program assistance. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1088, 1091, 1141) [59 FR 61179, Nov. 29, 1994]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45693, Aug. 9, 2006. Source: 52 FR 45727, Dec. 1, 1987, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This subpart establishes standards that an institution must meet in order to participate in any Title IV, HEA program. (b) Noncompliance with these standards by an institution already participating in any Title IV, HEA program or with applicable standards in this subpart by a third-party servicer that contracts with the institution may subject the institution or servicer, or both, to proceedings under subpart G of this part. These proceedings may lead to any of the following actions: (1) An emergency action. (2) The imposition of a fine. (3) The limitation, suspension, or termination of the participation of the institution in a Title IV, HEA program. (4) The limitation, suspension, or termination of the eligibility of the servicer to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22423, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) Requirements for certification. (1) The Secretary certifies an institution to participate in the title IV, HEA programs if the institution qualifies as an eligible institution under 34 CFR part 600, meets the standards of this subpart and 34 CFR part 668, subpart L, and satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, if an institution wishes to participate for the first time in the title IV, HEA programs or has undergone a change in ownership that results in a change in control as described in 34 CFR 600.31, the institution must require the following individuals to complete title IV, HEA program training provided or approved by the Secretary no later than 12 months after the institution executes its program participation agreement under §668.14: (i) The individual the institution designates under §668.16(b)(1) as its title IV, HEA program administrator. (ii) The institution's chief administrator or a high level institutional official the chief administrator designates. (3)(i) An institution may request the Secretary to waive the training requirement for any individual described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (ii) When the Secretary receives a waiver request under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, the Secretary may grant or deny the waiver, require another institutional official to take the training, or require alternative training. (b) Period of participation. (1) If the Secretary certifies that an institution meets the standards of this subpart, the Secretary also specifies the period for which the institution may participate in a Title IV, HEA program. An institution's period of participation expires six years after the date that the Secretary certifies that the institution meets the standards of this subpart, except that the Secretary may specify a shorter period. (2) Provided that an institution has submitted an application for a renewal of certification that is materially complete at least 90 days prior to the expiration of its current period of participation, the institution's existing certification will be extended on a month to month basis following the expiration of the institution's period of participation until the end of the month in which the Secretary issues a decision on the application for recertification. (c) Provisional certification. (1) The Secretary may provisionally certify an institution if— (i) The institution seeks initial participation in a Title IV, HEA program; (ii) The institution is an eligible institution that has undergone a change in ownership that results in a change in control according to the provisions of 34 CFR part 600; (iii) The institution is a participating institution— (A) That is applying for a certification that the institution meets the standards of this subpart; (B) That the Secretary determines has jeopardized its ability to perform its financial responsibilities by not meeting the factors of financial responsibility under §668.15 or the standards of administrative capability under §668.16; and (C) Whose participation has been limited or suspended under subpart G of this part, or voluntarily enters into provisional certification; (iv) The institution seeks a renewal of participation in a Title IV, HEA program after the expiration of a prior period of participation in that program; or (v) The institution is a participating institution that was accredited or preaccredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency on the day before the Secretary withdrew the Secretary's recognition of that agency according to the provisions contained in 34 CFR part 603. (2) If the Secretary provisionally certifies an institution, the Secretary also specifies the period for which the institution may participate in a Title IV, HEA program. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) (3) and (4) of this section, a provisionally certified institution's period of participation expires— (i) Not later than the end of the first complete award year following the date on which the Secretary provisionally certified the institution under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section; (ii) Not later than the end of the third complete award year following the date on which the Secretary provisionally certified the institution under paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (iii), (iv) or (e)(2) of this section; and (iii) If the Secretary provisionally certified the institution under paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section, not later than 18 months after the date that the Secretary withdrew recognition from the institutions nationally recognized accrediting agency. (3) Notwithstanding the maximum periods of participation provided for in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, if the Secretary provisionally certifies an institution, the Secretary may specify a shorter period of participation for that institution. (4) For the purposes of this section, “provisional certification” means that the Secretary certifies that an institution has demonstrated to the Secretary's satisfaction that the institution— (i) Is capable of meeting the standards of this subpart within a specified period; and (ii) Is able to meet the institution's responsibilities under its program participation agreement, including compliance with any additional conditions specified in the institution's program participation agreement that the Secretary requires the institution to meet in order for the institution to participate under provisional certification. (d) Revocation of provisional certification. (1) If, before the expiration of a provisionally certified institution's period of participation in a Title IV, HEA program, the Secretary determines that the institution is unable to meet its responsibilities under its program participation agreement, the Secretary may revoke the institution's provisional certification for participation in that program. (2)(i) If the Secretary revokes the provisional certification of an institution under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Secretary sends the institution a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. The Secretary also may transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means, if practical. (ii) The revocation takes effect on the date that the Secretary mails the notice to the institution. (iii) The notice states the basis for the revocation, the consequences of the revocation to the institution, and that the institution may request the Secretary to reconsider the revocation. The consequences of a revocation are described in §668.26. (3)(i) An institution may request reconsideration of a revocation under this section by submitting to the Secretary, within 20 days of the institution's receipt of the Secretary's notice, written evidence that the revocation is unwarranted. The institution must file the request with the Secretary by hand-delivery, mail, or facsimile transmission. (ii) The filing date of the request is the date on which the request is— (A) Hand-delivered; (B) Mailed; or (C) Sent by facsimile transmission. (iii) Documents filed by facsimile transmission must be transmitted to the Secretary in accordance with instructions provided by the Secretary in the notice of revocation. An institution filing by facsimile transmission is responsible for confirming that a complete and legible copy of the document was received by the Secretary. (iv) The Secretary discourages the use of facsimile transmission for documents longer than five pages. (4)(i) The designated department official making the decision concerning an institution's request for reconsideration of a revocation is different from, and not subject to supervision by, the official who initiated the revocation of the institution's provisional certification. The deciding official promptly considers an institution's request for reconsideration of a revocation and notifies the institution, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the final decision. The Secretary also may transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means, if practical. (ii) If the Secretary determines that the revocation is warranted, the Secretary's notice informs the institution that the institution may apply for reinstatement of participation only after the later of the expiration of— (A) Eighteen months after the effective date of the revocation; or (B) A debarment or suspension of the institution under Executive Order (E.O.) 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 comp., p. 189) or the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4. (iii) If the Secretary determines that the revocation of the institution's provisional certification is unwarranted, the Secretary's notice informs the institution that the institution's provisional certification is reinstated, effective on the date that the Secretary's original revocation notice was mailed, for a specified period of time. (5)(i) The mailing date of a notice of revocation or a request for reconsideration of a revocation is the date evidenced on the original receipt of mailing from the U.S. Postal Service. (ii) The date on which a request for reconsideration of a revocation is submitted is— (A) If the request was sent by a delivery service other than the U.S. Postal Service, the date evidenced on the original receipt by that service; and (B) If the request was sent by facsimile transmission, the date that the document is recorded as received by facsimile equipment that receives the transmission. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099c and E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 189) and E.O. 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235)) [59 FR 22424, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 60 FR 34431, June 30, 1995; 62 FR 62876, Nov. 25, 1997; 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 58617, Oct. 29, 1999; 65 FR 65675, Nov. 1, 2000] (a)(1) An institution may participate in any Title IV, HEA program, other than the LEAP and NEISP programs, only if the institution enters into a written program participation agreement with the Secretary, on a form approved by the Secretary. A program participation agreement conditions the initial and continued participation of an eligible institution in any Title IV, HEA program upon compliance with the provisions of this part, the individual program regulations, and any additional conditions specified in the program participation agreement that the Secretary requires the institution to meet. (2) An institution's program participation agreement applies to each branch campus and other location of the institution that meets the applicable requirements of this part unless otherwise specified by the Secretary. (b) By entering into a program participation agreement, an institution agrees that— (1) It will comply with all statutory provisions of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, all applicable regulatory provisions prescribed under that statutory authority, and all applicable special arrangements, agreements, and limitations entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA, including the requirement that the institution will use funds it receives under any Title IV, HEA program and any interest or other earnings thereon, solely for the purposes specified in and in accordance with that program; (2) As a fiduciary responsible for administering Federal funds, if the institution is permitted to request funds under a Title IV, HEA program advance payment method, the institution will time its requests for funds under the program to meet the institution's immediate Title IV, HEA program needs; (3) It will not request from or charge any student a fee for processing or handling any application, form, or data required to determine a student's eligibility for, and amount of, Title IV, HEA program assistance; (4) It will establish and maintain such administrative and fiscal procedures and records as may be necessary to ensure proper and efficient administration of funds received from the Secretary or from students under the Title IV, HEA programs, together with assurances that the institution will provide, upon request and in a timely manner, information relating to the administrative capability and financial responsibility of the institution to— (i) The Secretary; (ii) A guaranty agency, as defined in 34 CFR part 682, that guarantees loans made under the Federal Stafford Loan and Federal PLUS programs for attendance at the institution or any of the institution's branch campuses or other locations; (iii) The nationally recognized accrediting agency that accredits or preaccredits the institution or any of the institution's branch campuses, other locations, or educational programs; (iv) The State agency that legally authorizes the institution and any branch campus or other location of the institution to provide postsecondary education; and (v) In the case of a public postsecondary vocational educational institution that is approved by a State agency recognized for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education, that State agency; (5) It will comply with the provisions of §668.15 relating to factors of financial responsibility; (6) It will comply with the provisions of §668.16 relating to standards of administrative capability; (7) It will submit reports to the Secretary and, in the case of an institution participating in the Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS, or the Federal Perkins Loan Program, to holders of loans made to the institution's students under that program at such times and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require to carry out the purpose of the Title IV, HEA programs; (8) It will not provide any statement to any student or certification to any lender in the case of an FFEL Program loan, or origination record to the Secretary in the case of a Direct Loan Program loan that qualifies the student or parent for a loan or loans in excess of the amount that the student or parent is eligible to borrow in accordance with sections 425(a), 428(a)(2), 428(b)(1)(A) and (B), 428B, 428H, and 455(a) of the HEA; (9) It will comply with the requirements of subpart D of this part concerning institutional and financial assistance information for students and prospective students; (10) In the case of an institution that advertises job placement rates as a means of attracting students to enroll in the institution, it will make available to prospective students, at or before the time that those students apply for enrollment— (i) The most recent available data concerning employment statistics, graduation statistics, and any other information necessary to substantiate the truthfulness of the advertisements; and (ii) Relevant State licensing requirements of the State in which the institution is located for any job for which an educational program offered by the institution is designed to prepare those prospective students; (11) In the case of an institution participating in the FFEL program, the institution will inform all eligible borrowers, as defined in 34 CFR part 682, enrolled in the institution about the availability and eligibility of those borrowers for State grant assistance from the State in which the institution is located, and will inform borrowers from another State of the source of further information concerning State grant assistance from that State; (12) It will provide the certifications described in paragraph (c) of this section; (13) In the case of an institution whose students receive financial assistance pursuant to section 484(d) of the HEA, the institution will make available to those students a program proven successful in assisting students in obtaining the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma; (14) It will not deny any form of Federal financial aid to any eligible student solely on the grounds that the student is participating in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the institution; (15)(i) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(15)(ii) of this section, the institution will use a default management plan approved by the Secretary with regard to its administration of the FFEL or Direct Loan programs, or both for at least the first two years of its participation in those programs, if the institution— (A) Is participating in the FFEL or Direct Loan programs for the first time; or (B) Is an institution that has undergone a change of ownership that results in a change in control and is participating in the FFEL or Direct Loan programs. (ii) The institution does not have to use an approved default management plan if— (A) The institution, including its main campus and any branch campus, does not have a cohort default rate in excess of 10 percent; and (B) The owner of the institution does not own and has not owned any other institution that had a cohort default rate in excess of 10 percent while that owner owned the institution. (16) [Reserved] (17) The Secretary, guaranty agencies and lenders as defined in 34 CFR part 682, nationally recognized accrediting agencies, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, State agencies recognized under 34 CFR part 603 for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education, and State agencies that legally authorize institutions and branch campuses or other locations of institutions to provide postsecondary education, have the authority to share with each other any information pertaining to the institution's eligibility for or participation in the Title IV, HEA programs or any information on fraud and abuse; (18) It will not knowingly— (i) Employ in a capacity that involves the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs or the receipt of funds under those programs, an individual who has been convicted of, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds, or has been administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving Federal, State, or local government funds; (ii) Contract with an institution or third-party servicer that has been terminated under section 432 of the HEA for a reason involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds, or that has been administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving Federal, State, or local government funds; or (iii) Contract with or employ any individual, agency, or organization that has been, or whose officers or employees have been— (A) Convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds; or (B) Administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving Federal, State, or local government funds; (19) It will complete, in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of the Secretary, surveys conducted as a part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) or any other Federal collection effort, as designated by the Secretary, regarding data on postsecondary institutions; (20) In the case of an institution that is co-educational and has an intercollegiate athletic program, it will comply with the provisions of §668.48; (21) It will not impose any penalty, including, but not limited to, the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that the student borrow additional funds for which interest or other charges are assessed, on any student because of the student's inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution as a result of the delayed disbursement of the proceeds of a Title IV, HEA program loan due to compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements of or applicable to the Title IV, HEA programs, or delays attributable to the institution; (22)(i) It will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly upon success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of title IV, HEA program funds, except that this limitation does not apply to the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds. (ii) Activities and arrangements that an institution may carry out without violating the provisions of paragraph (b)(22)(i) of this section include, but are not limited to: (A) The payment of fixed compensation, such as a fixed annual salary or a fixed hourly wage, as long as that compensation is not adjusted up or down more than twice during any twelve month period, and any adjustment is not based solely on the number of students recruited, admitted, enrolled, or awarded financial aid. For this purpose, an increase in fixed compensation resulting from a cost of living increase that is paid to all or substantially all full-time employees is not considered an adjustment. (B) Compensation to recruiters based upon their recruitment of students who enroll only in programs that are not eligible for title IV, HEA program funds. (C) Compensation to recruiters who arrange contracts between the institution and an employer under which the employer's employees enroll in the institution, and the employer pays, directly or by reimbursement, 50 percent or more of the tuition and fees charged to its employees; provided that the compensation is not based upon the number of employees who enroll in the institution, or the revenue they generate, and the recruiters have no contact with the employees. (D) Compensation paid as part of a profit-sharing or bonus plan, as long as those payments are substantially the same amount or the same percentage of salary or wages, and made to all or substantially all of the institution's full-time professional and administrative staff. Such payments can be limited to all, or substantially all of the full-time employees at one or more organizational level at the institution, except that an organizational level may not consist predominantly of recruiters, admissions staff, or financial aid staff. (E) Compensation that is based upon students successfully completing their educational programs, or one academic year of their educational programs, whichever is shorter. For this purpose, successful completion of an academic year means that the student has earned at least 24 semester or trimester credit hours or 36 quarter credit hours, or has successfully completed at least 900 clock hours of instruction at the institution. (F) Compensation paid to employees who perform clerical “pre-enrollment” activities, such as answering telephone calls, referring inquiries, or distributing institutional materials. (G) Compensation to managerial or supervisory employees who do not directly manage or supervise employees who are directly involved in recruiting or admissions activities, or the awarding of title IV, HEA program funds. (H) The awarding of token gifts to the institution's students or alumni, provided that the gifts are not in the form of money, no more than one gift is provided annually to an individual, and the cost of the gift is not more than $100. (I) Profit distributions proportionately based upon an individual's ownership interest in the institution. (J) Compensation paid for Internet-based recruitment and admission activities that provide information about the institution to prospective students, refer prospective students to the institution, or permit prospective students to apply for admission on-line. (K) Payments to third parties, including tuition sharing arrangements, that deliver various services to the institution, provided that none of the services involve recruiting or admission activities, or the awarding of title IV, HEA program funds. (L) Payments to third parties, including tuition sharing arrangements, that deliver various services to the institution, even if one of the services involves recruiting or admission activities or the awarding of title IV, HEA program funds, provided that the individuals performing the recruitment or admission activities, or the awarding of title IV, HEA program funds, are not compensated in a manner that would be impermissible under paragraph (b)(22) of this section. (23) It will meet the requirements established pursuant to part H of Title IV of the HEA by the Secretary and nationally recognized accrediting agencies; (24) It will comply with the requirements of §668.22; (25) It is liable for all— (i) Improperly spent or unspent funds received under the Title IV, HEA programs, including any funds administered by a third-party servicer; and (ii) Returns of title IV, HEA program funds that the institution or its servicer may be required to make; and (26) If the stated objectives of an educational program of the institution are to prepare a student for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, the institution will— (i) Demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the length of the program and entry level requirements for the recognized occupation for which the program prepares the student. The Secretary considers the relationship to be reasonable if the number of clock hours provided in the program does not exceed by more than 50 percent the minimum number of clock hours required for training in the recognized occupation for which the program prepares the student, as established by the State in which the program is offered, if the State has established such a requirement, or as established by any Federal agency; and (ii) Establish the need for the training for the student to obtain employment in the recognized occupation for which the program prepares the student. (c) In order to participate in any Title IV, HEA program (other than the LEAP and NEISP programs), the institution must certify that it— (1) Has in operation a drug abuse prevention program that the institution has determined to be accessible to any officer, employee, or student at the institution; and (2)(i) Has established a campus security policy in accordance with section 485(f) of the HEA; and (ii) Has complied with the disclosure requirements of §668.47 as required by section 485(f) of the HEA. (d)(1) The institution, if located in a State to which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–2(b)) does not apply, will make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make those forms widely available to students at the institution. (2) The institution must request the forms from the State 120 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote within the State. If an institution has not received a sufficient quantity of forms to fulfill this section from the State within 60 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote in the State, the institution is not liable for not meeting the requirements of this section during that election year. (3) This paragraph applies to elections as defined in section 301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(1)), and includes the election for Governor or other chief executive within such State. (e)(1) A program participation agreement becomes effective on the date that the Secretary signs the agreement. (2) A new program participation agreement supersedes any prior program participation agreement between the Secretary and the institution. (f)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section, the Secretary terminates a program participation agreement through the proceedings in subpart G of this part. (2) An institution may terminate a program participation agreement. (3) If the Secretary or the institution terminates a program participation agreement under paragraph (g) of this section, the Secretary establishes the termination date. (g) An institution's program participation agreement automatically expires on the date that— (1) The institution changes ownership that results in a change in control as determined by the Secretary under 34 CFR part 600; or (2) The institution's participation ends under the provisions of §668.26(a) (1), (2), (4), or (7). (h) An institution's program participation agreement no longer applies to or covers a location of the institution as of the date on which that location ceases to be a part of the participating institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1085, 1088, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1099a-3, 1099c, and 1141) [59 FR 22425, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 58617, Oct. 29, 1999; 64 FR 59038, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 67072, Nov. 1, 2002]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45694, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) General. To begin and to continue to participate in any Title IV, HEA program, an institution must demonstrate to the Secretary that the institution is financially responsible under the requirements established in this section. (b) General standards of financial responsibility. In general, the Secretary considers an institution to be financially responsible only if it— (1) Is providing the services described in its official publications and statements; (2) Is providing the administrative resources necessary to comply with the requirements of this subpart; (3) Is meeting all of its financial obligations, including but not limited to— (i) Refunds that it is required to make; and (ii) Repayments to the Secretary for liabilities and debts incurred in programs administered by the Secretary; (4) Is current in its debt payments. The institution is not considered current in its debt payments if— (i) The institution is in violation of any existing loan agreement at its fiscal year end, as disclosed in a note to its audited financial statement; or (ii) the institution fails to make a payment in accordance with existing debt obligations for more than 120 days, and at least one creditor has filed suit to recover those funds; (5) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, submits to the Secretary an irrevocable letter of credit, acceptable and payable to the Secretary equal to 25 percent of the total dollar amount of Title IV, HEA program refunds paid by the institution in the previous fiscal year; (6) Has not had, as part of the audit report for the institution's most recently completed fiscal year— (i) A statement by the accountant expressing substantial doubt about the institution's ability to continue as a going concern; or (ii) A disclaimed or adverse opinion by the accountant; (7) For a for-profit institution— (i)(A) Demonstrates at the end of its latest fiscal year, an acid test ratio of at least 1:1. For purposes of this section, the acid test ratio shall be calculated by adding cash and cash equivalents to current accounts receivable and dividing the sum by total current liabilities. The calculation of the acid test ratio shall exclude all unsecured or uncollateralized related party receivables; (B) Has not had operating losses in either or both of its two latest fiscal years that in sum result in a decrease in tangible net worth in excess of 10 percent of the institution's tangible net worth at the beginning of the first year of the two-year period. The Secretary may calculate an operating loss for an institution by excluding from net income: extraordinary gains or losses; income or losses from discontinued operations; prior period adjustment; and, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle. For purposes of this section, the calculation of tangible net worth shall exclude all assets defined as intangible in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and (C) Had, for its latest fiscal year, a positive tangible net worth. In applying this standard, a positive tangible net worth occurs when the institution's tangible assets exceed its liabilities. The calculation of tangible net worth shall exclude all assets classified as intangible in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles; or (ii) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has currently issued and outstanding debt obligations that are (without insurance, guarantee, or credit enhancement) listed at or above the second highest rating level of credit quality given by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; (8) For a nonprofit institution— (i)(A) Prepares a classified statement of financial position in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or provides the required information in notes to the audited financial statements; (B) Demonstrates at the end of its latest fiscal year, an acid test ratio of at least 1:1. For purposes of this section, the acid test ratio shall be calculated by adding cash and cash equivalents to current accounts receivable and dividing the sum by total current liabilities. The calculation of the acid test ratio shall exclude all unsecured or uncollateralized related party receivables. (C)(1) Has, at the end of its latest fiscal year, a positive unrestricted current fund balance or positive unrestricted net assets. In calculating the unrestricted current fund balance or the unrestricted net assets for an institution, the Secretary may include funds that are temporarily restricted in use by the institution's governing body that can be transferred to the current unrestricted fund or added to net unrestricted assets at the discretion of the governing body; or (2) Has not had, an excess of current fund expenditures over current fund revenues over both of its 2 latest fiscal years that results in a decrease exceeding 10 percent in either the unrestricted current fund balance or the unrestricted net assets at the beginning of the first year of the 2-year period. The Secretary may exclude from net changes in fund balances for the operating loss calculation: Extraordinary gains or losses; income or losses from discontinued operations; prior period adjustment; and the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle. In calculating the institution's unrestricted current fund balance or the unrestricted net assets, the Secretary may include funds that are temporarily restricted in use by the institution's governing body that can be transferred to the current unrestricted fund or added to net unrestricted assets at the discretion of the governing body; or (ii) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has currently issued and outstanding debt obligations which are (without insurance, guarantee, or credit enhancement) listed at or above the second highest rating level of credit quality given by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. (9) For a public institution— (i) Has its liabilities backed by the full faith and credit of a State, or by an equivalent governmental entity; (ii) Has a positive current unrestricted fund balance if reporting under the Single Audit Act; (iii) Has a positive unrestricted current fund in the State's Higher Education Fund, as presented in the general purpose financial statements; (iv) Submits to the Secretary, a statement from the State Auditor General that the institution has, during the past year, met all of its financial obligations, and that the institution continues to have sufficient resources to meet all of its financial obligations; or (v) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has currently issued and outstanding debt obligations which are (without insurance, guarantee, or credit enhancement) listed at or above the second highest rating level of credit quality given by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. (c) Past performance of an institution or persons affiliated with an institution. An institution is not financially responsible if— (1) A person who exercises substantial control over the institution or any member or members of the person's family alone or together— (i)(A) Exercises or exercised substantial control over another institution or a third-party servicer that owes a liability for a violation of a Title IV, HEA program requirement; or (B) Owes a liability for a violation of a Title IV, HEA program requirement; and (ii) That person, family member, institution, or servicer does not demonstrate that the liability is being repaid in accordance with an agreement with the Secretary; or (2) The institution has— (i) Been limited, suspended, terminated, or entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a limitation, suspension, or termination action initiated by the Secretary or a guaranty agency (as defined in 34 CFR part 682) within the preceding five years; (ii) Had— (A) An audit finding, during its two most recent audits of its conduct of the Title IV, HEA programs, that resulted in the institution's being required to repay an amount greater than five percent of the funds that the institution received under the Title IV, HEA programs for any award year covered by the audit; or (B) A program review finding, during its two most recent program reviews, of its conduct of the Title IV, HEA programs that resulted in the institution's being required to repay an amount greater than five percent of the funds that the institution received under the Title IV, HEA programs for any award year covered by the program review; (iii) Been cited during the preceding five years for failure to submit acceptable audit reports required under this part or individual Title IV, HEA program regulations in a timely fashion; or (iv) Failed to resolve satisfactorily any compliance problems identified in program review or audit reports based upon a final decision of the Secretary issued pursuant to subpart G or subpart H of this part. (d) Exceptions to the general standards of financial responsibility. (1)(i) An institution is not required to meet the standard in paragraph (b)(5) of this section if the Secretary determines that the institution— (A)(1) Is located in, and is legally authorized to operate within, a State that has a tuition recovery fund that is acceptable to the Secretary and ensures that the institution is able to pay all required refunds; and (2) Contributes to that tuition recovery fund. (B) Has its liabilities backed by the full faith and credit of the State, or by an equivalent governmental entity; or (C) As determined under paragraph (g) of this section, demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that for each of the institution's two most recently completed fiscal years, it has made timely refunds to students in accordance with §668.22(j)(4), and that it has met or exceeded all of the financial responsibility standards in this section that were in effect for the corresponding periods during the two-year period. (ii) In evaluating an application to approve a State tuition recovery fund to exempt its participating schools from the Federal cash reserve requirements, the Secretary will consider the extent to which the State tuition recovery fund: (A) Provides refunds to both in-state and out-of-state students; (B) Allocates all refunds in accordance with the order delineated in §668.22(h); and (C) Provides a reliable mechanism for the State to replenish the fund should any claims arise that deplete the funds assets. (2) The Secretary considers an institution to be financially responsible, even if the institution is not otherwise financially responsible under paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) and (b)(6) through (9) of this section, if the institution— (i) Submits to the Secretary an irrevocable letter of credit that is acceptable and payable to the Secretary equal to not less than one-half of the Title IV, HEA program funds received by the institution during the last complete award year for which figures are available; or (ii) Establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary, with the support of a financial statement submitted in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, that the institution has sufficient resources to ensure against its precipitous closure, including the ability to meet all of its financial obligations (including refunds of institutional charges and repayments to the Secretary for liabilities and debts incurred in programs administered by the Secretary). The Secretary considers the institution to have sufficient resources to ensure against precipitous closure only if— (A) The institution formerly demonstrated financial responsibility under the standards of financial responsibility in its preceding audited financial statement (or, if no prior audited financial statement was requested by the Secretary, demonstrates in conjunction with its current audit that it would have satisfied this requirement), and that its most recent audited financial statement indicates that— (1) All taxes owed by the institution are current; (2) The institution's net income, or a change in total net assets, before extraordinary items and discontinued operations, has not decreased by more than 10 percent from the prior fiscal year, unless the institution demonstrates that the decreased net income shown on the current financial statement is a result of downsizing pursuant to a management-approved business plan; (3) Loans and other advances to related parties have not increased from the prior fiscal year unless such increases were secured and collateralized, and do not exceed 10 percent of the prior fiscal year's working capital of the institution; (4) The equity of a for-profit institution, or the total net assets of a non-profit institution, have not decreased by more than 10 percent of the prior year's total equity; (5) Compensation for owners or other related parties (including bonuses, fringe benefits, employee stock option allowances, 401k contributions, deferred compensation allowances) has not increased from the prior year at a rate higher than for all other employees; (6) The institution has not materially leveraged its assets or income by becoming a guarantor on any new loan or obligation on behalf of any related party; (7) All obligations owed to the institution by related parties are current, and that the institution has demanded and is receiving payment of all funds owed from related parties that are payable upon demand. For purposes of this section, a person does not become a related party by attending an institution as a student; (B) There have been no material findings in the institution's latest compliance audit of its administration of the Title IV HEA programs; and (C) There are no pending administrative or legal actions being taken against the institution by the Secretary, any other Federal agency, the institution's nationally recognized accrediting agency, or any State entity. (3) An institution is not required to meet the acid test ratio in paragraph (b)(7)(i)(A) or (b)(8)(i)(B) of this section if the institution is an institution that provides a 2-year or 4-year educational program for which the institution awards an associate or baccalaureate degree that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that— (i) There is no reasonable doubt as to its continued solvency and ability to deliver quality educational services; (ii) It is current in its payment of all current liabilities, including student refunds, repayments to the Secretary, payroll, and payment of trade creditors and withholding taxes; and (iii) It has substantial equity in institution-occupied facilities, the acquisition of which was the direct cause of its failure to meet the acid test ratio requirement. (4) The Secretary may determine an institution to be financially responsible even if the institution is not otherwise financially responsible under paragraph (c)(1) of this section if— (i) The institution notifies the Secretary, in accordance with 34 CFR 600.30, that the person referenced in paragraph (c)(1) of this section exercises substantial control over the institution; and (ii)(A) The person repaid to the Secretary a portion of the applicable liability, and the portion repaid equals or exceeds the greater of— (1) The total percentage of the ownership interest held in the institution or third-party servicer that owes the liability by that person or any member or members of that person's family, either alone or in combination with one another; (2) The total percentage of the ownership interest held in the institution or servicer that owes the liability that the person or any member or members of the person's family, either alone or in combination with one another, represents or represented under a voting trust, power of attorney, proxy, or similar agreement; or (3) Twenty-five percent, if the person or any member of the person's family is or was a member of the board of directors, chief executive officer, or other executive officer of the institution or servicer that owes the liability, or of an entity holding at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution that owes the liability; (B) The applicable liability described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is currently being repaid in accordance with a written agreement with the Secretary; or (C) The institution demonstrates why— (1) The person who exercises substantial control over the institution should nevertheless be considered to lack that control; or (2) The person who exercises substantial control over the institution and each member of that person's family nevertheless does not or did not exercise substantial control over the institution or servicer that owes the liability. (e) [Reserved] (f) Definitions and terms. For the purposes of this section— (1)(i) An “ownership interest” is a share of the legal or beneficial ownership or control of, or a right to share in the proceeds of the operation of, an institution, institution's parent corporation, a third-party servicer, or a third-party servicer's parent corporation. (ii) The term “ownership interest” includes, but is not limited to— (A) An interest as tenant in common, joint tenant, or tenant by the entireties; (B) A partnership; and (C) An interest in a trust. (iii) The term “ownership interest” does not include any share of the ownership or control of, or any right to share in the proceeds of the operation of— (A) A mutual fund that is regularly and publicly traded; (B) An institutional investor; or (C) A profit-sharing plan, provided that all employees are covered by the plan; (2) The Secretary generally considers a person to exercise substantial control over an institution or third-party servicer, if the person— (i) Directly or indirectly holds at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer; (ii) Holds, together with other members of his or her family, at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer; (iii) Represents, either alone or together with other persons, under a voting trust, power of attorney, proxy, or similar agreement one or more persons who hold, either individually or in combination with the other persons represented or the person representing them, at least a 25 percent ownership in the institution or servicer; or (iv) Is a member of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or other executive officer of— (A) The institution or servicer; or (B) An entity that holds at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer; and (3) The Secretary considers a member of a person's family to be a parent, sibling, spouse, child, spouse's parent or sibling, or sibling's or child's spouse. (g) Two-year performance requirement. (1) The Secretary considers an institution to have satisfied the requirements in paragraph (d)(1)(C) of this section if the independent certified public accountant, or government auditor who conducted the institution's compliance audits for the institution's two most recently completed fiscal years, or the Secretary or a State or guaranty agency that conducted a review of the institution covering those fiscal years— (i)(A) For either of those fiscal years, did not find in the sample of student records audited or reviewed that the institution made late refunds to 5 percent or more of the students in that sample. For purposes of determining the percentage of late refunds under this paragraph, the auditor or reviewer must include in the sample only those title IV, HEA program recipients who received or should have received a refund under §668.22; or (B) The Secretary considers the institution to have satisfied the conditions in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) of this section if the auditor or reviewer finds in the sample of student records audited or reviewed that the institution made only one late refund to a student in that sample; and (ii) For either of those fiscal years, did not note a material weakness or a reportable condition in the institution's report on internal controls that is related to refunds. (2) If the Secretary or a State or guaranty agency finds during a review conducted of the institution that the institution no longer qualifies for an exemption under paragraph (d)(1)(C) of this section, the institution must— (i) Submit to the Secretary the irrevocable letter of credit required in paragraph (b)(5) of this section no later than 30 days after the Secretary or State or guaranty agency notifies the institution of that finding; and (ii) Notify the Secretary of the guaranty agency or State that conducted the review. (3) If the auditor who conducted the institution's compliance audit finds that the institution no longer qualifies for an exemption under paragraph (d)(1)(C) of this section, the institution must submit to the Secretary the irrevocable letter of credit required in paragraph (b)(5) of this section no later than 30 days after the date the institution's compliance audit must be submitted to the Secretary. (h) Foreign institutions. The Secretary makes a determination of financial responsibility for a foreign institution on the basis of financial statements submitted under the following requirements— (1) If the institution received less than $500,000 U.S. in title IV, HEA program funds during its most recently completed fiscal year, the institution must submit its audited financial statement for that year. For purposes of this paragraph, the audited financial statements may be prepared under the auditing standards and accounting principles used in the institution's home country; or (2) If the institution received $500,000 U.S. or more in title IV, HEA program funds during its most recently completed fiscal year, the institution must submit its audited financial statement in accordance with the requirements of §668.23, and satisfy the general standards of financial responsibility contained in this section, or qualify under an alternate standard of financial responsibility contained in this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and Section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [59 FR 22428, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 59 FR 61179, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 34431, June 30, 1995; 60 FR 42408, Aug. 15, 1995; 61 FR 29901, June 12, 1996; 61 FR 60569, Nov. 29, 1996; 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997] To begin and to continue to participate in any Title IV, HEA program, an institution shall demonstrate to the Secretary that the institution is capable of adequately administering that program under each of the standards established in this section. The Secretary considers an institution to have that administrative capability if the institution— (a) Administers the Title IV, HEA programs in accordance with all statutory provisions of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, all applicable regulatory provisions prescribed under that statutory authority, and all applicable special arrangements, agreements, and limitations entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; (b)(1) Designates a capable individual to be responsible for administering all the Title IV, HEA programs in which it participates and for coordinating those programs with the institution's other Federal and non-Federal programs of student financial assistance. The Secretary considers an individual to be “capable” under this paragraph if the individual is certified by the State in which the institution is located, if the State requires certification of financial aid administrators. The Secretary may consider other factors in determining whether an individual is capable, including, but not limited to, the individual's successful completion of Title IV, HEA program training provided or approved by the Secretary, and previous experience and documented success in administering the Title IV, HEA programs properly; (2) Uses an adequate number of qualified persons to administer the Title IV, HEA programs in which the institution participates. The Secretary considers the following factors to determine whether an institution uses an adequate number of qualified persons— (i) The number and types of programs in which the institution participates; (ii) The number of applications evaluated; (iii) The number of students who receive any student financial assistance at the institution and the amount of funds administered; (iv) The financial aid delivery system used by the institution; (v) The degree of office automation used by the institution in the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs; (vi) The number and distribution of financial aid staff; and (vii) The use of third-party servicers to aid in the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs; (3) Communicates to the individual designated to be responsible for administering Title IV, HEA programs, all the information received by any institutional office that bears on a student's eligibility for Title IV, HEA program assistance; and (4) Has written procedures for or written information indicating the responsibilities of the various offices with respect to the approval, disbursement, and delivery of Title IV, HEA program assistance and the preparation and submission of reports to the Secretary; (c)(1) Administers Title IV, HEA programs with adequate checks and balances in its system of internal controls; and (2) Divides the functions of authorizing payments and disbursing or delivering funds so that no office has responsibility for both functions with respect to any particular student aided under the programs. For example, the functions of authorizing payments and disbursing or delivering funds must be divided so that for any particular student aided under the programs, the two functions are carried out by at least two organizationally independent individuals who are not members of the same family, as defined in §668.15, or who do not together exercise substantial control, as defined in §668.15, over the institution; (d) Establishes and maintains records required under this part and the individual Title IV, HEA program regulations; (e) For purposes of determining student eligibility for assistance under a Title IV, HEA program, establishes, publishes, and applies reasonable standards for measuring whether an otherwise eligible student is maintaining satisfactory progress in his or her educational program. The Secretary considers an institution's standards to be reasonable if the standards— (1) Are the same as or stricter than the institution's standards for a student enrolled in the same educational program who is not receiving assistance under a Title IV, HEA program; (2) Include the following elements: (i) A qualitative component which consists of grades (provided that the standards meet or exceed the requirements of §668.34), work projects completed, or comparable factors that are measurable against a norm. (ii) A quantitative component that consists of a maximum timeframe in which a student must complete his or her educational program. The timeframe must— (A) For an undergraduate program, be no longer than 150 percent of the published length of the educational program measured in academic years, terms, credit hours attempted, clock hours completed, etc. as appropriate; (B) Be divided into increments, not to exceed the lesser of one academic year or one-half the published length of the educational program; (C) Include a schedule established by the institution designating the minimum percentage or amount of work that a student must successfully complete at the end of each increment to complete his or her educational program within the maximum timeframe; and (D) Include specific policies defining the effect of course incompletes, withdrawals, repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses on satisfactory progress; (3) Provide for consistent application of standards to all students within categories of students, e.g., full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students, and educational programs established by the institution; (4) Provide for a determination at the end of each increment by the institution as to whether the student has met the qualitative and quantitative components of the standards (as provided for in paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section); (5) Provide specific procedures under which a student may appeal a determination that the student is not making satisfactory progress; and (6) Provide specific procedures for a student to re-establish that he or she is maintaining satisfactory progress. (f) Develops and applies an adequate system to identify and resolve discrepancies in the information that the institution receives from different sources with respect to a student's application for financial aid under Title IV, HEA programs. In determining whether the institution's system is adequate, the Secretary considers whether the institution obtains and reviews— (1) All student aid applications, need analysis documents, Statements of Educational Purpose, Statements of Registration Status, and eligibility notification documents presented by or on behalf of each applicant; (2) Any documents, including any copies of State and Federal income tax returns, that are normally collected by the institution to verify information received from the student or other sources; and (3) Any other information normally available to the institution regarding a student's citizenship, previous educational experience, documentation of the student's social security number, or other factors relating to the student's eligibility for funds under the Title IV, HEA programs; (g) Refers to the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Education for investigation— (1) After conducting the review of an application provided for under paragraph (f) of this section, any credible information indicating that an applicant for Title IV, HEA program assistance may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with his or her application. The type of information that an institution must refer is that which is relevant to the eligibility of the applicant for Title IV, HEA program assistance, or the amount of the assistance. Examples of this type of information are— (i) False claims of independent student status; (ii) False claims of citizenship; (iii) Use of false identities; (iv) Forgery of signatures or certifications; and (v) False statements of income; and (2) Any credible information indicating that any employee, third-party servicer, or other agent of the institution that acts in a capacity that involves the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs, or the receipt of funds under those programs, may have engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, conversion or breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other illegal conduct involving the Title IV, HEA programs. The type of information that an institution must refer is that which is relevant to the eligibility and funding of the institution and its students through the Title IV, HEA programs; (h) Provides adequate financial aid counseling to eligible students who apply for Title IV, HEA program assistance. In determining whether an institution provides adequate counseling, the Secretary considers whether its counseling includes information regarding— (1) The source and amount of each type of aid offered; (2) The method by which aid is determined and disbursed, delivered, or applied to a student's account; and (3) The rights and responsibilities of the student with respect to enrollment at the institution and receipt of financial aid. This information includes the institution's refund policy, the requirements for the treatment of title IV, HEA program funds when a student withdraws under §668.22, its standards of satisfactory progress, and other conditions that may alter the student's aid package; (i) Has provided all program and fiscal reports and financial statements required for compliance with the provisions of this part and the individual program regulations in a timely manner; (j) Shows no evidence of significant problems that affect, as determined by the Secretary, the institution's ability to administer a Title IV, HEA program and that are identified in— (1) Reviews of the institution conducted by the Secretary, the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General, nationally recognized accrediting agencies, guaranty agencies as defined in 34 CFR part 682, the State agency or official by whose authority the institution is legally authorized to provide postsecondary education, or any other law enforcement agency; or (2) Any findings made in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding; (k) Is not, and does not have any principal or affiliate of the institution (as those terms are defined in 34 CFR part 85) that is— (1) Debarred or suspended under Executive Order (E.O.) 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; or (2) Engaging in any activity that is a cause under 34 CFR 85.305 or 85.405 for debarment or suspension under E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the FAR, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; (l) For an institution that seeks initial participation in a Title IV, HEA program, does not have more than 33 percent of its undergraduate regular students withdraw from the institution during the institution's latest completed award year. The institution must count all regular students who are enrolled during the latest completed award year, except those students who, during that period— (1) Withdrew from, dropped out of, or were expelled from the institution; (2) Were entitled to and actually received in a timely manner, a refund of 100 percent of their tuition and fees; (m)(1) Has a cohort default rate— (i) Calculated under subpart M of this part, that is less than 25 percent for each of the three most recent fiscal years for which the Secretary has determined the institution's rate; and (ii) As defined in 34 CFR 674.5, on loans made under the Federal Perkins Loan Program to students for attendance at that institution that does not exceed 15 percent; (2)(i) However, if the Secretary determines that an institution's administrative capability is impaired solely because the institution fails to comply with paragraph (m)(1) of this section, the Secretary allows the institution to continue to participate in the Title IV, HEA programs but may provisionally certify the institution in accordance with §668.13(c); and (ii) The institution may appeal the loss of full participation in a Title IV, HEA program under paragraph (m)(1) of this section by submitting an erroneous data appeal in writing to the Secretary in accordance with and on the grounds specified in subpart M of this part; (n) Does not otherwise appear to lack the ability to administer the Title IV, HEA programs competently; and (o) Participates in the electronic processes that the Secretary— (1) Provides at no substantial charge to the institution; and (2) Identifies through a notice published in the (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1985, 1094, and 1099c) [59 FR 22431, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 59 FR 61180, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 34431, June 30, 1995; 60 FR 42408, Aug. 15, 1995; 61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996; 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997; 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 59038, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000] (a) Before an institution may disburse title IV, HEA program funds to a student who previously attended another eligible institution, the institution must use information it obtains from the Secretary, through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) or its successor system, to determine— (1) Whether the student is in default on any title IV, HEA program loan; (2) Whether the student owes an overpayment on any title IV, HEA program grant or Federal Perkins Loan; (3) For the award year for which a Federal Pell Grant, an ACG, or a National SMART Grant is requested, the student's Scheduled Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant Award and the amount of Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant funds disbursed to the student; (4) The outstanding principal balance of loans made to the student under each of the title IV, HEA loan programs; and (5) For the academic year for which title IV, HEA aid is requested, the amount of, and period of enrollment for, loans made to the student under each of the title IV, HEA loan programs. (b)(1) If a student transfers from one institution to another institution during the same award year, the institution to which the student transfers must request from the Secretary, through NSLDS, updated information about that student so it can make the determinations required under paragraph (a) of this section; and (2) The institution may not make a disbursement to that student for seven days following its request, unless it receives the information from NSLDS in response to its request or obtains that information directly by accessing NSLDS, and the information it receives allows it to make that disbursement. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091 and 1094) [65 FR 65675, Nov. 1, 2000, as amended at 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) A noncredit or reduced credit remedial course is a course of study designed to increase the ability of a student to pursue a course of study leading to a certificate or degree. (1) A noncredit remedial course is one for which no credit is given toward a certificate or degree; and (2) A reduced credit remedial course is one for which reduced credit is given toward a certificate or degree. (b) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, in determining a student's enrollment status and cost of attendance, an institution shall include any noncredit or reduced credit remedial course in which the student is enrolled. The institution shall attribute the number of credit or clock hours to a noncredit or reduced credit remedial course by— (1) Calculating the number of classroom and homework hours required for that course; (2) Comparing those hours with the hours required for nonremedial courses in a similar subject; and (3) Giving the remedial course the same number of credit or clock hours it gives the nonremedial course with the most comparable classroom and homework requirements. (c) In determining a student's enrollment status under the Title IV, HEA programs or a student's cost of attendance under the campus-based, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs, an institution may not take into account any noncredit or reduced credit remedial course if— (1) That course is part of a program of instruction leading to a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, even if the course is necessary to enable the student to complete a degree or certificate program; (2) The educational level of instruction provided in the noncredit or reduced credit remedial course is below the level needed to pursue successfully the degree or certificate program offered by that institution after one year in that remedial course; or (3) Except for a course in English as a second language, the educational level of instruction provided in that course is below the secondary level. For purposes of this section, the Secretary considers a course to be below the secondary level if any of the following entities determine that course to be below the secondary level: (i) The State agency that legally authorized the institution to provide postsecondary education. (ii) In the case of an accredited or preaccredited institution, the nationally recognized accrediting agency or association that accredits or preaccredits the institution. (iii) In the case of a public postsecondary vocational institution that is approved by a State agency recognized for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education, the State agency recognized for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education that approves the institution. (iv) The institution. (d) Except as set forth in paragraph (f) of this section, an institution may not take into account more than one academic year's worth of noncredit or reduced credit remedial coursework in determining— (1) A student's enrollment status under the title IV, HEA programs; and (2) A student's cost of attendance under the campus-based, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs. (e) One academic year's worth of noncredit or reduced credit remedial coursework is equivalent to— (1) Thirty semester or 45 quarter hours; or (2) Nine hundred clock hours. (f) Courses in English as a second language do not count against the one-year academic limitation contained in paragraph (d) of this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 45724, Dec. 1, 1987, as amended at 56 FR 36698, July 31, 1991; 58 FR 32202–32203, June 8, 1993; 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998] (a)(1) If a student officially withdraws, drops out, or is expelled before his or her first day of class of a payment period, all funds paid to the student for that payment period for institutional or noninstitutional costs under the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, and Federal Perkins Loan programs are an overpayment. (2) The institution shall return that overpayment to the respective title IV, HEA programs in the amount that the student received from each program. (b) For purposes of this section, the Secretary considers that a student drops out before his or her first day of class of a payment period if the institution is unable to document the student's attendance at any class during the payment period. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 45727, Dec. 1, 1987, as amended at 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45694, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) General. (1) When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance (not including Federal Work-Study or the non-Federal share of FSEOG awards if an institution meets its FSEOG matching share by the individual recipient method or the aggregate method) that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. (2) If the total amount of title IV grant or loan assistance, or both, that the student earned as calculated under paragraph (e)(1) of this section is less than the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that was disbursed to the student or on behalf of the student in the case of a PLUS loan, as of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew— (i) The difference between these amounts must be returned to the title IV programs in accordance with paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section in the order specified in paragraph (i) of this section; and (ii) No additional disbursements may be made to the student for the payment period or period of enrollment. (3) If the total amount of title IV grant or loan assistance, or both, that the student earned as calculated under paragraph (e)(1) of this section is greater than the total amount of title IV grant or loan assistance, or both, that was disbursed to the student or on behalf of the student in the case of a PLUS loan, as of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, the difference between these amounts must be treated as a post-withdrawal disbursement in accordance with paragraph (a)(4) of this section and §668.164(g). (4)(i)(A) If outstanding charges exist on the student's account, the institution may credit the student's account in accordance with §668.164(d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) with all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, up to the amount of the outstanding charges. (B) If Direct Loan, FFEL, or Federal Perkins Loan Program funds are used to credit the student's account, the institution must notify the student, or parent in the case of a PLUS loan, and provide an opportunity for the borrower to cancel all or a portion of the loan, in accordance with §668.165(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), and (a)(5). (ii)(A) The institution must offer any amount of a post-withdrawal disbursement that is not credited to the student's account in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section to the student, or the parent in the case of a PLUS loan, within 30 days of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section, by providing a written notification to the student, or parent in the case of PLUS loan funds. The written notification must— (1) Identify the type and amount of the title IV funds that make up the post-withdrawal disbursement that is not credited to the student's account in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section; (2) Explain that the student or parent may accept or decline some or all of the post-withdrawal disbursement that is not credited to the student's account in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section; and (3) Advise the student or parent that no post-withdrawal disbursement will be made to the student or parent if the student or parent does not respond within 14 days of the date that the institution sent the notification, unless the institution chooses to make a post-withdrawal disbursement in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(ii)(D) of this section. (B) If the student or parent submits a timely response that instructs the institution to make all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement, the institution must disburse the funds in the manner specified by the student or parent within 120 days of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. (C) If the student or parent does not respond to the institution's notice, no portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement that is not credited to the student's account in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section may be disbursed. (D) If a student or parent submits a late response to the institution's notice, the institution may make the post-withdrawal disbursement as instructed by the student or parent or decline to do so. (E) If a student or parent submits a late response to the institution and the institution does not choose to make the post-withdrawal disbursement in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, the institution must inform the student or parent electronically or in writing concerning the outcome of the post-withdrawal disbursement request. (iii) A post-withdrawal disbursement must be made from available grant funds before available loan funds. (b) Withdrawal date for a student who withdraws from an institution that is required to take attendance. (1) For purposes of this section, for a student who ceases attendance at an institution that is required to take attendance, including a student who does not return from an approved leave of absence, as defined in paragraph (d) of this section, or a student who takes a leave of absence that does not meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section, the student's withdrawal date is the last date of academic attendance as determined by the institution from its attendance records. (2) An institution must document a student's withdrawal date determined in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section and maintain the documentation as of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. (3)(i) An institution is required to take attendance if an outside entity (such as the institution's accrediting agency or a State agency) has a requirement, as determined by the entity, that the institution take attendance. (ii) If an outside entity requires an institution to take attendance for only some students, the institution must use its attendance records to determine a withdrawal date in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section for those students. (c) Withdrawal date for a student who withdraws from an institution that is not required to take attendance. (1) For purposes of this section, for a student who ceases attendance at an institution that is not required to take attendance, the student's withdrawal date is— (i) The date, as determined by the institution, that the student began the withdrawal process prescribed by the institution; (ii) The date, as determined by the institution, that the student otherwise provided official notification to the institution, in writing or orally, of his or her intent to withdraw; (iii) If the student ceases attendance without providing official notification to the institution of his or her withdrawal in accordance with paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the mid-point of the payment period (or period of enrollment, if applicable); (iv) If the institution determines that a student did not begin the institution's withdrawal process or otherwise provide official notification (including notice from an individual acting on the student's behalf) to the institution of his or her intent to withdraw because of illness, accident, grievous personal loss, or other such circumstances beyond the student's control, the date that the institution determines is related to that circumstance; (v) If a student does not return from an approved leave of absence as defined in paragraph (d) of this section, the date that the institution determines the student began the leave of absence; or (vi) If a student takes a leave of absence that does not meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section, the date that the student began the leave of absence. (2)(i)(A) An institution may allow a student to rescind his or her official notification to withdraw under paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section by filing a written statement that he or she is continuing to participate in academically-related activities and intends to complete the payment period or period of enrollment. (B) If the student subsequently ceases to attend the institution prior to the end of the payment period or period of enrollment, the student's rescission is negated and the withdrawal date is the student's original date under paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, unless a later date is determined under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. (ii) If a student both begins the withdrawal process prescribed by the institution and otherwise provides official notification of his or her intent to withdraw in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) of this section respectively, the student's withdrawal date is the earlier date unless a later date is determined under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. (3)(i) Notwithstanding paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section, an institution that is not required to take attendance may use as the student's withdrawal date a student's last date of attendance at an academically-related activity provided that the institution documents that the activity is academically related and documents the student's attendance at the activity. (ii) An “academically-related activity” includes, but is not limited to, an exam, a tutorial, computer-assisted instruction, academic counseling, academic advisement, turning in a class assignment or attending a study group that is assigned by the institution. (4) An institution must document a student's withdrawal date determined in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1), (2), and (3) of this section and maintain the documentation as of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. (5)(i) “Official notification to the institution” is a notice of intent to withdraw that a student provides to an office designated by the institution. (ii) An institution must designate one or more offices at the institution that a student may readily contact to provide official notification of withdrawal. (d) Approved leave of absence. (1) For purposes of this section (and, for a title IV, HEA program loan borrower, for purposes of terminating the student's in-school status), an institution does not have to treat a leave of absence as a withdrawal if it is an approved leave of absence. A leave of absence is an approved leave of absence if— (i) The institution has a formal policy regarding leaves of absence; (ii) The student followed the institution's policy in requesting the leave of absence; (iii) The institution determines that there is a reasonable expectation that the student will return to the school; (iv) The institution approved the student's request in accordance with the institution's policy; (v) The leave of absence does not involve additional charges by the institution; (vi) The number of days in the approved leave of absence, when added to the number of days in all other approved leaves of absence, does not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period; (vii) Except for a clock hour or nonterm credit hour program, upon the student's return from the leave of absence, the student is permitted to complete the coursework he or she began prior to the leave of absence; and (viii) If the student is a title IV, HEA program loan recipient, the institution explains to the student, prior to granting the leave of absence, the effects that the student's failure to return from a leave of absence may have on the student's loan repayment terms, including the exhaustion of some or all of the student's grace period. (2) If a student does not resume attendance at the institution at or before the end of a leave of absence that meets the requirements of this section, the institution must treat the student as a withdrawal in accordance with the requirements of this section. (3) For purposes of this paragraph— (i) The number of days in a leave of absence is counted beginning with the first day of the student's initial leave of absence in a 12-month period. (ii) A “12-month period” begins on the first day of the student's initial leave of absence. (iii) An institution's leave of absence policy is a “formal policy” if the policy— (A) Is in writing and publicized to students; and (B) Requires students to provide a written, signed, and dated request, that includes the reason for the request, for a leave of absence prior to the leave of absence. However, if unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from providing a prior written request, the institution may grant the student's request for a leave of absence, if the institution documents its decision and collects the written request at a later date. (e) Calculation of the amount of title IV assistance earned by the student—(1) General. The amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that is earned by the student is calculated by— (i) Determining the percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance that has been earned by the student, as described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section; and (ii) Applying this percentage to the total amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that was disbursed (and that could have been disbursed, as defined in paragraph (l)(1) of this section) to the student, or on the student's behalf, for the payment period or period of enrollment as of the student's withdrawal date. (2) Percentage earned. The percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance that has been earned by the student is— (i) Equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed (as determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section) as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before completion of 60 percent of the— (A) Payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in clock hours; or (ii) 100 percent, if the student's withdrawal date occurs after completion of 60 percent of the— (A) Payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program measured in clock hours. (3) Percentage unearned. The percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance that has not been earned by the student is calculated by determining the complement of the percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance earned by the student as described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section. (4) Total amount of unearned title IV assistance to be returned. The unearned amount of title IV assistance to be returned is calculated by subtracting the amount of title IV assistance earned by the student as calculated under paragraph (e)(1) of this section from the amount of title IV aid that was disbursed to the student as of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew. (5) Use of payment period or period of enrollment. (i) The treatment of title IV grant or loan funds if a student withdraws must be determined on a payment period basis for a student who attended a standard term-based (semester, trimester, or quarter) educational program. (ii)(A) The treatment of title IV grant or loan funds if a student withdraws may be determined on either a payment period basis or a period of enrollment basis for a student who attended a non-term based educational program or a nonstandard term-based educational program. (B) An institution must consistently use either a payment period or period of enrollment for all purposes of this section for each of the following categories of students who withdraw from the same non-term based or nonstandard term-based educational program: (1) Students who have attended an educational program at the institution from the beginning of the payment period or period of enrollment. (2) Students who re-enter the institution during a payment period or period of enrollment. (3) Students who transfer into the institution during a payment period or period of enrollment. (f) Percentage of payment period or period of enrollment completed. (1) For purposes of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed is determined— (i) In the case of a program that is measured in credit hours, by dividing the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment into the number of calendar days completed in that period as of the student's withdrawal date; and (ii) In the case of a program that is measured in clock hours, by dividing the total number of clock hours in the payment period or period of enrollment into the number of clock hours— (A) Completed by the student in that period as of the student's withdrawal date; or (B) Scheduled to be completed as of the student's withdrawal date, if the clock hours completed in the period are not less than 70 percent of the hours that were scheduled to be completed by the student as of the student's withdrawal date. (2)(i) The total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment includes all days within the period, except that scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment and the number of calendar days completed in that period. (ii) The total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment does not include days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence. (g) Return of unearned aid, responsibility of the institution. (1) The institution must return, in the order specified in paragraph (i) of this section, the lesser of— (i) The total amount of unearned title IV assistance to be returned as calculated under paragraph (e)(4) of this section; or (ii) An amount equal to the total institutional charges incurred by the student for the payment period or period of enrollment multiplied by the percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance that has not been earned by the student, as described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. (2) For purposes of this section, “institutional charges” are tuition, fees, room and board (if the student contracts with the institution for the room and board) and other educationally-related expenses assessed by the institution. (3) If, for a non-term program an institution chooses to calculate the treatment of title IV assistance on a payment period basis, but the institution charges for a period that is longer than the payment period, “total institutional charges incurred by the student for the payment period” is the greater of— (i) The prorated amount of institutional charges for the longer period; or (ii) The amount of title IV assistance retained for institutional charges as of the student's withdrawal date. (h) Return of unearned aid, responsibility of the student. (1) After the institution has allocated the unearned funds for which it is responsible in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section, the student must return assistance for which the student is responsible in the order specified in paragraph (i) of this section. (2) The amount of assistance that the student is responsible for returning is calculated by subtracting the amount of unearned aid that the institution is required to return under paragraph (g) of this section from the total amount of unearned title IV assistance to be returned under paragraph (e)(4) of this section. (3) The student (or parent in the case of funds due to a PLUS Loan) must return or repay, as appropriate, the amount determined under paragraph (h)(1) of this section to— (i) Any title IV loan program in accordance with the terms of the loan; and (ii) Any title IV grant program as an overpayment of the grant; however, a student is not required to return 50 percent of the grant assistance that is the responsibility of the student to repay under this section. (4)(i) A student who owes an overpayment under this section remains eligible for title IV, HEA program funds through and beyond the earlier of 45 days from the date the institution sends a notification to the student of the overpayment, or 45 days from the date the institution was required to notify the student of the overpayment if, during those 45 days the student— (A) Repays the overpayment in full to the institution; (B) Enters into a repayment agreement with the institution in accordance with repayment arrangements satisfactory to the institution; or (C) Signs a repayment agreement with the Secretary, which will include terms that permit a student to repay the overpayment while maintaining his or her eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds. (ii) Within 30 days of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, an institution must send a notice to any student who owes a title IV, HEA grant overpayment as a result of the student's withdrawal from the institution in order to recover the overpayment in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section. (iii) If an institution chooses to enter into a repayment agreement in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(i)(B) of this section with a student who owes an overpayment of title IV, HEA grant funds, it must— (A) Provide the student with terms that permit the student to repay the overpayment while maintaining his or her eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds; and (B) Require repayment of the full amount of the overpayment within two years of the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew. (iv) An institution must refer to the Secretary, in accordance with procedures required by the Secretary, an overpayment of title IV, HEA grant funds owed by a student as a result of the student's withdrawal from the institution if— (A) The student does not repay the overpayment in full to the institution, or enter a repayment agreement with the institution or the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section within the earlier of 45 days from the date the institution sends a notification to the student of the overpayment, or 45 days from the date the institution was required to notify the student of the overpayment; (B) At any time the student fails to meet the terms of the repayment agreement with the institution entered into in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(i)(B) of this section; or (C) The student chooses to enter into a repayment agreement with the Secretary. (v) A student who owes an overpayment is ineligible for title IV, HEA program funds— (A) If the student does not meet the requirements in paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section, on the day following the 45-day period in that paragraph; or (B) As of the date the student fails to meet the terms of the repayment agreement with the institution or the Secretary entered into in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section. (vi) A student who is ineligible under paragaraph (h)(4)(v) of this section regains eligibility if the student and the Secretary enter into a repayment agreement. (i) Order of return of title IV funds—(1) Loans. Unearned funds returned by the institution or the student, as appropriate, in accordance with paragraph (g) or (h) of this section respectively, must be credited to outstanding balances on title IV loans made to the student or on behalf of the student for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required. Those funds must be credited to outstanding balances for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required in the following order: (i) Unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans. (ii) Subsidized Federal Stafford loans. (iii) Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. (iv) Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. (v) Federal Perkins loans. (vi) Federal PLUS loans received on behalf of the student. (vii) Federal Direct PLUS received on behalf of the student. (2) Remaining funds. If unearned funds remain to be returned after repayment of all outstanding loan amounts, the remaining excess must be credited to any amount awarded for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required in the following order: (i) Federal Pell Grants. (ii) Federal SEOG Program aid. (iii) Other grant or loan assistance authorized by title IV of the HEA. (j) Timeframe for the return of title IV funds. (1) An institution must return the amount of title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. The timeframe for returning funds is further described in §668.173(b). (2) An institution must determine the withdrawal date for a student who withdraws without providing notification to the institution no later than 30 days after the end of the earlier of the— (i) Payment period or period of enrollment, as appropriate, in accordance with paragraph (e)(5) of this section; (ii) Academic year in which the student withdrew; or (iii) Educational program from which the student withdrew. (k) Consumer information. An institution must provide students with information about the requirements of this section in accordance with §668.43. (l) Definitions. For purposes of this section— (1) Title IV grant or loan funds that “could have been disbursed” are determined in accordance with the late disbursement provisions in §668.164(g). (2) A “period of enrollment” is the academic period established by the institution for which institutional charges are generally assessed (i.e. length of the student's program or academic year). (3) The “date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew” is— (i) For a student who provides notification to the institution of his or her withdrawal, the student's withdrawal date as determined under paragraph (c) of this section or the date of notification of withdrawal, whichever is later; (ii) For a student who did not provide notification of his of her withdrawal to the institution, the date that the institution becomes aware that the student ceased attendance; (iii) For a student who does not return from an approved leave of absence, the earlier of the date of the end of the leave of absence or the date the student notifies the institution that he or she will not be returning to the institution; or (iv) For a student whose rescission is negated under paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the date the institution becomes aware that the student did not, or will not, complete the payment period or period of enrollment. (v) For a student who takes a leave of absence that is not approved in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, the date that the student begins the leave of absence. (4) A “recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance” is a student for whom the requirements of §668.164(g)(2) have been met. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091b) [64 FR 59038, Nov. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 67073, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) General—(1) Independent auditor. For purposes of this section, the term “independent auditor” refers to an independent certified public accountant or a government auditor. To conduct an audit under this section, a government auditor must meet the Government Auditing Standards qualification and independence standards, including standards related to organizational independence. (2) Institutions. An institution that participates in any title IV, HEA program must at least annually have an independent auditor conduct a compliance audit of its administration of that program and an audit of the institution's general purpose financial statements. (3) Third-party servicers. Except as provided under this part or 34 CFR part 682, with regard to complying with the provisions under this section a third-party servicer must follow the procedures contained in the audit guides developed by and available from the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General. A third-party servicer is defined under §668.2 and 34 CFR 682.200. (4) Submission deadline. Except as provided by the Single Audit Act, Chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, an institution must submit annually to the Secretary its compliance audit and its audited financial statements no later than six months after the last day of the institution's fiscal year. (5) Audit submission requirements. In general, the Secretary considers the compliance audit and audited financial statement submission requirements of this section to be satisfied by an audit conducted in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133, “Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations”; Office of Management and Budget Circular A–128, “Audits of State and Local Governments”, or the audit guides developed by and available from the Department of Education's Inspector General, whichever is applicable to the entity, and provided that the Federal student aid functions performed by that entity are covered in the submission. (Both OMB circulars are available by calling OMB's Publication Office at (202) 395–7332, or they can be obtained in electronic form on the OMB Home Page (http://www.whitehouse.gov). (b) Compliance audits for institutions. (1) An institution's compliance audit must cover, on a fiscal year basis, all title IV, HEA program transactions, and must cover all of those transactions that have occurred since the period covered by the institution's last compliance audit. (2) The compliance audit required under this section must be conducted in accordance with— (i) The general standards and the standards for compliance audits contained in the U.S. General Accounting Office's (GAO's) Government Auditing Standards. (This publication is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402); and (ii) Procedures for audits contained in audit guides developed by, and available from, the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General. (3) The Secretary may require an institution to provide a copy of its compliance audit report to guaranty agencies or eligible lenders under the FFEL programs, State agencies, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or nationally recognized accrediting agencies. (c) Compliance audits for third-party servicers. (1) A third-party servicer that administers title IV, HEA programs for institutions does not have to have a compliance audit performed if— (i) The servicer contracts with only one institution; and (ii) The audit of that institution's administration of the title IV, HEA programs involves every aspect of the servicer's administration of that program for that institution. (2) A third-party servicer that contracts with more than one participating institution may submit a compliance audit report that covers the servicer's administration of the title IV, HEA programs for all institutions with which the servicer contracts. (3) A third-party servicer must submit annually to the Secretary its compliance audit no later than six months after the last day of the servicer's fiscal year. (4) The Secretary may require a third-party servicer to provide a copy of its compliance audit report to guaranty agencies or eligible lenders under the FFEL programs, State agencies, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or nationally recognized accrediting agencies. (d) Audited financial statements—(1) General. To enable the Secretary to make a determination of financial responsibility, an institution must, to the extent requested by the Secretary, submit to the Secretary a set of financial statements for its latest complete fiscal year, as well as any other documentation the Secretary deems necessary to make that determination. Financial statements submitted to the Secretary must be prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, and other guidance contained in the Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133, “Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations”; Office of Management and Budget Circular A–128, “Audits of State and Local Governments”; or in audit guides developed by, and available from, the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General , whichever is applicable. As part of these financial statements, the institution must include a detailed description of related entities based on the definition of a related entity as set forth in the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 57. The disclosure requirements under this provision extend beyond those of SFAS 57 to include all related parties and a level of detail that would enable to Secretary to readily identify the related party. Such information may include, but is not limited to, the name, location and a description of the related entity including the nature and amount of any transactions between the related party and the institution, financial or otherwise, regardless of when they occurred. (2) Submission of additional financial statements. To the extent requested by the Secretary in determining whether an institution is financially responsible, the Secretary may also require the submission of audited consolidated financial statements, audited full consolidating financial statements, audited combined financial statements or the audited financial statements of one or more related parties that have the ability, either individually or collectively, to significantly influence or control the institution, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Audited financial statements for foreign institutions. A foreign institution must submit— (i) Audited financial statements prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles of the institution's home country, if the institution received less than $500,000 U.S. in title IV, HEA program funds during its most recently completed fiscal year; or (ii) Audited financial statements translated to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section, if the institution received $500,000 U.S. or more in title IV, HEA program funds during its most recently completed fiscal year. (4) Disclosure of title IV HEA program revenue. A proprietary institution must disclose in a footnote to its financial statement audit the percentage of its revenues derived from the title IV, HEA program funds that the institution received during the fiscal year covered by that audit. The revenue percentage must be calculated in accordance with §600.5(d). (5) Audited financial statements for third-party servicers. A third-party servicer that enters into a contract with a lender or guaranty agency to administer any aspect of the lender's or guaranty agency's programs, as provided under 34 CFR part 682, must submit annually an audited financial statement. This financial statement must be prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and audited by an independent auditor in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and other guidance contained in audit guides issued by the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General. (e) Access to records. (1) An institution or a third-party servicer that has a compliance or financial statement audit conducted under this section must— (i) Give the Secretary and the Inspector General access to records or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records or documents; and (ii) Require an individual or firm conducting the audit to give the Secretary and the Inspector General access to records, audit work papers, or other documents necessary to review that audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records, work papers, or documents. (2) An institution must give the Secretary and the Inspector General access to records or other documents necessary to review a third-party servicer's compliance or financial statement audit, including the right to obtain copies of those records or documents. (f) Determination of liabilities. (1) Based on the audit finding and the institution's or third-party servicer's response, the Secretary determines the amount of liability, if any, owed by the institution or servicer and instructs the institution or servicer as to the manner of repayment. (2) If the Secretary determines that a third-party servicer owes a liability for its administration of an institution's title IV, HEA programs, the servicer must notify each institution under whose contract the servicer owes a liability of that determination. The servicer must also notify every institution that contracts with the servicer for the same service that the Secretary determined that a liability was owed. (g) Repayments. (1) An institution or third-party servicer that must repay funds under the procedures in this section shall repay those funds at the direction of the Secretary within 45 days of the date of the Secretary's notification, unless— (i) The institution or servicer files an appeal under the procedures established in subpart H of this part; or (ii) The Secretary permits a longer repayment period. (2) Notwithstanding paragraphs (f) and (g)(1) of this section— (i) If an institution or third-party servicer has posted surety or has provided a third-party guarantee and the Secretary questions expenditures or compliance with applicable requirements and identifies liabilities, then the Secretary may determine that deferring recourse to the surety or guarantee is not appropriate because— (A) The need to provide relief to students or borrowers affected by the act or omission giving rise to the liability outweighs the importance of deferring collection action until completion of available appeal proceedings; or (B) The terms of the surety or guarantee do not provide complete assurance that recourse to that protection will be fully available through the completion of available appeal proceedings; or (ii) The Secretary may use administrative offset pursuant to 34 CFR part 30 to collect the funds owed under the procedures of this section. (3) If, under the proceedings in subpart H, liabilities asserted in the Secretary's notification, under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, to the institution or third-party servicer are upheld, the institution or third-party servicer must repay those funds at the direction of the Secretary within 30 days of the final decision under subpart H of this part unless— (i) The Secretary permits a longer repayment period; or (ii) The Secretary determines that earlier collection action is appropriate pursuant to paragraph (g)(2) of this section. (4) An institution is held responsible for any liability owed by the institution's third-party servicer for a violation incurred in servicing any aspect of that institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs and remains responsible for that amount until that amount is repaid in full. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1088, 1094, 1099c, 1141, and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [61 FR 60569, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997; 62 FR 62876, Nov. 25, 1997] (a) Program records. An institution shall establish and maintain, on a current basis, any application for title IV, HEA program funds and program records that document— (1) Its eligibility to participate in the title IV, HEA programs; (2) The eligibility of its educational programs for title IV, HEA program funds; (3) Its administration of the title IV, HEA programs in accordance with all applicable requirements; (4) Its financial responsibility, as specified in this part; (5) Information included in any application for title IV, HEA program funds; and (6) Its disbursement and delivery of title IV, HEA program funds. (b) Fiscal records. (1) An institution shall account for the receipt and expenditure of title IV, HEA program funds in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (2) An institution shall establish and maintain on a current basis— (i) Financial records that reflect each HEA, title IV program transaction; and (ii) General ledger control accounts and related subsidiary accounts that identify each title IV, HEA program transaction and separate those transactions from all other institutional financial activity. (c) Required records. (1) The records that an institution must maintain in order to comply with the provisions of this section include but are not limited to— (i) The Student Aid Report (SAR) or Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) used to determine eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds; (ii) Application data submitted to the Secretary, lender, or guaranty agency by the institution on behalf of the student or parent; (iii) Documentation of each student's or parent borrower's eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds; (iv) Documentation relating to each student's or parent borrower's receipt of title IV, HEA program funds, including but not limited to documentation of— (A) The amount of the grant, loan, or FWS award; its payment period; its loan period, if appropriate; and the calculations used to determine the amount of the grant, loan, or FWS award; (B) The date and amount of each disbursement or delivery of grant or loan funds, and the date and amount of each payment of FWS wages; (C) The amount, date, and basis of the institution's calculation of any refunds or overpayments due to or on behalf of the student, or the treatment of title IV, HEA program funds when a student withdraws; and (D) The payment of any overpayment or the return of any title IV, HEA program funds to the title IV, HEA program fund, a lender, or the Secretary, as appropriate; (v) Documentation of and information collected at any initial or exit loan counseling required by applicable program regulations; (vi) Reports and forms used by the institution in its participation in a title IV, HEA program, and any records needed to verify data that appear in those reports and forms; and (vii) Documentation supporting the institution's calculations of its completion or graduation rates under §§668.46 and 668.49. (2) In addition to the records required under this part— (i) Participants in the Federal Perkins Loan Program shall follow procedures established in 34 CFR 674.19 for documentation of repayment history for that program; (ii) Participants in the FWS Program shall follow procedures established in 34 CFR 675.19 for documentation of work, earnings, and payroll transactions for that program; and (iii) Participants in the FFEL Program shall follow procedures established in 34 CFR 682.610 for documentation of additional loan record requirements for that program. (d) General. (1) An institution shall maintain required records in a systematically organized manner. (2) An institution shall make its records readily available for review by the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative at an institutional location designated by the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative. (3) An institution may keep required records in hard copy or in microform, computer file, optical disk, CD-ROM, or other media formats, provided that— (i) Except for the records described in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, all record information must be retrievable in a coherent hard copy format or in other media formats acceptable to the Secretary; (ii) An institution shall maintain the Student Aid Report (SAR) or Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) used to determine eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds in the format in which it was received by the institution, except that the SAR may be maintained in an imaged media format; (iii) Any imaged media format used to maintain required records must be capable of reproducing an accurate, legible, and complete copy of the original document, and, when printed, this copy must be approximately the same size as the original document; (iv) Any document that contains a signature, seal, certification, or any other image or mark required to validate the authenticity of its information must be maintained in its original hard copy or in an imaged media format; and (v) Participants in the Federal Perkins Loan Program shall follow procedures established in 34 CFR 674.19 for maintaining the original promissory notes and repayment schedules for that program. (4) If an institution closes, stops providing educational programs, is terminated or suspended from the title IV, HEA programs, or undergoes a change of ownership that results in a change of control as described in 34 CFR 600.31, it shall provide for— (i) The retention of required records; and (ii) Access to those records, for inspection and copying, by the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative, and, for a school participating in the FFEL Program, the appropriate guaranty agency. (e) Record retention. Unless otherwise directed by the Secretary— (1) An institution shall keep records relating to its administration of the Federal Perkins Loan, FWS, FSEOG, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant Program for three years after the end of the award year for which the aid was awarded and disbursed under those programs, provided that an institution shall keep— (i) The Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate in the Federal Perkins Loan, FSEOG, and FWS Programs (FISAP), and any records necessary to support the data contained in the FISAP, including “income grid information,” for three years after the end of the award year in which the FISAP is submitted; and (ii) Repayment records for a Federal Perkins loan, including records relating to cancellation and deferment requests, in accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR 674.19; (2)(i) An institution shall keep records relating to a student or parent borrower's eligibility and participation in the FFEL or Direct Loan Program for three years after the end of the award year in which the student last attended the institution; and (ii) An institution shall keep all other records relating to its participation in the FFEL or Direct Loan Program, including records of any other reports or forms, for three years after the end of the award year in which the records are submitted; and (3) An institution shall keep all records involved in any loan, claim, or expenditure questioned by a title IV, HEA program audit, program review, investigation, or other review until the later of— (i) The resolution of that questioned loan, claim, or expenditure; or (ii) The end of the retention period applicable to the record. (f) Examination of records. (1) An institution that participates in any title IV, HEA program and the institution's third-party servicer, if any, shall cooperate with an independent auditor, the Secretary, the Department of Education's Inspector General, the Comptroller General of the United States, or their authorized representatives, a guaranty agency in whose program the institution participates, and the institution's accrediting agency, in the conduct of audits, investigations, program reviews, or other reviews authorized by law. (2) The institution and servicer must cooperate by— (i) Providing timely access, for examination and copying, to requested records, including but not limited to computerized records and records reflecting transactions with any financial institution with which the institution or servicer deposits or has deposited any title IV, HEA program funds, and to any pertinent books, documents, papers, or computer programs; and (ii) Providing reasonable access to personnel associated with the institution's or servicer's administration of the title IV, HEA programs for the purpose of obtaining relevant information. (3) The Secretary considers that an institution or servicer has failed to provide reasonable access to personnel under paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section if the institution or servicer— (i) Refuses to allow those personnel to supply all relevant information; (ii) Permits interviews with those personnel only if the institution's or servicer's management is present; or (iii) Permits interviews with those personnel only if the interviews are tape recorded by the institution or servicer. (4) Upon request of the Secretary, or a lender or guaranty agency in the case of a borrower under the FFEL Program, an institution or servicer promptly shall provide the requester with any information the institution or servicer has respecting the last known address, full name, telephone number, enrollment information, employer, and employer address of a recipient of title IV funds who attends or attended the institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a, 1070a–1, 1070b, 1078, 1078–1, 1078–2, 1078–3, 1082, 1087, 1087a et seq., 1087cc, 1087hh, 1088, 1094, 1099c, 1141, 1232f; 42 U.S.C. 2753; and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [61 FR 60491, Nov. 27, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) An institution may enter into a written contract with a third-party servicer for the administration of any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program only to the extent that the servicer's eligibility to contract with the institution has not been limited, suspended, or terminated under the proceedings of subpart G of this part. (b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, a third-party servicer is eligible to enter into a written contract with an institution for the administration of any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program only to the extent that the servicer's eligibility to contract with the institution has not been limited, suspended, or terminated under the proceedings of subpart G of this part. (c) In a contract with an institution, a third-party servicer shall agree to— (1) Comply with all statutory provisions of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, all regulatory provisions prescribed under that statutory authority, and all special arrangements, agreements, limitations, suspensions, and terminations entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA, including the requirement to use any funds that the servicer administers under any Title IV, HEA program and any interest or other earnings thereon solely for the purposes specified in and in accordance with that program; (2) Refer to the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Education for investigation any information indicating there is reasonable cause to believe that the institution might have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with the institution's administration of any Title IV, HEA program or an applicant for Title IV, HEA program assistance might have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with his or her application. Examples of the type of information that must be referred are— (i) False claims by the institution for Title IV, HEA program assistance; (ii) False claims of independent student status; (iii) False claims of citizenship; (iv) Use of false identities; (v) Forgery of signatures or certifications; and (vi) False statements of income; (3) Be jointly and severally liable with the institution to the Secretary for any violation by the servicer of any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, and any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; (4) In the case of a third-party servicer that disburses funds (including funds received under the Title IV, HEA programs) or delivers Federal Stafford Loan Program proceeds to a student— (i) Confirm the eligibility of the student before making that disbursement or delivering those proceeds. This confirmation must include, but is not limited to, any applicable information contained in the records required under §668.24; and (ii) Calculate and return any unearned title IV, HEA program funds to the title IV, HEA program accounts and the student's lender, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of §§668.21 and 668.22, and applicable program regulations; and (5) If the servicer or institution terminates the contract, or if the servicer stops providing services for the administration of a Title IV, HEA program, goes out of business, or files a petition under the Bankruptcy Code, return to the institution all— (i) Records in the servicer's possession pertaining to the institution's participation in the program or programs for which services are no longer provided; and (ii) Funds, including Title IV, HEA program funds, received from or on behalf of the institution or the institution's students, for the purposes of the program or programs for which services are no longer provided. (d) A third-party servicer may not enter into a written contract with an institution for the administration of any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, if— (1)(i) The servicer has been limited, suspended, or terminated by the Secretary within the preceding five years; (ii) The servicer has had, during the servicer's two most recent audits of the servicer's administration of the Title IV, HEA programs, an audit finding that resulted in the servicer's being required to repay an amount greater than five percent of the funds that the servicer administered under the Title IV, HEA programs for any award year; or (iii) The servicer has been cited during the preceding five years for failure to submit audit reports required under Title IV of the HEA in a timely fashion; and (2)(i) In the case of a third-party servicer that has been subjected to a termination action by the Secretary, either the servicer, or one or more persons or entities that the Secretary determines (under the provisions of §668.15) exercise substantial control over the servicer, or both, have not submitted to the Secretary financial guarantees in an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to satisfy the servicer's potential liabilities arising from the servicer's administration of the Title IV, HEA programs; and (ii) One or more persons or entities that the Secretary determines (under the provisions of §668.15) exercise substantial control over the servicer have not agreed to be jointly or severally liable for any liabilities arising from the servicer's administration of the Title IV, HEA programs and civil and criminal monetary penalties authorized under Title IV of the HEA. (e)(1)(i) An institution that participates in a Title IV, HEA program shall notify the Secretary within 10 days of the date that— (A) The institution enters into a new contract or significantly modifies an existing contract with a third-party servicer to administer any aspect of that program; (B) The institution or a third-party servicer terminates a contract for the servicer to administer any aspect of that program; or (C) A third-party servicer that administers any aspect of the institution's participation in that program stops providing services for the administration of that program, goes out of business, or files a petition under the Bankruptcy Code. (ii) The institution's notification must include the name and address of the servicer. (2) An institution that contracts with a third-party servicer to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program shall provide to the Secretary, upon request, a copy of the contract, including any modifications, and provide information pertaining to the contract or to the servicer's administration of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22441, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 61 FR 60492, Nov. 27, 1996; 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999] (a) An institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program ends on the date that— (1) The institution closes or stops providing educational programs for a reason other than a normal vacation period or a natural disaster that directly affects the institution or the institution's students; (2) The institution loses its institutional eligibility under 34 CFR part 600; (3) The institution's participation is terminated under the proceedings in subpart G of this part; (4) The institution's period of participation, as specified under §668.13, expires, or the institution's provisional certification is revoked under §668.13; (5) The institution's program participation agreement is terminated or expires under §668.14; (6) The institution's participation ends under subpart M of this part; or (7) The Secretary receives a notice from the appropriate State postsecondary review entity designated under 34 CFR part 667 that the institution's participation should be withdrawn. (b) If an institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program ends, the institution shall— (1) Immediately notify the Secretary of that fact; (2) Submit to the Secretary within 45 days after the date that the participation ends— (i) All financial, performance, and other reports required by appropriate Title IV, HEA program regulations; and (ii) A letter of engagement for an independent audit of all funds that the institution received under that program, the report of which shall be submitted to the Secretary within 45 days after the date of the engagement letter; (3) Inform the Secretary of the arrangements that the institution has made for the proper retention and storage for a minimum of three years of all records concerning the administration of that program; (4) If the institution's participation in the Federal Perkins Loan Program ended, inform the Secretary of how the institution will provide for the collection of any outstanding loans made under that program; (5) If the institution's participation in the LEAP Program ended— (i) Inform immediately the State in which the institution is located of that fact; and (ii) Notwithstanding paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section, follow the instructions of that State concerning the end of that participation; (6) If the institution's participation in all the Title IV, HEA programs ended, inform the Secretary of how the institution will provide for the collection of any outstanding loans made under the National Defense/Direct Student Loan programs; and (7) Continue to comply with the requirements of §668.22 for the treatment of title IV, HEA program funds when a student withdraws. (c) If an institution closes or stops providing educational programs for a reason other than a normal vacation period or a natural disaster that directly affects the institution or the institution's students, the institution shall— (1) Return to the Secretary, or otherwise dispose of under instructions from the Secretary, any unexpended funds that the institution has received under the Title IV, HEA programs for attendance at the institution, less the institution's administrative allowance, if applicable; and (2) Return to the appropriate lenders any Federal Stafford Loan program proceeds that the institution has received but not delivered to, or credited to the accounts of, students attending the institution. (d)(1) An institution may use funds that it has received under the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant Program or a campus-based program or request additional funds from the Secretary, under conditions specified by the Secretary, if the institution does not possess sufficient funds, to satisfy any unpaid commitment made to a student under that Title IV, HEA program only if— (i) The institution's participation in that Title IV, HEA program ends during a payment period; (ii) The institution continues to provide, from the date that the participation ends until the scheduled completion date of that payment period, educational programs to otherwise eligible students enrolled in the formerly eligible programs of the institution; (iii) The commitment was made prior to the end of the participation; and (iv) The commitment was made for attendance during that payment period or a previously completed payment period. (2) An institution may credit to a student's account or deliver to the student the proceeds of a disbursement of a Federal Family Education Loan Programs loan to satisfy any unpaid commitment made to the student under the Federal Family Education Loan Programs Loan Program only if— (i) The institution's participation in that Title IV, HEA program ends during a period of enrollment; (ii) The institution continues to provide, from the date that the participation ends until the scheduled completion date of that period of enrollment, educational programs to otherwise eligible students enrolled in the formerly eligible programs of the institution; (iii) The loan was made for attendance during that period of enrollment. (iv) The proceeds of the first disbursement of the loan were delivered to the student or credited to the student's account prior to the end of the participation. (3) An institution may use funds that it has received under the Direct Loan Program or request additional funds from the Secretary, under conditions specified by the Secretary, if the institution does not possess sufficient funds, to credit to a student's account or disburse to the student the proceeds of a Direct Loan Program loan only if— (i) The institution's participation in the Direct Loan Program ends during a period of enrollment; (ii) The institution continues to provide, from the date that the participation ends until the scheduled completion date of that period of enrollment, educational programs to otherwise eligible students enrolled in the formerly eligible programs of the institution; (iii) The loan was made for attendance during that period of enrollment; and (iv) The proceeds of the first disbursement of the loan were delivered to the student or credited to the student's account prior to the end of the participation. (e) For the purposes of this section— (1) A commitment under the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Grant programs occurs when a student is enrolled and attending the institution and has submitted a valid Student Aid Report to the institution or when an institution has received a valid institutional student information report; and (2) A commitment under the campus-based programs occurs when a student is enrolled and attending the institution and has received a notice from the institution of the amount that he or she can expect to receive and how and when that amount will be paid. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094, 1099a–3) [59 FR 22442, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 61 FR 60492, Nov. 27, 1996; 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000; 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) General. (1) At the request of an institution, the Secretary may waive the annual audit submission requirement for the period of time contained in paragraph (b) of this section if the institution satisfies the requirements contained in paragraph (c) of this section and posts a letter of credit in the amount determined in paragraph (d) of this section. (2) An institution requesting a waiver must submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary prescribes. (3) The first fiscal year for which an institution may request a waiver is the fiscal year in which it submits its waiver request to the Secretary. (b) Waiver period. (1) If the Secretary grants the waiver, the institution need not submit its compliance or audited financial statement until six months after— (i) The end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the institution last submitted a compliance audit and audited financial statement; or (ii) The end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the institution last submitted compliance and financial statement audits if the award year in which the institution will apply for recertification is part of the third fiscal year. (2) The Secretary does not grant a waiver if the award year in which the institution will apply for recertification is part of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the institution last submitted compliance and financial statement audits. (3) When an institution must submit its next compliance and financial statement audits under paragraph (b)(1) of this section— (i) The institution must submit a compliance audit that covers the institution's administration of the title IV, HEA programs for the period for each fiscal year for which an audit did not have to be submitted as a result of the waiver, and an audited financial statement for its last fiscal year; and (ii) The auditor who conducts the audit must audit the institution's annual determinations for the period subject to the waiver that it satisfied the 90/10 rule in §600.5 and the other conditions of institutional eligibility in §600.7 and §668.8(e)(2), and disclose the results of the audit of the 90/10 rule for each year in accordance with §668.23(d)(4). (c) Criteria for granting the waiver. The Secretary grants a waiver to an institution if the institution— (1) Is not a foreign institution; (2) Did not disburse $200,000 or more of title IV, HEA program funds during each of the two completed award years preceding the institution's waiver request; (3) Agrees to keep records relating to each award year in the unaudited period for two years after the end of the record retention period in §668.24(e) for that award year; (4) Has participated in the title IV, HEA programs under the same ownership for at least three award years preceding the institution's waiver request; (5) Is financially responsible under §668.171, and does not rely on the alternative standards of §668.175 to participate in the title IV, HEA programs; (6) Is not on the reimbursement or cash monitoring system of payment; (7) Has not been the subject of a limitation, suspension, fine, or termination proceeding, or emergency action initiated by the Department or a guarantee agency in the three years preceding the institution's waiver request; (8) Has submitted its compliance audits and audited financial statements for the previous two fiscal years in accordance with and subject to §668.23, and no individual audit disclosed liabilities in excess of $10,000; and (9) Submits a letter of credit in the amount determined in paragraph (d) of this section, which must remain in effect until the Secretary has resolved the audit covering the award years subject to the waiver. (d) Letter of credit amount. For purposes of this section, the letter of credit amount equals 10 percent of the amount of title IV, HEA program funds the institution disbursed to or on behalf of its students during the award year preceding the institution's waiver request. (e) Rescission of the waiver. (1) The Secretary rescinds the waiver if the institution— (i) Disburses $200,000 or more of title IV, HEA program funds for an award year; (ii) Undergoes a change in ownership that results in a change of control; or (iii) Becomes the subject of an emergency action or a limitation, suspension, fine, or termination action initiated by the Department or a guarantee agency. (2) If the Secretary rescinds a waiver, the rescission is effective on the last day of the fiscal year in which the rescission takes place. (f) Renewal. An institution may request a renewal of its waiver when it submits its audits under paragraph (b) of this section. The Secretary grants the waiver if the audits and other information available to the Secretary show that the institution continues to satisfy the criteria for receiving that waiver. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [64 FR 58618, Oct. 29, 1999] Part III Chapter 3—Independence (a) The Third general standard for governmental auditing is: In matters relating to the audit work, the audit organization and the individual auditors shall maintain an independent attitude. (b) This standard places upon the auditor and the audit organization the responsibility for maintaining sufficient independence so that their opinions, conclusions, judgments, and recommendations will be impartial. If the auditor is not sufficiently independent to produce unbiased opinions, conclusions, and judgments, he should state in a prominent place in the audit report his relationship with the organization or officials being audited.1 1 If the auditor is not fully independent because he or she is an employee of the audited entity, it will be adequate disclosure to so indicate. If the auditor is a practicing certified public accountant, his or her conduct should be governed by the AICPA “Statements on Auditing Procedure.” (c) The auditor should consider not only whether his or her own attitude and beliefs permit him or her to be independent but also whether there is anything about his or her situation which would lead others to question his or her independence. Both situations deserve consideration since it is important not only that the auditor be, in fact, independent and impartial but also that other persons will consider him or her so. (d) There are three general classes of impairments that the auditor needs to consider; these are personal, external, and organizational impairments. If one or more of these are of such significance as to affect the auditor's ability to perform his or her work and report its results impartially, he or she should decline to perform the audit or indicate in the report that he or she was not fully independent. Personal Impairments There are some circumstances in which an auditor cannot be impartial because of his or her views or his or her personal situation. These circumstances might include: 1. Relationships of an official, professional, and/or personal nature that might cause the auditor to limit the extent or character of the inquiry, to limit disclosure, or to weaken his or her findings in any way. 2. Preconceived ideas about the objectives or quality of a particular operation or personal likes or dislikes of individuals, groups, or objectives of a particular program. 3. Previous involvement in a decisionmaking or management capacity in the operations of the governmental entity or program being audited. 4. Biases and prejudices, including those induced by political or social convictions, which result from employment in or loyalty to a particular group, entity, or level of government. 5. Actual or potential restrictive influence when the auditor performs preaudit work and subsequently performs a post audit. 6. Financial interest, direct or indirect, in an organization or facility which is benefiting from the audited programs. External Impairments External factors can restrict the audit or impinge on the auditor's ability to form independent and objective opinions and conclusions. For example, under the following conditions either the audit itself could be adversely affected or the auditor would not have complete freedom to make an independent judgment.2 2 Some of these situations may constitute justifiable limitations on the scope of the work. In such cases the limitation should be identified in the auditor's report. 1. Interference or other influence that improperly or imprudently eliminates, restricts, or modifies the scope or character of the audit. 2. Interference with the selection or application of audit procedures of the selection of activities to be examined. 3. Denial of access to such sources of information as books, records, and supporting documents or denial or opportunity to obtain explanations by officials and employees of the governmental organization, program, or activity under audit. 4. Interference in the assignment of personnel to the audit task. 5. Retaliatory restrictions placed on funds or other resources dedicated to the audit operation. 6. Activity to overrule or significantly influence the auditors judgment as to the appropriate content of the audit report. 7. Influences that place the auditor's continued employment in jeopardy for reasons other than competency or the need for audit services. 8. Unreasonable restriction on the time allowed to competently complete an audit assignment. Organizational Impairments (a) The auditor's independence can be affected by his or her place within the organizational structure of governments. Auditors employed by Federal, State, or local government units may be subject to policy direction from superiors who are involved either directly or indirectly in the government management process. To achieve maximum independence such auditors and the audit organization itself not only should report to the highest practicable echelon within their government but should be organizationally located outside the line-management function of the entity under audit. (b) These auditors should also be sufficiently removed from political pressures to ensure that they can conduct their auditing objectively and can report their conclusions completely without fear of censure. Whenever feasible they should be under a system which will place decisions on compensation, training, job tenure, and advancement on a merit basis. (c) When independent public accountants or other independent professionals are engaged to perform work that includes inquiries into compliance with applicable laws and regulations, efficiency and economy of operations, or achievement of program results, they should be engaged by someone other than the officials responsible for the direction of the effort being audited. This practice removes the pressure that may result if the auditor must criticize the performance of those by whom he or she was engaged. To remove this obstacle to independence, governments should arrange to have auditors engaged by officials not directly involved in operations to be audited. [51 FR 41921, Nov. 19, 1986. Redesignated at 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000] Qualifications of Independent Auditors Engaged by Governmental Organizations (a) When outside auditors are engaged for assignments requiring the expression of an opinion on financial reports of governmental organizations, only fully qualified public accountants should be employed. The type of qualifications, as stated by the Comptroller General, deemed necessary for financial audits of governmental organizations and programs is quoted below: “Such audits shall be conducted * * * by independent certified public accountants or by independent licensed public accountants, licensed on or before December 31, 1970, who are certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States: Except that independent public accountants licensed to practice by such regulatory authority after December 31, 1970, and persons who although not so certified or licensed, meet, in the opinion of the Secretary, standards of education and experience representative of the highest prescribed by the licensing authorities of the several States which provide for the continuing licensing of public accountants and which are prescribed by the Secretary in appropriate regulations may perform such audits until December 31, 1975; Provided, That if the Secretary deems it necessary in the public interest, he may prescribe by regulations higher standard than those required for the practice of public accountancy by the regulatory authorities of the States.”1 1 Letter (B–148144, September 15, 1970) from the Comptroller General to the heads of Federal departments and agencies. The reference to “Secretary” means the head of the department or agency. (b) The standards for examination and evaluation require consideration of applicable laws and regulations in the auditor's examination. The standards for reporting require a statement in the auditor's report regarding any significant instances of noncompliance disclosed by his or her examination and evaluation work. What is to be included in this statement requires judgment. Significant instances of noncompliance, even those not resulting in legal liability to the audited entity, should be included. Minor procedural noncompliance need not be disclosed. (c) Although the reporting standard is generally on an exception basis—that only noncompliance need be reported—it should be recognized that governmental entities often want positive statements regarding whether or not the auditor's tests disclosed instances of noncompliance. This is particularly true in grant programs where authorizing agencies frequently want assurance in the auditor's report that this matter has been considered. For such audits, auditors should obtain an understanding with the authorizing agency as to the extent to which such positive comments on compliance are desired. When coordinated audits are involved, the audit program should specify the extent of comments that the auditor is to make regarding compliance. (d) When noncompliance is reported, the auditor should place the findings in proper perspective. The extent of instances of noncompliance should be related to the number of cases examined to provide the reader with a basis for judging the prevalence of noncompliance. [45 FR 86856, Dec. 31, 1980. Redesignated at 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000] Source: 60 FR 61810, Dec. 1, 1995, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart contains rules by which a student establishes eligibility for assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. In order to qualify as an eligible student, a student must meet all applicable requirements in this subpart. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091)
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. A student is eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if the student— (a)(1) (i) Is a regular student enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible program at an eligible institution; (ii) For purposes of the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, is enrolled for no longer than one twelve-month period in a course of study necessary for enrollment in an eligible program; or (iii) For purposes of the Federal Perkins Loan, FWS, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as at least a half-time student at an eligible institution in a program necessary for a professional credential or certification from a State that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in that State; (2) For purposes of the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, is at least a half-time student; (b) Is not enrolled in either an elementary or secondary school; (c)(1) For purposes of the ACG, National SMART Grant, and FSEOG programs , does not have a baccalaureate or first professional degree; (2) For purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program— (i)(A) Does not have a baccalaureate or first professional degree; or (B) Is enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certificate or licensing program as described in 34 CFR 690.6(c); and (ii) Is not incarcerated in a Federal or State penal institution; and (3) For purposes of the Federal Perkins Loan, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs, is not incarcerated; (d) Satisfies the citizenship and residency requirements contained in §668.33 and subpart I of this part; (e)(1) Has a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; (2) Has obtained a passing score specified by the Secretary on an independently administered test in accordance with subpart J of this part; (3) Is enrolled in an eligible institution that participates in a State “process” approved by the Secretary under subpart J of this part; or (4) Was home-schooled, and either— (i) Obtained a secondary school completion credential for home school (other than a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent) provided for under State law; or (ii) If State law does not require a home-schooled student to obtain the credential described in paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section, has completed a secondary school education in a home school setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under State law; (f) Maintains satisfactory progress in his or her course of study according to the institution's published standards of satisfactory progress that satisfy the provisions of §668.16(e), and, if applicable, the provisions of §668.34; (g) Except as provided in §668.35— (1) Is not in default, and certifies that he or she is not in default, on a loan made under any title IV, HEA loan program; (2) Has not obtained loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate loan limits made under any title IV, HEA loan program; (3) Does not have property subject to a judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States; and (4) Is not liable for a grant or Federal Perkins loan overpayment. A student receives a grant or Federal Perkins loan overpayment if the student received grant or Federal Perkins loan payments that exceeded the amount he or she was eligible to receive; or if the student withdraws, that exceeded the amount he or she was entitled to receive for non-institutional charges; (h) Files a Statement of Educational Purpose in accordance with the instructions of the Secretary; (i) Has a correct social security number as determined under §668.36, except that this requirement does not apply to students who are residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau; (j) Satisfies the Selective Service registration requirements contained in §668.37, and, if applicable, satisfies the requirements of §668.38 and §668.39 involving enrollment in telecommunication and correspondence courses and a study abroad program, respectively; (k) Satisfies the program specific requirements contained in— (1) 34 CFR 674.9 for the Federal Perkins Loan program; (2) 34 CFR 675.9 for the FWS program; (3) 34 CFR 676.9 for the FSEOG program; (4) 34 CFR 682.201 for the FFEL programs; (5) 34 CFR 685.200 for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan programs; (6) 34 CFR 690.75 for the Federal Pell Grant program; (7) 34 CFR 691.75 for the ACG and National SMART Grant programs; and (8) 34 CFR 692.40 for the LEAP program; and (l) Is not ineligible under §668.40. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 28 U.S.C. 3201(e)) [60 FR 61810, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 40624, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 57358, Oct. 22, 1999; 64 FR 58291, Oct. 28, 1999; 67 FR 67073, Nov. 1, 2002; 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, to be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance, a student must— (1) Be a citizen or national of the United States; or (2) Provide evidence from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that he or she— (i) Is a permanent resident of the United States; or (ii) Is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; (b)(1) A citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau is eligible to receive funds under the FWS, FSEOG, and Federal Pell Grant programs if the student attends an eligible institution in a State, or a public or nonprofit private eligible institution of higher education in those jurisdictions. (2) A student who satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section is eligible to receive funds under the FWS, FSEOG, and Federal Pell Grant programs if the student attends a public or nonprofit private eligible institution of higher education in the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. (c) Only a student who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to receive funds under the ACG and National SMART Grant programs. (d)(1) If a student asserts that he or she is a citizen of the United States on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Secretary attempts to confirm that assertion under a data match with the Social Security Administration. If the Social Security Administration confirms the student's citizenship, the Secretary reports that confirmation to the institution and the student. (2) If the Social Security Administration does not confirm the student's citizenship assertion under the data match with the Secretary, the student can establish U.S. citizenship by submitting documentary evidence of that status to the institution. Before denying title IV, HEA assistance to a student for failing to establish citizenship, an institution must give a student at least 30 days notice to produce evidence of U.S. citizenship. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 5 U.S.C. 552a) [52 FR 45727, Dec. 1, 1987, as amended at 71 FR 38002, July 3, 2006] (a) If a student is enrolled in a program of study of more than two academic years, to be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance after the second year, in addition to satisfying the requirements contained in §668.32(f), the student must be making satisfactory under the provisions of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section. (b) A student is making satisfactory progress if, at the end of the second year, the student has a grade point average of at least a “C” or its equivalent, or has academic standing consistent with the institution's requirements for graduation. (c) An institution may find that a student is making satisfactory progress even though the student does not satisfy the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, if the institution determines that the student's failure to meet those requirements is based upon— (1) The death of a relative of the student; (2) An injury or illness of the student; or (3) Other special circumstances. (d) If a student is not making satisfactory progress at the end of the second year, but at the end of a subsequent grading period comes into compliance with the institution's requirements for graduation, the institution may consider the student as making satisfactory progress beginning with the next grading period. (e) At a minimum, an institution must review a student's academic progress at the end of each year. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d))
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) A student who is in default on a loan made under a title IV, HEA loan program may nevertheless be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if the student— (1) Repays the loan in full; or (2) Except as limited by paragraph (c) of this section— (i) Makes arrangements, that are satisfactory to the holder of the loan and in accordance with the individual title IV, HEA loan program regulations, to repay the loan balance; and (ii) Makes at least six consecutive monthly payments under those arrangements. (b) A student who is subject to a judgment for failure to repay a loan made under a title IV, HEA loan program may nevertheless be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if the student— (1) Repays the debt in full; or (2) Except as limited by paragraph (c) of this section— (i) Makes repayment arrangements that are satisfactory to the holder of the debt; and (ii) Makes at least six consecutive, voluntary monthly payments under those arrangements. Voluntary payments are those payments made directly by the borrower, and do not include payments obtained by Federal offset, garnishment, or income or asset execution. (c) A student who reestablishes eligibility under either paragraph (a)(2) of this section or paragraph (b)(2) of this section may not reestablish eligibility again under either of those paragraphs. (d) A student who is not in default on a loan made under a title IV, HEA loan program, but has inadvertently obtained loan funds under a title IV, HEA loan program in an amount that exceeds the annual or aggregate loan limits under that program, may nevertheless be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if the student— (1) Repays in full the excess loan amount; or (2) Makes arrangements, satisfactory to the holder of the loan, to repay that excess loan amount. (e) A student who receives an overpayment under the Federal Perkins Loan Program, or under a title IV, HEA grant program may nevertheless be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if— (1) The student pays the overpayment in full; (2) The student makes arrangements satisfactory to the holder of the overpayment debt to pay the overpayment; or (3) The overpayment amount is less than $25 and is neither a remaining balance nor a result of the application of the overaward threshold in 34 CFR 673.5(d). (f) A student who has property subject to a judgement lien for a debt owed to the United States may nevertheless be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if the student- (1) Pays the debt in full; or (2) Makes arrangements, satisfactory to the United States, to pay the debt. (g) (1) A student is not liable for a Federal Pell Grant overpayment received in an award year if the institution can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent Federal Pell Grant payments in that same award year. (2) A student is not liable for an ACG overpayment received in an award year if— (i) The institution can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent title IV, HEA program (other than Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant) payments in that same award year; or (ii) The institution cannot eliminate the overpayment under paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section but can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent ACG payments in that same award year. (3) A student is not liable for a National SMART Grant overpayment received in an award year if— (i) The institution can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent title IV, HEA program (other than Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant) payments in that same award year; or (ii) The institution cannot eliminate the overpayment under paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section but can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent National SMART Grant payments in that same award year. (4) A student is not liable for a FSEOG or LEAP overpayment or Federal Perkins loan overpayment received in an award year if the institution can eliminate that overpayment by adjusting subsequent title IV, HEA program (other than Federal Pell Grant) payments in that same award year. (h) A student who otherwise is in default on a loan made under a title IV, HEA loan program, or who otherwise owes an overpayment on a title IV, HEA program grant or Federal Perkins loan, is not considered to be in default or owe an overpayment if the student— (1) Obtains a judicial determination that the debt has been discharged or is dischargeable in bankruptcy; or (2) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the holder of the debt that— (i) When the student filed the petition for bankruptcy relief, the loan, or demand for the payment of the overpayment, had been outstanding for the period required under 11 U.S.C. 523(a)(8)(A), exclusive of applicable suspensions of the repayment period for either debt of the kind defined in 34 CFR 682.402(m); and (ii) The debt otherwise qualifies for discharge under applicable bankruptcy law. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091 and 11 U.S.C. 523 and 525) [60 FR 61810, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 67 FR 67073, Nov. 1, 2002; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] (a)(1) Except for residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, the Secretary attempts to confirm the social security number a student provides on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) under a data match with the Social Security Administration. If the Social Security Administration confirms that number, the Secretary notifies the institution and the student of that confirmation. (2) If the student's verified social security number is the same number as the one he or she provided on the FAFSA, and the institution has no reason to believe that the verified social security number is inaccurate, the institution may consider the number to be accurate. (3) If the Social Security Administration does not verify the student's social security number on the FAFSA, or the institution has reason to believe that the verified social security number is inaccurate, the student can provide evidence to the institution, such as the student's social security card, indicating the accuracy of the student's social security number. An institution must give a student at least 30 days, or until the end of the award year, whichever is later, to produce that evidence. (4) An institution may not deny, reduce, delay, or terminate a student's eligibility for assistance under the title IV, HEA programs because verification of that student's social security number is pending. (b)(1) An institution may not disburse any title IV, HEA program funds to a student until the institution is satisfied that the student's reported social security number is accurate. (2) The institution shall ensure that the Secretary is notified of the student's accurate social security number if the student demonstrates the accuracy of a social security number that is not the number the student included on the FAFSA. (c) If the Secretary determines that the social security number provided to an institution by a student is incorrect, and that student has not provided evidence under paragraph (a)(3) of this section indicating the accuracy of the social security number, and a loan has been guaranteed for the student under the FFEL program, the institution shall notify and instruct the lender and guaranty agency making and guaranteeing the loan, respectively, to cease further disbursements of the loan, until the Secretary or the institution determines that the social security number provided by the student is correct, but the guaranty may not be voided or otherwise nullified before the date that the lender and the guaranty agency receive the notice. (d) Nothing in this section permits the Secretary to take any compliance, disallowance, penalty or other regulatory action against— (1) Any institution of higher education with respect to any error in a social security number, unless the error was the result of fraud on the part of the institution; or (2) Any student with respect to any error in a social security number, unless the error was the result of fraud on the part of the student. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091) (a)(1) To be eligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds, a male student who is subject to registration with the Selective Service must register with the Selective Service. (2) A male student does not have to register with the Selective Service if the student— (i) Is below the age of 18, or was born before January 1, 1960; (ii) Is enrolled in an officer procurement program the curriculum of which has been approved by the Secretary of Defense at the following institutions: (A) The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina; (B) North Georgia College, Dahlonega, Georgia; (C) Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont; or (D) Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia; or (iii) Is a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or a member of the Reserve of the Public Health Service who is on active duty as provided in section 6(a)(2) of the Military Selective Service Act. (b)(1) When the Secretary processes a male student's FAFSA, the Secretary determines whether the student is registered with the Selective Service under a data match with the Selective Service. (2) Under the data match, Selective Service reports to the Secretary whether its records indicate that the student is registered, and the Secretary reports the results of the data match to the student and the institution the student is attending. (c)(1) If the Selective Service does not confirm through the data match, that the student is registered, the student can establish that he— (i) Is registered; (ii) Is not, or was not required to be, registered; (iii) Has registered since the submission of the FAFSA; or (iv) Meets the conditions of paragraph (d) of this section. (2) An institution must give a student at least 30 days, or until the end of the award year, whichever is later, to provide evidence to establish the condition described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (d) An institution may determine that a student, who was required to, but did not register with the Selective Service, is not ineligible to receive title IV, HEA assistance for that reason, if the student can demonstrate by submitting clear and unambiguous evidence to the institution that— (1) He was unable to present himself for registration for reasons beyond his control such as hospitalization, incarceration, or institutionalization; or (2) He is over 26 and when he was between 18 and 26 and required to register— (i) He did not knowingly and willfully fail to register with the Selective Service; or (ii) He served as a member of one of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty and received a DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” showing military service with other than the reserve forces and National Guard. (e) For purposes of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, an institution may consider that a student did not knowingly and willfully fail to register with the Selective Service only if— (1) The student submits to the institution an advisory opinion from the Selective Service System that does not dispute the student's claim that he did not knowingly and willfully fail to register; and (2) The institution does not have uncontroverted evidence that the student knowingly and willfully failed to register. (f)(1) A student who is required to register with the Selective Service and has been denied title IV, HEA program assistance because he has not proven to the institution that he has registered with Selective Service may seek a hearing from the Secretary by filing a request in writing with the Secretary. The student must submit with that request— (i) A statement that he is in compliance with registration requirements; (ii) A concise statement of the reasons why he has not been able to prove that he is in compliance with those requirements; and (iii) Copies of all material that he has already supplied to the institution to verify his compliance. (2) The Secretary provides an opportunity for a hearing to a student who— (i) Asserts that he is in compliance with registration requirements; and (ii) Files a written request for a hearing in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this section within the award year for which he was denied title IV, HEA program assistance or within 30 days following the end of the payment period, whichever is later. (3) An official designated by the Secretary shall conduct any hearing held under paragraph (f)(2) of this section. The sole purpose of this hearing is the determination of compliance with registration requirements. At this hearing, the student retains the burden of proving compliance, by credible evidence, with the requirements of the Military Selective Service Act. The designated official shall not consider challenges based on constitutional or other grounds to the requirements that a student state and verify, if required, compliance with registration requirements, or to those registration requirements themselves. (g) Any determination of compliance made under this section is final unless reopened by the Secretary and revised on the basis of additional evidence. (h) Any determination of compliance made under this section is binding only for purposes of determining eligibility for title IV, HEA program assistance. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091 and 50 App. 462) [60 FR 61812, Dec. 1. 1995, as amended at 61 FR 3776, Feb. 1, 1996]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) If a student is enrolled in correspondence courses, the student is eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance only if the correspondence courses are part of a program that leads to an associate, bachelor's, or graduate degree. (b)(1) For purposes of this section, a student enrolled in a telecommunications course at an institution of higher education is not enrolled in a correspondence course, if— (i) The student is enrolled in a program that leads to a certificate for a program of study of 1 year or longer, or an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree; and (ii) The number of telecommunications and correspondence courses the institution offered during its latest completed award year was fewer than 50 percent of all the courses the institution offered during that same year. (2) For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, an institution of higher education is one— (i) That is not an institute or school described in section 521(4)(C) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act; and (ii) At which at least 50 percent of the programs of study offered by the institution during its latest completed award year led to an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree. (3) For purposes of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the institution must calculate the number of courses using the provisions contained in 34 CFR 600.7(b)(2). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091) [60 FR 61810, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 57358, Oct. 22, 1999] A student enrolled in a program of study abroad is eligible to receive title IV, HEA program assistance if— (a) The student remains enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program at an eligible institution during his or her program of study abroad; and (b) The eligible institution approves the program of study abroad for academic credit. However, the study abroad program need not be required as part of the student's eligible degree program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(o))
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. (a)(1) A student is ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds if the student has been convicted of an offense involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs for the period described in paragraph (b) of this section. However, the student may regain eligibility before that period expires under the conditions described in paragraph (c) of this section. (2) For purposes of this section, a conviction means only a conviction that is on a student's record. A conviction that was reversed, set aside, or removed from the student's record is not relevant for purposes of this section, nor is a determination or adjudication arising out of a juvenile proceeding. (3) For purposes of this section, an illegal drug is a controlled substance as defined by section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801(6)), and does not include alcohol or tobacco. (b)(1) Possession. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if a student has been convicted— (i) Only one time for possession of illegal drugs, the student is ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds for one year after the date of conviction; (ii) Two times for possession of illegal drugs, the student is ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds for two years after the date of the second conviction; or (iii) Three or more times for possession of illegal drugs, the student is ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds for an indefinite period after the date of the third conviction. (2) Sale. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if a student has been convicted— (i) Only one time for sale of illegal drugs, the student is ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds for two years after the date of conviction; or (ii) Two or more times for sale of illegal drugs, the student is ineligible to receive Title IV, HEA program funds for an indefinite period after the date of the second conviction. (c) If a student successfully completes a drug rehabilitation program described in paragraph (d) of this section after the student's most recent drug conviction, the student regains eligibility on the date the student successfully completes the program. (d) A drug rehabilitation program referred to in paragraph (c) of this section is one which— (1) Includes at least two unannounced drug tests; and (2)(i) Has received or is qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly under a Federal, State, or local government program; (ii) Is administered or recognized by a Federal, State, or local government agency or court; (iii) Has received or is qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a Federally- or State-licensed insurance company; or (iv) Is administered or recognized by a Federally- or State-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(r)) [64 FR 57358, Oct. 22, 1999] Source: 51 FR 43323, Dec. 1, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this subpart: Athletically related student aid means any scholarship, grant, or other form of financial assistance, offered by an institution, the terms of which require the recipient to participate in a program of intercollegiate athletics at the institution. Other student aid, of which a student-athlete simply happens to be the recipient, is not athletically related student aid. Certificate or degree-seeking student means a student enrolled in a course of credit who is recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or certificate. First-time undergraduate student means an entering undergraduate who has never attended any institution of higher education. It includes a student enrolled in the fall term who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time in the prior summer term, and a student who entered with advanced standing (college credit earned before graduation from high school). Normal time is the amount of time necessary for a student to complete all requirements for a degree or certificate according to the institution's catalog. This is typically four years for a bachelor's degree in a standard term-based institution, two years for an associate degree in a standard term-based institution, and the various scheduled times for certificate programs. Notice means a notification of the availability of information an institution is required by this subpart to disclose, provided to an individual on a one-to-one basis through an appropriate mailing or publication, including direct mailing through the U.S. Postal Service, campus mail, or electronic mail. Posting on an Internet website or an Intranet website does not constitute a notice. Official fall reporting date means that date (in the fall) on which an institution must report fall enrollment data to either the State, its board of trustees or governing board, or some other external governing body. Prospective employee means an individual who has contacted an eligible institution for the purpose of requesting information concerning employment with that institution. Prospective student means an individual who has contacted an eligible institution requesting information concerning admission to that institution. Undergraduate students, for purposes of §§668.45 and 668.48 only, means students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate. (b) Disclosure through Internet or Intranet websites. Subject to paragraphs (c)(2), (e)(2) through (4), or (g)(1)(ii) of this section, as appropriate, an institution may satisfy any requirement to disclose information under paragraph (d), (e), or (g) of this section for— (1) Enrolled students or current employees by posting the information on an Internet website or an Intranet website that is reasonably accessible to the individuals to whom the information must be disclosed; and (2) Prospective students or prospective employees by posting the information on an Internet website. (c) Notice to enrolled students. (1) An institution annually must distribute to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to paragraphs (d), (e), and (g) of this section, and pursuant to 34 CFR 99.7 (§99.7 sets forth the notification requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974). The notice must list and briefly describe the information and tell the student how to obtain the information. (2) An institution that discloses information to enrolled students as required under paragraph (d), (e), or (g) of this section by posting the information on an Internet website or an Intranet website must include in the notice described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section— (i) The exact electronic address at which the information is posted; and (ii) A statement that the institution will provide a paper copy of the information on request. (d) General disclosures for enrolled or prospective students. An institution must make available to any enrolled student or prospective student, on request, through appropriate publications, mailings or electronic media, information concerning— (1) Financial assistance available to students enrolled in the institution (pursuant to §668.42); (2) The institution (pursuant to §668.43); and (3) The institution's completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, its transfer-out rate (pursuant to §668.45). In the case of a request from a prospective student, the information must be made available prior to the student's enrolling or entering into any financial obligation with the institution. (e) Annual security report—(1) Enrolled students and current employees—annual security report. By October 1 of each year, an institution must distribute, to all enrolled students and current employees, its annual security report described in §668.46(b), through appropriate publications and mailings, including— (i) Direct mailing to each individual through the U.S. Postal Service, campus mail, or electronic mail; (ii) A publication or publications provided directly to each individual; or (iii) Posting on an Internet website or an Intranet website, subject to paragraphs (e)(2) and (3) of this section. (2) Enrolled students—annual security report. If an institution chooses to distribute its annual security report to enrolled students by posting the disclosure on an Internet website or an Intranet website, the institution must comply with the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (3) Current employees—annual security report. If an institution chooses to distribute its annual security report to current employees by posting the disclosure on an Internet website or an Intranet website, the institution must, by October 1 of each year, distribute to all current employees a notice that includes a statement of the report's availability, the exact electronic address at which the report is posted, a brief description of the report's contents, and a statement that the institution will provide a paper copy of the report upon request. (4) Prospective students and prospective employees—annual security report. The institution must provide a notice to prospective students and prospective employees that includes a statement of the report's availability, a description of its contents, and an opportunity to request a copy. An institution must provide its annual security report, upon request, to a prospective student or prospective employee. If the institution chooses to provide its annual security report to prospective students and prospective employees by posting the disclosure on an Internet website, the notice described in this paragraph must include the exact electronic address at which the report is posted, a brief description of the report, and a statement that the institution will provide a paper copy of the report upon request. (5) Submission to the Secretary—annual security report. Each year, by the date and in a form specified by the Secretary, an institution must submit the statistics required by §668.46(c) to the Secretary. (f) Prospective student-athletes and their parents, high school coach and guidance counselor—report on completion or graduation rates for student-athletes. (1)(i) Except under the circumstances described in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, when an institution offers a prospective student-athlete athletically related student aid, it must provide to the prospective student-athlete, and his or her parents, high school coach, and guidance counselor, the report produced pursuant to §668.48(a). (ii) An institution's responsibility under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section with reference to a prospective student athlete's high school coach and guidance counselor is satisfied if— (A) The institution is a member of a national collegiate athletic association; (B) The association compiles data on behalf of its member institutions, which data the Secretary determines are substantially comparable to those required by §668.48(a); and (C) The association distributes the compilation to all secondary schools in the United States. (2) By July 1 of each year, an institution must submit to the Secretary the report produced pursuant to §668.48. (g) Enrolled students, prospective students, and the public—report on athletic program participation rates and financial support data. (1)(i) An institution of higher education subject to §668.47 must, not later than October 15 of each year, make available on request to enrolled students, prospective students, and the public, the report produced pursuant to §668.47(c). The institution must make the report easily accessible to students, prospective students, and the public and must provide the report promptly to anyone who requests it. (ii) The institution must provide notice to all enrolled students, pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and prospective students of their right to request the report described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the institution chooses to make the report available by posting the disclosure on an Internet website or an Intranet website, it must provide in the notice the exact electronic address at which the report is posted, a brief description of the report, and a statement that the institution will provide a paper copy of the report on request. For prospective students, the institution may not use an Intranet website for this purpose. (2) An institution must submit the report described in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section to the Secretary within 15 days of making it available to students, prospective students, and the public. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [64 FR 59066, Nov. 1, 1999] (a)(1) Information on financial assistance that the institution must publish and make readily available to current and prospective student's under this subpart includes, but is not limited to, a description of all the Federal, State, local, private and institutional student financial assistance programs available to students who enroll at that institution. (2) These programs include both need-based and non-need-based programs. (3) The institution may describe its own financial assistance programs by listing them in general categories. (b) For each program referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, the information provided by the institution must describe— (1) The procedures and forms by which students apply for assistance; (2) The student eligibility requirements; (3) The criteria for selecting recipients from the group of eligible applicants; and (4) The criteria for determining the amount of a student's award. (c) The institution shall describe the rights and responsibilities of students receiving financial assistance and, specifically, assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. This description must include specific information regarding— (1) Criteria for continued student eligibility under each program; (2)(i) Standards which the student must maintain in order to be considered to be making satisfactory progress in his or her course of study for the purpose of receiving financial assistance; and (ii) Criteria by which the student who has failed to maintain satisfactory progress may re-establish his or her eligibility for financial assistance; (3) The method by which financial assistance disbursements will be made to the students and the frequency of those disbursements; (4) The terms of any loan received by a student as part of the student's financial assistance package, a sample loan repayment schedule for sample loans and the necessity for repaying loans; (5) The general conditions and terms applicable to any employment provided to a student as part of the student's financial assistance package; (6) The institution shall provide and collect exit counseling information as required by 34 CFR 674.42 for borrowers under the Federal Perkins Loan Program, by 34 CFR 685.304 for borrowers under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and by 34 CFR 682.604 for borrowers under the Federal Stafford Loan Program; and (7) The terms and conditions under which students receiving Federal Family Education Loan or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan assistance may obtain deferral of the repayment of the principal and interest of the loan for— (i) Service under the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501); (ii) Service under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4951); or (iii) Comparable service as a volunteer for a tax-exempt organization of demonstrated effectiveness in the field of community service. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [51 FR 43323, Dec. 1, 1986. Redesignated and amended at 64 FR 59067, Nov. 1, 1999] (a) Institutional information that the institution must make readily available upon request to enrolled and prospective students under this subpart includes, but is not limited to— (1) The cost of attending the institution, including— (i) Tuition and fees charged to full-time and part-time students; (ii) Estimates of costs for necessary books and supplies; (iii) Estimates of typical charges for room and board; (iv) Estimates of transportation costs for students; and (v) Any additional cost of a program in which a student is enrolled or expresses a specific interest; (2) Any refund policy with which the institution is required to comply for the return of unearned tuition and fees or other refundable portions of costs paid to the institution; (3) The requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from the institution; (4) A summary of the requirements under §668.22 for the return of title IV grant or loan assistance; (5) The academic program of the institution, including— (i) The current degree programs and other educational and training programs; (ii) The instructional, laboratory, and other physical facilities which relate to the academic program; and (iii) The institution's faculty and other instructional personnel; (6) The names of associations, agencies or governmental bodies that accredit, approve, or license the institution and its programs and the procedures by which documents describing that activity may be reviewed under paragraph (b) of this section; (7) A description of any special facilities and services available to disabled students; (8) The titles of persons designated under §668.44 and information regarding how and where those persons may be contacted; and (9) A statement that a student's enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home institution may be considered enrollment at the home institution for the purpose of applying for assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. (b) The institution must make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student, upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution's accreditation, approval or licensing. Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [64 FR 59068, Nov. 1, 1999] (a) Availability. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section each institution shall designate an employee or group of employees who shall be available on a full-time basis to assist enrolled or prospective students in obtaining the information specified in §§668.42, 668.43, 668.45 and 668.46. (2) If the institution designates one person, that person shall be available, upon reasonable notice, to any enrolled or prospective student throughout the normal administrative working hours of that institution. (3) If more than one person is designated, their combined work schedules must be arranged so that at least one of them is available, upon reasonable notice, throughout the normal administrative working hours of that institution. (b) Waiver. (1) the Secretary may waive the requirement that the employee or group of employees designated under paragraph (a) of this section be available on a full-time basis if the institution's total enrollment, or the portion of the enrollment participating in the title IV, HEA programs, is too small to necessitate an employee or group of employees being available on a full-time basis. (2) In determining whether an institution's total enrollment or the number of title IV, HEA program recipients is too small, the Secretary considers whether there will be an insufficient demand for information dissemination services among its enrolled or prospective students to necessitate the full-time availability of an employee or group of employees. (3) To receive a waiver, the institution shall apply to the Secretary at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary. (c) The granting of a waiver under paragraph (b) of this section does not exempt an institution from designating a specific employee or group of employees to carry out on a part-time basis the information dissemination requirements. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [51 FR 43323, Dec. 1, 1986. Redesignated at 64 FR 59067, Nov. 1, 1999, as amended at 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] (a)(1) An institution annually must prepare the completion or graduation rate of its certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. (2) An institution that determines that its mission includes providing substantial preparation for students to enroll in another eligible institution must prepare the transfer-out rate of its certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students, as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. (3)(i) An institution that offers a predominant number of its programs based on semesters, trimesters, or quarters must base its completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, transfer-out rate calculations, on the cohort of first-time, certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students who enter the institution during the fall term of each year. (ii) An institution not covered by the provisions of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section must base its completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, transfer-out rate calculations, on the group of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students who enter the institution between September 1 of one year and August 31 of the following year. (iii) For purposes of the completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, transfer-out rate calculations required in paragraph (a) of this section, an institution must count as entering students only first-time undergraduate students, as defined in §668.41(a). (4)(i) An institution covered by the provisions of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section must count as an entering student a first-time undergraduate student who is enrolled as of October 15, the end of the institution's drop-add period, or another official reporting date as defined in §668.41(a). (ii) An institution covered by paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section must count as an entering student a first-time undergraduate student who is enrolled for at least— (A) 15 days, in a program of up to, and including, one year in length; or (B) 30 days, in a program of greater than one year in length. (5) An institution must make available its completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, transfer-out rate, no later than the July 1 immediately following the 12-month period ending August 31 during which 150% of the normal time for completion or graduation has elapsed for all of the students in the group on which the institution bases its completion or graduation rate and, if applicable, transfer-out rate calculations. (b) In calculating the completion or graduation rate under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, an institution must count as completed or graduated— (1) Students who have completed or graduated by the end of the 12-month period ending August 31 during which 150% of the normal time for completion or graduation from their program has lapsed; and (2) Students who have completed a program described in §668.8(b)(1)(ii), or an equivalent program, by the end of the 12-month period ending August 31 during which 150% of normal time for completion from that program has lapsed. (c) In calculating the transfer-out rate under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an institution must count as transfers-out students who by the end of the 12-month period ending August 31 during which 150% of the normal time for completion or graduation from the program in which they were enrolled has lapsed, have not completed or graduated but have subsequently enrolled in any program of an eligible institution for which its program provided substantial preparation. (d) For the purpose of calculating a completion or graduation rate and a transfer-out rate, an institution may exclude students who— (1) Have left school to serve in the Armed Forces; (2) Have left school to serve on official church missions; (3) Have left school to serve with a foreign aid service of the Federal Government, such as the Peace Corps; (4) Are totally and permanently disabled; or (5) Are deceased. (e)(1) The Secretary grants a waiver of the requirements of this section to any institution that is a member of an athletic association or conference that has voluntarily published completion or graduation rate data, or has agreed to publish data, that the Secretary determines are substantially comparable to the data required by this section. (2) An institution that receives a waiver of the requirements of this section must still comply with the requirements of §668.41(d)(3) and (f). (3) An institution, or athletic association or conference applying on behalf of an institution, that seeks a waiver under paragraph (e)(1) of this section must submit a written application to the Secretary that explains why it believes the data the athletic association or conference publishes are accurate and substantially comparable to the information required by this section. (f) In addition to calculating the completion or graduation rate required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, an institution may, but is not required to— (1) Calculate a completion or graduation rate for students who transfer into the institution; (2) Calculate a completion or graduation rate and transfer-out rate for students described in paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section; and (3) Calculate a transfer-out rate as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, if the institution determines that its mission does not include providing substantial preparation for its students to enroll in another eligible institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [64 FR 59068, Nov. 1, 1999] (a) Additional definitions that apply to this section. Business day: Monday through Friday, excluding any day when the institution is closed. Campus: (1) Any building or property owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the institution's educational purposes, including residence halls; and (2) Any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the area identified in paragraph (1) of this definition, that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes (such as a food or other retail vendor). Campus security authority: (1) A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution. (2) Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department under paragraph (1) of this definition, such as an individual who is responsible for monitoring entrance into institutional property. (3) Any individual or organization specified in an institution's statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses. (4) An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline, and campus judicial proceedings. If such an official is a pastoral or professional counselor as defined below, the official is not considered a campus security authority when acting as a pastoral or professional counselor. Noncampus building or property: (1) Any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (2) Any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution. Pastoral counselor: A person who is associated with a religious order or denomination, is recognized by that religious order or denomination as someone who provides confidential counseling, and is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor. Professional counselor: A person whose official responsibilities include providing mental health counseling to members of the institution's community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification. Public property: All public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. Referred for campus disciplinary action: The referral of any person to any campus official who initiates a disciplinary action of which a record is kept and which may result in the imposition of a sanction. (b) Annual security report. An institution must prepare an annual security report that contains, at a minimum, the following information: (1) The crime statistics described in paragraph (c) of this section. (2) A statement of current campus policies regarding procedures for students and others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus. This statement must include the institution's policies concerning its response to these reports, including— (i) Policies for making timely warning reports to members of the campus community regarding the occurrence of crimes described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section; (ii) Policies for preparing the annual disclosure of crime statistics; and (iii) A list of the titles of each person or organization to whom students and employees should report the criminal offenses described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section for the purpose of making timely warning reports and the annual statistical disclosure. This statement must also disclose whether the institution has any policies or procedures that allow victims or witnesses to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics, and, if so, a description of those policies and procedures. (3) A statement of current policies concerning security of and access to campus facilities, including campus residences, and security considerations used in the maintenance of campus facilities. (4) A statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement that— (i) Addresses the enforcement authority of security personnel, including their relationship with State and local police agencies and whether those security personnel have the authority to arrest individuals; (ii) Encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate police agencies; and (iii) Describes procedures, if any, that encourage pastoral counselors and professional counselors, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform the persons they are counseling of any procedures to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics. (5) A description of the type and frequency of programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others. (6) A description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crimes. (7) A statement of policy concerning the monitoring and recording through local police agencies of criminal activity in which students engaged at off-campus locations of student organizations officially recognized by the institution, including student organizations with off-campus housing facilities. (8) A statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of State underage drinking laws. (9) A statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs and enforcement of Federal and State drug laws. (10) A description of any drug or alcohol-abuse education programs, as required under section 120(a) through (d) of the HEA. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, an institution may cross-reference the materials the institution uses to comply with section 120(a) through (d) of the HEA. (11) A statement of policy regarding the institution's campus sexual assault programs to prevent sex offenses, and procedures to follow when a sex offense occurs. The statement must include— (i) A description of educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, and other forcible and nonforcible sex offenses; (ii) Procedures students should follow if a sex offense occurs, including procedures concerning who should be contacted, the importance of preserving evidence for the proof of a criminal offense, and to whom the alleged offense should be reported; (iii) Information on a student's option to notify appropriate law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police, and a statement that institutional personnel will assist the student in notifying these authorities, if the student requests the assistance of these personnel; (iv) Notification to students of existing on- and off-campus counseling, mental health, or other student services for victims of sex offenses; (v) Notification to students that the institution will change a victim's academic and living situations after an alleged sex offense and of the options for those changes, if those changes are requested by the victim and are reasonably available; (vi) Procedures for campus disciplinary action in cases of an alleged sex offense, including a clear statement that— (A) The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding; and (B) Both the accuser and the accused must be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense. Compliance with this paragraph does not constitute a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g). For the purpose of this paragraph, the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding means only the institution's final determination with respect to the alleged sex offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused; and (vii) Sanctions the institution may impose following a final determination of an institutional disciplinary proceeding regarding rape, acquaintance rape, or other forcible or nonforcible sex offenses. (12) Beginning with the annual security report distributed by October 1, 2003, a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State under section 170101(j) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14071(j)), concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained, such as the law enforcement office of the institution, a local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the campus, or a computer network address. (c) Crime statistics—(1) Crimes that must be reported. An institution must report statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning the occurrence on campus, in or on noncampus buildings or property, and on public property of the following that are reported to local police agencies or to a campus security authority: (i) Criminal homicide: (A) Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter. (B) Negligent manslaughter. (ii) Sex offenses: (A) Forcible sex offenses. (B) Nonforcible sex offenses. (iii) Robbery. (iv) Aggravated assault. (v) Burglary. (vi) Motor vehicle theft. (vii) Arson. (viii) (A) Arrests for liquor law violations, drug law violations, and illegal weapons possession. (B) Persons not included in paragraph (c)(1)(viii)(A) of this section, who were referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug law violations, and illegal weapons possession. (2) Recording crimes. An institution must record a crime statistic in its annual security report for the calendar year in which the crime was reported to a campus security authority. (3) Reported crimes if a hate crime. An institution must report, by category of prejudice, any crime it reports pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section, and any other crime involving bodily injury reported to local police agencies or to a campus security authority, that manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the victim's actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability. (4) Crimes by location. The institution must provide a geographic breakdown of the statistics reported under paragraphs (c)(1) and (3) of this section according to the following categories: (i) On campus. (ii) Of the crimes in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, the number of crimes that took place in dormitories or other residential facilities for students on campus. (iii) In or on a noncampus building or property. (iv) On public property. (5) Identification of the victim or the accused. The statistics required under paragraphs (c)(1) and (3) of this section may not include the identification of the victim or the person accused of committing the crime. (6) Pastoral and professional counselor. An institution is not required to report statistics under paragraphs (c)(1) and (3) of this section for crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor. (7) UCR definitions. An institution must compile the crime statistics required under paragraphs (c)(1) and (3) of this section using the definitions of crimes provided in appendix A to this subpart and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Guide for Hate Crime Data Collection. For further guidance concerning the application of definitions and classification of crimes, an institution must use either the UCR Reporting Handbook or the UCR Reporting Handbook: NIBRS EDITION, except that in determining how to report crimes committed in a multiple-offense situation an institution must use the UCR Reporting Handbook. Copies of the UCR publications referenced in this paragraph are available from: FBI, Communications Unit, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306 (telephone: 304–625–2823). (8) Use of a map. In complying with the statistical reporting requirements under paragraphs (c)(1) and (3) of this section, an institution may provide a map to current and prospective students and employees that depicts its campus, noncampus buildings or property, and public property areas if the map accurately depicts its campus, noncampus buildings or property, and public property areas. (9) Statistics from police agencies. In complying with the statistical reporting requirements under paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section, an institution must make a reasonable, good faith effort to obtain the required statistics and may rely on the information supplied by a local or State police agency. If the institution makes such a reasonable, good faith effort, it is not responsible for the failure of the local or State police agency to supply the required statistics. (d) Separate campus. An institution must comply with the requirements of this section for each separate campus. (e) Timely warning. (1) An institution must, in a manner that is timely and will aid in the prevention of similar crimes, report to the campus community on crimes that are— (i) Described in paragraph (c)(1) and (3) of this section; (ii) Reported to campus security authorities as identified under the institution's statement of current campus policies pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section or local police agencies; and (iii) Considered by the institution to represent a threat to students and employees. (2) An institution is not required to provide a timely warning with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor. (f) Crime log. (1) An institution that maintains a campus police or a campus security department must maintain a written, easily understood daily crime log that records, by the date the crime was reported, any crime that occurred on campus, on a noncampus building or property, on public property, or within the patrol jurisdiction of the campus police or the campus security department and is reported to the campus police or the campus security department. This log must include— (i) The nature, date, time, and general location of each crime; and (ii) The disposition of the complaint, if known. (2) The institution must make an entry or an addition to an entry to the log within two business days, as defined under paragraph (a) of this section, of the report of the information to the campus police or the campus security department, unless that disclosure is prohibited by law or would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim. (3)(i) An institution may withhold information required under paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this section if there is clear and convincing evidence that the release of the information would— (A) Jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation or the safety of an individual; (B) Cause a suspect to flee or evade detection; or (C) Result in the destruction of evidence. (ii) The institution must disclose any information withheld under paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section once the adverse effect described in that paragraph is no longer likely to occur. (4) An institution may withhold under paragraphs (f)(2) and (3) of this section only that information that would cause the adverse effects described in those paragraphs. (5) The institution must make the crime log for the most recent 60-day period open to public inspection during normal business hours. The institution must make any portion of the log older than 60 days available within two business days of a request for public inspection. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [64 FR 59069, Nov. 1, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 66520, Oct. 31, 2002] (a) Applicability. This section applies to a co-educational institution of higher education that— (1) Participates in any title IV, HEA program; and (2) Has an intercollegiate athletic program. (b) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of this section only. (1) Expenses—(i) Expenses means expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. This includes appearance guarantees and options, athletically related student aid, contract services, equipment, fundraising activities, operating expenses, promotional activities, recruiting expenses, salaries and benefits, supplies, travel, and any other expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. (ii) Operating expenses means all expenses an institution incurs attributable to home, away, and neutral-site intercollegiate athletic contests (commonly known as “game-day expenses”), for— (A) Lodging, meals, transportation, uniforms, and equipment for coaches, team members, support staff (including, but not limited to team managers and trainers), and others; and (B) Officials. (iii) Recruiting expenses means all expenses an institution incurs attributable to recruiting activities. This includes, but is not limited to, expenses for lodging, meals, telephone use, and transportation (including vehicles used for recruiting purposes) for both recruits and personnel engaged in recruiting, any other expenses for official and unofficial visits, and all other expenses related to recruiting. (2) Institutional salary means all wages and bonuses an institution pays a coach as compensation attributable to coaching. (3)(i) Participants means students who, as of the day of a varsity team's first scheduled contest— (A) Are listed by the institution on the varsity team's roster; (B) Receive athletically related student aid; or (C) Practice with the varsity team and receive coaching from one or more varsity coaches. (ii) Any student who satisfies one or more of the criteria in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (C) of this section is a participant, including a student on a team the institution designates or defines as junior varsity, freshman, or novice, or a student withheld from competition to preserve eligibility (i.e., a redshirt), or for academic, medical, or other reasons. (4) Reporting year means a consecutive twelve-month period of time designated by the institution for the purposes of this section. (5) Revenues means revenues attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. This includes revenues from appearance guarantees and options, an athletic conference, tournament or bowl games, concessions, contributions from alumni and others, institutional support, program advertising and sales, radio and television, royalties, signage and other sponsorships, sports camps, State or other government support, student activity fees, ticket and luxury box sales, and any other revenues attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. (6) Undergraduate students means students who are consistently designated as such by the institution. (7) Varsity team means a team that— (i) Is designated or defined by its institution or an athletic association as a varsity team; or (ii) Primarily competes against other teams that are designated or defined by their institutions or athletic associations as varsity teams. (c) Report. An institution described in paragraph (a) of this section must annually, for the preceding reporting year, prepare a report that contains the following information: (1) The number of male and the number of female full-time undergraduate students that attended the institution. (2) A listing of the varsity teams that competed in intercollegiate athletic competition and for each team the following data: (i) The total number of participants as of the day of its first scheduled contest of the reporting year, the number of participants who also participated on another varsity team, and the number of other varsity teams on which they participated. (ii) Total operating expenses attributable to the team, except that an institution may report combined operating expenses for closely related teams, such as track and field or swimming and diving. Those combinations must be reported separately for men's and women's teams. (iii) In addition to the data required by paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, an institution may report operating expenses attributable to the team on a per-participant basis. (iv)(A) Whether the head coach was male or female, was assigned to the team on a full-time or part-time basis, and, if assigned on a part-time basis, whether the head coach was a full-time or part-time employee of the institution. (B) The institution must consider graduate assistants and volunteers who served as head coaches to be head coaches for the purposes of this report. (v)(A) The number of assistant coaches who were male and the number of assistant coaches who were female, and, within each category, the number who were assigned to the team on a full-time or part-time basis, and, of those assigned on a part-time basis, the number who were full-time and part-time employees of the institution. (B) The institution must consider graduate assistants and volunteers who served as assistant coaches to be assistant coaches for purposes of this report. (3) The unduplicated head count of the individuals who were listed under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section as a participant on at least one varsity team, by gender. (4)(i) Revenues derived by the institution according to the following categories (Revenues not attributable to a particular sport or sports must be included only in the total revenues attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities, and, if appropriate, revenues attributable to men's sports combined or women's sports combined. Those revenues include, but are not limited to, alumni contributions to the athletic department not targeted to a particular sport or sports, investment interest income, and student activity fees.): (A) Total revenues attributable to its intercollegiate athletic activities. (B) Revenues attributable to all men's sports combined. (C) Revenues attributable to all women's sports combined. (D) Revenues attributable to football. (E) Revenues attributable to men's basketball. (F) Revenues attributable to women's basketball. (G) Revenues attributable to all men's sports except football and basketball, combined. (H) Revenues attributable to all women's sports except basketball, combined. (ii) In addition to the data required by paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section, an institution may report revenues attributable to the remainder of the teams, by team. (5) Expenses incurred by the institution, according to the following categories (Expenses not attributable to a particular sport, such as general and administrative overhead, must be included only in the total expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities.): (i) Total expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. (ii) Expenses attributable to football. (iii) Expenses attributable to men's basketball. (iv) Expenses attributable to women's basketball. (v) Expenses attributable to all men's sports except football and basketball, combined. (vi) Expenses attributable to all women's sports except basketball, combined. (6) The total amount of money spent on athletically related student aid, including the value of waivers of educational expenses, aggregately for men's teams, and aggregately for women's teams. (7) The ratio of athletically related student aid awarded male athletes to athletically related student aid awarded female athletes. (8) The total amount of recruiting expenses incurred, aggregately for all men's teams, and aggregately for all women's teams. (9)(i) The average annual institutional salary of the non-volunteer head coaches of all men's teams, across all offered sports, and the average annual institutional salary of the non-volunteer head coaches of all women's teams, across all offered sports, on a per person and a per full-time equivalent position basis. These data must include the number of persons and full-time equivalent positions used to calculate each average. (ii) If a head coach has responsibilities for more than one team and the institution does not allocate that coach's salary by team, the institution must divide the salary by the number of teams for which the coach has responsibility and allocate the salary among the teams on a basis consistent with the coach's responsibilities for the different teams. (10)(i) The average annual institutional salary of the non-volunteer assistant coaches of men's teams, across all offered sports, and the average annual institutional salary of the non-volunteer assistant coaches of women's teams, across all offered sports, on a per person and a full-time equivalent position basis. These data must include the number of persons and full-time equivalent positions used to calculate each average. (ii) If an assistant coach had responsibilities for more than one team and the institution does not allocate that coach's salary by team, the institution must divide the salary by the number of teams for which the coach has responsibility and allocate the salary among the teams on a basis consistent with the coach's responsibilities for the different teams. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [64 FR 59071, Nov. 1, 1999] (a)(1) Annually, by July 1, an institution that is attended by students receiving athletically-related student aid must produce a report containing the following information: (i) The number of students, categorized by race and gender, who attended that institution during the year prior to the submission of the report. (ii) The number of students described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section who received athletically-related student aid, categorized by race and gender within each sport. (iii) The completion or graduation rate and if applicable, transfer-out rate of all the entering, certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time, undergraduate students described in §668.45(a)(1), categorized by race and gender. (iv) The completion or graduation rate and if applicable, transfer-out rate of the entering students described in §668.45(a)(1) who received athletically-related student aid, categorized by race and gender within each sport. (v) The average completion or graduation rate and if applicable, transfer-out rate for the four most recent completing or graduating classes of entering students described in §668.45(a)(1), (3), and (4) categorized by race and gender. If an institution has completion or graduation rates and, if applicable, transfer-out rates for fewer than four of those classes, it must disclose the average rate of those classes for which it has rates. (vi) The average completion or graduation rate and if applicable, transfer-out rate of the four most recent completing or graduating classes of entering students described in §668.45 (a)(1) who received athletically-related student aid, categorized by race and gender within each sport. If an institution has completion or graduation rates and if applicable, transfer-out rates for fewer than four of those classes, it must disclose the average rate of those classes for which it has rates. (2) For purposes of this section, sport means— (i) Basketball; (ii) Football; (iii) Baseball; (iv) Cross-country and track combined; and (v) All other sports combined. (3) If a category of students identified in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) above contains five or fewer students, the institution need not disclose information on that category of students. (b) The provisions of §668.45 (a), (b), (c), and (d) apply for purposes of calculating the completion or graduation rates and, if applicable, transfer-out rates required under paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) through (vi) of this section. (c) Each institution of higher education described in paragraph (a) of this section may also provide to students and the Secretary supplemental information containing— (1) The graduation or completion rate of the students who transferred into the institution; and (2) The number of students who transferred out of the institution. (d) The provisions of §668.45(e) apply for purposes of this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1092) [60 FR 61788, Dec. 1, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 64 FR 59067, 59072, Nov. 1, 1999; 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] The following definitions are to be used for reporting the crimes listed in §668.47, in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The definitions for murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, weapon law violations, drug abuse violations and liquor law violations are excerpted from the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook. The definitions of forcible and nonforcible sex offenses are excerpted from the National Incident-Based Reporting System Edition of the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook. Crime Definitions From the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook Arson Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc. Criminal Homicide—Manslaughter by Negligence The killing of another person through gross negligence. Criminal Homicide—Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another. Robbery The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear. Aggravated Assault An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. (It is not necessary that injury result from an aggravated assault when a gun, knife, or other weapon is used which could and probably would result in serious personal injury if the crime were successfully completed.) Burglary The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. For reporting purposes this definition includes: unlawful entry with intent to commit a larceny or felony; breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny; housebreaking; safecracking; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned. Motor Vehicle Theft The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. (Classify as motor vehicle theft all cases where automobiles are taken by persons not having lawful access even though the vehicles are later abandoned—including joyriding.) Weapon Law Violations The violation of laws or ordinances dealing with weapon offenses, regulatory in nature, such as: manufacture, sale, or possession of deadly weapons; carrying deadly weapons, concealed or openly; furnishing deadly weapons to minors; aliens possessing deadly weapons; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned. Drug Abuse Violations Violations of State and local laws relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, manufacturing, and making of narcotic drugs. The relevant substances include: opium or cocaine and their derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine); marijuana; synthetic narcotics (demerol, methadones); and dangerous nonnarcotic drugs (barbiturates, benzedrine). Liquor Law Violations The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting: the manufacture, sale, transporting, furnishing, possessing of intoxicating liquor; maintaining unlawful drinking places; bootlegging; operating a still; furnishing liquor to a minor or intemperate person; using a vehicle for illegal transportation of liquor; drinking on a train or public conveyance; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned. (Drunkenness and driving under the influence are not included in this definition.) Sex Offenses Definitions From the National Incident-Based Reporting System Edition of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Sex Offenses—Forcible Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent. A. Forcible Rape—The carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (or because of his/her youth). B. Forcible Sodomy—Oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. C. Sexual Assault With An Object—The use of an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. D. Forcible Fondling—The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or, not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity. Sex Offenses—Nonforcible Unlawful, nonforcible sexual intercourse. A. Incest—Nonforcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. B. Statutory Rape—Nonforcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent. [59 FR 22320, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 59073, Nov. 1, 1999. Redesignated at 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000] Source: 56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Scope and purpose. The regulations in this subpart govern the verification by institutions of information submitted by applicants for student financial assistance in connection with the calculation of their expected family contributions (EFC) for the Federal Pell Grant, campus-based, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan programs. (b) Applicant responsibility. If the Secretary or the institution requests documents or information from an applicant under this subpart, the applicant shall provide the specified documents or information. (c) Foreign schools. The Secretary exempts from the provisions of this subpart institutions participating in the Federal Stafford Loan Program that are not located in a State. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22067, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998] The following definitions apply to this subpart: Base year means the calendar year preceding the first calendar year of an award year. Edits means a set of pre-established factors for identifying— (a) Student aid applications that may contain incorrect, missing, illogical, or inconsistent information; and (b) Randomly selected student aid applications. Institutional student information report as defined in 34 CFR 690.2 for purposes of the Federal Pell Grant, campus-based, Federal Stafford Loan, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan programs. Student aid application means an application approved by the Secretary and submitted by a person to have his or her EFC determined under the Federal Pell Grant, campus-based, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Loan or programs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22067, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] (a) An institution shall establish and use written policies and procedures for verifying information contained in a student aid application in accordance with the provisions of this subpart. These policies and procedures must include— (1) The time period within which an applicant shall provide the documentation; (2) The consequences of an applicant's failure to provide required documentation within the specified time period; (3) The method by which the institution notifies an applicant of the results of verification if, as a result of verification, the applicant's EFC changes and results in a change in the applicant's award or loan; (4) The procedures the institution requires an applicant to follow to correct application information determined to be in error; and (5) The procedures for making referrals under §668.16. (b) The institution's procedures must provide that it shall furnish, in a timely manner, to each applicant selected for verification a clear explanation of— (1) The documentation needed to satisfy the verification requirements; and (2) The applicant's responsibilities with respect to the verification of application information, including the deadlines for completing any actions required under this subpart and the consequences of failing to complete any required action. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 61206, Nov. 29, 1994] (a) General requirements. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an institution shall require an applicant to verify application information as specified in this paragraph. (2)(i) An institution shall require each applicant whose application is selected for verification on the basis of edits specified by the Secretary, to verify all of the applicable items specified in §668.56, except that no institution is required to verify the applications of more than 30 percent of its total number of applicants for assistance under the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan, campus-based, and Federal Stafford Loan programs in an award year. (ii) An institution may only include those applicants selected for verification by the Secretary in its calculation of 30 percent of total applicants. (3) If an institution has reason to believe that any information on an application used to calculate an EFC is inaccurate, it shall require the applicant to verify the information that it has reason to believe is inaccurate. (4) If an applicant is selected to verify the information on his or her application under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the institution shall require the applicant to verify the information as specified in §668.56 on each additional application he or she submits for that award year, except for information already verified under a previous application submitted for the applicable award year. (5) An institution or the Secretary may require an applicant to verify any data elements that the institution or the Secretary specifies. (b) Exclusions from verification. (1) An institution need not verify an application submitted for an award year if the applicant dies during the award year. (2) Unless the institution has reason to believe that the information reported by the applicant is incorrect, it need not verify applications of the following applicants: (i) An applicant who is— (A) A legal resident of and, in the case of a dependent student, whose parents are also legal residents of, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa; or (B) A citizen of and, in the case of a dependent student, whose parents are also citizens of, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau. (ii) An applicant who is incarcerated at the time at which verification would occur. (iii) An applicant who is a dependent student, whose parents are residing in a country other than the United States and cannot be contacted by normal means of communication. (iv) An applicant who is an immigrant and who arrived in the United States during either calendar year of the award year. (v) An applicant whose parents' address is unknown and cannot be obtained by the applicant. (vi) An applicant who is a dependent student, both of whose parents are deceased or are physically or mentally incapacitated. (vii) An applicant who does not receive assistance for reasons other than his or her failure to verify the information on the application. (viii) An applicant who transfers to the institution, had previously completed the verification process at the institution from which he or she transferred, and applies for assistance on the same application used at the previous institution, if the current institution obtains a letter from the previous institution stating that it has verified the applicant's information, the transaction number of the verified application, and, if relevant, the provision used in §668.59 for not recalculating the applicant's EFC. (3) An institution need not require an applicant to document a spouse's information or provide a spouse's signature if— (i) The spouse is deceased; (ii) The spouse is mentally or physically incapacitated; (iii) The spouse is residing in a country other than the United States and cannot be contacted by normal means of communication; or (iv) The spouse cannot be located because his or her address is unknown and cannot be obtained by the applicant. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22067, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998] (a)(1) Unless the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section apply, an applicant is required to update— (i) The number of family members in the applicant's household and the number of those household members attending postsecondary educational institutions, in accordance with provisions of paragraph (b) of this section; and (ii) His or her dependency status in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section. (2) An institution need not require an applicant to verify the information contained in his or her application for assistance in an award year if— (i) The applicant previously submitted an application for assistance for that award year; (ii) The applicant updated and verified the information contained in that application; and (iii) No change in the information to be updated has taken place since the last update. (3) If, as a result of a change in the applicant's marital status, the number of family members in the applicant's household, the number of those household members attending postsecondary education institutions, or the applicant's dependency status changes, the applicant shall not update those factors or that status. (b) If the number of family members in the applicant's household or the number of those household members attending postsecondary educational institutions changes for a reason other than a change in the applicant's marital status, an applicant who is selected for verification shall update the information contained in his or her application regarding those factors so that the information is correct as of the day the applicant verifies the information. (c) If an applicant has received Federal Pell Grant, campus-based, Federal Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan program assistance for an award year, and the applicant subsequently submits another application for assistance under any of those programs for that award year, and the applicant is required to update household size and number attending postsecondary educational institutions on the subsequent application, the institution— (1) Is required to take that newly updated information into account when awarding for that award year further Federal Pell Grant or campus-based, assistance or certifying a Federal Stafford Loan application, or originating a Direct Subsidized Loan; and (2) Is not required to adjust the Federal Pell Grant or campus-based, assistance previously awarded to the applicant for that award year, or any previously certified Federal Stafford Loan application or previously originated Direct Subsidized Loan for that award year, to reflect the newly updated information unless the applicant would otherwise receive an overaward. (d)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3) and (d)(2) of this section, if an applicant's dependency status changes after the applicant applies to have his or her EFC calculated for an award year, the applicant must file a new application for that award year reflecting the applicant's new dependency status regardless of whether the applicant is selected for verification. (2) If the institution has previously certified a Federal Stafford Loan application for an applicant, the applicant shall not update his or her dependency status on the Federal Stafford Loan application. If the institution has previously originated a Direct Subsidized Loan for a borrower, the school shall not update the borrower's dependence status on the loan origination record. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22067, 22068, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998; 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section, an institution shall require an applicant selected for verification under §668.54(a)(2) or (3) to submit acceptable documentation described in §668.57 that will verify or update the following information used to determine the applicant's EFC: (1) Adjusted gross income (AGI) for the base year if base year data was used in determining eligibility, or income earned from work, for a non-tax filer. (2) U.S. income tax paid for the base year if base year data was used in determining eligibility. (3)(i) For an applicant who is a dependent student, the aggregate number of family members in the household or households of the applicant's parents if— (A) The applicant's parent is single, divorced, separated or widowed and the aggregate number of family members is greater than two; or (B) The applicant's parents are married to each other and not separated and the aggregate number of family members is greater than three. (ii) For an applicant who is an independent student, the number of family members in the household of the applicant if— (A) The applicant is single, divorced, separated, or widowed and the number of family members is greater than one; or (B) The applicant is married and not separated and the number of family members is greater than two. (4) The number of family members in the household who are enrolled as at least half-time students in postsecondary educational institutions if that number is greater than one. (5) The following untaxed income and benefits for the base year if base year data was used in determining eligibility— (i) Social Security benefits if the institution has reason to believe that those benefits were received and were not reported or were incorrectly reported; (ii) Child support if the institution has reason to believe that child support was received; (iii) U.S. income tax deduction for a payment made to an individual retirement account (IRA) or Keogh account; (iv) Interest on tax-free bond; (v) Foreign income excluded from U.S. income taxation if the institution has reason to believe that foreign income was received; (vi) The earned income credit taken on the applicant's tax return; and (vii) All other untaxed income subject to U.S. income tax reporting requirements in the base year which is included on the tax return form, excluding information contained on schedules appended to such forms. (b) If an applicant selected for verification submits an SAR or output document to the institution or the institution receives the applicant's ISIR, within 90 days of the date the applicant signed his or her application, or if an applicant is selected for verification under §668.54(a)(2), the institution need not require the applicant to verify— (1) The number of family members in the household; or (2) The number of family members in the household, who are enrolled as at least half-time students in postsecondary educational institutions. (c) If the number of family members in the household or the amount of child support reported by an applicant selected for verification is the same as that verified by the institution in the previous award year, the institution need not require the applicant to verify that information. (d) If the family members who are enrolled as at least half-time students in postsecondary educational institutions are enrolled at the same institution as the applicant, and the institution verifies their enrollment status from its own records, the institution need not require the applicant to verify that information. (e) If the applicant or the applicant's spouse or, in the case of a dependent student, the applicant's parents receive untaxed income or benefits from a Federal, State, or local government agency determining their eligibility for that income or those benefits by means of a financial needs test, the institution need not require the untaxed income and benefits to be verified. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094, 1095) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 39089, Aug. 27, 1992; 59 FR 22067, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, Nov. 29, 1994] (a) Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), income earned from work, and U.S. income tax paid. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4) of this section, an institution shall require an applicant selected for verification to verify AGI and U.S. income tax paid by submitting to it, if relevant— (i) A copy of the income tax return of the applicant, his or her spouse, and his or her parents. The copy of the return must be signed by the filer of the return or by one of the filers of a joint return; (ii) For a dependent student, a copy of each Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-2 received by the parent whose income is being taken into account if— (A) The parents filed a joint return; and (B) The parents are divorced or separated or one of the parents has died; and (iii) For an independent student, a copy of each IRS Form W-2 he or she received if the independent student— (A) Filed a joint return; and (B) Is a widow or widower, or is divorced or separated. (2) If an individual who filed a U.S. tax return and who is required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section to provide a copy of his or her tax return does not have a copy of that return, the institution may require that individual to submit, in lieu of a copy of the tax return, a copy of an IRS form which lists tax account information. (3) An institution shall accept, in lieu of an income tax return or an IRS listing of tax account information of an individual whose income was used in calculating the EFC of an applicant, the documentation set forth in paragraph (a)(4) of this section if the individual for the base year— (i) Has not filed and is not required to file an income tax return; (ii) Is required to file a U.S. tax return and has been granted a filing extension by the IRS; or (iii) Has requested a copy of the tax return or a Listing of Tax Account Information, and the IRS or a government of a U.S. territory or commonwealth or a foreign central government cannot locate the return or provide a Listing of Tax Account Information. (4) An institution shall accept— (i) For an individual described in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, a statement signed by that individual certifying that he or she has not filed nor is required to file an income tax return for the base year and certifying for that year that individual's— (A) Sources of income earned from work as stated on the application; and (B) Amounts of income from each source; (ii) For an individual described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section— (A) A copy of the IRS Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return,” that the individual filed with the IRS for the base year, or a copy of the IRS's approval of an extension beyond the automatic four-month extension if the individual requested an additional extension of the filing time; and (B) A copy of each IRS Form W-2 that the individual received for the base year, or for a self-employed individual, a statement signed by the individual certifying the amount of adjusted gross income for the base year; and (iii) For an individual described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section— (A) A copy of each IRS Form W-2 that the individual received for the base year; or (B) For an individual who is self-employed or has filed an income tax return with a government of a U. S. territory or commonwealth, or a foreign central government, a statement signed by the individual certifying the amount of adjusted gross income for the base year. (5) An institution shall require an individual described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section to provide to it a copy of his or her completed income tax return when filed. When an institution receives the copy of the return, it may re-verify the adjusted gross income and taxes paid by the applicant and his or her spouse or parents. (6) If an individual who is required to submit an IRS Form W-2 under this paragraph is unable to obtain one in a timely manner, the institution may permit that individual to set forth, in a statement signed by the individual, the amount of income earned from work, the source of that income, and the reason that the IRS Form W-2 is not available in a timely manner. (7) For the purpose of this section, an institution may accept in lieu of a copy of an income tax return signed by the filer of the return or one of the filers of a joint return, a copy of the filer's return that has been signed by the preparer of the return or stamped with the name and address of the preparer of the return. (b) Number of family members in household. An institution shall require an applicant selected for verification to verify the number of family members in the household by submitting to it a statement signed by the applicant and one of the applicant's parents if the applicant is a dependent student, or the applicant if the applicant is an independent student, listing the name and age of each family member in the household and the relationship of that household member to the applicant. (c) Number of family household members enrolled in postsecondary institutions. (1) Except as provided in §668.56(b), (c), (d), and (e), an institution shall require an applicant selected for verification to verify annually information included on the application regarding the number of household members in the applicant's family enrolled on at least a half-time basis in postsecondary institutions. The institution shall require the applicant to verify the information by submitting a statement signed by the applicant and one of the applicant's parents, if the applicant is a dependent student, or by the applicant if the applicant is an independent student, listing— (i) The name of each family member who is or will be attending a postsecondary educational institution as at least a half-time student in the award year; (ii) The age of each student; and (iii) The name of the institution attended by each student. (2) If the institution has reason to believe that the information included on the application regarding the number of family household members enrolled in postsecondary institutions is inaccurate, the institution shall require— (i) The statement required in paragraph (c)(1) of this section from the individuals described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and (ii) A statement from each institution named by the applicant in response to the requirement of paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section that the household member in question is or will be attending the institution on at least a half-time basis, unless the institution the student is attending determines that such a statement is not available because the household member in question has not yet registered at the institution he or she plans to attend or the institution has information itself that the student will be attending the same school as the applicant. (d) Untaxed income and benefits. An institution shall require an applicant selected for verification to verify— (1) Untaxed income and benefits described in §668.56(a)(5)(iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (vii) by submitting to it— (i) A copy of the U.S. income tax return signed by the filer or one of the filers if a joint return, if collected under paragraph (a) of this section, or the IRS listing of tax account information if collected by the institution to verify adjusted gross income; or (ii) If no tax return was filed or is required to be filed, a statement signed by the relevant individuals certifying that no tax return was filed or is required to be filed and providing the sources and amount of untaxed income and benefits specified in §668.56(a)(5) (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi); (2) Social Security benefits if the institution has reason to believe that those benefits were received and were not reported, or that the applicant has incorrectly reported Social Security benefits received by the applicant, the applicant's parents, or any other children of the applicant's parents who are members of the applicant's household, in the case of a dependent student, or by the applicant, the applicant's spouse, or the applicant's children in the case of an independent student. The applicant shall verify Social Security benefits by submitting a document from the Social Security Administration showing the amount of benefits received in the appropriate calendar year for the appropriate individuals listed above or, at the institution's option, a statement signed by both the applicant and the applicant's parent, in the case of a dependent student, or by the applicant, in the case of an independent student, certifying that the amount listed on the applicant's aid application is correct; and (3) Child support received by submitting to it— (i) A statement signed by the applicant and one of the applicant's parents in the case of a dependent student, or by the applicant in the case of an independent student, certifying the amount of child support received; and (ii) If the institution has reason to believe that the information provided is inaccurate, the applicant must verify the amount of child support received by providing a document such as— (A) a copy of the separation agreement or divorce decree showing the amount of child support to be provided; (B) A statement from the parent providing the child support showing the amount provided; or (C) Copies of the child support checks or money order receipts. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 39089, Aug. 27, 1992; 59 FR 22067, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 34432, June 30, 1995] (a)(1) If an institution has reason to believe that the information included on the application is inaccurate, until the applicant verifies or corrects the information included on his or her application, the institution may not— (i) Disburse any Federal Pell Grant or campus-based program funds to the applicant; (ii) Employ the applicant in its Federal Work-Study Program; (iii) Certify the applicant's Federal Stafford Loan application or process Federal Stafford Loan proceeds for any previously certified Federal Stafford Loan application; or (2) If an institution does not have reason to believe that the information included on an application is inaccurate prior to verification, the institution— (i) May withhold payment of Federal Pell Grant, campus-based funds; or (ii)(A) May make one disbursement of any combination of Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, or FSEOG funds for the applicant's first payment period; and (B) May employ or allow an employer to employ an eligible student under the Federal Work-Study Program for the first 60 consecutive days after the student's enrollment in that award year; and (iii)(A) May withhold certification of the applicant's Federal Stafford Loan application or origination of the applicant's Direct Subsidized Loan; or (B) May certify the Federal Stafford Loan application or originate the Direct Subsidized Loan provided that the institution does not deliver Federal Stafford Loan proceeds or disburse Direct Subsidized Loan proceeds. (b) If an institution chooses to make disbursement under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) (A) or (B) of this section, it is liable for any overpayment discovered as a result of the verification process to the extent that the overpayment is not recovered from the student. (c) An institution may not withhold any Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Loan proceeds from a student under paragraph (a)(2) of this section for more than 45 days. If the applicant does not complete the verification process within the 45 day period, the institution shall return the proceeds to the lender. (d)(1) If the institution receives Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Loan proceeds in an amount which exceeds the student's need for the loan based upon the verified information and the excess funds can be eliminated by reducing subsequent disbursements for the applicable loan period, the institution shall process the proceeds and advise the lender to reduce the subsequent disbursements. (2) If the institution receives Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Loan proceeds in an amount which exceed the student's need for the loan based upon the verified information and the excess funds cannot be eliminated in subsequent disbursements for the applicable loan period, the institution shall return the excess proceeds to the lender. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 39089, Aug. 27, 1992; 59 FR 22067, 22068, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998] (a) For the Federal Pell Grant Program— (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, if the information on an application changes as a result of the verification process, the institution shall require the applicant to resubmit his or her application information to the Secretary for corrections if— (i) The institution recalculates the applicant's EFC, determines that the applicant's EFC changes, and determines that the change in the EFC changes the applicant's Federal Pell Grant award; or (ii) The institution does not recalculate the applicant's EFC. (2) An institution need not require an applicant to resubmit his or her application information to the Secretary, recalculate an applicant's EFC, or adjust an applicant's Federal Pell Grant award if, as a result of the verification process, the institution finds— (i) No errors in nondollar items used to calculate the applicant's EFC; (ii) No dollar amount in excess of $400 as calculated by the net difference between the corrected sum of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) plus untaxed income minus U.S. taxes paid and the uncorrected sum of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) plus untaxed income minus U.S. taxes paid. If no Federal Income Tax Return was filed, income earned from work may be used in lieu of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). (b) For the Federal Pell Grant Program— (1) If an institution does not recalculate an applicant's EFC under the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the institution shall calculate and disburse the applicant's Federal Pell Grant award on the basis of the applicant's original EFC. (2)(i) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, if an institution recalculates an applicant's EFC because of a change in application information resulting from the verification process, the institution shall— (A) Require the applicant to resubmit his or her application to the Secretary; (B) Recalculate the applicant's Federal Pell Grant award on the basis of the EFC on the corrected SAR or ISIR; and (C) Disburse any additional funds under that award only if the applicant provides the institution with the corrected SAR or ISIR and only to the extent that additional funds are payable based on the recalculation. (ii) If an institution recalculates an applicant's EFC because of a change in application information resulting from the verification process and determines that the change in the EFC increases the applicant's award, the institution— (A) May disburse the applicant's Federal Pell Grant award on the basis of the original EFC without requiring the applicant to resubmit his or her application information to the Secretary; and (B) Except as provided in §668.60(b), shall disburse any additional funds under the increased award reflecting the new EFC if the institution receives the corrected SAR or ISIR. (c) For the campus-based, and Federal Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Direct Loan programs— (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, if the information on an application changes as a result of the verification process, the institution shall— (i) Recalculate the applicant's EFC; and (ii) Adjust the applicant's financial aid package for the campus-based, and Federal Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Direct Loan programs to reflect the new EFC if the new EFC results in an overaward of campus-based funds or decreases the applicant's recommended loan amount. (2) An institution need not recalculate an applicant's EFC or adjust his or her aid package if, as a result of the verification process, the institution finds— (i) No errors in nondollar items used to calculate the applicant's EFC; (ii) No dollar amount in excess of $400 as calculated by the net difference between the corrected sum of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) plus untaxed income minus U.S. taxes paid and the uncorrected sum of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) plus untaxed income minus U.S. taxes paid. If no Federal Income Tax Return was filed, income earned from work may be used in lieu of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). (d)(1) If the institution selects an applicant for verification for an award year who previously received a Direct Subsidized Loan for that award year, and as a result of verification the loan amount is reduced, the institution shall comply with the procedures specified in §668.61(b)(2). (2) If the institution selects an applicant for verification for an award year who previously received a loan under the Federal Stafford Loan Program for that award year, and as a result of verification the loan amount is reduced, the institution shall comply with the procedures for notifying the borrower and lender specified in §668.61(b) and §682.604(h). (e) If the applicant has received funds based on information which may be incorrect and the institution has made a reasonable effort to resolve the alleged discrepancy, but cannot do so, the institution shall forward the applicant's name, social security number, and other relevant information to the Secretary. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22067, 22068, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61206, 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 34432, June 30, 1995; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998] (a) An institution shall require an applicant selected for verification to submit to it, within the period of time it or the Secretary specifies, the documents set forth in §668.57 that are requested by the institution or the Secretary. (b) For purposes of the campus-based, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan programs— (1) If an applicant fails to provide the requested documentation within a reasonable time period established by the institution or by the Secretary— (i) The institution may not— (A) Disburse any additional Federal Perkins Loan, FSEOG or funds to the applicant; (B) Continue to employ or allow an employer to employ the applicant under FWS; (C) Certify the applicant's Federal Stafford Loan application or originate the applicant's Direct Subsidized Loan; or (D) Process Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Subsidized Loan Direct Loan proceeds for the applicant; (ii) The institution shall return to the lender, or to the Secretary, in the case of a Direct Subsidized Loan, any Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Subsidized Loan proceeds that otherwise would be payable to the applicant; and (iii) The applicant shall repay to the institution any Federal Perkins Loan, FSEOG, or payments received for that award year; (2) If the applicant provides the requested documentation after the time period established by the institution, the institution may, at its option, award aid to the applicant notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section; and (3) An institution may not withhold any Federal Stafford Loan proceeds from an applicant under paragraph (b)(1)(i)(D) of this section for more than 45 days. If the applicant does not complete verification within the 45-day period, the institution shall return the Federal Stafford Loan proceeds to the lender. (c) For purposes of the Federal Pell Grant Program— (1) An applicant may submit a verified SAR to the institution or the institution may receive a verified ISIR after the applicable deadline specified in 34 CFR 690.61 but within an established additional time period set by the Secretary through publication of a notice in the (2) If the applicant does not provide to the institution the requested documentation and, if necessary, a verified SAR or the institution does not receive a verified ISIR, within the additional time period referenced in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the applicant— (i) Forfeits the Federal Pell Grant for the award year; and (ii) Shall return any Federal Pell Grant payments previously received for that award year to the Secretary. (d) The Secretary may determine not to process any subsequent application for Federal Pell Grant, and an institution, if directed by the Secretary, may not process any subsequent application for campus-based, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan, or Federal Stafford Loan program assistance of an applicant who has been requested to provide documentation until the applicant provides the documentation or the Secretary decides that there is no longer a need for the documentation. (e) If an applicant selected for verification for an award year dies before the deadline for completing the verification process without completing that process, and the deadline is in the subsequent award year, the institution may not— (1) Make any further disbursements on behalf of that applicant; (2) Certify that applicant's Federal Stafford Loan application, originate that applicant's Direct Subsidized Loan, or process that applicant's Federal Stafford Loan or Direct Subsidized Loan proceeds; or (3) Consider any funds it disbursed to that applicant under §668.58(a)(2) as an overpayment. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 59 FR 22068, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40625, July 29, 1998] (a) If an institution discovers, as a result of the verification process, that an applicant received under §668.58(a)(2)(ii)(A) more financial aid than the applicant was eligible to receive, the institution shall eliminate the overpayment by— (1) Adjusting subsequent financial aid payments in the award year in which the overpayment occurred; or (2) Reimbursing the appropriate program account by— (i) Requiring the applicant to return the overpayment to the institution if the institution cannot correct the overpayment under paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or (ii) Making restitution from its own funds, by the earlier of the following dates, if the applicant does not return the overpayment: (A) Sixty days after the applicant's last day of attendance. (B) The last day of the award year in which the institution disbursed Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, or FSEOG funds to the applicant. (b)(1) If the institution determines as a result of the verification process that an applicant received Stafford Loan or proceeds for an award year in excess of the student's financial need for the loan, the institution shall withhold and promptly return to the lender or escrow agent any disbursement not yet delivered to the student that exceeds the amount of assistance for which the student is eligible, taking into account other financial aid received by the student. However, instead of returning the entire undelivered disbursement, the school may choose to return promptly to the lender only the portion of the disbursement for which the student is ineligible. In either case, the institution shall provide the lender with a written statement describing the reason for the returned loan funds. (2) If the institution determines as a result of the verification process that a student received Direct Subsidized Loan proceeds for an award year in excess of the student's need for the loan, the institution shall reduce or cancel one or more subsequent disbursements to eliminate the amount in excess of the student's need. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [56 FR 61337, Dec. 2, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 39089, Aug. 27, 1992; 59 FR 22068, Apr. 28, 1994; 59 FR 23095, May 4, 1994; 59 FR 61207, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] Source: 51 FR 43324, Dec. 1, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This subpart establishes the standards and rules by which the Secretary may initiate a proceeding under subpart G against an otherwise eligible institution for any substantial misrepresentation made by that institution regarding the nature of its educational program, its financial charges or the employability of its graduates. (b) The following definitions apply to this subpart: Misrepresentation: Any false, erroneous or misleading statement an eligible institution makes to a student enrolled at the institution, to any prospective student, to the family of an enrolled or prospective student, or to the Secretary. Misrepresentation includes the dissemination of endorsements and testimonials that are given under duress. Prospective student: Any individual who has contacted an eligible institution for the purpose of requesting information about enrolling at the institution or who has been contacted directly by the institution or indirectly through general advertising about enrolling at the institution. Substantial misrepresentation: Any misrepresentation on which the person to whom it was made could reasonably be expected to rely, or has reasonably relied, to that person's detriment. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) Misrepresentation by an institution of the nature of its educational program includes, but is not limited to, false, erroneous or misleading statements concerning— (a) The particular type(s), specific source(s), nature and extent of its accreditation; (b) Whether a student may transfer course credits earned at the institution to any other institution; (c) Whether successful completion of a course of instruction qualifies a student for— (1) Acceptance into a labor union or similar organization; or (2) Receipt of a local, State or Federal license or a non-governmental certification required as a precondition for employment or to perform certain functions; (d) Whether its courses are recommended by— (1) Vocational counselors, high schools or employment agencies; or (2) Governmental officials for governmental employment; (e) Its size, location, facilities or equipment; (f) The availability, frequency and appropriateness of its courses and programs to the employment objectives that it states its programs are designed to meet; (g) The nature, age and availability of its training devices or equipment and their appropriateness to the employment objectives that it states its programs and courses are designed to meet; (h) The number, availability and qualifications, including the training and experience, of its faculty and other personnel; (i) The availability of part-time employment or other forms of financial assistance; (j) The nature and availability of any tutorial or specialized instruction, guidance and counseling, or other supplementary assistance it will provide its students before, during or after the completion of a course; (k) The nature of extent of any prerequisites established for enrollment in any course; or (l) Any matters required to be disclosed to prospective students under §§668.44 and 668.47 of this part. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [51 FR 43324, Dec. 1, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 24118, June 5, 1989; 59 FR 22320, Apr. 29, 1994] Misrepresentation by an institution of the nature of its financial charges includes, but is not limited to, false, erroneous or misleading statements concerning— (a) Offers of scholarships to pay all or part of a course charge, unless a scholarship is actually used to reduce tuition charges made known to the student in advance. The charges made known to the student in advance are the charges applied to all students not receiving a scholarship; or (b) Whether a particular charge is the customary charge at the institution for a course. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) Misrepresentation by an institution regarding the employability of its graduates includes, but is not limited to, false, erroneous or misleading statements— (a) That the institution is connected with any organization or is an employment agency or other agency providing authorized training leading directly to employment. (b) That the institution maintains a placement service for graduates or will otherwise secure or assist its graduates to obtain employment, unless it provides the student with a clear and accurate description of the extent and nature of this service or assistance; or (c) Concerning government job market statistics in relation to the potential placement of its graduates. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) (a) On receipt of a written allegation or compliant from a student enrolled at the institution, a prospective student, the family of a student or prospective student, or a governmental official, the designated department official as defined in §688.81 reviews the allegation or compliant to determine its factual base and seriousness. (b) If the misrepresentation is minor and can be readily corrected, the designated department official informs the institution and endeavors to obtain an informal, voluntary correction. (c) If the designated department official finds that the complaint or allegation is a substantial misrepresentation as to the nature of the educational programs, the financial charges of the institution or the employability of its graduates, the official— (1) Initiates action to fine or to limit, suspend or terminate the institution's eligibility to participate in the Title IV, HEA programs according to the procedures set forth in subpart G, or (2) Take other appropriate action. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) Source: 51 FR 43325, Dec. 1, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This subpart establishes regulations for the following actions with respect to a participating institution or third-party servicer: (1) An emergency action. (2) The imposition of a fine. (3) The limitation, suspension, or termination of the participation of the institution in a title IV, HEA program. (4) The limitation, suspension, or termination of the eligibility of the servicer to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program. (b) This subpart applies to an institution or a third-party servicer that violates any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA. (c) This subpart does not apply to a determination that— (1) An institution or any of its locations or educational programs fails to qualify for initial designation as an eligible institution, location, or educational program because the institution, location, or educational program fails to satisfy the statutory and regulatory provisions that define an eligible institution or educational program with respect to the Title IV, HEA program for which a designation of eligibility is sought; (2) An institution fails to qualify for initial certification or provisional certification to participate in any Title IV, HEA program because the institution does not meet the factors of financial responsibility and standards of administrative capability contained in subpart B of this part; (3) A participating institution's or a provisionally certified participating institution's period of participation, as specified under §668.13, has expired; or (4) A participating institution's provisional certification is revoked under the procedures in §668.13. (d) This subpart does not apply to a determination by the Secretary of the system to be used to disburse Title IV, HEA program funds to a participating institution (i.e., advance payments and payments by way of reimbursements). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099a–3(h)) [51 FR 43325, Dec. 1, 1986, as amended at 55 FR 32183, Aug. 7, 1990; 58 FR 13344, Mar. 10, 1993; 59 FR 22443, Apr. 29, 1994; 59 FR 61186, Nov. 29, 1994; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) A participating institution or a third-party servicer that contracts with that institution acts in the nature of a fiduciary in the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs. To participate in any Title IV, HEA program, the institution or servicer must at all times act with the competency and integrity necessary to qualify as a fiduciary. (b) In the capacity of a fiduciary— (1) A participating institution is subject to the highest standard of care and diligence in administering the programs and in accounting to the Secretary for the funds received under those programs; and (2) A third-party servicer is subject to the highest standard of care and diligence in administering any aspect of the programs on behalf of the institutions with which the servicer contracts and in accounting to the Secretary and those institutions for any funds administered by the servicer under those programs. (c) The failure of a participating institution or any of the institution's third-party servicers to administer a Title IV, HEA program, or to account for the funds that the institution or servicer receives under that program, in accordance with the highest standard of care and diligence required of a fiduciary, constitutes grounds for— (1) An emergency action against the institution, a fine on the institution, or the limitation, suspension, or termination of the institution's participation in that program; or (2) An emergency action against the servicer, a fine on the servicer, or the limitation, suspension, or termination of the servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in that program. (d)(1) A participating institution or a third-party servicer with which the institution contracts violates its fiduciary duty if— (i)(A) The servicer has been convicted of, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds, or has been administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving those funds; (B) A person who exercises substantial control over the servicer, as determined according to §668.15, has been convicted of, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds, or has been administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving those funds; (C) The servicer employs a person in a capacity that involves the administration of Title IV, HEA programs or the receipt of Title IV, HEA program funds who has been convicted of, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds, or who has been administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving those funds; or (D) The servicer uses or contracts in a capacity that involves any aspect of the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs with any other person, agency, or organization that has been or whose officers or employees have been— (1) Convicted of, or pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving the acquisition, use, or expenditure of Federal, State, or local government funds; or (2) Administratively or judicially determined to have committed fraud or any other material violation of law involving Federal, State, or local government funds; and (ii) Upon learning of a conviction, plea, or administrative or judicial determination described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the institution or servicer, as applicable, does not promptly remove the person, agency, or organization from any involvement in the administration of the institution's participation in Title IV, HEA programs, or, as applicable, the removal or elimination of any substantial control, as determined according to §668.15, over the servicer. (2) A violation for a reason contained in paragraph (d)(1) of this section is grounds for terminating— (i) The servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program; and (ii) The participation in any Title IV, HEA program of any institution under whose contract the servicer committed the violation, if that institution had been aware of the violation and had failed to take the appropriate action described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section. (e)(1) A participating institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, violates its fiduciary duty if— (i)(A) The institution or servicer, as applicable, is debarred or suspended under Executive Order (E.O.) 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; or (B) Cause exists under 34 CFR 85.700 or 85.800 for debarring or suspending the institution, servicer, or any principal or affiliate of the institution or servicer under E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the FAR, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; and (ii) Upon learning of the debarment, suspension, or cause for debarment or suspension, the institution or servicer, as applicable, does not promptly— (A) Discontinue the affiliation; or (B) Remove the principal from responsibility for any aspect of the administration of an institution's or servicer's participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. (2) A violation for a reason contained in paragraph (e)(1) of this section is grounds for terminating— (i) The institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program; and (ii) The servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. The violation is also grounds for terminating, under this subpart, the participation in any Title IV, HEA program of any institution under whose contract the servicer committed the violation, if that institution knew or should have known of the violation. (f)(1) The debarment of a participating institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, under E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the FAR, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, or another Federal agency from participation in Federal programs, under procedures described in 34 CFR 85.612(d) terminates, for the duration of the debarment— (i) The institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program; and (ii) The servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (2)(i) The suspension of a participating institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, under E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the FAR, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, or another Federal agency from participation in Federal programs, under procedures described in 34 CFR 85.612(d), suspends— (A) The institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program; and (B) The servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (ii) A suspension described in paragraph (f)(2) of this section lasts for a period of 60 days, beginning on the effective date specified in the notice by the Secretary under 34 CFR 85.201(b), unless— (A) The institution or servicer, as applicable, and the Secretary, agree to an extension of the suspension; or (B) The Secretary begins a limitation or termination proceeding against the institution or servicer, as applicable, under this subpart before the 60th day of the suspension. (3) A debarment or suspension not described in (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this section of a participating institution or third-party servicer by another Federal agency constitutes prima facie evidence in a proceeding under this subpart that cause for suspension or debarment and termination, as applicable, exists. (Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189), E.O. 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1070, et seq., 1082(a)(1) and (h)(1), 1094(c)(1)(D) and (H), and 3474) [59 FR 22444, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 33058, June 26, 1995; 68 FR 66615, Nov. 26, 2003] (a) Under an emergency action, the Secretary may— (1) Withhold Title IV, HEA program funds from a participating institution or its students, or from a third-party servicer, as applicable; (2)(i) Withdraw the authority of the institution or servicer, as applicable, to commit, disburse, deliver, or cause the commitment, disbursement, or delivery of Title IV, HEA program funds; or (ii) Withdraw the authority of the institution or servicer, as applicable, to commit, disburse, deliver, or cause the commitment, disbursement, or delivery of Title IV, HEA program funds except in accordance with a particular procedure; and (3)(i) Withdraw the authority of the servicer to administer any aspect of any institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program; or (ii) Withdraw the authority of the servicer to administer any aspect of any institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program except in accordance with a particular procedure. (b)(1) An initiating official begins an emergency action against an institution or third-party servicer by sending the institution or servicer a notice by registered mail, return receipt requested. In an emergency action against a third-party servicer, the official also sends the notice to each institution that contracts with the servicer. The official also may transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means if practical. (2) The emergency action takes effect on the date the initiating official mails the notice to the institution or servicer, as applicable. (3) The notice states the grounds on which the emergency action is based, the consequences of the emergency action, and that the institution or servicer, as applicable, may request an opportunity to show cause why the emergency action is unwarranted. (c)(1) An initiating official takes emergency action against an institution or third-party servicer only if that official— (i) Receives information, determined by the official to be reliable, that the institution or servicer, as applicable, is violating any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; (ii) Determines that immediate action is necessary to prevent misuse of Title IV, HEA program funds; and (iii) Determines that the likelihood of loss from that misuse outweighs the importance of awaiting completion of any proceeding that may be initiated to limit, suspend, or terminate, as applicable— (A) The participation of the institution in one or more Title IV, HEA programs; or (B) The eligibility of the servicer to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program. (2) Examples of violations of a Title IV, HEA program requirement that cause misuse and the likely loss of Title IV, HEA program funds include— (i) Causing the commitment, disbursement, or delivery by any party of Title IV, HEA program funds in an amount that exceeds— (A) The amount for which students are eligible; or (B) The amount of principal, interest, or special allowance payments that would have been payable to the holder of a Federal Stafford or Federal PLUS loan if a refund allocable to that loan had been made in the amount and at the time required; (ii) Using, offering to make available, or causing the use or availability of Title IV, HEA program funds for educational services if— (A) The institution, servicer, or agents of the institution or servicer have made a substantial misrepresentation as described in §§668.72, 668.73, or 668.74 related to those services; (B) The institution lacks the administrative or financial ability to provide those services in full; or (C) The institution, or servicer, as applicable, lacks the administrative or financial ability to make all required payments under §668.22; and (iii) Engaging in fraud involving the administration of a Title IV, HEA program. Examples of fraud include— (A) Falsification of any document received from a student or pertaining to a student's eligibility for assistance under a Title IV, HEA program; (B) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document submitted by the institution or servicer to the Secretary; (C) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document used for or pertaining to— (1) The legal authority of an institution to provide postsecondary education in the State in which the institution is located; or (2) The accreditation or preaccreditation of an institution or any of the institution's educational programs or locations; (D) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document submitted to a guaranty agency under the Federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS programs or an independent auditor; (E) Falsification of any document submitted to a third-party servicer by an institution or to an institution by a third-party servicer pertaining to the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program; and (F) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document pertaining to the performance of any loan collection activity, including activity that is not required by the HEA or applicable program regulations. (3) If the Secretary begins an emergency action against a third-party servicer, the Secretary may also begin an emergency action against any institution under whose contract a third-party servicer commits the violation. (d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, after an emergency action becomes effective, an institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, may not— (i) Make or increase awards or make other commitments of aid to a student under the applicable Title IV, HEA program; (ii) Disburse either program funds, institutional funds, or other funds as assistance to a student under that Title IV, HEA program; (iii) In the case of an emergency action pertaining to participation in the Federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS programs— (A) Certify an application for a loan under that program; (B) Deliver loan proceeds to a student under that program; or (C) Retain the proceeds of a loan made under that program that are received after the emergency action takes effect; or (iv) In the case of an emergency action against a third-party servicer, administer any aspect of any institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (2) If the initiating official withdraws, by an emergency action, the authority of the institution or servicer to commit, disburse, deliver, or cause the commitment, disbursement, or delivery of Title IV, HEA program funds, or the authority of the servicer to administer any aspect of any institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, except in accordance with a particular procedure specified in the notice of emergency action, the institution or servicer, as applicable, may not take any action described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section except in accordance with the procedure specified in the notice. (e)(1) Upon request by the institution or servicer, as applicable, the Secretary provides the institution or servicer, as soon as practicable, with an opportunity to show cause that the emergency action is unwarranted or should be modified. (2) An opportunity to show cause consists of an opportunity to present evidence and argument to a show-cause official. The initiating official does not act as the show-cause official for any emergency action that the initiating official has begun. The show-cause official is authorized to grant relief from the emergency action. The institution or servicer may make its presentation in writing or, upon its request, at an informal meeting with the show-cause official. (3) The show-cause official may limit the time and manner in which argument and evidence may be presented in order to avoid unnecessary delay or the presentation of immaterial, irrelevant, or repetitious matter. (4) The institution or servicer, as applicable, has the burden of persuading the show-cause official that the emergency action imposed by the notice is unwarranted or should be modified because— (i) The grounds stated in the notice did not, or no longer, exist; (ii) The grounds stated in the notice will not cause loss or misuse of Title IV, HEA program funds; or (iii) The institution or servicer, as applicable, will use procedures that will reliably eliminate the risk of loss from the misuse described in the notice. (5) The show-cause official continues, modifies, or revokes the emergency action promptly after consideration of any argument and evidence presented by the institution or servicer, as applicable, and the initiating official. (6) The show-cause official notifies the institution or servicer, as applicable, of that official's determination promptly after the completion of the show-cause meeting or, if no meeting is requested, after the official receives all the material submitted by the institution in opposition to the emergency action. In the case of a notice to a third-party servicer, the official also notifies each institution that contracts with the servicer of that determination. The show-cause official may explain that determination by adopting or modifying the statement of reasons provided in the notice of emergency action. (f)(1) An emergency action does not extend more than 30 days after initiated unless the Secretary initiates a limitation, suspension, or termination proceeding under this part or under 34 CFR part 600 against the institution or servicer, as applicable, within that 30-day period, in which case the emergency action continues until a final decision is issued in that proceeding, as provided in §668.90(c), as applicable. (2) Until a final decision is issued by the Secretary in a proceeding described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, any action affecting the emergency action is at the sole discretion of the initiating official, or, if a show- cause proceeding is conducted, the show-cause official. (3) If an emergency action extends beyond 180 days by virtue of paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the institution or servicer, as applicable, may then submit written material to the show-cause official to demonstrate that because of facts occurring after the later of the notice by the initiating official or the show-cause meeting, continuation of the emergency action is unwarranted and the emergency action should be modified or ended. The show-cause official considers any written material submitted and issues a determination that continues, modifies, or revokes the emergency action. (g) The expiration of an emergency action, or its modification or revocation by the show-cause official, does not bar subsequent emergency action on a ground other than one specifically identified in the notice imposing the prior emergency action. Separate grounds may include violation of an agreement or limitation imposed or resulting from the prior emergency action. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22445, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 34432, June 30, 1995; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999] (a) Scope and consequences. (1) The Secretary may impose a fine of up to $27,5001 per violation on a participating institution or third-party servicer that— 1 As adjusted in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note). (i) Violates any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; or (ii) Substantially misrepresents the nature of— (A) In the case of an institution, its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates; or (B) In the case of a third-party servicer, as applicable, the educational program, financial charges, or employability of the graduates of any institution that contracts with the servicer. (2) If the Secretary begins a fine proceeding against a third-party servicer, the Secretary also may begin a fine, limitation, suspension, or termination proceeding against any institution under whose contract a third-party servicer commits the violation. (b) Procedures. (1) A designated department official begins a fine proceeding by sending the institution or servicer, as applicable, a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. In the case of a fine proceeding against a third-party servicer, the official also sends the notice to each institution that is affected by the alleged violations identified as the basis for the fine action, and, to the extent possible, to each institution that contracts with the servicer for the same service affected by the violation. This notice— (i) Informs the institution or servicer of the Secretary's intent to fine the institution or servicer, as applicable, and the amount of the fine and identifies the alleged violations that constitute the basis for the action; (ii) Specifies the proposed effective date of the fine, which is at least 20 days from mailing of the notice of intent; (iii) Informs the institution or servicer that the fine will not be effective on the date specified in the notice if the designated department official receives from the institution or servicer, as applicable, by that date a written request for a hearing or written material indicating why the fine should not be imposed; and (iv) In the case of a fine proceeding against a third-party servicer, informs each institution that is affected by the alleged violations of the consequences of the action to the institution. (2) If the institution or servicer does not request a hearing but submits written material, the designated department official, after considering that material, notifies the institution or, in the case of a third-party servicer, the servicer and each institution affected by the alleged violations that— (i) The fine will not be imposed; or (ii) The fine is imposed as of a specified date, and in a specified amount. (3) If the institution or servicer requests a hearing by the time specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, the designated department official sets the date and the place. The date is at least 15 days after the designated department official receives the request. (4) A hearing official conducts a hearing in accordance with §668.88. (c) Expedited proceedings. With the approval of the hearing official and the consent of the designated department official and the institution or servicer, any time schedule specified in this section may be shortened. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22446, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 67 FR 69655, Nov. 18, 2002] (a) Scope and consequences. (1) The Secretary may suspend an institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program or the eligibility of a third-party servicer to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, if the institution or servicer— (i) Violates any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; or (ii) Substantially misrepresents the nature of— (A) In the case of an institution, its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates; or (B) In the case of a third-party servicer, as applicable, the educational program, financial charges, or employability of the graduates of any institution that contracts with the servicer. (2) If the Secretary begins a suspension proceeding against a third-party servicer, the Secretary also may begin a fine, limitation, suspension, or termination proceeding against any institution under whose contract a third-party servicer commits the violation. (3) The suspension may not exceed 60 days unless— (i) The institution or servicer and the Secretary agree to an extension if the institution or servicer, as applicable, has not requested a hearing; or (ii) The designated department official begins a limitation or termination proceeding under §668.86. (b) Procedures. (1) A designated department official begins a suspension proceeding by sending a notice to an institution or third-party servicer by certified mail, return receipt requested. In the case of a suspension proceeding against a third-party servicer, the official also sends the notice to each institution that contracts with the servicer. The designated department official may also transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means if practical. The notice— (i) Informs the institution or servicer of the intent of the Secretary to suspend the institution's participation or the servicer's eligibility, as applicable, cites the consequences of that action, and identifies the alleged violations that constitute the basis for the action; (ii) Specifies the proposed effective date of the suspension, which is at least 20 days after the date of mailing of the notice of intent; (iii) Informs the institution or servicer that the suspension will not be effective on the date specified in the notice, except as provided in §668.90(b)(2), if the designated department official receives from the institution or servicer, as applicable, by that date a request for a hearing or written material indicating why the suspension should not take place; and (iv) In the case of a suspension proceeding against a third-party servicer, informs each institution that contracts with the servicer of the consequences of the action to the institution. (2) If the institution or servicer does not request a hearing, but submits written material, the designated department official, after considering that material, notifies the institution or, in the case of a third-party servicer, the servicer and each institution that contracts with the servicer that— (i) The proposed suspension is dismissed; or (ii) The suspension is effective as of a specified date. (3) If the institution or servicer requests a hearing by the time specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, the designated department official sets the date and place. The date is at least 15 days after the designated department official receives the request. The suspension does not take place until after the requested hearing is held. (4) A hearing official conducts a hearing in accordance with §668.88. (c) Expedited proceedings. With the approval of the hearing official and the consent of the designated department official and the institution or servicer, as applicable, any time period specified in this section may be shortened. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22447, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 61773, Dec. 1, 1995; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000] (a) Scope and consequences. (1) The Secretary may limit or terminate an institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program or the eligibility of a third-party servicer to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, if the institution or servicer— (i) Violates any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; or (ii) Substantially misrepresents the nature of— (A) In the case of an institution, its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates; or (B) In the case of a third-party servicer, as applicable, the educational program, financial charges, or employability of the graduates of any institution that contracts with the servicer. (2) If the Secretary begins a limitation or termination proceeding against a third-party servicer, the Secretary also may begin a fine, limitation, suspension, or termination proceeding against any institution under whose contract a third-party servicer commits the violation. (3) The consequences of the limitation or termination of the institution's participation or the servicer's eligibility are described in §§668.93 and 668.94, respectively. (b) Procedures. (1) A designated department official begins a limitation or termination proceeding by sending an institution or third-party servicer a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. In the case of a limitation or termination proceeding against a third-party servicer, the official also sends the notice to each institution that contracts with the servicer. The designated department official may also transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means if practical. This notice— (i) Informs the institution or servicer of the intent of the Secretary to limit or terminate the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility, as applicable, cites the consequences of that action, and identifies the alleged violations that constitute the basis for the action, and, in the case of a limitation proceeding, states the limits to be imposed; (ii) Specifies the proposed effective date of the limitation or termination, which is at least 20 days after the date of mailing of the notice of intent; (iii) Informs the institution or servicer that the limitation or termination will not be effective on the date specified in the notice if the designated department official receives from the institution or servicer, as applicable, by that date a request for a hearing or written material indicating why the limitation or termination should not take place; and (iv) In the case of a limitation or termination proceeding against a third-party servicer, informs each institution that contracts with the servicer of the consequences of the action to the institution. (2) If the institution or servicer does not request a hearing but submits written material, the designated department official, after considering that material, notifies the institution or, in the case of a third-party servicer, the servicer and each institution that contracts with the servicer that— (i) The proposed action is dismissed; (ii) Limitations are effective as of a specified date; or (iii) The termination is effective as of a specified date. (3) If the institution or servicer requests a hearing by the time specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, the designated department official sets the date and place. The date is at least 15 days after the designated department official receives the request. The limitation or termination does not take place until after the requested hearing is held. (4) A hearing official conducts a hearing in accordance with §668.88. (c) Expedited proceeding. With the approval of the hearing official and the consent of the designated department official and the institution or servicer, as applicable, any time schedule specified in this section may be shortened. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22447, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 61774, Dec. 1, 1995; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000] (a) A hearing official may convene a prehearing conference if he or she thinks that the conference would be useful, or if the conference is requested by— (1) The designated department official who brought a proceeding against an institution or third-party servicer under this subpart; or (2) The institution or servicer, as applicable. (b) The purpose of a prehearing conference is to allow the parties to settle or narrow the dispute. (c) If the hearing official, the designated department official, and the institution, or servicer, as applicable, agree, a prehearing conference may consist of— (1) A conference telephone call; (2) An informal meeting; or (3) The submission and exchange of written material. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22448, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) A hearing is an orderly presentation of arguments and evidence conducted by a hearing official. (b) If the hearing official, the designated department official who brought a proceeding against an institution or third-party servicer under this subpart, and the institution or servicer, as applicable, agree, the hearing process may be expedited. Procedures to expedite the hearing process may include, but are not limited to, the following— (1) A restriction on the number or length of submissions; (2) The conduct of the hearing by telephone conference call; (3) A stipulation by the parties to facts and legal authorities not in dispute; or (4) A review limited to the written record. (c)(1) The formal rules of evidence and procedures applicable to proceedings in a court of law are not applicable. However, discussions of settlement between the parties or the terms of settlement offers are not admissible. (2) The designated department official has the burden of persuasion in any fine, suspension, limitation or termination proceeding under this subpart. (3) Discovery, as provided for under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, is not permitted. (4) The hearing official accepts only evidence that is relevant and material to the proceeding and is not unduly repetitious. (d) The designated department official makes a transcribed record of the proceeding and makes one copy of the record available to the institution or servicer. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [51 FR 43325, Dec. 1, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 47753, 47754, Oct. 19, 1992; 57 FR 60034, Dec. 17, 1992; 59 FR 22448, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) The hearing official regulates the course of a hearing and the conduct of the parties during the hearing. The hearing official takes all necessary steps to conduct a fair and impartial hearing. (b)(1) The hearing official is not authorized to issue subpoenas. (2) If requested by the hearing official, the parties to a hearing shall provide available personnel who have knowledge about the matter under review for oral or written examination. (c) The hearing official takes whatever measures are appropriate to expedite a hearing. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the following— (1) Scheduling of conferences; (2) Setting time limits for hearings and submission of written documents; and (3) Terminating the hearing and issuing a decision against a party if that party does not meet those time limits. (d) The hearing official is bound by all applicable statutes and regulations. The hearing official may not— (1) Waive applicable statutes and regulations; or (2) Rule them invalid. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [51 FR 43325, Dec. 1, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992; 59 FR 22448, Apr. 29, 1994] (a)(1)(i) A hearing official issues a written initial decision in a hearing by certified mail, return receipt requested to— (A) The designated department official who began a proceeding against an institution or third-party servicer; (B) The institution or servicer, as applicable; and (C) In the case of a proceeding against a third-party servicer, each institution that contracts with the servicer. (ii) The hearing official may also transmit the notice by other, more expeditious means if practical. (iii) The hearing official issues the decision within the latest of the following dates: (A) The 30th day after the last submission is filed with the hearing official. (B) The 60th day after the last submission is filed with the hearing official if the Secretary, upon request of the hearing official, determines that the unusual complexity of the case requires additional time for preparation of the decision. (C) The 50th day after the last day of the hearing, if the hearing official does not request the parties to make any posthearing submission. (2) The hearing official's initial decision states whether the imposition of the fine, limitation, suspension, or termination sought by the designated department official is warranted, in whole or in part. If the designated department official brought a termination action against the institution or servicer, the hearing official may, if appropriate, issue an initial decision to fine the institution or servicer, as applicable, or, rather than terminating the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility, as applicable, impose one or more limitations on the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section— (i) If, in a termination action against an institution, the hearing official finds that the institution has violated the provisions of §668.14(b)(18), the hearing official also finds that termination of the institution's participation is warranted; (ii) If, in a termination action against a third-party servicer, the hearing official finds that the servicer has violated the provisions of §668.82(d)(1), the hearing official also finds that termination of the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility, as applicable, is warranted; (iii) If an action brought against an institution or third-party servicer involves its failure to provide surety in the amount specified by the Secretary under §668.15, the hearing official finds that the amount of the surety established by the Secretary was appropriate, unless the institution can demonstrate that the amount was unreasonable; (iv) In a termination action taken against an institution or third-party servicer based on the grounds that the institution or servicer failed to comply with the requirements of §668.23(c)(3), if the hearing official finds that the institution or servicer failed to meet those requirements, the hearing official finds that the termination is warranted; (v) In a termination action against an institution based on the grounds that the institution is not financially responsible under §668.15(c)(1), the hearing official finds that the termination is warranted unless the institution demonstrates that all applicable conditions described in §668.15(d)(4) have been met; and (vi) In a termination action against an institution or third-party servicer on the grounds that the institution or servicer, as applicable, engaged in fraud involving the administration of any Title IV, HEA program, the hearing official finds that the termination action is warranted if the hearing official finds that the institution or servicer, as applicable, engaged in that fraud. Examples of fraud include— (A) Falsification of any document received from a student or pertaining to a student's eligibility for assistance under a Title IV, HEA program; (B) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document submitted by the institution or servicer to the Department of Education; (C) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document used for or pertaining to— (1) The legal authority of an institution to provide postsecondary education in the State in which the institution is located; or (2) The accreditation or preaccreditation of an institution or any of the institution's educational programs or locations; (D) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document submitted to a guaranty agency under the Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS, and Federal SLS programs, an independent auditor, an eligible institution, or a third-party servicer; (E) Falsification of any document submitted to a third-party servicer by an institution or to an institution by a third-party servicer pertaining to the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program; and (F) Falsification, including false certifications, of any document pertaining to the performance of any loan collection activity, including activity that is not required by the HEA or applicable program regulations. (4) The hearing official bases findings of fact only on evidence considered at the hearing and on matters given judicial notice. If a hearing is conducted solely through written submissions, the parties must agree to findings of fact. (b)(1) In a suspension proceeding, the Secretary reviews the hearing official's initial decision and issues a final decision within 20 days after the initial decision. The Secretary adopts the initial decision unless it is clearly unsupported by the evidence presented at the hearing. (2) The Secretary notifies the institution or servicer and, in the case of a suspension proceeding against a third-party servicer, each institution that contracts with the servicer of the final decision. If the Secretary suspends the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility, the suspension takes effect on the later of— (i) The day that the institution or servicer receives the notice; or (ii) The date specified in the designated department official's original notice of intent to suspend the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility. (3) A suspension may not exceed 60 days unless a designated department official begins a limitation or termination proceeding under this subpart before the expiration of that period. In that case, the period may be extended until a final decision is issued in that proceeding according to paragraph (c) of this section. (c)(1) In a fine, limitation, or termination proceeding, the hearing official's initial decision automatically becomes the Secretary's final decision 30 days after the initial decision is issued and received by both parties unless, within that 30-day period, the institution or servicer, as applicable, or the designated department official appeals the initial decision to the Secretary. (2)(i) A party may appeal the hearing official's initial decision by submitting to the Secretary, within 30 days after the party receives the initial decision, a brief or other written statement that explains why the party believes that the Secretary should reverse or modify the decision of the hearing official. (ii) At the time the party files its appeal submission, the party shall provide a copy of that submission to the opposing party. (iii) The opposing party shall submit its brief or other responsive statement to the Secretary, with a copy to the appellant, within 30 days after the opposing party receives the appellant's brief or written statement. (iv) The appealing party may submit proposed findings of fact or conclusions of law. However, the proposed findings of fact must be supported by— (A) The evidence introduced into the record at the hearing; (B) Stipulations of the parties if the hearing consisted of written submissions; or (C) Matters that may be judicially noticed. (v) Neither party may introduce new evidence on appeal. (vi) The initial decision of the hearing official imposing a fine or limiting or terminating the institution's participation or servicer's eligibility does not take effect pending the appeal. (vii) The Secretary renders a final decision. The Secretary may delegate to a designated department official the functions described in paragraph (c)(2) (vii) through (ix) of this section. (viii) In rendering a final decision, the Secretary considers only evidence introduced into the record at the hearing and facts agreed to by the parties if the hearing consisted only of written submissions and matters that may be judicially noticed. (ix) If the hearing official finds that a termination is warranted pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Secretary may affirm, modify, or reverse the initial decision, or may remand the case to the hearing official for further proceedings consistent with the Secretary's decision. If the Secretary affirms the initial decision without issuing a statement of reasons, the Secretary adopts the opinion of the hearing official as the decision of the Secretary. If the Secretary modifies, remands, or reverses the initial decision, in whole or in part, the Secretary's decision states the reasons for the action taken. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094) [59 FR 22448, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 60 FR 61774, Dec. 1, 1995; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000] (a) Filing of request for hearing, show-cause opportunity, or appeal. (1) A request by an institution or third-party servicer for a hearing or show-cause opportunity, other material submitted by an institution or third-party servicer in response to a notice of proposed action under this subpart, or an appeal to the Secretary under this subpart must be filed with the designated department official by hand-delivery, mail, or facsimile transmission. (2) Documents filed by facsimile transmission must be transmitted to the designated department official identified, either in the notice initiating the action, or, for an appeal, in instructions provided by the hearing official, as the individual responsible to receive them. A party filing a document by facsimile transmission must confirm that a complete and legible copy of the document was received by the Department of Education, and may be required by the designated department official to provide a hard copy of the document. (3) The Secretary discourages the use of facsimile transmission for documents longer than five pages. (4) If agreed upon by the parties, service of a document required to be served on another party may be made upon the other party by facsimile transmission. (b) Confirmation of mailing and receipt dates. (1) The mailing date of a notice from a designated department official initiating an action under this subpart is the date evidenced on the original receipt of mailing from the U.S. Postal Service. (2) The date on which a request for a show-cause opportunity, a request for a hearing, other material submitted in response to a notice of action under this subpart, a decision by a hearing official, or a notice of appeal is received is, as applicable— (i) The date of receipt evidenced on the original receipt for a document sent by certified mail. (ii) The date following the date recorded by the delivery service as the date material was sent for a document sent by next-day delivery service. (iii) The date a document sent by regular mail is recorded, according to the regular business practice of the office receiving the document, as received. (iv) The date a document sent by facsimile transmission is recorded as received by the facsimile equipment that receives the transmission. (c) Refusals. If an institution or third-party servicer refuses to accept a notice mailed under this subpart, the Secretary considers the notice as being received on the date that the institution or servicer refuses to accept the notice. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [51 FR 43325, Dec. 1, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 13345, Mar. 10, 1993; 59 FR 22450, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) In determining the amount of a fine, the designated department official, hearing official, and Secretary take into account— (1) (i) The gravity of an institution's or third-party servicer's violation or failure to carry out the relevant statutory provision, regulatory provision, special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA; or (ii) The gravity of the institution's or servicer's misrepresentation; (2) The size of the institution; (3) The size of the servicer's business, including the number of institutions and students served by the servicer; (4) In the case of a violation by a third-party servicer, the extent to which the servicer can document that the institution contributed to that violation; and (5) For purposes of assessing a fine on a third-party servicer, the extent to which— (i) Violations are caused by repeated mechanical systemic unintentional errors. The Secretary counts the total of violations caused by a repeated mechanical systemic unintentional error as a single violation, unless the servicer has been cited for a similar violation previously and had failed to make the appropriate corrections to the system; and (ii) The financial loss of Title IV, HEA program funds was attributable to a repeated mechanical systemic unintentional error. (b) In determining the gravity of the institution's or servicer's violation, failure, or misrepresentation under paragraph (a) of this section, the designated department official, hearing official, and Secretary take into account the amount of any liability owed by the institution and any third-party servicer that contracts with the institution, and the number of students affected as a result of that violation, failure, or misrepresentation on— (1) Improperly expended or unspent Title IV, HEA program funds received by the institution or servicer, as applicable; or (2) Required refunds, including the treatment of title IV, HEA program funds when a student withdraws under §668.22. (c) Upon the request of the institution or third-party servicer, the Secretary may compromise the fine. (d)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of statute or regulation, any individual described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, in addition to other penalties provided by law, is liable to the Secretary for amounts that should have been refunded or returned under §668.22 of the title IV program funds not returned, to the same extent with respect to those funds that such an individual would be liable as a responsible person for a penalty under section 6672(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the nonpayment of taxes. (2) The individual subject to the penalty described in paragraph (d)(1) is any individual who— (i) The Secretary determines, in accordance with §668.174(c), exercises substantial control over an institution participating in, or seeking to participate in, a program under this title; (ii) Is required under §668.22 to return title IV program funds to a lender or to the Secretary on behalf of a student or borrower, or was required under §668.22 in effect on June 30, 2000 to return title IV program funds to a lender or to the Secretary on behalf of a student or borrower; and (iii) Willfully fails to return those funds or willfully attempts in any manner to evade that payment. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c) [59 FR 22450, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 58618, Oct. 29, 1999; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999] A limitation may include, as appropriate to the Title IV, HEA program in question— (a) A limit on the number or percentage of students enrolled in an institution who may receive Title IV, HEA program funds; (b) A limit, for a stated period of time, on the percentage of an institution's total receipts from tuition and fees derived from Title IV, HEA program funds; (c) A limit on the number or size of institutions with which a third-party servicer may contract; (d) A limit on the number of borrower or loan accounts that a third-party servicer may service under a contract with an institution; (e) A limit on the responsibilities that a third-party servicer may perform under a contract with an institution; (f) A requirement for a third-party servicer to perform additional responsibilities under a contract with an institution; (g) A requirement that an institution obtain surety, in a specified amount, to assure its ability to meet its financial obligations to students who receive Title IV, HEA program funds; (h) A requirement that a third-party servicer obtain surety, in a specified amount, to assure the servicer's ability to meet the servicer's financial obligations under a contract; or (i) Other conditions as may be determined by the Secretary to be reasonable and appropriate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22450, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) A termination—(1) Ends an institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program or ends a third-party servicer's eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program; (2) Ends the authority of a third-party servicer to administer any aspect of any institution's participation in that program; (3) Prohibits an institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, or the Secretary from making or increasing awards under that program; (4) Prohibits an institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, from making any other new commitments of funds under that program; and (5) If an institution's participation in the Federal Stafford Loan Program or Federal PLUS programs has been terminated, prohibits further guarantee commitments by the Secretary for loans under that program to students to attend that institution, and, if the institution is a lender under that program, prohibits further disbursements by the institution (whether or not guarantee commitments have been issued by the Secretary or a guaranty agency for those disbursements). (b) After its participation in a Title IV, HEA program has been terminated, an institution may disburse or deliver funds under that Title IV, HEA program to students enrolled at the institution only in accordance with §668.26 and with any additional requirements imposed under this part. (c) If a third-party servicer's eligibility is terminated, the servicer must return to each institution that contracts with the servicer any funds received by the servicer under the applicable Title IV, HEA program on behalf of the institution or the institution's students or otherwise dispose of those funds under instructions from the Secretary. The servicer also must return to each institution that contracts with the servicer all records pertaining to the servicer's administration of that program on behalf of that institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22450, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) The designated department official, hearing official, or Secretary may require an institution or third-party servicer to take reasonable and appropriate corrective action to remedy the institution's or servicer's violation, as applicable, of any statutory provision of or applicable to Title IV of the HEA, any regulatory provision prescribed under that statutory authority, or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation entered into under the authority of statutes applicable to Title IV of the HEA. (b) The corrective action may include payment of any funds to the Secretary, or to designated recipients, that the institution or servicer, as applicable, improperly received, withheld, disbursed, or caused to be disbursed. Corrective action may, for example, relate to— (1) With respect to the Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS, and Federal SLS programs— (i) Ineligible interest benefits, special allowances, or other claims paid by the Secretary; and (ii) Discounts, premiums, or excess interest paid in violation of 34 CFR part 682; and (2) With respect to all Title IV, HEA programs— (i) Refunds or returns of title IV, HEA program funds required under program regulations when a student withdraws. (ii) Any grants, work-study assistance, or loans made in violation of program regulations. (c) If any final decision requires an institution or third-party servicer to reimburse or make any other payment to the Secretary, the Secretary may offset these claims against any benefits or claims due to the institution or servicer. (d) If an institution's violation in paragraph (a) of this section results from an administrative, accounting, or recordkeeping error, and that error was not part of a pattern of error, and there is no evidence of fraud or misconduct related to the error, the Secretary permits the institution to correct or cure the error. If the institution corrects or cures the error, the Secretary does not limit, suspend, terminate, or fine the institution for that error. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c–1) [59 FR 22451, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 58619, Oct. 29, 1999; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999] (a)(1) An institution whose participation in a Title IV, HEA program has been terminated may file a request for reinstatement of that participation. (2) A third-party servicer whose eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program has been terminated may file a request for reinstatement of that eligibility. (b) An institution whose participation has been terminated or a third-party servicer whose eligibility has been terminated may request reinstatement only after the later of the expiration of— (1) Eighteen months from the effective date of the termination; or (2) A debarment or suspension under Executive Order 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4. (c) To be reinstated, an institution or third-party servicer must submit its request for reinstatement in writing to the Secretary and must— (1) Demonstrate to the Secretary's satisfaction that it has corrected the violation or violations on which its termination was based, including payment in full to the Secretary or to other recipients of funds that the institution or servicer, as applicable, has improperly received, withheld, disbursed, or caused to be disbursed; (2) Meet all applicable requirements of this part; and (3) In the case of an institution, enter into a new program participation agreement with the Secretary. (d) The Secretary, within 60 days of receiving the reinstatement request— (1) Grants the request; (2) Denies the request; or (3) Grants the request subject to a limitation or limitations. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094; E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189), 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235)) [59 FR 22451, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994] (a) An institution whose participation in a Title IV, HEA program has been limited may not apply for removal of the limitation before the expiration of 12 months from the effective date of the limitation. (b) A third-party servicer whose eligibility to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in a Title IV, HEA program has been limited may request removal of the limitation. (c) The institution or servicer may not apply for removal of the limitation before the later of the expiration of— (1) Twelve months from the effective date of the limitation; or (2) A debarment or suspension under Executive Order 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) or the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4. (d) If the institution or servicer requests removal of the limitation, the request must be in writing and show that the institution or servicer, as applicable, has corrected the violation or violations on which the limitation was based. (e) No later than 60 days after the Secretary receives the request, the Secretary responds to the institution or servicer— (1) Granting its request; (2) Denying its request; or (3) Granting the request subject to other limitation or limitations. (f) If the Secretary denies the request or establishes other limitations, the Secretary grants the institution or servicer, upon the institution's or servicer's request, an opportunity to show cause why the participation or eligibility, as applicable, should be fully reinstated. (g) The institution's or servicer's request for an opportunity to show cause does not waive— (1) The institution's right to participate in any or all Title IV, HEA programs if it complies with the continuing limitation or limitations pending the outcome of the opportunity to show cause; and (2) The servicer's right to contract with any institution to administer any aspect of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program, if the servicer complies with the continuing limitation pending the outcome of the opportunity to show cause. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094; E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189), 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235)) [59 FR 22451, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) A ruling by a hearing official may not be appealed to the Secretary until the issuance of an initial decision, except that the Secretary may, at any time prior to the issuance of the initial decision, grant a review of a ruling upon either a certification by a hearing official of the ruling to the Secretary for review or the filing of a petition for review of a ruling by one or both of the parties, if— (1) That ruling involves a controlling question of substantive or procedural law; and (2) The immediate resolution of the question will materially advance the final disposition of the proceeding or subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy. (b)(1) A petition for interlocutory review of an interim ruling must include the following: (i) A brief statement of the facts necessary to an understanding of the issue on which review is sought. (ii) A statement of the issue. (iii) A statement of the reasons showing that the ruling complained of involves a controlling question of substantive or procedural law and why immediate review of the ruling will materially advance the disposition of the case, or why subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy. (2) A petition may not exceed ten pages, double-spaced, and must be filed with a copy of the ruling and any findings and opinions relating to the ruling. (c) A copy of the petition must be provided to the hearing official at the time of filing with the secretary, and a copy of a petition or any certification must be served upon the parties by certified mail, return receipt requested. The petition or certification must reflect this service. (d) If a party files a petition under this section, the hearing official may state to the Secretary a view as to whether review is appropriate or inappropriate by submitting a brief statement addressing the party's petition within 10 days of the receipt of that petition by the hearing official. A copy of the statement must be served on all parties by certified mail, return receipt requested. (e) A party's response to a petition or certification for interlocutory review must be filed within seven days after service of the petition or statement, as applicable, and may not exceed ten pages, double-spaced, in length. A copy of the response must be served on the parties and the hearing official by hand delivery or regular mail. (f) The filing of a petition for interlocutory review does not automatically stay the proceedings. A stay during consideration of a petition for review may be granted by the hearing official if that official has certified or stated to the Secretary that review of the ruling is appropriate. The Secretary may order a stay of proceedings at any time after the filing of a request for interlocutory review. (g) The Secretary notifies the parties if a petition or certification for interlocutory review is accepted, and may provide the parties a reasonable time within which to submit written argument with regard to the merit of the petition or certification. (h) If the Secretary takes no action on a petition or certification for review within 15 days of receipt of it, the request is deemed to be denied. (i) The Secretary may affirm, modify, set aside, or remand the interim ruling of the hearing official. (j) The Secretary may delegate to a designated department official the functions described in paragraphs (f) through (i) of this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [57 FR 60034, Dec. 17, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 14153, Mar. 16, 1993] Source: 52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, unless otherwise noted. Correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987.
(a) This subpart establishes rules governing the appeal by an institution or third-party servicer from a final audit determination or a final program review determination arising from an audit or program review of the institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program or of the servicer's administration of any aspect of an institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (b) This subpart applies to any participating institution or third-party servicer that appeals a final audit determination or final program review determination. (c) This subpart does not apply to proceedings governed by subpart G of this part or to a determination that— (1) An institution fails to meet the applicable statutory definition set forth in sections 435, 481, or 1201 of the HEA, except to the extent that such a determination forms the basis of a final audit determination or a final program review determination; or (2) An institution fails to qualify for certification to participate in the title IV, HEA programs because it does not meet the fiscal and administrative standards set forth in subpart B of this part, except to the extent that such a determination forms the basis of a final audit determination or a program review determination. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 59 FR 22452, Apr. 29, 1994] The following definitions apply to this subpart: (a) Final audit determination means the written notice of a determination issued by a designated department official based on an audit of— (1) An institution's participation in any or all of the Title IV, HEA programs; or (2) A third-party servicer's administration of any aspect of an institution's participation in any or all of the Title IV, HEA programs. (b) Final program review determination means the written notice of a determination issued by a designated department official and resulting from a program compliance review of— (1) An institution's participation in any or all of the Title IV, HEA programs; or (2) A third-party servicer's administration of any aspect of an institution's participation in any Title IV, HEA program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22452, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) An institution or third-party servicer seeking the Secretary's review of a final audit determination or a final program review determination shall file a written request for review with the designated department official. (b) The institution or servicer shall file its request for review and any records or materials admissible under the terms of §668.116(e) and (f), no later than 45 days from the date that the institution or servicer receives the final audit determination or final program review determination. (c) The institution or servicer shall attach to the request for review a copy of the final audit determination or final program review determination, and shall— (1) Identify the issues and facts in dispute; and (2) State the institution's or servicer's position, as applicable, together with the pertinent facts and reasons supporting that position. (d)(1) If an institution's violation that resulted in the final audit determination or final program review determination in paragraph (a) of this section results from an administrative, accounting, or recordkeeping error, and that error was not part of a pattern of error, and there is no evidence of fraud or misconduct related to the error, the Secretary permits the institution to correct or cure the error. (2) If the institution is charged with a liability as a result of an error described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the institution cures or corrects that error with regard to that liability if the cure or correction eliminates the basis for the liability. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c–1) [59 FR 22452, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 64 FR 58619, Oct. 29, 1999] (a) Upon receipt of an institution's or third-party servicer's request for review, the designated department official arranges for a hearing before a hearing official. (b) Within 30 days of the designated department official's receipt of an institution's or third-party servicer's request for review, the hearing official notifies the designated department official and the parties to the proceeding of the schedule for the submission of briefs by both the designated department official and, as applicable, the institution or servicer. (c) The hearing official schedules the submission of briefs and of accompanying evidence admissible under the terms of §668.116 (e) and (f) to occur no later than 120 days from the date that the hearing official notifies the institution or servicer. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22452, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) In the event that the hearing official considers a prehearing conference necessary, he may convene a prehearing conference. (b) The purpose of a prehearing conference is to allow the parties to settle or narrow the dispute. A prehearing conference consists of— (1) A telephone conference call; (2) An informal meeting of the parties with the hearing official; or (3) The submission and exchange of written materials by the parties. (c) All prehearing conferences requiring appearances by the parties shall take place in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992] (a) A hearing is a process conducted by the hearing official whereby an orderly presentation of arguments and evidence is made by the parties. (b) The hearing process consists of the submission of written briefs to the hearing official by the institution or third-party servicer, as applicable, and by the designated department official, unless the hearing official determines, under paragraph (g) of this section, that an oral hearing is also necessary. (c) Each party shall provide a copy of its brief and any accompanying materials to the opposing party simultaneously with the filing of its brief and materials with the hearing official. (d) An institution or third-party servicer requesting review of the final audit determination or final program review determination issued by the designated department official shall have the burden of proving the following matters, as applicable: (1) That expenditures questioned or disallowed were proper. (2) That the institution or servicer complied with program requirements. (e)(1) A party may submit as evidence to the hearing official only materials within one or more of the following categories: (i) Department of Education audit reports and audit work papers for audits performed by the department's Office of Inspector General. (ii) In the case of an institution, institutional audit work papers, records, and other materials, if the institution provided those work papers, records, or materials to the Department of Education no later than the date by which the institution was required to file its request for review in accordance with §668.113. (iii) In the case of a third-party servicer, the servicer's audit work papers and the records and other materials of the servicer or any institution that contracts with the servicer, if the servicer provided those work papers, records, or materials to the Department of Education no later than the date that the servicer was required to file the request for review under §668.113. (iv) Department of Education program review reports and work papers for program reviews. (v) Institutional or servicer records and other materials (including records and other materials of any institution that contracts with the servicer) provided to the Department of Education in response to a program review, if the records or materials were provided to the Department of Education by the institution or servicer no later than the date by which the institution or servicer was required to file its request for review in accordance with §668.113. (vi) Other Department of Education records and materials if the records and materials were provided to the hearing official no later than 30 days after the institution's or servicer's filing of its request for review. (2) A party desiring to submit as evidence any materials described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall submit that evidence with its initial brief. (f) The hearing official accepts only evidence that is both admissible and timely under the terms of paragraph (e) of this section, and relevant and material to the appeal. Examples of evidence that shall be deemed irrelevant and immaterial except upon a clear showing of probative value respecting the matters described in paragraph (d) of this section include— (1) Evidence relating to a period of time other than the period of time covered by the audit or program review; (2) Evidence relating to an audit or program review of an institution or third-party servicer other than the institution or servicer bringing the appeal, or the resolution thereof; and (3) Evidence relating to the current practice of the institution or servicer bringing the appeal in the program areas at issue in the appeal. (g)(1) The hearing official may schedule an oral argument if he or she determines that an oral argument is necessary to clarify the issues and the positions of the parties as presented in the parties' written submissions. (2) In the event that an oral argument is conducted, the designated department official makes a transcribed record of the proceedings and makes one copy of that record available to each of the parties to the proceeding. (h) Any oral argument shall take place in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. (i) Either party may be represented by counsel. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987; 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992; 59 FR 22452, Apr. 29, 1994; 59 FR 61186, Nov. 29, 1994] (a) The hearing official regulates the course of the proceedings and the conduct of the parties following a request for review and takes all steps necessary to conduct fair and impartial proceedings. (b) The hearing official is not authorized to issue subpoenas or compel discovery as provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (c) The hearing official shall take whatever measures are appropriate to expedite the proceedings. These measures may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (1) Scheduling of conferences. (2) Setting time limits for oral arguments and the submission of briefs. (3) Terminating the hearing process and issuing a decision against a party if that party does not meet time limits established by the hearing official. (d) The hearing official is bound by all applicable statutes and regulations. The hearing official may not— (1) Waive applicable statutes and regulations; or (2) Rule them invalid. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992] (a) Upon review of the parties' written submissions and termination of the oral argument if one is held, the hearing official issues a written decision. (b) The hearing official's decision states and explains whether the final audit determination or final program review determination issued by the designated ED official was supportable, in whole or in part. (c) The hearing official bases any findings of fact only on evidence properly presented before him, on matters given official notice, or on facts stipulated to by the parties. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992] (a) Within 30 days of its receipt of the initial decision of the hearing official, a party wishing to appeal the decision shall submit a brief or other written material to the Secretary explaining why the decision of the hearing official should be overturned or modified. (b) The party appealing the initial decision shall, simultaneously with its filing of the appeal, provide the opposing party with a copy of its brief or other written material. (c) In its brief to the Secretary, the party appealing the initial decision may submit proposed findings of fact or conclusions of law. However, the proposed findings of fact must be supported by— (1) The admissible evidence already in the record; (2) Matters that may be given official notice; or (3) Stipulations of the parties (d) The opposing party shall file its response to the appeal, if any, with the Secretary within 30 days of that party's receipt of the appeal to the Secretary. (e) The opposing party shall, simultaneously with the filing of any response, provide a copy of its response to the appeal to the party appealing the initial decision. (f) Neither party may introduce new evidence on appeal. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992; 57 FR 60035, Dec. 17, 1992] (a)(1) The Secretary issues a final decision. The Secretary may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the hearing official, or may remand the case to the hearing official for further proceedings consistent with the Secretary's decision. (2) The Secretary may delegate the performance of functions under this section to a designated department official. (b) If the Secretary modifies, remands, or overturns the initial decision of the hearing official, the Secretary issues a decision that— (1) Includes a statement of the reasons for this action; (2) Is provided to both parties; and (3) Unless the decision is remanded to the hearing official for further review or determination of fact, becomes final upon its issuance. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987, correctly designated at 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992; 57 FR 60035, Dec. 17, 1992] (a) In the event that the initial decision of the hearing official is appealed, the decision of the Secretary is the final decision of the Department, unless the hearing official's decision is remanded by the Secretary. (b) In the event that the initial decision of the hearing official is not appealed within the time limit specified in §668.119(a), the initial decision automatically becomes the final decision of the Department. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [52 FR 30115, Aug. 12, 1987; 52 FR 46354, Dec. 7, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 47753, Oct. 19, 1992] (a) The request for review, appeals, and other written submissions referred to in this subpart may be either hand-delivered or mailed. (b) All mailed written submissions referred to in this subpart shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested. (c) Determination of filing, receipt, or submission dates shall be based on either the date of hand-delivery or the date of receipt indicated on the original U.S. Postal Service return receipt. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) To the extent that the decision of the Secretary sustains the final audit determination or program review determination, subject to the provisions of §668.24(c)(3), the Department of Education will take steps to collect the debt at issue or otherwise effect the determination that was subject to the request for review. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [59 FR 22453, Apr. 29, 1994] (a) A ruling by a hearing official may not be appealed to the Secretary until the issuance of an initial decision, except that the Secretary may, at any time prior to the issuance of the initial decision, grant a review of a ruling upon either a certification by a hearing official of the ruling to the Secretary for review or the filing of a petition for review of a ruling by one or both of the parties, if— (1) That ruling involves a controlling question of substantive or procedural law; and (2) The immediate resolution of the question will materially advance the final disposition of the proceeding or subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy. (b)(1) A petition for interlocutory review of an interim ruling must include the following: (i) A brief statement of the facts necessary to an understanding of the issue on which review is sought. (ii) A statement of the issue. (iii) A statement of the reasons showing that the ruling complained of involves a controlling question of substantive or procedural law and why immediate review of the ruling will materially advance the disposition of the case, or why subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy. (2) A petition may not exceed ten pages, double-spaced, and must be filed with a copy of the ruling and any findings and opinions relating to the ruling. (c) A copy of the petition must be provided to the hearing official at the time of filing with the Secretary, and a copy of a petition or any certification must be served upon the parties by certified mail, return receipt requested. The petition or certification must reflect this service. (d) If a party files a petition under this section, the hearing official may state to the Secretary a view as to whether review is appropriate or inappropriate by submitting a brief statement addressing the party's petition within 10 days of the receipt of that petition by the hearing official. A copy of the statement must be served on all parties by certified mail, return receipt requested. (e) A party's response to a petition or certification for interlocutory review must be filed within seven days after service of the petition or statement, as applicable, and may not exceed ten pages, double-spaced, in length. A copy of the response must be served on the parties and the hearing official by hand delivery or regular mail. (f) The filing of a petition for interlocutory review does not automatically stay the proceedings. A stay during consideration of a petition for review may be granted by the hearing official if that official has certified or stated to the Secretary that review of the ruling is appropriate. The Secretary may order a stay of proceedings at any time after the filing of a request for interlocutory review. (g) The Secretary notifies the parties if a petition or certification for interlocutory review is accepted, and may provide the parties a reasonable time within which to submit written argument with regard to the merit of the petition or certification. (h) If the Secretary takes no action on a petition or certification for review within 15 days of receipt of it, the request is deemed to be denied. (i) The Secretary may affirm, modify, set aside, or remand the interim ruling of the hearing official. (j) The Secretary may delegate to a designated department official the functions described in paragraphs (f) through (i) of this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [57 FR 60035, Dec. 17, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 14153, Mar. 16, 1993] Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1092, and 1094, unless otherwise noted.
Source: 58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Scope and purpose. The regulations in this subpart govern the responsibilities of institutions and students in determining the eligibility of those noncitizen applicants for title IV, HEA assistance who must, under §668.33(a)(2), produce evidence from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that they are permanent residents of the United States or in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming citizens or permanent residents. (b) Student responsibility. At the request of the Secretary or the institution at which an applicant for title IV, HEA financial assistance is enrolled or accepted for enrollment, an applicant who asserts eligibility under §668.33(a)(2) shall provide documentation from the INS of immigration status. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] The following definitions apply to this subpart: Eligible noncitizen: An individual possessing an immigration status that meets the requirements of §668.33(a)(2). Immigration status: The status conferred on a noncitizen under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, 8 U.S.C. 1182. Primary confirmation: A process by which the Secretary, by means of a matching program conducted with the INS, compares the information contained in an Application for Federal Student Aid or a multiple data entry application regarding the immigration status of a noncitizen applicant for title IV, HEA assistance with records of that status maintained by the INS in its Alien Status Verification Index (ASVI) system for the purpose of determining whether a student's immigration status meets the requirements of §668.33(a)(2) and reports the results of this comparison on an output document. Secondary confirmation: A process by which the INS, in response to the submission of INS Document Verification Form G–845 by an institution, searches pertinent paper and automated INS files, other than the ASVI database, for the purpose of determining a student's immigration status and the validity of the submitted INS documents, and reports the results of this search to the institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 12521, Mar. 16, 1994; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) Except as provided in §668.133(a)(1)(ii), the institution shall determine a student to be an eligible noncitizen if the institution receives an output document for that student establishing that— (1) The INS has confirmed the student's immigration status; and (2) The student's immigration status meets the noncitizen eligibility requirements of §668.33(a)(2). (b) If an institution determines a student to be an eligible noncitizen in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the institution may not require the student to produce the documentation otherwise required under §668.33(a)(2). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) General requirements. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an institution shall require the student to produce the documentation required under §668.33(a)(2) and request the INS to perform secondary confirmation for a student claiming eligibility under §668.33(a)(2), in accordance with the procedures set forth in §668.135, if— (1) The institution— (i) Receives an output document indicating that the student must provide the institution with evidence of the student's immigration status required under §668.33(a)(2); or (ii) Receives an output document that satisfies the requirements of §668.132(a) (1) and (2), but the institution— (A) Has documentation that conflicts with immigration-status documents submitted by the student or the immigration status reported on the output document; or (B) Has reason to believe that the immigration status reported by the student or on the output document is incorrect; and (2) The institution determines that the immigration-status documents submitted by the student constitute reasonable evidence of the student's claim to be an eligible noncitizen. (b) Exclusions from secondary confirmation. (1) An institution may not require the student to produce the documentation requested under §668.33(a)(2) and may not request that INS perform secondary confirmation, if the student— (i) Demonstrates eligibility under the provisions of §668.33 (a)(1) or (b); or (ii) Demonstrated eligibility under the provisions of §668.33(a)(2) in a previous award year as a result of secondary confirmation and the documents used to establish that eligibility have not expired; and (iii) The institution does not have conflicting documentation or reason to believe that the student's claim of citizenship or immigration status is incorrect. (2) [Reserved] (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 26674, May 4, 1993; 60 FR 61813, Dec. 1, 1995; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) An institution shall establish and use written policies and procedures for requesting proof and securing confirmation of the immigration status of applicants for title IV, HEA student financial assistance who claim to meet the eligibility requirements of §668.33(a)(2). These policies and procedures must include— (1) Providing the student a deadline by which to provide the documentation that the student wishes to have considered to support the claim that the student meets the requirements of §668.33(a)(2); (2) Providing to the student information concerning the consequences of a failure to provide the documentation by the deadline set by the institution; and (3) Providing that the institution will not make a determination that the student is not an eligible noncitizen until the institution has provided the student the opportunity to submit the documentation in support of the student's claim of eligibility under §668.33(a)(2). (b) An institution shall furnish, in writing, to each student required to undergo secondary confirmation— (1) A clear explanation of the documentation the student must submit as evidence that the student satisfies the requirements of §668.33(a)(2); and (2) A clear explanation of the student's responsibilities with respect to the student's compliance with §668.33(a)(2), including the deadlines for completing any action required under this subpart and the consequences of failing to complete any required action, as specified in §668.137. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1092, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 26674, May 4, 1993; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] Within 10 business days after an institution receives the documentary evidence of immigration status submitted by a student required to undergo secondary confirmation, the institution shall— (a) Complete the request portion of the INS Document Verification Request Form G–845; (b) Copy front and back sides of all immigration-status documents received from the student and attach copies to the Form G–845; and (c) Submit Form G–845 and attachments to the INS District Office. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 26674, May 4, 1993] (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, an institution that has requested secondary confirmation under §668.133(a) shall make its determination concerning a student's eligibility under §668.33(a)(2) by relying on the INS response to the Form G–845. (b) An institution shall make its determination concerning a student's eligibility under §668.33(a)(2) pending the institution's receipt of an INS response to the institution's Form G–845 request concerning that student, if— (1) The institution has given the student an opportunity to submit documents to the institution to support the student's claim to be an eligible noncitizen; (2) The institution possesses sufficient documentation concerning a student's immigration status to make that determination; (3) At least 15 business days have elapsed from the date that the institution sent the Form G–845 request to the INS; (4) The institution has no documentation that conflicts with the immigration-status documentation submitted by the student; and (5) The institution has no reason to believe that the immigration status reported by the applicant is incorrect. (c) An institution shall establish and use policies and procedures to ensure that, if the institution has disbursed or released title IV, HEA funds to the student in the award year or employed the student under the Federal Work-Study Program, and the institution determines, in reliance on the INS response to the institution's request for secondary confirmation regarding that student, that the student was in fact not an eligible noncitizen during that award year, the institution provides the student with notice of the institution's determination, an opportunity to contest the institution's determination, and notice of the institution's final determination. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) A student shall submit before a deadline specified by the institution all documentation the student wishes to have considered to support a claim that the student meets the requirements of §668.33(a)(2). The deadline, set by the institution, must be not less than 30 days from the date the institution receives the student's output document. (b) If a student fails to submit the documentation by the deadline established in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the institution may not disburse to the student, or certify the student as eligible for, any title IV, HEA program funds for that period of enrollment or award year; employ the student under the Federal Work-Study Program; certify a Federal Stafford or Federal PLUS loan application, or originate a Direct Loan Program loan application for the student for that period of enrollment. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) A student is liable for any LEAP, FSEOG, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, or National SMART Grant payment and for any Federal Stafford, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized or Federal Perkins loan made to him or her if the student was ineligible for the Title IV, HEA assistance. (b) A Federal PLUS or Direct PLUS Loan borrower is liable for any Federal PLUS or Direct PLUS Loan made to him or her on behalf of an ineligible student. (c) The Secretary does not take any action against an institution with respect to an error in the institution's determination that a student is an eligible noncitizen if, in making that determination, the institution followed the provisions in this subpart and relied on— (1) An output document for that student indicating that the INS has confirmed that the student's immigration status meets the eligibility requirements for title IV, HEA assistance; (2) An INS determination of the student's immigration status and the authenticity of the student's immigration documents provided in response to the institution's request for secondary confirmation; or (3) Immigration-status documents submitted by the student and the institution did not have reason to believe that the documents did not support the student's claim to be an eligible noncitizen. (d) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if an institution makes an error in its determination that a student is an eligible noncitizen, the institution is liable for any title IV, HEA disbursements made to this student during the award year or period of enrollment for which the student applied for title IV, HEA assistance. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998; 65 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] (a) If an institution makes a payment of a grant or a disbursement of a Federal Perkins loan to an ineligible student for which it is not liable in accordance with §668.138, it shall assist the Secretary in recovering the funds by— (1) Making a reasonable effort to contact the student; and (2) Making a reasonable effort to collect the payment or Federal Perkins loan. (b) If an institution causes a Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Direct PLUS Loan to be disbursed to or on behalf of an ineligible student for which it is not liable in accordance with §668.138, it shall assist the Secretary in recovering the funds by notifying the lender in the case of an FFEL Program loan or the Secretary in the case of a Direct Loan Program loan that the student has failed to establish eligibility under the requirements of §§668.201 or 685.200, as appropriate. (c) If an institution is liable for a payment of a grant or Federal Perkins loan to an ineligible student, the institution shall restore the amount equal to the payment or disbursement to the institution's Federal Perkins loan fund or Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, or LEAP amount, even if the institution cannot collect the payment or disbursement from the student. (d) If an institution is liable for a Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Direct PLUS Loan disbursement to an ineligible student, the institution shall repay an amount equal to the disbursement to the lender in the case of an FFEL Program loan or the Secretary in the case of a Direct Loan Program loan, and provide written notice to the borrower. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091, 1094) [58 FR 3184, Jan. 7, 1993, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998; 64 FR 38729, June 22, 2000; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] Source: 60 FR 61838, Dec. 1, 1995, unless otherwise noted.
(a) This subpart sets forth the provisions under which a student who has neither a high school diploma nor its recognized equivalent may become eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program funds by— (1) Achieving a passing score, specified by the Secretary, on an independently administered test approved by the Secretary under this subpart; or (2) Being enrolled in an eligible institution that participates in a State process approved by the Secretary under this subpart. (b) Under this subpart, the Secretary sets forth— (1) The procedures and criteria the Secretary uses to approve tests; (2) The basis on which the Secretary specifies a passing score on each approved test; (3) The procedures and conditions under which the Secretary determines that an approved test is independently administered; and (4) The procedures and conditions under which the Secretary determines that a State process demonstrates that students in the process have the ability to benefit from the education and training being offered to them. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) The following definitions apply to this subpart: Assessment center: A center that— (1) Is located at an eligible institution that provides two-year or four-year degrees, or qualifies as an eligible public vocational institution, i.e. a “postsecondary vocational institution;” (2) Is responsible for gathering and evaluating information about individual students for multiple purposes, including appropriate course placement; (3) Is independent of the admissions and financial aid processes at the institution at which it is located; (4) Is staffed by professionally trained personnel; and (5) Does not have as its primary purpose the administration of ability-to-benefit tests. Computer-based test: A test taken by a student on a computer and scored by a computer. Disabled student: A student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. General learned abilities: Cognitive operations, such as deductive reasoning, reading comprehension, or translation from graphic to numerical representation, that may be learned in both school and non-school environments. Non-native speaker of English: A person whose first language is not English and who is not fluent in English. Secondary school level: As applied to “content,” “curricula,” or “basic verbal and quantitative skills,” refers to basic knowledge or skills generally learned in the 9th through 12th grades in United States secondary schools. Test administrator: An individual who may give tests under this subpart. Test item: A question on a test. Test publisher: An individual, organization, or agency that owns a registered copyright of a test, or is licensed by the copyright holder to sell or distribute a test. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) (a) The Secretary approves tests or other assessments submitted by a State that the State uses to measure a student's skills and abilities for the purpose of determining whether the student has the skills and abilities the State expects of a high school graduate in that State. (b) The Secretary approves passing scores or other methods of evaluation established by the State for each test or assessment described in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) If the Secretary approves a State's tests and assessments and the passing scores on those tests and assessments under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, that test or assessment may be used, for purposes of section 484(d) of the HEA, only for students who attend eligible institutions located in that State. (d) If a State wishes to have the Secretary approve its tests or assessments under this section, the State shall— (1) Submit to the Secretary those tests and assessments, its passing scores on those tests and assessments, and the educational standards those tests and assessments measure at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe; (2) Provide the Secretary with an explanation of how the tests, assessments, and passing scores are appropriate in light of the State's educational standards; and (3) Provide the Secretary with an assurance that the tests and assessments will be administered in an independent, fair, and secure manner. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61839, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] Except as provided in §668.143— (a) The Secretary only reviews tests under this subpart that are submitted by the publisher of that test; (b) A test publisher that wishes to have its test approved by the Secretary under this subpart must submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe. The application shall contain all the information necessary for the Secretary to approve the test under this subpart, including but not limited to, the information contained in this section; and (c) A test publisher shall include with its application— (1) A summary of the precise editions, forms, levels, and (if applicable) sub-tests and abbreviated tests for which approval is being sought; (2) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person to whom the Secretary may address inquiries; (3) Each edition and form of the test for which the publisher requests approval; (4) The distribution of test scores for each edition, form, level, sub-test, or partial battery, for which approval is sought, that allows the Secretary to prescribe the passing score for each test in accordance with §668.147; (5) Documentation of test development, including a history of the test's use; (6) Norming data and other evidence used in determining the distribution of test scores; (7) Material that defines the content domains addressed by the test; (8) For tests first published five years or more before the date submitted to the Secretary for review and approval, documentation of periodic reviews of the content and specifications of the test to ensure that the test continues to reflect secondary school level verbal and quantitative skills; (9) If a test has been revised from the most recent edition approved by the Secretary, an analysis of the revisions, including the reasons for the revisions, the implications of the revisions for the comparability of scores on the current test to scores on the previous test, and data from validity studies of the test undertaken subsequent to the revisions; (10) A description of the manner in which test-taking time was determined in relation to the content representativeness requirements in §668.146(b)(2), and an analysis of the effects of time on performance; (11) A technical manual that includes— (i) An explanation of the methodology and procedures for measuring the reliability of the test; (ii) Evidence that different forms of the test, including, if applicable, short forms, are comparable in reliability; (iii) Other evidence demonstrating that the test permits consistent assessment of individual skill and ability; (iv) Evidence that the test was normed using— (A) Groups that were of sufficient size to produce defensible standard errors of the mean and were not disproportionately composed of any race or gender; and (B) A contemporary population representative of persons who are beyond the usual age of compulsory school attendance in the United States; (v) Documentation of the level of difficulty of the test; (vi) Unambiguous scales and scale values so that standard errors of measurement can be used to determine statistically significant differences in performance; and (vii) Additional guidance on the interpretation of scores resulting from any modifications of the tests for persons with documented disabilities. (12) The manual provided to test administrators containing procedures and instructions for test security and administration, and the forwarding of tests to the test publisher; (13) An analysis of the item-content of each edition, form, level, and (if applicable) sub-test to demonstrate compliance with the required secondary school level criterion specified in §668.146(b); (14) For performance-based tests or tests containing performance-based sections, a description of the training or certification required of test administrators and scorers by the test publisher; (15) A description of retesting procedures and the analysis upon which the criteria for retesting are based; and (16) Other evidence establishing the test's compliance with the criteria for approval of tests as provided in §668.146. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61839, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] Except as provided in §668.143— (a)(1) When the Secretary receives a complete application from a test publisher, the Secretary selects experts in the field of educational testing and assessment, who possess appropriate advanced degrees and experience in test development or psychometric research, to determine whether the test meets the requirements for test approval contained in §§668.146, 668.147, 668.148, or 668.149, as appropriate, and to advise the Secretary of their determinations; (2) If the test involves a language other than English, the Secretary selects at least one individual described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section who is fluent in the language in which the test is written to advise the Secretary on whether the test meets the additional criteria, provisions, and conditions for test approval contained in §§668.148 and 668.149; (b) The Secretary determines whether the test publisher's test meets the criteria and requirements for approval after taking the advice of the experts into account; (c)(1) If the Secretary determines that a test satisfies the criteria and requirements for test approval, the Secretary notifies the test publisher of the Secretary's decision, and publishes the name of the test and the passing scores in the (2) If the Secretary determines that a test does not satisfy the criteria and requirements for test approval, the Secretary notifies the test publisher of the Secretary's decision, and the reasons why the test did not meet those criteria and requirements. (3) The test publisher may request that the Secretary reevaluate the Secretary's decision. Such a request must be accompanied by— (i) Documentation and information that address the reasons for the non-approval of the test; and (ii) An analysis of why the information and documentation submitted meet the criteria and requirements for test approval notwithstanding the Secretary's earlier decision to the contrary. (d)(1) The Secretary approves a test for a period not to exceed five years from the date of the Secretary's written notice to the test publisher. (2) The Secretary extends the approval period of a test to include the period of review if the test publisher re-submits the test for review and approval under §668.144 at least six months before the date on which the test approval is scheduled to expire; (e) The approval of a test may be withdrawn if the Secretary determines that the publisher violated any terms of the agreement described in §668.150, or that the information the publisher submitted as a basis for approval of the test was inaccurate; (f) If the Secretary revokes approval of a previously approved test, the Secretary publishes a notice of that revocation in the (g) For test batteries that contain multiple sub-tests measuring content domains other than verbal and quantitative domains, the Secretary reviews only those subtests covering verbal and quantitative domains. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61840, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] Except as provided in §668.143— (a) Except as provided in §668.148, the Secretary approves a test under this subpart if the test meets the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section and the test publisher satisfies the requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this section; (b) To be approved under this subpart, a test shall— (1) Assess secondary school level basic verbal and quantitative skills and general learned abilities; (2) Sample the major content domains of secondary school level verbal and quantitative skills with sufficient numbers of questions to— (i) Adequately represent each domain; and (ii) Permit meaningful analyses of item-level performance by students who are representative of the contemporary population beyond the age of compulsory school attendance and have earned a high school diploma; (3) Require appropriate test-taking time to permit adequate sampling of the major content domains described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section; (4) Have all forms (including short forms) comparable in reliability; (5) If the test is revised, have new scales, scale values, and scores that are demonstrably comparable to the old scales, scale values, and scores; and (6) Meet all primary and applicable conditional and secondary standards for test construction provided in the 1985 edition of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, with amendments dated June 2, 1989, prepared by a joint committee of the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education incorporated by reference in this section. Incorporation by reference of this document has been approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register pursuant to the Director's authority under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The incorporated document is on file at the Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Room 4318, ROB–3, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202 and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.php. The standards may be obtained from the American Psychological Association, Inc., 750 First Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20026. (7) Have publisher's guidelines for retesting, including time between test-taking, be based on empirical analyses that are part of the studies of test reliability; and (c) In order for a test to be approved under this subpart, a test publisher shall— (1) Include in the test booklet or package— (i) Clear, specific, and complete instructions for test administration, including information for test takers on the purpose, timing, and scoring of the test; and (ii) Sample questions representative of the content and average difficulty of the test; (2) Have two or more secure, equated, alternate forms of the test; (3) Except as provided in §§668.148 and 668.149, provide tables of distributions of test scores which clearly indicate the mean score and standard deviation for high school graduates who have taken the test within three years prior to the date on that the test is submitted to the Secretary for approval under §668.144; (4) Norm the test with— (i) Groups that were of sufficient size to produce defensible standard errors of the mean and were not disproportionately composed of any race or gender; and (ii) A contemporary population representative of persons who are beyond the usual age of compulsory school attendance in the United States; and (5) If test batteries include sub-tests assessing different verbal and/or quantitative skills, a distribution of test scores as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section that allows the Secretary to prescribe either— (i) A passing score for each sub-test; or (ii) One composite passing score for verbal skills and one composite passing score for quantitative skills. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61840, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004] Except as provided in §§668.143, 668.148 and 668.149, to demonstrate that a test taker has the ability to benefit from the education and training offered, the Secretary specifies that the passing score on each approved test is one standard deviation below the mean for students with high school diplomas who have taken the test within three years before the date on which the test is submitted to the Secretary for approval. (Authority; 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) Except as provided in §668.143— (a) In addition to satisfying the criteria in §668.146, to be approved by the Secretary, a test or a test publisher must meet the following criteria, if applicable: (1) In the case of a test that is performance-based, or includes performance-based sections, for measuring writing, speaking, listening, or quantitative problem-solving skills, the test publisher must provide— (i) A minimum of four parallel forms of the test; and (ii) A description of the training provided to test administrators, and the criteria under which trained individuals are certified to administer and score the test. (2) In the case of a test developed for a non-native speaker of English who is enrolled in a program that is taught in his or her native language, the test must be— (i) Linguistically accurate and culturally sensitive to the population for which the test is designed, regardless of the language in which the test is written; (ii) Supported by documentation detailing the development of normative data; (iii) If translated from an English version, supported by documentation of procedures to determine its reliability and validity with reference to the population for which the translated test was designed; (iv) Developed in accordance with guidelines provided in the 1985 edition of the “Testing Linguistic Minorities” section of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, with amendments dated June 2, 1989, prepared by a joint committee of the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education incorporated by reference in this section. Incorporation by reference of this document has been approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register pursuant to the Director's authority under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The incorporated document is on file at the Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Room 4318, ROB–3, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202 and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.php. The standards may be obtained from the American Psychological Association, Inc., 750 First Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20026; and (v)(A) If the test is in Spanish, accompanied by a distribution of test scores that clearly indicates the mean score and standard deviation for Spanish-speaking students with high school diplomas who have taken the test within 5 years before the date on which the test is submitted to the Secretary for approval; and (B) If the test is in a language other than Spanish, accompanied by a recommendation for a provisional passing score based upon performance of a sample of test takers representative of the intended population and large enough to produce stable norms. (3) In the case of a test that is modified for use for persons with disabilities, the test publisher must— (i) Follow guidelines provided in the “Testing People Who Have Handicapping Conditions” section of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing; (ii) Provide documentation of the appropriateness and feasibility of the modifications relevant to test performance; and (iii) Recommend passing score(s) based on the previous performance of test-takers. (4) In the case of a computer-based test, the test publisher must— (i) Provide documentation to the Secretary that the test complies with the basic principles of test construction and standards of reliability and validity as promulgated in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, as well as specific guidelines set forth in the American Psychological Association's Guidelines for Computer-based Tests and Interpretations (1986); (ii) Provide test administrators with instructions for familiarizing test takers with computer hardware prior to test-taking; and (iii) Provide two or more parallel, equated forms of the test, or, if parallel forms are generated from an item pool, provide documentation of the methods of item selection for alternate forms; and (b) If a test is designed solely to measure the English language competence of non-native speakers of English— (1) The test must meet the criteria set forth in §668.146(b)(6), and §668.146 (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(4); and (2) The test publisher must recommend a passing score based on the mean score of test takers beyond the age of compulsory school attendance who entered U.S. high school equivalency programs, formal training programs, or bilingual vocational programs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61841, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004] If no test is reasonably available for persons with disabilities or students whose native language is not English and who are not fluent in English, so that no test can be approved under §§668.146 or 668.148 for these students, the following procedures apply: (a) Persons with disabilities. (1) The Secretary considers a modified test or testing procedure, or instrument that has been scientifically developed specifically for the purpose of evaluating the ability to benefit from postsecondary training or education of disabled students to be an approved test for purposes of this subpart provided that the testing procedure or instrument measures both basic verbal and quantitative skills at the secondary school level. (2) The Secretary considers the passing scores for these testing procedures or instruments to be those recommended by the test developer, provided that the test administrator— (i) Uses those procedures or instruments; (ii) Maintains appropriate documentation, including a description of the procedures or instruments, their content domains, technical properties, and scoring procedures; and (iii) Observes recommended passing scores. (b) Students whose native language is not English. The Secretary considers a test in a student's native language for a student whose native language is not English to be an approved test under this subpart if— (1) The Secretary has not approved any test in that native language; (2) The test was not previously rejected for approval by the Secretary; (3) The test measures both basic verbal and quantitative skills at the secondary school level; and (4) The passing scores and the methods for determining the passing scores are fully documented. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61841, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] (a) If the Secretary approves a test under this subpart, the test publisher must enter into an agreement with the Secretary that contains the provisions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section before an institution may use the test to determine a student's eligibility for Title IV, HEA program funds. (b) The agreement between a test publisher and the Secretary provides that the test publisher shall— (1) Allow only test administrators that it certifies to give its test; (2) Certify test administrators who have— (i) The necessary training, knowledge, and skill to test students in accordance with the test publisher's testing requirements; and (ii) The ability and facilities to keep its test secure against disclosure or release; (3) Decertify a test administrator for a period that coincides with the period for which the publisher's test is approved if the test publisher finds that the test administrator— (i) Has repeatedly failed to give its test in accordance with the publisher's instructions; (ii) Has not kept the test secure; (iii) Has compromised the integrity of the testing process; or (iv) Has given the test in violation of the provisions contained in §668.151; (4) Score a test answer sheet that it receives from a test administrator; (5) If a computer-based test, provide the test administrator with software that will: (i) Immediately generate a score report for each test taker; (ii) Allow the test administrator to send to the test publisher a secure write-protected diskette copy of the test taker's performance on each test item and the test taker's test scores; and (iii) Prohibit any changes in test taker responses or test scores. (6) Promptly send to the student and the institution the student indicated he or she is attending or scheduled to attend a notice stating the student's score for the test and whether or not the student passed the test; (7) Keep for a period of three years each test answer sheet or electronic record forwarded for scoring and all other documents forwarded by the test administrator with regard to the test; (8) Three years after the date the Secretary approves the test and for each subsequent three-year period, analyze the test scores of students to determine whether the test scores produce any irregular pattern that raises an inference that the tests were not being properly administered, and provide the Secretary with a copy of this analysis; and (9) Upon request, give the Secretary, a guaranty agency, or an accrediting agency access to test records or other documents related to an audit, investigation, or program review of the institution, test publisher, or test administrator. (c)(1) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with a test publisher if the test publisher fails to carry out the terms of the agreement described in paragraph (b) of this section. (2) Before terminating the agreement, the Secretary gives the test publisher the opportunity to show that it has not failed to carry out the terms of its agreement. (3) If the Secretary terminates an agreement with a test publisher under this section, the Secretary notifies institutions through publication in the (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61842, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] (a)(1) To establish a student's eligibility for Title IV, HEA program funds under this subpart, if a student has not passed an approved state test, under §668.143, an institution must select a certified test administrator to give an approved test. (2) An institution may use the results of an approved test it received from an approved test publisher or assessment center to determine a student's eligibility to receive Title IV, HEA programs funds if the test was independently administered and properly administered. (b) The Secretary considers that a test is independently administered if the test is— (1) Given at an assessment center by a test administrator who is an employee of the center; or (2) Given by a test administrator who— (i) Has no current or prior financial or ownership interest in the institution, its affiliates, or its parent corporation, other than the interest obtained through its agreement to administer the test, and has no controlling interest in any other educational institution; (ii) Is not a current or former employee of or consultant to the institution, its affiliates, or its parent corporation, a person in control of another institution, or a member of the family of any of these individuals; (iii) Is not a current or former member of the board of directors, a current or former employee of or a consultant to a member of the board of directors, chief executive officer, chief financial officer of the institution or its parent corporation or at any other institution, or a member of the family of any of the above individuals; and (iv) Is not a current or former student of the institution. (c) The Secretary considers that a test is not independently administered if an institution— (1) Compromises test security or testing procedures; (2) Pays a test administrator a bonus, commission, or any other incentive based upon the test scores or pass rates of its students who take the test; (3) Otherwise interferes with the test administrator's independence or test administration. (d) The Secretary considers that a test is properly administered if the test administrator— (1) Is certified by the test publisher to give the publisher's test; (2) Administers the test in accordance with instructions provided by the test publisher, and in a manner that ensures the integrity and security of the test; (3) Makes the test available only to a test-taker, and then only during a regularly scheduled test; (4) Secures the test against disclosure or release; (5) Submits the completed test to the test publisher within two business days after test administration in accordance with the test publisher's instructions; and (6) Upon request, gives the Secretary, guaranty agency, licensing agency, accrediting agency, and law enforcement agencies access to test records or other documents related to an audit, investigation, or program review of the institution, or test publisher. (e) Except as provided in §668.152, a certified test administrator may not score a test. (f) A student who fails to pass a test approved under this subpart may not retake the same form of the test for the period prescribed by the test's publisher. (g) An institution shall maintain a record for each student who took a test under this subpart of— (1) The test taken by the student; (2) The date of the test; and (3) The student's scores as reported by the test publisher, assessment center, or State. (Authority: U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61842, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996; 67 FR 67073, Nov. 1, 2002] (a)(1) If a test is given by an assessment center, the assessment center shall properly administer the test as described in §668.151(d). (2) [Reserved] (b)(1) Unless an agreement between a test publisher and an assessment center indicates otherwise, an assessment center scores the tests it gives and promptly notifies the institution and the student of the student's score on the test and whether the student passed the test. (2) If the assessment center scores the test, it must provide annually to the test publisher— (i) All copies of completed tests; or (ii) A report listing all test-takers' scores and institutions to which the scores were sent. (Authority: U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61843, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] Except as provided in §668.143— (a) Students whose native language is not English. For a student whose native language is not English and who is not fluent in English, the institution shall use the following tests, as applicable: (1) If the student is enrolled in a program conducted entirely in his or her native language, the student must take a test approved under §§668.146 and 668.148(a)(2), or 668.149(b). (2) If the student is enrolled in a program that is taught in English with an ESL component, and the student is enrolled in that program and the ESL component, the student must take either an ESL test approved under §668.148(b), or a test in the student's native language approved under §§668.146, 668.148 or 668.149. (3) If the student is enrolled in a program that is taught in English without an ESL component, or the student does not enroll in the ESL component if the institution offers such a component, the student must take a test in English approved under §668.146. (4) If the student enrolls in an ESL program, the student must take an ESL test approved under §668.148(b); and (b) Persons with disabilities. (1) An institution shall use a test described in §668.148(a)(3) or 668.149(a) for a student with a documented impairment who has neither a high school diploma nor its equivalent and who is applying for Title IV, HEA program funds. (2) The test must reflect the student's skills and general learned abilities rather than reflect the student's impairment. (3) The institution shall document that a student is disabled and unable to be evaluated by the use of a conventional test from the list of tests approved by the Secretary. (4) Documentation of a student's impairment may be satisfied by— (i) A written determination, including a diagnosis and recommended testing accommodations, by a licensed psychologist or medical physician; or (ii) A record of such a determination by an elementary or secondary school or a vocational rehabilitation agency, including a diagnosis and recommended testing accommodations. (Authority: U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61843, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] An institution shall be liable for the Title IV, HEA program funds disbursed to a student whose eligibility is determined under this subpart only if the institution— (a) Used a test administrator who was not independent of the institution at the time the test was given; (b) Compromises the testing process in any way; or (c) Is unable to document that the student received a passing score on an approved test. (Authority: U.S.C. 1091(d)) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, an institution may continue to base an eligibility determination under section 484(d) of the HEA for a student on a test that was an approved test as of June 30, 1996, and the passing score on that test, until 60 days after the Secretary publishes in the (b) If an institution properly based a student's eligibility determination for purposes of section 484(d) of the HEA on a test and passing score that was in effect on June 30, 1996, the institution does not have to redetermine the student's eligibility based upon a test and passing score that was approved under §§668.143 through 668.149. (Authority: U.S.C. 1091(d)) (a)(1) A State that wishes the Secretary to consider its State process as an alternative to achieving a passing score on an approved, independently administered test for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility for Title IV, HEA program funds must apply to the Secretary for approval of that process. (2) To be an approved State process, the State process does not have to include all the institutions located in that State, but must indicate which institutions are included. (b) The Secretary approves a State's process if— (1) The State administering the process can demonstrate that the students it admits under that process without a high school diploma or its equivalent, who enroll in participating institutions have a success rate as determined under paragraph (h) of this section that is within 95 percent of the success rate of students with high school diplomas; and (2) The State's process satisfies the requirements contained in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. (c) A State process must require institutions participating in the process to provide each student they admit without a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent with the following services— (1) Orientation regarding the institution's academic standards and requirements, and student rights; (2) Assessment of each student's existing capabilities through means other than a single standardized test; (3) Tutoring in basic verbal and quantitative skills, if appropriate; (4) Assistance in developing educational goals; (5) Counseling, including counseling regarding the appropriate class level for that student given the student's individual's capabilities; and (6) Follow-up by teachers and counselors regarding the student's classroom performance and satisfactory progress toward program completion. (d) A State process must— (1) Monitor on an annual basis each participating institution's compliance with the requirements and standards contained in the State's process; (2) Require corrective action if an institution is found to be in noncompliance with the State process requirements; and (3) Terminate an institution from the State process if the institution refuses or fails to comply with the State process requirements. (e)(1) The Secretary responds to a State's request for approval of its State's process within six months after the Secretary's receipt of that request. If the Secretary does not respond by the end of six months, the State's process becomes effective. (2) An approved State process becomes effective for purposes of determining student eligibility for Title IV, HEA program funds under this subpart six months after the date on which the State submits the process to the Secretary for approval, if the Secretary approves, or does not disapprove, the process during that six month period. (f) The Secretary approves a State process for a period not to exceed five years. (g)(1) The Secretary withdraws approval of a State process if the Secretary determines that the State process violated any terms of this section or that the information that the State submitted as a basis for approval of the State process was inaccurate. (2) The Secretary provides a State with the opportunity to contest a finding that the State process violated any terms of this section or that the information that the State submitted as a basis for approval of the State process was inaccurate. (h) The State shall calculate the success rates as referenced in paragraph (b) of this section by— (1) Determining the number of students with high school diplomas who, during the applicable award year described in paragraph (i) of this section, enrolled in participating institutions and— (i) Successfully completed education or training programs; (ii) Remained enrolled in education or training programs at the end of that award year; or (iii) Successfully transferred to and remained enrolled in another institution at the end of that award year; (2) Determining the number of students with high school diplomas who enrolled in education or training programs in participating institutions during that award year; (3) Determining the number of students calculated in paragraph (h)(2) of this section who remained enrolled after subtracting the number of students who subsequently withdrew or were expelled from participating institutions and received a 100 percent refund of their tuition under the institutions' refund policies; (4) Dividing the number of students determined in paragraph (h)(1) of this section by the number of students determined in paragraph (h)(3) of this section; (5) Making the calculations described in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this section for students without a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent who enrolled in participating institutions. (i) For purposes of paragraph (h) of this section, the applicable award year is the latest complete award year for which information is available that immediately precedes the date on which the State requests the Secretary to approve its State process, except that the award year selected must be one of the latest two completed award years preceding that application date. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d)) [60 FR 61843, Dec. 1, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 31035, June 19, 1996] Source: 61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
(a) General. (1) This subpart establishes the rules and procedures under which a participating institution requests, maintains, disburses, and otherwise manages title IV, HEA program funds. This subpart is intended to— (i) Promote sound cash management of title IV, HEA program funds by an institution; (ii) Minimize the financing costs to the Federal Government of making title IV, HEA program funds available to a student or an institution; and (iii) Minimize the costs that accrue to a student under a title IV, HEA loan program. (2) The rules and procedures that apply to an institution under this subpart also apply to a third-party servicer. (3) As used in this subpart— (i) The title IV, HEA programs include only the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, Federal Perkins Loan, FWS, Direct Loan, and FFEL programs; (ii) The term “parent” means a parent borrower under the PLUS programs; (iii) With regard to the FFEL Programs, the term “disburse” means the same as deliver loan proceeds under 34 CFR part 682 of the FFEL Program regulations; and (iv) A day is a calendar day unless otherwise specified. (4) FWS Program. An institution must follow the disbursement procedures in 34 CFR 675.16 for paying a student his or her wages under the FWS Program instead of the disbursement procedures in §§668.164(b) through (g) and 668.165. (b) Federal interest in title IV, HEA program funds. Except for funds received by an institution for administrative expenses and for funds used for the Job Location and Development Program under the FWS Programs, funds received by an institution under the title IV, HEA programs are held in trust for the intended student beneficiaries and the Secretary. FFEL program funds are also held in trust for the lenders and guaranty agencies, in addition to the student beneficiaries and the Secretary, under 34 CFR 682.207. The institution, as a trustee of Federal funds, may not use or hypothecate (i.e., use as collateral) title IV, HEA program funds for any other purpose. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 58291, Oct. 28, 1999; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] (a) General. (1) The Secretary has sole discretion to determine the method under which the Secretary provides title IV, HEA program funds to an institution. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, the Secretary may provide funds to an institution under the advance, reimbursement, just-in-time, or cash monitoring payment methods. (2) Each time an institution requests funds from the Secretary, the institution must identify the amount of funds requested by program and fiscal year designation that the Secretary assigned to the authorization for those funds. (b) Advance payment method. Under the advance payment method— (1) An institution submits a request for funds to the Secretary. The institution's request for funds may not exceed the amount of funds the institution needs immediately for disbursements the institution has made or will make to eligible students and parents; (2) If the Secretary accepts that request, the Secretary initiates an electronic funds transfer (EFT) of that amount to a bank account designated by the institution; and (3) The institution must disburse the funds requested as soon as administratively feasible but no later than three business days following the date the institution received those funds. (c) Just-in-time payment method. Under the just-in-time payment method— (1) For each student or parent that an institution determines is eligible for title IV, HEA program funds, the institution transmits electronically to the Secretary, within a timeframe established by the Secretary, records that contain program award information for that student or parent. As part of those records, the institution reports the date and amount of the disbursements that it will make or has made to that student or that student's parent; (2) For each record the Secretary accepts for a student or parent, the Secretary provides by EFT the corresponding disbursement amount to the institution on or before the date reported by the institution for that disbursement; (3) When the institution receives the funds for each record accepted by the Secretary, the institution may disburse those funds based on its determination at the time the institution transmitted that record to the Secretary that the student is eligible for that disbursement; and (4) The institution must report any adjustment to a previously accepted record within the time established by the Secretary in a notice published in the (d) Reimbursement payment method. Under the reimbursement payment method— (1) An institution must first make disbursements to students and parents for the amount of funds those students and parents are eligible to receive under the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, Direct Loan, and campus-based programs before the institution may seek reimbursement from the Secretary for those disbursements. The Secretary considers an institution to have made a disbursement if the institution has either credited a student's account or paid a student or parent directly with its own funds; (2) An institution seeks reimbursement by submitting to the Secretary a request for funds that does not exceed the amount of the actual disbursements the institution has made to students and parents included in that request; (3) As part of the institution's reimbursement request, the Secretary requires the institution to— (i) Identify the students for whom reimbursement is sought; and (ii) Submit to the Secretary or entity approved by the Secretary documentation that shows that each student and parent included in the request was eligible to receive and has received the title IV, HEA program funds for which reimbursement is sought; and (4) The Secretary approves the amount of the institution's reimbursement request for a student or parent and pays the institution that amount, if the Secretary determines with regard to that student or parent that the institution— (i) Accurately determined the student's eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds; (ii) Accurately determined the amount of title IV, HEA program funds paid to the student or parent; and (iii) Submitted the documentation required under paragraph (d)(3) of this section. (e) Cash monitoring payment method. Under the cash monitoring payment method, the Secretary provides title IV, HEA program funds to an institution under the provisions described in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section. Under either paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section, an institution must first make disbursements to students and parents for the amount of title IV, HEA program funds that those students and parents are eligible to receive, before the institution— (1) Submits a request for funds under the provisions of the advance payment ethod described in paragraph (b) of this section, except that the institution's request may not exceed the amount of the actual disbursements the institution made to the students and parents included in that request; or (2) Seeks reimbursement for those disbursements under the provisions of the reimbursement payment method described in paragraph (d) of this section, except that the Secretary may modify the documentation requirements and review procedures used to approve the reimbursement request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 62876, Nov. 25, 1997; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] (a)(1) Bank or investment account. An institution must maintain title IV, HEA program funds in a bank or investment account that is Federally insured or secured by collateral of value reasonably equivalent to the amount of those funds. (2) For each bank or investment account that includes title IV, HEA program funds, an institution must clearly identify that title IV, HEA program funds are maintained in that account by— (i) Including in the name of each account the phrase “Federal Funds”; or (ii)(A) Notifying the bank or investment company of the accounts that contain title IV, HEA program funds and retaining a record of that notice; and (B) Except for a public institution, filing with the appropriate State or municipal government entity a UCC–1 statement disclosing that the account contains Federal funds and maintaining a copy of that statement. (b) Separate bank account. The Secretary may require an institution to maintain title IV, HEA program funds in a separate bank or investment account that contains no other funds if the Secretary determines that the institution failed to comply with— (1) The requirements in this subpart; (2) The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in subpart B of this part; or (3) Applicable program regulations. (c) Interest-bearing or investment account. (1) An institution must maintain the Fund described in §674.8(a) of the Federal Perkins Loan Program regulations in an interest-bearing bank account or investment account consisting predominately of low-risk, income-producing securities, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States. Interest or income earned on Fund proceeds are retained by the institution as part of the Fund. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, an institution must maintain Direct Loan, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program funds in an interest-bearing bank account or an investment account as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (3) An institution does not have to maintain Direct Loan, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program funds in an interest-bearing bank account or an investment account for an award year if— (i) The institution drew down less than a total of $3 million of those funds in the prior award year and anticipates that it will not draw down more than that amount in the current award year; (ii) The institution demonstrates by its cash management practices that it will not earn over $250 on those funds during the award year; or (iii) The institution requests those funds from the Secretary under the just-in-time payment method. (4) If an institution maintains Direct Loan, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, and FWS program funds in an interest-bearing or investment account, the institution may keep the initial $250 it earns on those funds during an award year. By June 30 of that award year, the institution must remit to the Secretary any earnings over $250. (d) Accounting and internal control systems and financial records. (1) An institution must maintain accounting and internal control systems that— (i) Identify the cash balance of the funds of each title IV, HEA program that are included in the institution's bank or investment account as readily as if those program funds were maintained in a separate account; and (ii) Identify the earnings on title IV, HEA program funds maintained in the institution's bank or investment account. (2) An institution must maintain its financial records in accordance with the provisions under §668.24. (e) Standard of conduct. An institution must exercise the level of care and diligence required of a fiduciary with regard to maintaining and investing title IV, HEA program funds. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) Disbursement. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an institution makes a disbursement of title IV, HEA program funds on the date that the institution credits a student's account at the institution or pays a student or parent directly with— (i) Funds received from the Secretary; (ii) Funds received from a lender under the FFEL Programs; or (iii) Institutional funds used in advance of receiving title IV, HEA program funds. (2) If, earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes of a payment period, or for a student subject to the requirements of §682.604(c)(5) or §685.303(b)(4) earlier than 30 days after the first day of the payment period, an institution credits a student's institutional account with institutional funds in advance of receiving title IV, HEA program funds, the Secretary considers that the institution makes that disbursement on the 10th day before the first day of classes, or the 30th day after the beginning of the payment period for a student subject to the requirements of §682.604(c)(5) or §685.303(b)(4). (b) Disbursements by payment period. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an institution must disburse title IV, HEA program funds on a payment period basis. Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, an institution may disburse title IV, HEA program funds to a student or parent for a payment period only if the student is enrolled for classes for that payment period and is eligible to receive those funds. (2) The provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section do not apply to the disbursement of FWS Program funds. (3) For a student enrolled in an eligible program at an institution that measures academic progress in clock hours, in determining whether the student completes the clock hours in a payment period, an institution may include clock hours for which the student has an excused absence if— (i) The institution has a written policy that permits excused absences; and (ii) The number of excused absences under the written policy for purposes of this paragraph does not exceed the lesser of— (A) The policy on excused absences of the institution's accrediting agency or, if the institution has more than one accrediting agency, the agency designated under 34 CFR part 600.11(b); (B) The policy on excused absences of any State agency that licenses the institution or otherwise legally authorizes the institution to operate in the State; or (C) Ten percent of the clock hours in the payment period. (4) For purposes of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, an “excused absence” is an absence that a student does not have to make up. (c) Direct payments. An institution pays a student or parent directly by— (1) Releasing to the student or parent a check provided by a lender to the institution under an FFEL Program; (2) Issuing a check or other instrument payable to and requiring the endorsement or certification of the student or parent. An institution issues a check by— (i) Releasing or mailing the check to a student or parent; or (ii) Notifying the student or parent that the check is available for immediate pickup; (3) Initiating an electronic funds transfer (EFT) to a bank account designated by the student or parent; or (4) Dispensing cash for which an institution obtains a signed receipt from the student or parent. (d) Crediting a student's account at the institution. (1) Without obtaining the student's or parent's authorization under §668.165, an institution may use title IV, HEA program funds to credit a student's account at the institution to satisfy current charges for— (i) Tuition and fees; (ii) Board, if the student contracts with the institution for board; and (iii) Room, if the student contracts with the institution for room. (2) After obtaining the appropriate authorization from a student or parent under §668.165, the institution may use title IV, HEA program funds to credit a student's account at the institution to satisfy— (i) Current charges that are in addition to the charges described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section that were incurred by the student at the institution for educationally related activities; and (ii) Minor prior award year charges if these charges are less than $100 or if the payment of these charges does not, and will not, prevent the student from paying his or her current educational costs. (3) If an institution disburses Direct Loan Program funds by crediting a student's account at the institution, the institution must first credit the student's account with those funds to pay for outstanding current and authorized charges. (4) For purposes of this paragraph, current charges refers to charges assessed the student by the institution for— (i) The current award year; or (ii) The loan period for which an institution certified or originated a loan under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs. (e) Credit balances. Whenever an institution disburses title IV, HEA program funds by crediting a student's account and the total amount of all title IV, HEA program funds credited exceeds the amount of tuition and fees, room and board, and other authorized charges the institution assessed the student, the institution must pay the resulting credit balance directly to the student or parent as soon as possible but— (1) No later than 14 days after the balance occurred if the credit balance occurred after the first day of class of a payment period; or (2) No later than 14 days after the first day of class of a payment period if the credit balance occurred on or before the first day of class of that payment period. (f) Early disbursements. Except as provided under paragraph (f)(3) of this section— (1) If a student is enrolled in a credit-hour educational program that is offered in semester, trimester, or quarter academic terms, the earliest an institution may disburse title IV, HEA program funds to a student or parent for any payment period is 10 days before the first day of classes for a payment period. (2) If a student is enrolled in a credit-hour educational program that is not offered in semester, trimester, or quarter academic terms, or in a clock hour educational program the earliest an institution may disburse title IV, HEA program funds to a student or parent for any payment period is the later of— (i) Ten days before the first day of classes of the payment period; or (ii) The date the student completed the previous payment period for which he or she received title IV, HEA program funds, except that this provision does not apply to the payment of Direct Loan or FFEL program funds under the conditions described in 34 CFR 685.301 (b)(3)(ii), (b)(5), and (b)(6) and 34 CFR 682.604 (c)(6)(ii), (c)(7), and (c)(8), respectively. (3) The earliest an institution may disburse the initial installment of a loan under the Direct Loan or FFEL programs to a first-year, first-time borrower as described in 34 CFR 682.604(c) and 34 CFR 685.303(b)(4) is 30 days after the first day of the student's program of study. (g) Late disbursements—(1) Ineligible student. For purposes of this paragraph, an otherwise eligible student becomes ineligible to receive title IV, HEA program funds on the date that— (i) For a loan under the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, the student is no longer enrolled at the institution as at least a half-time student for the period of enrollment for which the loan was intended; or (ii) For an award under the Federal Pell Grant, ACG, National SMART Grant, FSEOG, and Federal Perkins Loan programs, the student is no longer enrolled at the institution for the award year. (2) Conditions for a late disbursement. Except as limited under paragraph (g)(4) of this section, a student who becomes ineligible (or the student's parent in the case of a PLUS loan) qualifies for a late disbursement if, before the date the student became ineligible— (i) Except in the case of a PLUS loan, the Secretary processed a SAR or ISIR with an official expected family contribution; and (ii) (A) For a loan under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs, the institution certified or originated the loan; or (B) For an award under the Federal Perkins Loan or FSEOG programs, the institution made that award to the student. (3) Making a late disbursement. Provided that the conditions described in paragraph (g)(2) of this section are satisfied— (i) If the student withdrew from the institution during a payment period or period of enrollment, the institution must make any post-withdrawal disbursement required under §668.22(a)(3) in accordance with the provisions of §668.22(a)(4); (ii) If the student successfully completed the payment period or period of enrollment, the institution must provide the student (or parent) the opportunity to receive the amount of title IV, HEA program funds that the student (or parent) was eligible to receive while the student was enrolled at the institution. For a late disbursement in this circumstance, the institution may credit the student's account to pay for current and allowable charges as described in paragraph (d) of this section, but must pay or offer any remaining amount to the student or parent; or (iii) If the student did not withdraw but ceased to be enrolled as at least a half-time student, the institution may make the late disbursement of a loan under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs to pay for educational costs that the institution determines the student incurred for the period in which the student was eligible. (4) Limitations. (i) Generally, an institution may not make a late disbursement later than 120 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew, as provided under §668.22, or, for a student who did not withdraw, 120 days after the date the student otherwise became ineligible. On an exception basis, and with the approval of the Secretary, an institution may make a late disbursement after the applicable 120-day period, if the reason the late disbursement was not made within the 120-day period was not the fault of the student. (ii) An institution may not make a second or subsequent late disbursement of a loan under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs unless the student successfully completed the period of enrollment for which the loan was intended. (iii) An institution may not make a late disbursement of a loan under the FFEL or Direct Loan programs if the student was a first-year, first-time borrower unless the student completed the first 30 days of his or her program of study. This limitation does not apply if the institution is exempt from the 30-day delayed disbursement requirements under §682.604(c)(5)(i), (ii), or (iii) or §685.303(b)(4)(i)(A), (B), or (C) of this chapter. (iv) An institution may not make a late disbursement of a Federal Pell Grant, an ACG, or a National SMART Grant unless it received a valid SAR or a valid ISIR for the student by the deadline date established by the Secretary in a notice published in the (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999; 67 FR 67073, Nov. 1, 2003; 71 FR 38003, July 3, 2006] (a) Notices. (1) Before an institution disburses title IV, HEA program funds for any award year, the institution must notify a student of the amount of funds that the student or his or her parent can expect to receive under each title IV, HEA program, and how and when those funds will be disbursed. If those funds include Direct Loan or FFEL Program funds, the notice must indicate which funds are from subsidized loans and which are from unsubsidized loans. (2) If an institution credits a student's account at the institution with Direct Loan, FFEL, or Federal Perkins Loan Program funds, the institution must notify the student, or parent of— (i) The date and amount of the disbursement; (ii) The student's right, or parent's right to cancel all or a portion of that loan or loan disbursement and have the loan proceeds returned to the holder of that loan. However, the institution does not have to provide this information with regard to FFEL Program funds unless the institution received the loan funds from a lender through an EFT payment or master check; and (iii) The procedures and the time by which the student or parent must notify the institution that he or she wishes to cancel the loan or loan disbursement. (3) The institution must send the notice described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section in writing no earlier than 30 days before, and no later than 30 days after, crediting the student's account at the institution. (4)(i) A student or parent must inform the institution if he or she wishes to cancel all or a portion of a loan or loan disbursement. (ii) The institution must return the loan proceeds, cancel the loan, or do both, in accordance with applicable program regulations if the institution receives a loan cancellation request either— (A) Within 14 days after the date the institution sends the notice described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section; or (B) If the institution sends the notice described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section more than 14 days prior to the first day of the payment period, by the first day of the payment period. (iii) If a student or parent requests a loan cancellation after the period set forth in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section, the institution may return the loan proceeds, cancel the loan, or do both, in accordance with applicable program regulations. (5) An institution must inform a student or parent in writing or electronically regarding the outcome of any cancellation request. (b) Student or parent authorizations. (1) If an institution obtains written authorization from a student or parent, as applicable, the institution may— (i) Disburse title IV, HEA program funds to a bank account designated by the student or parent; (ii) Use the student's or parent's title IV, HEA program funds to pay for charges described in §668.164(d)(2) that are included in that authorization; and (iii) Except if prohibited by the Secretary under the reimbursement method, hold on behalf of the student or parent any title IV, HEA program funds that would otherwise be paid directly to the student or parent under §668.164(e). (2) In obtaining the student's or parent's authorization to perform an activity described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, an institution— (i) May not require or coerce the student or parent to provide that authorization; (ii) Must allow the student or parent to cancel or modify that authorization at any time; and (iii) Must clearly explain how it will carry out that activity. (3) A student or parent may authorize an institution to carry out the activities described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for the period during which the student is enrolled at the institution. (4)(i) If a student or parent modifies an authorization, the modification takes effect on the date the institution receives the modification notice. (ii) If a student or parent cancels an authorization to use title IV, HEA program funds to pay for authorized charges under §668.164(d)(2), the institution may use title IV, HEA program funds to pay only those authorized charges incurred by the student before the institution received the notice. (iii) If a student or parent cancels an authorization to hold title IV, HEA program funds under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, the institution must pay those funds directly to the student or parent as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the institution receives that notice. (5) If an institution holds excess student funds under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, the institution must— (i) Identify the amount of funds the institution holds for each student or parent in a subsidiary ledger account designed for that purpose; (ii) Maintain, at all times, cash in its bank account in an amount at least equal to the amount of funds the institution holds for the student; and (iii) Notwithstanding any authorization obtained by the institution under this paragraph, pay any remaining balance on loan funds by the end of the loan period and any remaining other title IV, HEA program funds by the end of the last payment period in the award year for which they were awarded. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997; 65 FR 65675, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 67074, Nov. 1, 2003] (a) General. (1) The Secretary considers excess cash to be any amount of title IV, HEA program funds, other than Federal Perkins Loan Program funds, that an institution does not disburse to students or parents by the end of the third business day following the date the institution received those funds from the Secretary. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an institution must return promptly to the Secretary any amount of excess cash in its account or accounts. (2) The provisions in this section do not apply to the title IV, HEA program funds that an institution receives from the Secretary under the just-in-time payment method. (b) Excess cash tolerances. (1) If an institution draws down title IV, HEA program funds in excess of its immediate cash needs, the institution may maintain the excess cash balance in the account the institution established under §668.164 only if— (i) In the award year preceding that drawdown, the amount of that excess cash balance is less than— (A) For a period of peak enrollment at the institution during which that drawdown occurs, three percent of its total prior-year drawdowns; or (B) For any other period, one percent of its total prior-year drawdowns; and (ii) Within the next seven days, the institution eliminates its excess cash balance by disbursing title IV, HEA program funds to students or parents for at least the amount of that balance. (2) For the purposes of this section, a period of peak enrollment at an institution occurs when at least 25 percent of the institution's students start classes during a given 30-day period. For any award year, an institution calculates the percentage of students who started classes during a given 30-day period by— (i) For the prior award year in which the 30-day period began, determining the number of students who started classes during that period; (ii) Determining the total number of students who started classes during the entire award year used in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; (iii) Dividing the number of students in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section by the number of students in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section; and (iv) Multiplying the result obtained in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section by 100. (3) For the purpose of determining the total amount of title IV, HEA program funds under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, an institution that participates in the Direct Loan Program may include, for the latest year for which the Secretary has complete data, the total amount of loans guaranteed under the FFEL Program for students attending the institution during that year. (c) Consequences for maintaining excess cash balances. (1) If the Secretary finds that an institution maintains in its account excess cash balances greater than those allowed under paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary— (i) As provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, requires the institution to reimburse the Secretary for the costs the Secretary deems to have incurred in making those excess funds available to the institution; and (ii) May initiate a proceeding to fine, limit, suspend, or terminate the institution's participation in one or more title IV, HEA programs under subpart G of this part. (2) For the purposes of this section, upon a finding that an institution has maintained excess cash, the Secretary— (i) Considers the institution to have issued a check on the date that the check cleared the institution's bank account, unless the institution demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it issued the check shortly after the institution wrote the check; and (ii) Calculates, or requires the institution to calculate, a liability for maintaining excess cash balances in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary. Under those procedures, the Secretary assesses a liability that is equal to the difference between the earnings that the excess cash balances would have yielded if invested under the applicable current value of funds rate and the actual interest earned on those balances. The current value of funds rate is an annual percentage rate, published in a Treasury Financial Manual (TFM) bulletin, that reflects the current value of funds to the Department of Treasury based on certain investment rates. The current value of funds rate is computed each year by averaging investment rates for the 12-month period ending every September. The TFM bulletin is published annually by the Department of Treasury. Each annual bulletin identifies the current value of funds rate and the effective date of that rate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998] (a) Requesting FFEL Program funds. In certifying a loan application for a borrower under §682.603— (1) An institution may not request a lender to provide it with loan funds by EFT or master check earlier than— (i) Twenty-seven days after the first day of classes of the first payment period for a first-year, first-time Federal Stafford Loan Program borrower as defined in §682.604(c)(5); or (ii) Thirteen days before the first day of classes for any subsequent payment period for a first-year, first-time Federal Stafford Loan Program borrower or for any payment period for all other Federal Stafford Loan Program borrowers; and (2) An institution may not request a lender to provide it with loan funds by check requiring the endorsement of the borrower earlier than— (i) The first day of classes of the first payment period for a first-year, first-time Federal Stafford Loan Program borrower as defined in §682.604(c)(5); or (ii) Thirty days before the first day of classes for any subsequent payment period for a first-year, first-time Federal Stafford Loan Program borrower or for any payment period for all other Federal Stafford borrowers; and (3)(i) An institution may not request a lender to provide it with loan funds by EFT or master check for any Federal PLUS Program loan earlier than 13 days before the first day of classes for any payment period. (ii) An institution may not request a lender to provide with loan funds by check requiring the endorsement of the borrower for any Federal PLUS Program loan earlier than 30 days before the first day of classes for any payment period. (b) Returning funds to a lender. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, an institution must return FFEL Program funds to a lender if the institution does not disburse those funds to a student or parent for a payment period within— (i) Ten business days following the date the institution receives the funds if the lender provides those funds to the institution by EFT or master check on or after July 1, 1997 but before July 1, 1999; (ii) Three business days following the date the institution receives the funds if the lender provides those funds to the institution by EFT and master check on or after July 1, 1999; or (iii) Thirty days after the institution receives the funds if a lender provides those funds by a check payable to the borrower or copayable to the borrower and the institution. (2) If the institution does not disburse the loan funds as specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (c) of this section, the institution must return those funds to the lender promptly but no later than 10 business days after the date the institution is required to disburse the funds. (3) If an institution must return loan funds to the lender under paragraph (b)(2) of this section and the institution determines that the student is eligible to receive the loan funds, the school may disburse the funds to the student or parent rather than return them to the lender provided the funds are disbursed prior to the end of the applicable timeframe under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (c) Delay in returning funds to a lender. An institution may delay returning FFEL program funds to a lender for— (1) Ten business days after the date set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section if— (i)(A) The institution does not disburse FFEL Program funds to a borrower because the student did not complete the required number of clock or credit hours in a preceding payment period; and (B) The institution expects the student to complete required hours within this 10-day period; or (ii)(A) The student has not met all the FFEL Programs eligibility requirements; and (B) The institution expects the student to meet those requirements within this 10-day period; or (2) Thirty days after the date set forth in paragraph (b) of this section for funds a lender provides by EFT or master check if the Secretary places the institution on the reimbursement payment method under paragraph (d) or (e) of this section. (d) An institution placed under the reimbursement payment method. (1) If the Secretary places an institution under the reimbursement payment method for the Federal Pell Grant, Direct Loan or campus-based programs, the institution— (i) May not disburse FFEL Program funds to a borrower until the Secretary approves a request from the institution to make that disbursement for that borrower; and (ii) If prohibited by the Secretary, may not certify a borrower's loan application until the Secretary approves a request from the institution to make that certification for that borrower. (2) In order for the Secretary to approve a disbursement or certification request from the institution, the institution must submit documentation to the Secretary or entity approved by the Secretary that shows that each borrower included in that request whose loan has not been disbursed or certified is eligible to receive that disbursement or certification. (3) Pending the Secretary's approval of a disbursement or certification request, the Secretary may— (i) Prohibit the institution from endorsing a master check or obtaining a borrower's endorsement of any loan check the institution receives from a lender; (ii) Require the institution to maintain loan funds that it receives from a lender via EFT in a separate bank account that meets the requirements under §668.163; and (iii) Prohibit the institution from certifying a borrower's loan application. (e) An institution participating solely in the FFEL Programs. If the FFEL Programs are the only title IV, HEA programs in which an institution participates and the Secretary determines that there is a need to monitor strictly the institution's participation in those programs, the Secretary may subject the institution to the conditions and limitations contained in paragraph (d) of this section. (f) An institution placed under the cash monitoring payment method. The Secretary may require an institution that is placed under the cash monitoring described under paragraph §668.162(e), to comply with the disbursement and certification provisions under paragraph (d) of this section, except that the Secretary may modify the documentation requirements and review procedures used to approve the institution's disbursement or certification request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094) [61 FR 60603, Nov. 29, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27128, May 16, 1997; 62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997; 63 FR 40626, July 29, 1998; 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] Source: 62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Purpose. To begin and to continue to participate in any title IV, HEA program, an institution must demonstrate to the Secretary that it is financially responsible under the standards established in this subpart. As provided under section 498(c)(1) of the HEA, the Secretary determines whether an institution is financially responsible based on the institution's ability to— (1) Provide the services described in its official publications and statements; (2) Administer properly the title IV, HEA programs in which it participates; and (3) Meet all of its financial obligations. (b) General standards of financial responsibility. Except as provided under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the Secretary considers an institution to be financially responsible if the Secretary determines that— (1) The institution's Equity, Primary Reserve, and Net Income ratios yield a composite score of at least 1.5, as provided under §668.172 and appendices A and B to this subpart; (2) The institution has sufficient cash reserves to make required returns of unearned title IV HEA program funds, as provided under §668.173; (3) The institution is current in its debt payments. An institution is not current in its debt payments if— (i) It is in violation of any existing loan agreement at its fiscal year end, as disclosed in a note to its audited financial statements or audit opinion; or (ii) It fails to make a payment in accordance with existing debt obligations for more than 120 days, and at least one creditor has filed suit to recover funds under those obligations; and (4) The institution is meeting all of its financial obligations, including but not limited to— (i) Refunds that it is required to make under its refund policy, including the return of title IV, HEA program funds for which it is responsible under §668.22; and (ii) Repayments to the Secretary for debts and liabilities arising from the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs. (c) Public institutions. The Secretary considers a public institution to be financially responsible if the institution— (1)(i) Notifies the Secretary that it is designated as a public institution by the State, local or municipal government entity, tribal authority, or other government entity that has the legal authority to make that designation; and (ii) Provides a letter from an official of that State or other government entity confirming that the institution is a public institution; and (2) Is not in violation of any past performance requirement under §668.174. (d) Audit opinions and past performance provisions. Even if an institution satisfies all of the general standards of financial responsibility under paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary does not consider the institution to be financially responsible if— (1) In the institution's audited financial statements, the opinion expressed by the auditor was an adverse, qualified, or disclaimed opinion, or the auditor expressed doubt about the continued existence of the institution as a going concern, unless the Secretary determines that a qualified or disclaimed opinion does not have a significant bearing on the institution's financial condition; or (2) As provided under the past performance provisions in §668.174 (a) and (b)(1), the institution violated a title IV, HEA program requirement, or the persons or entities affiliated with the institution owe a liability for a violation of a title IV, HEA program requirement. (e) Administrative actions. If the Secretary determines that an institution is not financially responsible under the standards and provisions of this section or under an alternative standard in §668.175, or the institution does not submit its financial and compliance audits by the date permitted and in the manner required under §668.23, the Secretary may— (1) Initiate an action under subpart G of this part to fine the institution, or limit, suspend, or terminate the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs; or (2) For an institution that is provisionally certified, take an action against the institution under the procedures established in §668.13(d). (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40348, July 28, 1998; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000; 67 FR 67074, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) Appendices A and B, ratio methodology. As provided under appendices A and B to this subpart, the Secretary determines an institution's composite score by— (1) Calculating the result of its Primary Reserve, Equity, and Net Income ratios, as described under paragraph (b) of this section; (2) Calculating the strength factor score for each of those ratios by using the corresponding algorithm; (3) Calculating the weighted score for each ratio by multiplying the strength factor score by its corresponding weighting percentage; (4) Summing the resulting weighted scores to arrive at the composite score; and (5) Rounding the composite score to one digit after the decimal point. (b) Ratios. The Primary Reserve, Equity, and Net Income ratios are defined under appendix A for proprietary institutions, and under appendix B for private non-profit institutions. (1) The ratios for proprietary institutions are: For proprietary institutions: (2) The ratios for private non-profit institutions are: (c) Excluded items. In calculating an institution's ratios, the Secretary— (1) Generally excludes extraordinary gains or losses, income or losses from discontinued operations, prior period adjustments, the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, and the effect of changes in accounting estimates; (2) May include or exclude the effects of questionable accounting treatments, such as excessive capitalization of marketing costs; (3) Excludes all unsecured or uncollateralized related-party receivables; (4) Excludes all intangible assets defined as intangible in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and (5) Excludes from the ratio calculations Federal funds provided to an institution by the Secretary under program authorized by the HEA only if— (i) In the notes to the institution's audited financial statement, or as a separate attestation, the auditor discloses by name and CFDA number, the amount of HEA program funds reported as expenses in the Statement of Activities for the fiscal year covered by that audit or attestation; and (ii) The institution's composite score, as determined by the Secretary, is less than 1.5 before the reported expenses arising from those HEA funds are excluded from the ratio calculations. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40348, July 28, 1998; 65 FR 65637, Nov. 1, 2000]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45696, Aug. 9, 2006. (a) General. The Secretary considers that an institution has sufficient cash reserves, as required under §668.171(b)(2), if the institution— (1) Satisfies the requirements for a public institution under §668.171(c)(1); (2) Is located in a State that has a tuition recovery fund approved by the Secretary and the institution contributes to that fund; or (3) Returns, in a timely manner as described in paragraph (b) of this section, unearned title IV, HEA program funds that it is responsible for returning under the provisions of §668.22 for a student that withdrew from the institution. (b) Timely return of title IV, HEA program funds. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender, an institution returns unearned title IV, HEA funds timely if— (1) The institution deposits or transfers the funds into the bank account it maintains under §668.163 no later than 30 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (2) The institution initiates an electronic funds transfer (EFT) no later than 30 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (3) The institution initiates an electronic transaction, no later than 30 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew, that informs an FFEL lender to adjust the borrower's loan account for the amount returned; or (4) The institution issues a check no later than 30 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew. However, the Secretary considers that the institution did not satisfy this requirement if— (i) The institution's records show that the check was issued more than 30 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew; or (ii) The date on the cancelled check shows that the bank used by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender endorsed that check more than 45 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew. (c) Compliance thresholds. (1) An institution does not comply with the reserve standard under §668.173(a)(3) if, in a compliance audit conducted under §668.23, an audit conducted by the Office of the Inspector General, or a program review conducted by the Department or guaranty agency, the auditor or reviewer finds— (i) In the sample of student records audited or reviewed that the institution did not return unearned title IV, HEA program funds within the timeframes described in paragraph (b) of this section for 5% or more of the students in the sample. (For purposes of determining this percentage, the sample includes only students for whom the institution was required to return unearned funds during its most recently completed fiscal year.); or (ii) A material weakness or reportable condition in the institution's report on internal controls relating to the return of unearned title IV, HEA program funds. (2) The Secretary does not consider an institution to be out of compliance with the reserve standard under §668.173(a)(3) if the institution is cited in any audit or review report because it did not return unearned funds in a timely manner for one or two students, or for less than 5% of the students in the sample referred to in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. (d) Letter of credit. (1) Except as provided under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, an institution that can satisfy the reserve standard only under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, must submit an irrevocable letter of credit acceptable and payable to the Secretary if a finding in an audit or review shows that the institution exceeded the compliance thresholds in paragraph (c) of this section for either of its two most recently completed fiscal years. (2) The amount of the letter of credit required under paragraph (d)(1) of this section is 25 percent of the total amount of unearned title IV, HEA program funds that the institution was required to return under §668.22 during the institution's most recently completed fiscal year. (3) An institution that is subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this section must submit to the Secretary a letter of credit no later than 30 days after the earlier of the date that— (i) The institution is required to submit its compliance audit; (ii) The Office of the Inspector General issues a final audit report; (iii) The designated department official issues a final program review determination; (iv) The Department issues a preliminary program review report or draft audit report, or a guaranty agency issues a preliminary report showing that the institution did not return unearned funds for more than 10% of the sampled students; or (v) The Secretary sends a written notice to the institution requesting the letter of credit that explains why the institution has failed to return unearned funds in a timely manner. (e) Exceptions. With regard to the letter of credit described in paragraph (d) of this section— (1) An institution does not have to submit the letter of credit if the amount calculated under paragraph (d)(2) of this section is less than $5,000 and the institution can demonstrate that it has cash reserves of at least $5,000 available at all times. (2) An institution may delay submitting the letter of credit and request the Secretary to reconsider a finding made in its most recent audit or review report that it failed to return unearned title IV, HEA program funds in a timely manner if— (i)(A) The institution submits documents showing that the unearned title IV, HEA program funds were not returned in a timely manner solely because of exceptional circumstances beyond the institution's control and that the institution would not have exceeded the compliance thresholds under paragraph (c)(1) of this section had it not been for these exceptional circumstances; or (B) The institution submits documents showing that it did not fail to make timely refunds as provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section; and (ii) The institution's request, along with the documents described in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, is submitted to the Secretary no later than the date it would otherwise be required to submit a letter of credit under paragraph (d)(3). (3) If the Secretary denies the institution's request under paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the Secretary notifies the institution of the date it must submit the letter of credit. (f) State tuition recovery funds. In determining whether to approve a State's tuition recovery fund, the Secretary considers the extent to which that fund— (1) Provides refunds to both in-State and out-of-State students; (2) Allocates all refunds in accordance with the order required under §668.22; and (3) Provides a reliable mechanism for the State to replenish the fund should any claims arise that deplete the fund's assets. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40348, July 28, 1998; 64 FR 59042, Nov. 1, 1999; 67 FR 67074, Nov. 1, 2003] (a) Past performance of an institution. An institution is not financially responsible if the institution— (1) Has been limited, suspended, terminated, or entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a limitation, suspension, or termination action initiated by the Secretary or a guaranty agency, as defined in 34 CFR part 682, within the preceding five years; (2) In either of its two most recent compliance audits had an audit finding, or in a report issued by the Secretary had a program review finding for its current fiscal year or either of its preceding two fiscal years, that resulted in the institution's being required to repay an amount greater than 5 percent of the funds that the institution received under the title IV, HEA programs during the year covered by that audit or program review; (3) Has been cited during the preceding five years for failure to submit in a timely fashion acceptable compliance and financial statement audits required under this part, or acceptable audit reports required under the individual title IV, HEA program regulations; or (4) Has failed to resolve satisfactorily any compliance problems identified in audit or program review reports based upon a final decision of the Secretary issued pursuant to subpart G or H of this part. (b) Past performance of persons affiliated with an institution. (1)(i) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an institution is not financially responsible if a person who exercises substantial control over the institution, as described under 34 CFR 600.30, or any member or members of that person's family, alone or together— (A) Exercises or exercised substantial control over another institution or a third-party servicer that owes a liability for a violation of a title IV, HEA program requirement; or (B) Owes a liability for a violation of a title IV, HEA program requirement; and (ii) That person, family member, institution, or servicer does not demonstrate that the liability is being repaid in accordance with an agreement with the Secretary. (2) The Secretary may determine that an institution is financially responsible, even if the institution is not otherwise financially responsible under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, if— (i) The institution notifies the Secretary, within the time permitted and in the manner provided under 34 CFR 600.30, that the person referenced in paragraph (b)(1) of this section exercises substantial control over the institution; and (ii) The person referenced in paragraph (b)(1) of this section repaid to the Secretary a portion of the applicable liability, and the portion repaid equals or exceeds the greater of— (A) The total percentage of the ownership interest held in the institution or third-party servicer that owes the liability by that person or any member or members of that person's family, either alone or in combination with one another; (B) The total percentage of the ownership interest held in the institution or servicer that owes the liability that the person or any member or members of the person's family, either alone or in combination with one another, represents or represented under a voting trust, power of attorney, proxy, or similar agreement; or (C) Twenty-five percent, if the person or any member of the person's family is or was a member of the board of directors, chief executive officer, or other executive officer of the institution or servicer that owes the liability, or of an entity holding at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution that owes the liability; or (iii) The applicable liability described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is currently being repaid in accordance with a written agreement with the Secretary; or (iv) The institution demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary why— (A) The person who exercises substantial control over the institution should nevertheless be considered to lack that control; or (B) The person who exercises substantial control over the institution and each member of that person's family nevertheless does not or did not exercise substantial control over the institution or servicer that owes the liability. (c) Ownership interest. (1) An ownership interest is a share of the legal or beneficial ownership or control of, or a right to share in the proceeds of the operation of, an institution, an institution's parent corporation, a third-party servicer, or a third-party servicer's parent corporation. The term “ownership interest” includes, but is not limited to— (i) An interest as tenant in common, joint tenant, or tenant by the entireties; (ii) A partnership; and (iii) An interest in a trust. (2) The term “ownership interest” does not include any share of the ownership or control of, or any right to share in the proceeds of the operation of a profit-sharing plan, provided that all employees are covered by the plan. (3) The Secretary generally considers a person to exercise substantial control over an institution or third-party servicer if the person— (i) Directly or indirectly holds at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer; (ii) Holds, together with other members of his or her family, at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer; (iii) Represents, either alone or together with other persons under a voting trust, power of attorney, proxy, or similar agreement, one or more persons who hold, either individually or in combination with the other persons represented or the person representing them, at least a 25 percent ownership in the institution or servicer; or (iv) Is a member of the board of directors, a general partner, the chief executive officer, or other executive officer of— (A) The institution or servicer; or (B) An entity that holds at least a 25 percent ownership interest in the institution or servicer. (4) “Family member” is defined in §600.21(f) of this chapter. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40348, 40349, July 28, 1998; 67 FR 67075, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) General. An institution that is not financially responsible under the general standards and provisions in §668.171, may begin or continue to participate in the title IV, HEA programs by qualifying under an alternate standard set forth in this section. (b) Letter of credit alternative for new institutions. A new institution that is not financially responsible solely because the Secretary determines that its composite score is less than 1.5, qualifies as a financially responsible institution by submitting an irrevocable letter of credit, that is acceptable and payable to the Secretary, for an amount equal to at least one-half of the amount of title IV, HEA program funds that the Secretary determines the institution will receive during its initial year of participation. A new institution is an institution that seeks to participate for the first time in the title IV, HEA programs. (c) Letter of credit alternative for participating institutions. A participating institution that is not financially responsible either because it does not satisfy one or more of the standards of financial responsibility under §668.171(b), or because of an audit opinion described under §668.171(d), qualifies as a financially responsible institution by submitting an irrevocable letter of credit, that is acceptable and payable to the Secretary, for an amount determined by the Secretary that is not less than one-half of the title IV, HEA program funds received by the institution during its most recently completed fiscal year. (d) Zone alternative. (1) A participating institution that is not financially responsible solely because the Secretary determines that its composite score is less than 1.5 may participate in the title IV, HEA programs as a financially responsible institution for no more than three consecutive years, beginning with the year in which the Secretary determines that the institution qualifies under this alternative. (i)(A) An institution qualifies initially under this alternative if, based on the institution's audited financial statement for its most recently completed fiscal year, the Secretary determines that its composite score is in the range from 1.0 to 1.4; and (B) An institution continues to qualify under this alternative if, based on the institution's audited financial statement for each of its subsequent two fiscal years, the Secretary determines that the institution's composite score is in the range from 1.0 to 1.4. (ii) An institution that qualified under this alternative for three consecutive years or for one of those years, may not seek to qualify again under this alternative until the year after the institution achieves a composite score of at least 1.5, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Under this zone alternative, the Secretary— (i) Requires the institution to make disbursements to eligible students and parents under either the cash monitoring or reimbursement payment method described in §668.162; (ii) Requires the institution to provide timely information regarding any of the following oversight and financial events— (A) Any adverse action, including a probation or similar action, taken against the institution by its accrediting agency; (B) Any event that causes the institution, or related entity as defined in the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 57, to realize any liability that was noted as a contingent liability in the institution's or related entity's most recent audited financial statement; (C) Any violation by the institution of any loan agreement; (D) Any failure of the institution to make a payment in accordance with its debt obligations that results in a creditor filing suit to recover funds under those obligations; (E) Any withdrawal of owner's equity from the institution by any means, including by declaring a dividend; or (F) Any extraordinary losses, as defined in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 30. (iii) May require the institution to submit its financial statement and compliance audits earlier than the time specified under §668.23(a)(4); and (iv) May require the institution to provide information about its current operations and future plans. (3) Under the zone alternative, the institution must— (i) For any oversight or financial event described under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section for which the institution is required to provide information, provide that information to the Secretary by certified mail or electronic or facsimile transmission no later than 10 days after that event occurs. An institution that provides this information electronically or by facsimile transmission is responsible for confirming that the Secretary received a complete and legible copy of that transmission; and (ii) As part of its compliance audit, require its auditor to express an opinion on the institution's compliance with the requirements under the zone alternative, including the institution's administration of the payment method under which the institution received and disbursed title IV, HEA program funds. (4) If an institution fails to comply with the requirements under paragraphs (d) (2) or (3) of this section, the Secretary may determine that the institution no longer qualifies under this alternative. (e) Transition year alternative. A participating institution that is not financially responsible solely because the Secretary determines that its composite score is less than 1.5 for the institution's fiscal year that began on or after July 1, 1997 but on or before June 30, 1998, may qualify as a financially responsible institution under the provisions in §668.15(b)(7), (b)(8), (d)(2)(ii), or (d)(3), as applicable. (f) Provisional certification alternative. (1) The Secretary may permit an institution that is not financially responsible to participate in the title IV, HEA programs under a provisional certification for no more than three consecutive years if— (i) The institution is not financially responsible because it does not satisfy the general standards under §668.171(b) or because of an audit opinion described under §668.171(d); or (ii) The institution is not financially responsible because of a condition of past performance, as provided under §668.174(a), and the institution demonstrates to the Secretary that it has satisfied or resolved that condition. (2) Under this alternative, the institution must— (i) Submit to the Secretary an irrevocable letter of credit that is acceptable and payable to the Secretary, for an amount determined by the Secretary that is not less than 10 percent of the title IV, HEA program funds received by the institution during its most recently completed fiscal year, except that this requirement does not apply to a public institution; (ii) Demonstrate that it was current on its debt payments and has met all of its financial obligations, as required under §668.171 (b)(3) and (b)(4), for its two most recent fiscal years; and (iii) Comply with the provisions under the zone alternative, as provided under paragraph (d) (2) and (3) of this section. (3) If at the end of the period for which the Secretary provisionally certified the institution, the institution is still not financially responsible, the Secretary may again permit the institution to participate under a provisional certification, but the Secretary— (i) May require the institution, or one or more persons or entities that exercise substantial control over the institution, as determined under §668.174(b)(1) and (c), or both, to submit to the Secretary financial guarantees for an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to satisfy any potential liabilities that may arise from the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs; and (ii) May require one or more of the persons or entities that exercise substantial control over the institution, as determined under §668.174(b)(1) and (c), to be jointly or severally liable for any liabilities that may arise from the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs. (g) Provisional certification alternative for persons or entities owing liabilities. (1) The Secretary may permit an institution that is not financially responsible because the persons or entities that exercise substantial control over the institution owe a liability for a violation of a title IV, HEA program requirement, to participate in the title IV, HEA programs under a provisional certification only if— (i)(A) The persons or entities that exercise substantial control, as determined under §668.174(b)(1) and (c), repay or enter into an agreement with the Secretary to repay the applicable portion of that liability, as provided under §668.174(b)(2)(ii); or (B) The institution assumes that liability, and repays or enters into an agreement with the Secretary to repay that liability; (ii) The institution satisfies the general standards and provisions of financial responsibility under §668.171(b) and (d)(1), except that institution must demonstrate that it was current on its debt payments and has met all of its financial obligations, as required under §668.171 (b)(3) and (b)(4), for its two most recent fiscal years; and (iii) The institution submits to the Secretary an irrevocable letter of credit that is acceptable and payable to the Secretary, for an amount determined by the Secretary that is not less than 10 percent of the title IV, HEA program funds received by the institution during its most recently completed fiscal year. (2) Under this alternative, the Secretary— (i) Requires the institution to comply with the provisions under the zone alternative, as provided under paragraph (d) (2) and (3) of this section; (ii) May require the institution, or one or more persons or entities that exercise substantial control over the institution, or both, to submit to the Secretary financial guarantees for an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to satisfy any potential liabilities that may arise from the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs; and (iii) May require one or more of the persons or entities that exercise substantial control over the institution to be jointly or severally liable for any liabilities that may arise from the institution's participation in the title IV, HEA programs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 and 1099c and section 4 of Pub. L. 95–452, 92 Stat. 1101–1109) [62 FR 62877, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40348, 40349, July 28, 1998] [62 FR 62882, Nov. 25, 1997. Redesignated at 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000] [62 FR 62885, Nov. 25, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 40349, July 28, 1998. Redesignated at 65 FR 65650, Nov. 1, 2000] Source: 65 FR 65638, Nov. 1, 2000, unless otherwise noted.
Your cohort default rate is a measure we use to determine your eligibility to participate in various Title IV, HEA programs. We may also use it for determining your eligibility for exemptions, such as those for certain disbursement requirements under the FFEL and Direct Loan Programs. This subpart describes how cohort default rates are calculated, some of the consequences of cohort default rates, and how you may request changes to your cohort default rates or appeal their consequences. Under this subpart, you submit a “challenge” after you receive your draft cohort default rate, and you request an “adjustment” or “appeal” after your official cohort default rate is published. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) We use the following definitions in this subpart: (a) Cohort. Your cohort is a group of borrowers used to determine your cohort default rate. The method for identifying the borrowers in a cohort is provided in §668.183(b). (b) Data manager. (1) For FFELP loans held by a guaranty agency or lender, the guaranty agency is the data manager. (2) For FFELP loans that we hold, we are the data manager. (3) For Direct Loan Program loans, the Direct Loan Servicer, as defined in 34 CFR 685.102, is the data manager. (c) Days. In this subpart, “days” means calendar days. (d) Default. A borrower is considered to be in default for cohort default rate purposes under the rules in §668.183(c). (e) Draft cohort default rate. Your draft cohort default rate is a rate we issue, for your review, before we issue your official cohort default rate. A draft cohort default rate is used only for the purposes described in §668.185. (f) Entering repayment. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this section, loans are considered to enter repayment on the dates described in 34 CFR 682.200 (under the definition of “repayment period”) and in 34 CFR 685.207. (2) A Federal SLS loan is considered to enter repayment— (i) At the same time the borrower's Federal Stafford loan enters repayment, if the borrower received the Federal SLS loan and the Federal Stafford loan during the same period of continuous enrollment; or (ii) In all other cases, on the day after the student ceases to be enrolled at an institution on at least a half-time basis in an educational program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. (3) For the purposes of this subpart, a loan is considered to enter repayment on the date that a borrower repays it in full, if the loan is paid in full before the loan enters repayment under paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this section. (g) Fiscal year. A fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on the following September 30. A fiscal year is identified by the calendar year in which it ends. (h) Loan record detail report. The loan record detail report is a report that we produce. It contains the data used to calculate your draft or official cohort default rate. (i) Official cohort default rate. Your official cohort default rate is the cohort default rate that we publish for you under §668.186. Cohort default rates calculated under this subpart are not related in any way to cohort default rates that are calculated for the Federal Perkins Loan Program. (j) We. We are the Department, the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee. (k) You. You are an institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) General. This section describes the four steps that we follow to calculate and apply your cohort default rate for a fiscal year: (1) First, under paragraph (b) of this section, we identify the borrowers in your cohort for the fiscal year. If the total number of borrowers in that cohort is fewer than 30, we also identify the borrowers in your cohorts for the 2 most recent prior fiscal years. (2) Second, under paragraph (c) of this section, we identify the borrowers in the cohort (or cohorts) who are considered to be in default. If more than one cohort will be used to calculate your cohort default rate, we identify defaulted borrowers separately for each cohort. (3) Third, under paragraph (d) of this section, we calculate your cohort default rate. (4) Fourth, we apply your cohort default rate to all of your locations— (i) As you exist on the date you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate; and (ii) From the date on which you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate until you receive our notice that the cohort default rate no longer applies. (b) Identify the borrowers in a cohort. (1) Your cohort for a fiscal year consists of all of your current and former students who, during that fiscal year, entered repayment on any Federal Stafford loan, Federal SLS loan, Direct Subsidized loan, or Direct Unsubsidized loan that they received to attend your institution, or on the portion of a loan made under the Federal Consolidation Loan Program or the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program (as defined in 34 CFR 685.102) that is used to repay those loans. (2) A borrower may be included in more than one of your cohorts and may be included in the cohorts of more than one institution in the same fiscal year. (c) Identify the borrowers in a cohort who are in default. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, for the purposes of this subpart a borrower in a cohort for a fiscal year is considered to be in default if— (i) Before the end of the following fiscal year, the borrower defaults on any FFELP loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort or on any Federal Consolidation Loan Program loan that repaid a loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort (however, a borrower is not considered to be in default unless a claim for insurance has been paid on the loan by a guaranty agency or by us); (ii) Before the end of the following fiscal year, the borrower fails to make an installment payment, when due, on any Direct Loan Program loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort or on any Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Program loan that repaid a loan that was used to include the borrower in the cohort, and the borrower's failure persists for 360 days (or for 270 days, if the borrower's first day of delinquency was before October 7, 1998); or (iii) Before the end of the following fiscal year, you or your owner, agent, contractor, employee, or any other affiliated entity or individual make a payment to prevent a borrower's default on a loan that is used to include the borrower in that cohort. (2) A borrower is not considered to be in default based on a loan that is, before the end of the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which it entered repayment— (i) Rehabilitated under 34 CFR 682.405 or 34 CFR 685.211(e); or (ii) Repurchased by a lender because the claim for insurance was submitted or paid in error. (d) Calculate the cohort default rate. Except as provided in §668.184, if there are— (1) Thirty or more borrowers in your cohort for a fiscal year, your cohort default rate is the percentage that is derived by dividing— (i) The number of borrowers in the cohort who are in default, as determined under paragraph (c) of this section; by (ii) The number of borrowers in the cohort, as determined under paragraph (b) of this section. (2) Fewer than 30 borrowers in your cohort for a fiscal year, your cohort default rate is the percentage that is derived by dividing— (i) The total number of borrowers in that cohort and in the two most recent prior cohorts who are in default, as determined for each cohort under paragraph (c) of this section; by (ii) The total number of borrowers in that cohort and the two most recent prior cohorts, as determined for each cohort under paragraph (b) of this section. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) [65 FR 65638, Nov. 1, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 67075, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) General. (1) If you undergo a change in status identified in this section, your cohort default rate is determined under this section. (2) In determining cohort default rates under this section, the date of a merger, acquisition, or other change in status is the date the change occurs. (3) A change in status may affect your eligibility to participate in Title IV, HEA programs under §668.187 or §668.188. (4) If another institution's cohort default rate is applicable to you under this section, you may challenge, request an adjustment, or submit an appeal for the cohort default rate under the same requirements that would be applicable to the other institution under §§668.185 and 668.189. (b) Acquisition or merger of institutions. If your institution acquires, or was created by the merger of, one or more institutions that participated independently in the Title IV, HEA programs immediately before the acquisition or merger— (1) For the cohort default rates published before the date of the acquisition or merger, your cohort default rates are the same as those of your predecessor that had the highest total number of borrowers entering repayment in the two most recent cohorts used to calculate those cohort default rates; and (2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after the date of the acquisition or merger, your cohort default rates are determined by including the applicable borrowers from each institution involved in the acquisition or merger in the calculation under §668.183. (c) Acquisition of branches or locations. If you acquire a branch or a location from another institution participating in the Title IV, HEA programs— (1) The cohort default rates published for you before the date of the change apply to you and to the newly acquired branch or location; (2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after the date of the change, your cohort default rates for the next 3 fiscal years are determined by including the applicable borrowers from your institution and the other institution (including all of its locations) in the calculation under §668.183; (3) After the period described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, your cohort default rates do not include borrowers from the other institution in the calculation under §668.183; and (4) At all times, the cohort default rate for the institution from which you acquired the branch or location is not affected by this change in status. (d) Branches or locations becoming institutions. If you are a branch or location of an institution that is participating in the Title IV, HEA programs, and you become a separate, new institution for the purposes of participating in those programs— (1) The cohort default rates published before the date of the change for your former parent institution are also applicable to you; (2) Beginning with the first cohort default rate published after the date of the change, your cohort default rates for the next 3 fiscal years are determined by including the applicable borrowers from your institution and your former parent institution (including all of its locations) in the calculation under §668.183; and (3) After the period described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, your cohort default rates do not include borrowers from your former parent institution in the calculation under §668.183. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) General. (1) We notify you of your draft cohort default rate before your official cohort default rate is calculated. Our notice includes the loan record detail report for the draft cohort default rate. (2) Regardless of the number of borrowers included in your cohort, your draft cohort default rate is always calculated using data for that fiscal year alone, using the method described in §668.183(d)(1). (3) Your draft cohort default rate and the loan record detail report are not considered public information and may not be otherwise voluntarily released by a data manager. (4) Any challenge you submit under this section and any response provided by a data manager must be in a format acceptable to us. This acceptable format is described in the “Cohort Default Rate Guide” that we provide to you. If your challenge does not comply with the requirements in the “Cohort Default Rate Guide,” we may deny your challenge. (b) Incorrect data challenges. (1) You may challenge the accuracy of the data included on the loan record detail report by sending a challenge to the relevant data manager, or data managers, within 45 days after you receive the data. Your challenge must include— (i) A description of the information in the loan record detail report that you believe is incorrect; and (ii) Documentation that supports your contention that the data are incorrect. (2) Within 30 days after receiving your challenge, the data manager must send you and us a response that— (i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and (ii) Includes the documentation that supports the data manager's position. (3) If your data manager concludes that draft data in the loan record detail report are incorrect, and we agree, we use the corrected data to calculate your cohort default rate. (4) If you fail to challenge the accuracy of data under this section, you cannot contest the accuracy of those data in an uncorrected data adjustment, under §668.190, or in an erroneous data appeal, under §668.192. (c) Participation rate index challenges. (1)(i) You may challenge an anticipated loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(1), based on one cohort default rate over 40 percent, if your participation rate index for that cohort's fiscal year is equal to or less than 0.06015. (ii) You may challenge an anticipated loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent or greater, if your participation rate index is equal to or less than 0.0375 for any of those three cohorts' fiscal years. (2) For a participation rate index challenge, your participation rate index is calculated as described in §668.195(b), except that— (i) The draft cohort default rate is considered to be your most recent cohort default rate; and (ii) If the cohort used to calculate your draft cohort default rate included fewer than 30 borrowers, you may calculate your participation rate index for that fiscal year using either your most recent draft cohort default rate or the average rate that would be calculated for that fiscal year, using the method described in §668.183(d)(2). (3) You must send your participation rate index challenge, including all supporting documentation, to us within 45 days after you receive your draft cohort default rate. (4) We notify you of our determination on your participation rate index challenge before your official cohort default rate is published. (5) If we determine that you qualify for continued eligibility based on your participation rate index challenge, you will not lose eligibility under §668.187 when your next official cohort default rate is published. A successful challenge that is based on your draft cohort default rate does not excuse you from any other loss of eligibility. However, if your successful challenge of a loss of eligibility under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section is based on a prior, official cohort default rate, and not on your draft cohort default rate, we also excuse you from any subsequent loss of eligibility, under §668.187(a)(2), that would be based on that official cohort default rate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) We notify you of your cohort default rate after we calculate it. After we send our notice to you, we publish a list of cohort default rates for all institutions. (b) If your cohort default rate is 10 percent or more, we include a copy of the loan record detail report with the notice. (c) If your cohort default rate is less than 10 percent— (1) You may request a copy of any loan record detail report that lists loans included in your cohort default rate calculation; and (2) If you are requesting an adjustment or appealing under this subpart, your request for a copy of the loan record detail report or reports must be sent to us within 15 days after you receive the notice of your cohort default rate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) End of participation. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, you lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs 30 days after you receive our notice that your most recent cohort default rate is greater than 40 percent. (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, you lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL, Direct Loan, and Federal Pell Grant programs 30 days after you receive our notice that your three most recent cohort default rates are each 25 percent or greater. (b) Length of period of ineligibility. Your loss of eligibility under this section continues— (1) For the remainder of the fiscal year in which we notify you that you are subject to a loss of eligibility; and (2) For the next 2 fiscal years. (c) Using a cohort default rate more than once. The use of a cohort default rate as a basis for a loss of eligibility under this section does not preclude its use as a basis for— (1) Any concurrent or subsequent loss of eligibility under this section; or (2) Any other action by us. (d) Special institutions. If you are a special institution that satisfies the requirements for continued eligibility under §668.198, you are not subject to any loss of eligibility under this section or to provisional certification under §668.16(m). (e) Continuing participation in Pell. If you are subject to a loss of eligibility under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent or greater, you may continue to participate in the Federal Pell Grant Program if we determine that you— (1) Were ineligible to participate in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs before October 7, 1998, and your eligibility was not reinstated; (2) Requested in writing, before October 7, 1998, to withdraw your participation in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs, and you were not later reinstated; or (3) Have not certified an FFELP loan or originated a Direct Loan Program loan on or after July 7, 1998. (f) Requests for adjustments and appeals. (1) A loss of eligibility under this section does not take effect while your request for adjustment or appeal, as listed in §668.189(a), is pending, provided your request for adjustment or appeal is complete, timely, accurate, and in the required format. (2) Eligibility continued under paragraph (f)(1) of this section ends if we determine that none of the requests for adjustments and appeals you have submitted qualify you for continued eligibility under §668.189. Loss of eligibility takes effect on the date that you receive notice of our determination on your last pending request for adjustment or appeal. (3) You do not lose eligibility under this section if we determine that your request for adjustment or appeal meets all requirements of this subpart and qualifies you for continued eligibility under §668.189. (4) To avoid liabilities you might otherwise incur under paragraph (g) of this section, you may choose to suspend your participation in the FFEL and Direct Loan programs during the adjustment or appeal process. (g) Liabilities during the adjustment or appeal process. If you continued to participate in the FFEL or Direct Loan Program under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, and we determine that none of your requests for adjustments or appeals qualify you for continued eligibility— (1) For any FFEL or Direct Loan Program loan that you certified and delivered or originated and disbursed more than 30 days after you received the notice of your cohort default rate, we estimate the amount of interest, special allowance, reinsurance, and any related or similar payments we make or are obligated to make on those loans; (2) We exclude from this estimate any amount attributable to funds that you delivered or disbursed more than 45 days after you submitted your completed appeal to us; (3) We notify you of the estimated amount; and (4) Within 45 days after you receive our notice of the estimated amount, you must pay us that amount, unless— (i) You file an appeal under the procedures established in subpart H of this part (for the purposes of subpart H of this part, our notice of the estimate is considered to be a final program review determination); or (ii) We permit a longer repayment period. (h) Regaining eligibility. If you lose your eligibility to participate in a program under this section, you may not participate in that program until— (1) The period described in paragraph (b) of this section has ended; (2) You pay any amount owed to us under this section or are meeting that obligation under an agreement acceptable to us; (3) You submit a new application for participation in the program; (4) We determine that you meet all of the participation requirements in effect at the time of your application; and (5) You and we enter into a new program participation agreement. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) General. Unless you are a special institution complying with §668.198, you are subject to a loss of eligibility that has already been imposed against another institution under §668.187 if— (1) You and the ineligible institution are both parties to a transaction that results in a change of ownership, a change in control, a merger, a consolidation, an acquisition, a change of name, a change of address, any change that results in a location becoming a freestanding institution, a purchase or sale, a transfer of assets, an assignment, a change of identification number, a contract for services, an addition or closure of one or more locations or branches or educational programs, or any other change in whole or in part in institutional structure or identity; (2) Following the change described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, you offer an educational program at substantially the same address at which the ineligible institution had offered an educational program before the change; and (3) There is a commonality of ownership or management between you and the ineligible institution, as the ineligible institution existed before the change. (b) Commonality of ownership or management. For the purposes of this section, a commonality of ownership or management exists if, at each institution, the same person (as defined in 34 CFR 600.31) or members of that person's family, directly or indirectly— (1) Holds or held a managerial role; or (2) Has or had the ability to affect substantially the institution's actions, within the meaning of 34 CFR 600.21. (c) Teach-outs. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a commonality of management does not exist if you are conducting a teach-out under a teach-out agreement as defined in 34 CFR 602.3 and administered in accordance with 34 CFR 602.24(c), and— (1)(i) Within 60 days after the change described in this section, you send us the names of the managers for each facility undergoing the teach-out as it existed before the change and for each facility as it exists after you believe that the commonality of management has ended; and (ii) We determine that the commonality of management, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, has ended; or (2)(i) Within 30 days after you receive our notice that we have denied your submission under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, you make the management changes we request and send us a list of the names of the managers for each facility undergoing the teach-out as it exists after you make those changes; and (ii) We determine that the commonality of management, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, has ended. (d) Initial determination. We encourage you to contact us before undergoing a change described in this section. If you write to us, providing the information we request, we will provide a written initial determination of the anticipated change's effect on your eligibility. (e) Notice of accountability. (1) We notify you in writing if, in response to your notice or application filed under 34 CFR 600.20 or 600.21, we determine that you are subject to a loss of eligibility, under paragraph (a) of this section, that has been imposed against another institution. (2) Our notice also advises you of the scope and duration of your loss of eligibility. The loss of eligibility applies to all of your locations from the date you receive our notice until the expiration of the period of ineligibility applicable to the other institution. (3) If you are subject to a loss of eligibility under this section that has already been imposed against another institution, you may only request an adjustment or submit an appeal for the loss of eligibility under the same requirements that would be applicable to the other institution under §668.189. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Remaining eligible. You do not lose eligibility under §668.187 if— (1) We recalculate your cohort default rate, and it is below the percentage threshold for the loss of eligibility as the result of— (i) An uncorrected data adjustment submitted under this section and §668.190; (ii) A new data adjustment submitted under this section and §668.191; (iii) An erroneous data appeal submitted under this section and §668.192; or (iv) A loan servicing appeal submitted under this section and §668.193; or (2) You meet the requirements for— (i) An economically disadvantaged appeal submitted under this section and §668.194; (ii) A participation rate index appeal submitted under this section and §668.195; (iii) An average rates appeal submitted under this section and §668.196; or (iv) A thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal submitted under this section and §668.197. (b) Limitations on your ability to dispute your cohort default rate. (1) You may not dispute the calculation of a cohort default rate except as described in this subpart. (2) You may not request an adjustment or appeal a cohort default rate, under §668.190, §668.191, §668.192, or §668.193, more than once. (3) You may not request an adjustment or appeal a cohort default rate, under §668.190, §668.191, §668.192, or §668.193, if you previously lost your eligibility to participate in a Title IV, HEA program, under §668.187, based entirely or partially on that cohort default rate. (c) Content and format of requests for adjustments and appeals. We may deny your request for adjustment or appeal if it does not meet the following requirements: (1) All appeals, notices, requests, independent auditor's opinions, management's written assertions, and other correspondence that you are required to send under this subpart must be complete, timely, accurate, and in a format acceptable to us. This acceptable format is described in the “Cohort Default Rate Guide” that we provide to you. (2) Your completed request for adjustment or appeal must include— (i) All of the information necessary to substantiate your request for adjustment or appeal; and (ii) A certification by your chief executive officer, under penalty of perjury, that all the information you provide is true and correct. (d) Our copies of your correspondence. Whenever you are required by this subpart to correspond with a party other than us, you must send us a copy of your correspondence within the same time deadlines. However, you are not required to send us copies of documents that you received from us originally. (e) Requirements for data managers' responses. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, if this subpart requires a data manager to correspond with any party other than us, the data manager must send us a copy of the correspondence within the same time deadlines. (2) If a data manager sends us correspondence under this subpart that is not in a format acceptable to us, we may require the data manager to revise that correspondence's format, and we may prescribe a format for that data manager's subsequent correspondence with us. (f) Our decision on your request for adjustment or appeal. (1) We determine whether your request for an adjustment or appeal is in compliance with this subpart. (2) In making our decision for an adjustment, under §668.190 or §668.191, or an appeal, under §668.192 or §668.193— (i) We presume that the information provided to you by a data manager is correct unless you provide substantial evidence that shows the information is not correct; and (ii) If we determine that a data manager did not provide the necessary clarifying information or legible records in meeting the requirements of this subpart, we presume that the evidence that you provide to us is correct unless it is contradicted or otherwise proven to be incorrect by information we maintain. (3) Our decision is based on the materials you submit under this subpart. We do not provide an oral hearing. (4) We notify you of our decision— (i) If you request an adjustment or appeal because you are subject to a loss of eligibility under §668.187, within 45 days after we receive your completed request for an adjustment or appeal; or (ii) In all other cases, except for appeals submitted under §668.192(a) to avoid provisional certification, before we notify you of your next official cohort default rate. (5) You may not seek judicial review of our determination of a cohort default rate until we issue our decision on all pending requests for adjustments or appeals for that cohort default rate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. You may request an uncorrected data adjustment for your most recent cohort of borrowers, used to calculate your most recent official cohort default rate, if in response to your challenge under §668.185(b), a data manager agreed correctly to change the data, but the changes are not reflected in your official cohort default rate. (b) Deadlines for requesting an uncorrected data adjustment. (1) If the loan record detail report was not included with your official cohort default rate notice, you must request it within 15 days after you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate. (2) You must send us a request for an uncorrected data adjustment, including all supporting documentation, within 30 days after you receive your loan record detail report from us. (c) Determination. We recalculate your cohort default rate, based on the corrected data, if we determine that— (1) In response to your challenge under §668.185(b), a data manager agreed to change the data; (2) The changes described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section are not reflected in your official cohort default rate; and (3) We agree that the data are incorrect. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. You may request a new data adjustment for your most recent cohort of borrowers, used to calculate your most recent official cohort default rate, if— (1) A comparison of the loan record detail reports that we provide to you for the draft and official cohort default rates shows that the data have been newly included, excluded, or otherwise changed; and (2) You identify errors in the data described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section that are confirmed by the data manager. (b) Deadlines for requesting a new data adjustment. (1) If the loan record detail report was not included with your official cohort default rate notice, you must request it within 15 days after you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate. (2) You must send the relevant data manager, or data managers, and us a request for a new data adjustment, including all supporting documentation, within 15 days after you receive your loan record detail report from us. (3) Within 20 days after receiving your request for a new data adjustment, the data manager must send you and us a response that— (i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and (ii) Includes the documentation used to support the data manager's position. (4) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us your request for a new data adjustment for that loan. We respond to your request under paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (5) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records or data from a data manager, you must send a request for replacement records or clarification of data to the data manager and us. (6) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement records or clarification of data, the data manager must— (i) Replace the missing or illegible records; (ii) Provide clarifying information; or (iii) Notify you and us that no clarifying information or additional or improved records are available. (7) You must send us your completed request for a new data adjustment, including all supporting documentation— (i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's response to your request or requests; or (ii) If you are also filing an erroneous data appeal or a loan servicing appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section or in §668.192(b)(6)(i) or §668.193(c)(10)(i). (c) Determination. If we determine that incorrect data were used to calculate your cohort default rate, we recalculate your cohort default rate based on the correct data. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. Except as provided in §668.189(b), you may appeal the calculation of a cohort default rate upon which a loss of eligibility, under §668.187, or provisional certification, under §668.16(m), is based if— (1) You dispute the accuracy of data that you previously challenged on the basis of incorrect data, under §668.185(b); or (2) A comparison of the loan record detail reports that we provide to you for the draft and official cohort default rates shows that the data have been newly included, excluded, or otherwise changed, and you dispute the accuracy of that data. (b) Deadlines for submitting an appeal. (1) You must send a request for verification of data errors to the relevant data manager, or data managers, and to us within 15 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility or provisional certification. Your request must include a description of the information in the cohort default rate data that you believe is incorrect and all supporting documentation that demonstrates the error. (2) Within 20 days after receiving your request for verification of data errors, the data manager must send you and us a response that— (i) Addresses each of your allegations of error; and (ii) Includes the documentation used to support the data manager's position. (3) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us your request for verification of that loan's data errors. Your request must include a description of the information in the cohort default rate data that you believe is incorrect and all supporting documentation that demonstrates the error. We respond to your request under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (4) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records or data, you must send a request for replacement records or clarification of data to the data manager and us. (5) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement records or clarification of data, the data manager must— (i) Replace the missing or illegible records; (ii) Provide clarifying information; or (iii) Notify you and us that no clarifying information or additional or improved records are available. (6) You must send your completed appeal to us, including all supporting documentation— (i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's response to your request; or (ii) If you are also requesting a new data adjustment or filing a loan servicing appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section or in §668.191(b)(7)(i) or §668.193(c)(10)(i). (c) Determination. If we determine that incorrect data were used to calculate your cohort default rate, we recalculate your cohort default rate based on the correct data. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. Except as provided in §668.189(b), you may appeal, on the basis of improper loan servicing or collection, the calculation of— (1) Your most recent cohort default rate; or (2) Any cohort default rate upon which a loss of eligibility under §668.187 is based. (b) Improper loan servicing. For the purposes of this section, a default is considered to have been due to improper loan servicing or collection only if the borrower did not make a payment on the loan and you prove that the FFEL Program lender or the Direct Loan Servicer, as defined in 34 CFR 685.102, failed to perform one or more of the following activities, if that activity applies to the loan: (1) Send at least one letter (other than the final demand letter) urging the borrower to make payments on the loan; (2) Attempt at least one phone call to the borrower; (3) Send a final demand letter to the borrower; (4) For a Direct Loan Program loan only, document that skip tracing was performed if the Direct Loan Servicer determined that it did not have the borrower's current address; and (5) For an FFELP loan only— (i) Submit a request for preclaims or default aversion assistance to the guaranty agency; and (ii) Submit a certification or other documentation that skip tracing was performed to the guaranty agency. (c) Deadlines for submitting an appeal. (1) If the loan record detail report was not included with your official cohort default rate notice, you must request it within 15 days after you receive the notice of your official cohort default rate. (2) You must send a request for loan servicing records to the relevant data manager, or data managers, and to us within 15 days after you receive your loan record detail report from us. If the data manager is a guaranty agency, your request must include a copy of the loan record detail report. (3) Within 20 days after receiving your request for loan servicing records, the data manager must— (i) Send you and us a list of the borrowers in your representative sample, as described in paragraph (d) of this section (the list must be in social security number order, and it must include the number of defaulted loans included in the cohort for each listed borrower); (ii) Send you and us a description of how your representative sample was chosen; and (iii) Either send you copies of the loan servicing records for the borrowers in your representative sample and send us a copy of its cover letter indicating that the records were sent, or send you and us a notice of the amount of its fee for providing copies of the loan servicing records. (4) The data manager may charge you a reasonable fee for providing copies of loan servicing records, but it may not charge more than $10 per borrower file. If a data manager charges a fee, it is not required to send the documents to you until it receives your payment of the fee. (5) If the data manager charges a fee for providing copies of loan servicing records, you must send payment in full to the data manager within 15 days after you receive the notice of the fee. (6) If the data manager charges a fee for providing copies of loan servicing records, and— (i) You pay the fee in full and on time, the data manager must send you, within 20 days after it receives your payment, a copy of all loan servicing records for each loan in your representative sample (the copies are provided to you in hard copy format unless the data manager and you agree that another format may be used), and it must send us a copy of its cover letter indicating that the records were sent; or (ii) You do not pay the fee in full and on time, the data manager must notify you and us of your failure to pay the fee and that you have waived your right to challenge the calculation of your cohort default rate based on the data manager's records. We accept that determination unless you prove that it is incorrect. (7) Within 15 days after receiving a guaranty agency's notice that we hold an FFELP loan about which you are inquiring, you must send us your request for the loan servicing records for that loan. We respond to your request under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. (8) Within 15 days after receiving incomplete or illegible records, you must send a request for replacement records to the data manager and us. (9) Within 20 days after receiving your request for replacement records, the data manager must either— (i) Replace the missing or illegible records; or (ii) Notify you and us that no additional or improved copies are available. (10) You must send your appeal to us, including all supporting documentation— (i) Within 30 days after you receive the final data manager's response to your request for loan servicing records; or (ii) If you are also requesting a new data adjustment or filing an erroneous data appeal, by the latest of the filing dates required in paragraph (c)(10)(i) of this section or in §668.191(b)(7)(i) or §668.192(b)(6)(i). (d) Representative sample of records. (1) To select a representative sample of records, the data manager first identifies all of the borrowers for whom it is responsible and who had loans that were considered to be in default in the calculation of the cohort default rate you are appealing. (2) From the group of borrowers identified under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the data manager identifies a sample that is large enough to derive an estimate, acceptable at a 95 percent confidence level with a plus or minus 5 percent confidence interval, for use in determining the number of borrowers who should be excluded from the calculation of the cohort default rate due to improper loan servicing or collection. (e) Loan servicing records. Loan servicing records are the collection and payment history records— (1) Provided to the guaranty agency by the lender and used by the guaranty agency in determining whether to pay a claim on a defaulted loan; or (2) Maintained by our Direct Loan Servicer that are used in determining your cohort default rate. (f) Determination. (1) We determine the number of loans, included in your representative sample of loan servicing records, that defaulted due to improper loan servicing or collection, as described in paragraph (b) of this section. (2) Based on our determination, we use a statistically valid methodology to exclude the corresponding percentage of borrowers from both the numerator and denominator of the calculation of your cohort default rate. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) [65 FR 65638, Nov. 1, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 67075, Nov. 1, 2002] (a) Eligibility. As described in this section, you may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187 if an independent auditor's opinion certifies that your low income rate is two-thirds or more and— (1) You offer an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree, and your completion rate is 70 percent or more; or (2) You do not offer an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree, and your placement rate is 44 percent or more. (b) Low income rate. (1) Your low income rate is the percentage of your students, as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, who— (i) For an award year that overlaps the 12-month period selected under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, have an expected family contribution, as defined in 34 CFR 690.2, that is equal to or less than the largest expected family contribution that would allow a student to receive one-half of the maximum Federal Pell Grant award, regardless of the student's enrollment status or cost of attendance; or (ii) For a calendar year that overlaps the 12-month period selected under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, have an adjusted gross income that, when added to the adjusted gross income of the student's parents (if the student is a dependent student) or spouse (if the student is a married independent student), is less than the amount listed in the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines for the size of the student's family unit. (2) The students who are used to determine your low income rate include only students who were enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an eligible program at your institution during any part of a 12-month period that ended during the 6 months immediately preceding the cohort's fiscal year. (c) Completion rate. (1) Your completion rate is the percentage of your students, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, who— (i) Completed the educational programs in which they were enrolled; (ii) Transferred from your institution to a higher level educational program; (iii) Remained enrolled and are making satisfactory progress toward completion of their educational programs at the end of the same 12-month period used to calculate the low income rate; or (iv) Entered active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States within 1 year after their last date of attendance at your institution. (2) The students who are used to determine your completion rate include only regular students who were— (i) Initially enrolled on a full-time basis in an eligible program; and (ii) Originally scheduled to complete their programs during the same 12-month period used to calculate the low income rate. (d) Placement rate. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, your placement rate is the percentage of your students, as described in paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) of this section, who— (i) Are employed, in an occupation for which you provided training, on the date following 1 year after their last date of attendance at your institution; (ii) Were employed for at least 13 weeks, in an occupation for which you provided training, between the date they enrolled at your institution and the first date that is more than a year after their last date of attendance at your institution; or (iii) Entered active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States within 1 year after their last date of attendance at your institution. (2) For the purposes of this section, a former student is not considered to have been employed based on any employment by your institution. (3) The students who are used to determine your placement rate include only former students who— (i) Were initially enrolled in an eligible program on at least a half-time basis; (ii) Were originally scheduled, at the time of enrollment, to complete their educational programs during the same 12-month period used to calculate the low income rate; and (iii) Remained in the program beyond the point at which a student would have received a 100 percent tuition refund from you. (4) A student is not included in the calculation of your placement rate if that student, on the date that is 1 year after the student's originally scheduled completion date, remains enrolled in the same program and is making satisfactory progress. (e) Scheduled to complete. In calculating a completion or placement rate under this section, the date on which a student is originally scheduled to complete a program is based on— (1) For a student who is initially enrolled full-time, the amount of time specified in your enrollment contract, catalog, or other materials for completion of the program by a full-time student; or (2) For a student who is initially enrolled less than full-time, the amount of time that it would take the student to complete the program if the student remained at that level of enrollment throughout the program. (f) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility, you must send us your management's written assertion, as described in the Cohort Default Rate Guide. (2) Within 60 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility, you must send us the independent auditor's opinion described in paragraph (g) of this section. (g) Independent auditor's opinion. (1) The independent auditor's opinion must state whether your management's written assertion, as you provided it to the auditor and to us, meets the requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal and is fairly stated in all material respects. (2) The engagement that forms the basis of the independent auditor's opinion must be an examination-level compliance attestation engagement performed in accordance with— (i) The American Institute of Certified Public Accountant's (AICPA) Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements, Compliance Attestation (AICPA, Professional Standards, vol. 1, AT sec. 500), as amended (these standards may be obtained by calling the AICPA's order department, at 1–888–777–7077); and (ii) Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. (h) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under §668.187 if— (1) Your independent auditor's opinion agrees that you meet the requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal; and (2) We determine that the independent auditor's opinion and your management's written assertion— (i) Meet the requirements for an economically disadvantaged appeal; and (ii) Are not contradicted or otherwise proven to be incorrect by information we maintain, to an extent that would render the independent auditor's opinion unacceptable. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. (1) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(1), based on one cohort default rate over 40 percent, if your participation rate index for that cohort's fiscal year is equal to or less than 0.06015. (2) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent or greater, if your participation rate index is equal to or less than 0.0375 for any of those three cohorts' fiscal years. (b) Calculating your participation rate index. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, your participation rate index for a fiscal year is determined by multiplying your cohort default rate for that fiscal year by the percentage that is derived by dividing— (i) The number of students who received an FFELP or a Direct Loan Program loan to attend your institution during a period of enrollment, as defined in 34 CFR 682.200 or 685.102, that overlaps any part of a 12-month period that ended during the 6 months immediately preceding the cohort's fiscal year, by (ii) The number of regular students who were enrolled at your institution on at least a half-time basis during any part of the same 12-month period. (2) If your cohort default rate for a fiscal year is calculated as an average rate under §668.183(d)(2), you may calculate your participation rate index for that fiscal year using either that average rate or the cohort default rate that would be calculated for the fiscal year alone using the method described in §668.183(d)(1). (c) Deadline for submitting an appeal. You must send us your appeal under this section, including all supporting documentation, within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility. (d) Determination. (1) You do not lose eligibility under §668.187 if we determine that you meet the requirements for a participation rate index appeal. (2) If we determine that your participation rate index for a fiscal year is equal to or less than 0.0375, under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, we also excuse you from any subsequent loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(2) that would be based on the official cohort default rate for that fiscal year. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. (1) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(1), based on one cohort default rate over 40 percent, if that cohort default rate is calculated as an average rate under §668.183(d)(2). (2) You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187(a)(2), based on three cohort default rates of 25 percent or greater, if at least two of those cohort default rates— (i) Are calculated as average rates under §668.183(d)(2); and (ii) Would be less than 25 percent if calculated for the fiscal year alone using the method described in §668.183(d)(1). (b) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Before notifying you of your official cohort default rate, we make an initial determination about whether you qualify for an average rates appeal. If we determine that you qualify, we notify you of that determination at the same time that we notify you of your official cohort default rate. (2) If you disagree with our initial determination, you must send us your average rates appeal, including all supporting documentation, within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility. (c) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under §668.187 if we determine that you meet the requirements for an average rates appeal. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. You may appeal a notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187 if 30 or fewer borrowers, in total, are included in the 3 most recent cohorts of borrowers used to calculate your cohort default rates. (b) Deadline for submitting an appeal. (1) Before notifying you of your official cohort default rate, we make an initial determination about whether you qualify for a thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal. If we determine that you qualify, we notify you of that determination at the same time that we notify you of your official cohort default rate. (2) If you disagree with our initial determination, you must send us your thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal, including all supporting documentation, within 30 days after you receive the notice of your loss of eligibility. (c) Determination. You do not lose eligibility under §668.187 if we determine that you meet the requirements for a thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeal. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) (a) Eligibility. You are only eligible for relief from the consequences of cohort default rates under this section if you are a— (1) Historically black college or university as defined in section 322(2) of the HEA; (2) Tribally controlled community college as defined in section 2(a)(4) of the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978; or (3) Navajo community college under the Navajo Community College Act. (b) Applicability of requirements. We may determine that the loss of eligibility provisions in §668.187 and the prohibition against full certification in §668.16(m) do not apply to you for each 1-year period beginning on July 1 of 1999 through 2003, if you meet the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section and you send us— (1) By July 1 of the first 1-year period that begins after you receive our notice of a loss of eligibility under §668.187— (i) A default management plan; and (ii) A certification that you have engaged an independent third party, as described in this section; and (2) By July 1 of each subsequent 1-year period— (i) Evidence that you have implemented your default management plan during the preceding 1-year period; (ii) Evidence that you have made substantial improvement in the preceding 1-year period in your cohort default rate; and (iii) A certification that you continue to engage an independent third party, as described in this section. (c) Default management plan. (1) Your default management plan must provide reasonable assurance that you will, no later than July 1, 2004, have a cohort default rate that is less than 25 percent. Measures that you must take to provide this assurance include but are not limited to— (i) Establishing a default management team by engaging your chief executive officer and relevant senior executive officials and enlisting the support of representatives from offices other than the financial aid office; (ii) Identifying and allocating the personnel, administrative, and financial resources appropriate to implement the default management plan; (iii) Defining the roles and responsibilities of the independent third party; (iv) Defining evaluation methods and establishing a data collection system for measuring and verifying relevant default management statistics, including a statistical analysis of the borrowers who default on their loans; (v) Establishing annual targets for reductions in your cohort default rate; and (vi) Establishing a process to ensure the accuracy of your cohort default rate. (2) We will determine whether your default management plan is acceptable, after considering your history, resources, dollars in default, and targets for default reduction in making this determination. (3) If we determine that your proposed default management plan is unacceptable, you must consult with us to develop a revised plan and submit the revised plan to us within 30 days after you receive our notice that your proposed plan is unacceptable. (4) If we determine, based on the evidence you submit under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, that your default management plan is no longer acceptable, you must develop a revised plan in consultation with us and submit the revised plan to us within 60 days after you receive our notice that your plan is no longer acceptable. (5) A sample default management plan is provided in appendix B to this subpart. The sample is included to illustrate components of an acceptable default management plan. Since institutions' family income profiles, student borrowing patterns, histories, resources, dollars in default, and targets for default reduction are different, you must consider your own, individual circumstances in developing and submitting your plan. (d) Independent third party. (1) An independent third party may be any individual or entity that— (i) Provides technical assistance in developing and implementing your default management plan; and (ii) Is not substantially controlled by a person who also exercises substantial control over your institution. (2) An independent third party need not be paid by you for its services. (3) The services of a lender, guaranty agency, or secondary market as an independent third party under this section are not considered to be inducements under 34 CFR 682.200 or 682.401(e). (e) Substantial improvement. (1) For the purposes of this section, your substantial improvement is determined based on— (i) A reduction in your most recent draft or official cohort default rate; (ii) An increase in the percentage of delinquent borrowers who avoid default by using deferments, forbearances, and job placement assistance; (iii) An increase in the academic persistence of student borrowers; (iv) An increase in the percentage of students pursuing graduate or professional study; (v) An increase in the percentage of borrowers for whom a current address is known; (vi) An increase in the percentage of delinquent borrowers that you contacted; (vii) The implementation of alternative financial aid award policies and development of financial resources that reduce the need for student borrowing; or (viii) An increase in the percentage of accurate and timely enrollment status changes that you submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) on the Student Status Confirmation Report (SSCR). (2) When making a determination of your substantial improvement, we consider your performance in light of— (i) Your history, resources, dollars in default, and targets for default reduction; (ii) Your level of effort in meeting the terms of your approved default management plan during the previous 1-year period; and (iii) Any other mitigating circumstance at your institution during the 1-year period. (f) Determination. (1) If we determine that you are in compliance with this section, the provisions of §§668.187 and 668.16(m) do not apply to you for that 1-year period, beginning on July 1 of 1999 through 2003. (2) If we determine that you are not in compliance with this section, you are subject to the provisions of §§668.187 and 668.16(m). You lose your eligibility to participate in the FFEL, Direct Loan, and Federal Pell Grant programs on the date you receive our notice of the determination. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1085, 1094, 1099c) [65 FR 65638, Nov. 1, 2000, as amended at 69 FR 12276, Mar. 16, 2004] I. Summary of Submission Eligibility Some types of appeals may be submitted only if you are subject to a loss of eligibility under §668.187 or to provisional certification under §668.16(m). These types of appeals are identified in the following table. Submission deadlines are described in the paragraphs and sections that are cited in the table. For example, although you may submit an uncorrected data adjustment, new data adjustment, or loan servicing appeal if you are subject to provisional certification, the deadlines for those submissions are based on the date you receive your cohort default rate, not the date you receive the notice of your provisional certification. II. Summary of Submission Deadlines 1. General. The deadlines you must meet when submitting a challenge, a request for adjustment, or an appeal are summarized in the following table. The full, official requirements for these deadlines are in §668.189 and in the sections and paragraphs cited in the table. 2. Timeframes. The timeframes provided in the table (“30 Days”, “15 Days”, etc.) identify the number of calendar days within which that action must be performed. Timeframes begin on the date that the previous action (connected to that timeframe with an arrowed line) is completed: (i) For your first action (and for both actions, during an economically disadvantaged appeal), the timeframe begins on the date that you receive your draft cohort default rate, official cohort default rate, notice of loss of eligibility, or notice of provisional certification. (ii) For all other actions, the timeframe begins on the date you receive the response to your pending request. If you are waiting for responses from more than one data manager, the timeframe begins on the date that you receive the final response from the last data manager. 3. Dotted borders. Some actions identified in the table are required only in certain circumstances. For example, if we don't send you a loan record detail report, because your cohort default rate is less than 10 percent, you must request one before you can request an adjustment or appeal. Timeframes for actions that aren't always required are identified in the table by dotted borders: (i) If you are required to perform that action, the timeframes begin on the same dates that they would if the timeframe borders were not dotted. (ii) If you are not required to perform that action, the timeframe for your next required action is determined as if the timeframes with the dotted borders were not there. The timeframe for your next required action begins on the date that the last required action was completed. This appendix is provided as a sample plan for those institutions developing a default management plan in accordance with §668.198. It describes some measures you may find helpful in reducing the number of students that default on federally funded loans. These are not the only measures you could implement when developing a default management plan. In developing a default management plan, you must consider your history, resources, dollars in default, and targets for default reduction to determine which activities will result in the most benefit to your students and to you. I. Core Default Reduction Strategies (From §668.198(c)(1)) 1. Establish a default management team by engaging your chief executive officer and relevant senior executive officials and enlisting the support of representatives from offices other than the financial aid office. 2. Identify and allocate the personnel, administrative, and financial resources appropriate to implement the default management plan. 3. Define the roles and responsibilities of the independent third party. 4. Define evaluation methods and establish a data collection system for measuring and verifying relevant default management statistics, including a statistical analysis of the borrowers who default on their loans. 5. Establish annual targets for reductions in your rate. 6. Establish a process to ensure the accuracy of your rate. II. Additional Default Reduction Strategies 1. Enhance the borrower's understanding of his or her loan repayment responsibilities through counseling and debt management activities. 2. Enhance the enrollment retention and academic persistence of borrowers through counseling and academic assistance. 3. Maintain contact with the borrower after he or she leaves your institution by using activities such as skip tracing to locate the borrower. 4. Track the borrower's delinquency status by obtaining reports from data managers and FFEL Program lenders. 5. Enhance student loan repayments through counseling the borrower on loan repayment options and facilitating contact between the borrower and the data manager or FFEL Program lender. 6. Assist a borrower who is experiencing difficulty in finding employment through career counseling, job placement assistance, and facilitating unemployment deferments. 7. Identify and implement alternative financial aid award policies and develop alternative financial resources that will reduce the need for student borrowing in the first 2 years of academic study. 8. Familiarize the parent, or other adult relative or guardian, with the student's debt profile, repayment obligations, and loan status by increasing, whenever possible, the communication and contact with the parent or adult relative or guardian. III. Defining the Roles and Responsibilities of Independent Third Party 1. Specifically define the role of the independent third party. 2. Specify the scope of work to be performed by the independent third party. 3. Tie the receipt of payments, if required, to the performance of specific tasks. 4. Assure that all the required work is satisfactorily completed. IV. Statistics for Measuring Progress 1. The number of students enrolled at your institution during each fiscal year. 2. The average amount borrowed by a student each fiscal year. 3. The number of borrowers scheduled to enter repayment each fiscal year. 4. The number of enrolled borrowers who received default prevention counseling services each fiscal year. 5. The average number of contacts that you or your agent had with a borrower who was in deferment or forbearance or in repayment status during each fiscal year. 6. The number of borrowers at least 60 days delinquent each fiscal year. 7. The number of borrowers who defaulted in each fiscal year. 8. The type, frequency, and results of activities performed in accordance with the default management plan.
Title 34: Education
PART 668—STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section Contents
§ 668.1 Scope.
§ 668.2 General definitions.
§ 668.3 Academic year.
§ 668.4 Payment period.
§ 668.5 Written arrangements to provide educational programs.
§§ 668.6-668.7 [Reserved]
§ 668.8 Eligible program.
§ 668.9 Relationship between clock hours and semester, trimester, or quarter hours in calculating Title IV, HEA program assistance.
§ 668.10 XXX
§ 668.11 Scope.
§ 668.12 [Reserved]
§ 668.13 Certification procedures.
§ 668.14 Program participation agreement.
§ 668.15 Factors of financial responsibility.
§ 668.16 Standards of administrative capability.
§§ 668.17-668.18 [Reserved]
§ 668.19 Financial aid history.
§ 668.20 Limitations on remedial coursework that is eligible for Title IV, HEA program assistance.
§ 668.21 Treatment of Federal Perkins Loan, FSEOG, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Grant program funds if the recipient withdraws, drops out, or is expelled before his or her first day of class.
§ 668.22 Treatment of title IV funds when a student withdraws.
§ 668.23 Compliance audits and audited financial statements.
§ 668.24 Record retention and examinations.
§ 668.25 Contracts between an institution and a third-party servicer.
§ 668.26 End of an institution's participation in the Title IV, HEA programs.
§ 668.27 Waiver of annual audit submission requirement.
Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 668—Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)
Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668—Appendix I, Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)
§ 668.31 Scope.
§ 668.32 Student eligibility—general.
§ 668.33 Citizenship and residency requirements.
§ 668.34 Satisfactory progress.
§ 668.35 Student debts under the HEA and to the U.S.
§ 668.36 Social security number.
§ 668.37 Selective Service registration.
§ 668.38 Enrollment in telecommunications and correspondence courses.
§ 668.39 Study abroad programs.
§ 668.40 Conviction for possession or sale of illegal drugs.
§ 668.41 Reporting and disclosure of information.
§ 668.42 Financial assistance information.
§ 668.43 Institutional information.
§ 668.44 Availability of employees for information dissemination purposes.
§ 668.45 Information on completion or graduation rates.
§ 668.46 Institutional security policies and crime statistics.
§ 668.47 Report on athletic program participation rates and financial support data.
§ 668.48 Report on completion or graduation rates for student-athletes.
Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 668—Crime Definitions in Accordance With the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program
§ 668.51 General.
§ 668.52 Definitions.
§ 668.53 Policies and procedures.
§ 668.54 Selection of applications for verification.
§ 668.55 Updating information.
§ 668.56 Items to be verified.
§ 668.57 Acceptable documentation.
§ 668.58 Interim disbursements.
§ 668.59 Consequences of a change in application information.
§ 668.60 Deadlines for submitting documentation and the consequences of failing to provide documentation.
§ 668.61 Recovery of funds.
§ 668.71 Scope and special definitions.
§ 668.72 Nature of educational program.
§ 668.73 Nature of financial charges.
§ 668.74 Employability of graduates.
§ 668.75 Procedures.
§ 668.81 Scope and special definitions.
§ 668.82 Standard of conduct.
§ 668.83 Emergency action.
§ 668.84 Fine proceedings.
§ 668.85 Suspension proceedings.
§ 668.86 Limitation or termination proceedings.
§ 668.87 Prehearing conference.
§ 668.88 Hearing.
§ 668.89 Authority and responsibilities of the hearing official.
§ 668.90 Initial and final decisions.
§ 668.91 Filing of requests for hearings and appeals; confirmation of mailing and receipt dates.
§ 668.92 Fines.
§ 668.93 Limitation.
§ 668.94 Termination.
§ 668.95 Reimbursements, refunds, and offsets.
§ 668.96 Reinstatement after termination.
§ 668.97 Removal of limitation.
§ 668.98 Interlocutory appeals to the Secretary from rulings of a hearing official.
§ 668.111 Scope and purpose.
§ 668.112 Definitions.
§ 668.113 Request for review.
§ 668.114 Notification of hearing.
§ 668.115 Prehearing conference.
§ 668.116 Hearing.
§ 668.117 Authority and responsibilities of the hearing official.
§ 668.118 Decision of the hearing official.
§ 668.119 Appeal to the Secretary.
§ 668.120 Decision of the Secretary.
§ 668.121 Final decision of the Department.
§ 668.122 Determination of filing, receipt, and submission dates.
§ 668.123 Collection.
§ 668.124 Interlocutory appeals to the Secretary from rulings of a hearing official.
§ 668.130 General.
§ 668.131 Definitions.
§ 668.132 Institutional determinations of eligibility based on primary confirmation.
§ 668.133 Conditions under which an institution shall require documentation and request secondary confirmation.
§ 668.134 Institutional policies and procedures for requesting documentation and receiving secondary confirmation.
§ 668.135 Institutional procedures for completing secondary confirmation.
§ 668.136 Institutional determinations of eligibility based on INS responses to secondary confirmation requests.
§ 668.137 Deadlines for submitting documentation and the consequences of failure to submit documentation.
§ 668.138 Liability.
§ 668.139 Recovery of payments and loan disbursements to ineligible students.
§ 668.141 Scope.
§ 668.142 Special definitions.
§ 668.143 Approval of State tests or assessments.
§ 668.144 Application for test approval.
§ 668.145 Test approval procedures.
§ 668.146 Criteria for approving tests.
§ 668.147 Passing scores.
§ 668.148 Additional criteria for the approval of certain tests.
§ 668.149 Special provisions for the approval of assessment procedures for special populations for whom no tests are reasonably available.
§ 668.150 Agreement between the Secretary and a test publisher.
§ 668.151 Administration of tests.
§ 668.152 Administration of tests by assessment centers.
§ 668.153 Administration of tests for students whose native language is not English or for persons with disabilities.
§ 668.154 Institutional accountability.
§ 668.155 Transitional rule for the 1996–97 award year.
§ 668.156 Approved State process.
§ 668.161 Scope and purpose.
§ 668.162 Requesting funds.
§ 668.163 Maintaining and accounting for funds.
§ 668.164 Disbursing funds.
§ 668.165 Notices and authorizations.
§ 668.166 Excess cash.
§ 668.167 FFEL Program funds.
§ 668.171 General.
§ 668.172 Financial ratios.
§ 668.173 Refund reserve standards.
§ 668.174 Past performance.
§ 668.175 Alternative standards and requirements.
Appendix A to Subpart L of Part 668—Ratio Methodology for Proprietary Institutions
Appendix B to Subpart L of Part 668—Ratio Methodology for Private Non-Profit Institutions
§ 668.181 Purpose of this subpart.
§ 668.182 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
§ 668.183 Calculating and applying cohort default rates.
§ 668.184 Determining cohort default rates for institutions that have undergone a change in status.
§ 668.185 Draft cohort default rates and your ability to challenge before official cohort default rates are issued.
§ 668.186 Notice of your official cohort default rate.
§ 668.187 Consequences of cohort default rates on your ability to participate in Title IV, HEA programs.
§ 668.188 Preventing evasion of the consequences of cohort default rates.
§ 668.189 General requirements for adjusting official cohort default rates and for appealing their consequences.
§ 668.190 Uncorrected data adjustments.
§ 668.191 New data adjustments.
§ 668.192 Erroneous data appeals.
§ 668.193 Loan servicing appeals.
§ 668.194 Economically disadvantaged appeals.
§ 668.195 Participation rate index appeals.
§ 668.196 Average rates appeals.
§ 668.197 Thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeals.
§ 668.198 Relief from the consequences of cohort default rates for special institutions.
Appendix A to Subpart M of Part 668—Summaries of Eligibility and Submission Requirements for Challenges, Adjustments, and Appeals
Appendix B to Subpart M of Part 668—Sample Default Management Plan for Special Institutions to Use When Complying With §668.198
Subpart A—General
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§ 668.1 Scope.
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§ 668.2 General definitions.
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§ 668.3 Academic year.
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§ 668.4 Payment period.
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§ 668.5 Written arrangements to provide educational programs.
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§§ 668.6-668.7 [Reserved]
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§ 668.8 Eligible program.
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§ 668.9 Relationship between clock hours and semester, trimester, or quarter hours in calculating Title IV, HEA program assistance.
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§ 668.10 XXX
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Subpart B—Standards for Participation in Title IV, HEA Programs
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§ 668.11 Scope.
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§ 668.12 [Reserved]
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§ 668.13 Certification procedures.
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§ 668.14 Program participation agreement.
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§ 668.15 Factors of financial responsibility.
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§ 668.16 Standards of administrative capability.
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§§ 668.17-668.18 [Reserved]
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§ 668.19 Financial aid history.
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§ 668.20 Limitations on remedial coursework that is eligible for Title IV, HEA program assistance.
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§ 668.21 Treatment of Federal Perkins Loan, FSEOG, Federal Pell Grant, ACG, and National SMART Grant program funds if the recipient withdraws, drops out, or is expelled before his or her first day of class.
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§ 668.22 Treatment of title IV funds when a student withdraws.
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§ 668.23 Compliance audits and audited financial statements.
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§ 668.24 Record retention and examinations.
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§ 668.25 Contracts between an institution and a third-party servicer.
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§ 668.26 End of an institution's participation in the Title IV, HEA programs.
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§ 668.27 Waiver of annual audit submission requirement.
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Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 668—Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)
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Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 668—Appendix I, Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities, and Functions (GAO)
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Subpart C—Student Eligibility
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§ 668.31 Scope.
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§ 668.32 Student eligibility—general.
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§ 668.33 Citizenship and residency requirements.
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§ 668.34 Satisfactory progress.
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§ 668.35 Student debts under the HEA and to the U.S.
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§ 668.36 Social security number.
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§ 668.37 Selective Service registration.
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§ 668.38 Enrollment in telecommunications and correspondence courses.
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§ 668.39 Study abroad programs.
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§ 668.40 Conviction for possession or sale of illegal drugs.
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Subpart D—Institutional and Financial Assistance Information for Students
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§ 668.41 Reporting and disclosure of information.
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§ 668.42 Financial assistance information.
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§ 668.43 Institutional information.
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§ 668.44 Availability of employees for information dissemination purposes.
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§ 668.45 Information on completion or graduation rates.
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§ 668.46 Institutional security policies and crime statistics.
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§ 668.47 Report on athletic program participation rates and financial support data.
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§ 668.48 Report on completion or graduation rates for student-athletes.
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Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 668—Crime Definitions in Accordance With the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program
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Subpart E—Verification of Student Aid Application Information
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§ 668.51 General.
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§ 668.52 Definitions.
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§ 668.53 Policies and procedures.
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§ 668.54 Selection of applications for verification.
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§ 668.55 Updating information.
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§ 668.56 Items to be verified.
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§ 668.57 Acceptable documentation.
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§ 668.58 Interim disbursements.
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§ 668.59 Consequences of a change in application information.
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§ 668.60 Deadlines for submitting documentation and the consequences of failing to provide documentation.
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§ 668.61 Recovery of funds.
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Subpart F—Misrepresentation
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§ 668.71 Scope and special definitions.
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§ 668.72 Nature of educational program.
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§ 668.73 Nature of financial charges.
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§ 668.74 Employability of graduates.
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§ 668.75 Procedures.
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Subpart G—Fine, Limitation, Suspension and Termination Proceedings
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§ 668.81 Scope and special definitions.
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§ 668.82 Standard of conduct.
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§ 668.83 Emergency action.
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§ 668.84 Fine proceedings.
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§ 668.85 Suspension proceedings.
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§ 668.86 Limitation or termination proceedings.
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§ 668.87 Prehearing conference.
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§ 668.88 Hearing.
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§ 668.89 Authority and responsibilities of the hearing official.
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§ 668.90 Initial and final decisions.
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§ 668.91 Filing of requests for hearings and appeals; confirmation of mailing and receipt dates.
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§ 668.92 Fines.
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§ 668.93 Limitation.
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§ 668.94 Termination.
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§ 668.95 Reimbursements, refunds, and offsets.
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§ 668.96 Reinstatement after termination.
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§ 668.97 Removal of limitation.
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§ 668.98 Interlocutory appeals to the Secretary from rulings of a hearing official.
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Subpart H—Appeal Procedures for Audit Determinations and Program Review Determinations
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§ 668.111 Scope and purpose.
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§ 668.112 Definitions.
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§ 668.113 Request for review.
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§ 668.114 Notification of hearing.
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§ 668.115 Prehearing conference.
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§ 668.116 Hearing.
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§ 668.117 Authority and responsibilities of the hearing official.
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§ 668.118 Decision of the hearing official.
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§ 668.119 Appeal to the Secretary.
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§ 668.120 Decision of the Secretary.
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§ 668.121 Final decision of the Department.
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§ 668.122 Determination of filing, receipt, and submission dates.
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§ 668.123 Collection.
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§ 668.124 Interlocutory appeals to the Secretary from rulings of a hearing official.
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Subpart I—Immigration-Status Confirmation
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§ 668.130 General.
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§ 668.131 Definitions.
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§ 668.132 Institutional determinations of eligibility based on primary confirmation.
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§ 668.133 Conditions under which an institution shall require documentation and request secondary confirmation.
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§ 668.134 Institutional policies and procedures for requesting documentation and receiving secondary confirmation.
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§ 668.135 Institutional procedures for completing secondary confirmation.
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§ 668.136 Institutional determinations of eligibility based on INS responses to secondary confirmation requests.
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§ 668.137 Deadlines for submitting documentation and the consequences of failure to submit documentation.
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§ 668.138 Liability.
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§ 668.139 Recovery of payments and loan disbursements to ineligible students.
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Subpart J—Approval of Independently Administered Tests; Specification of Passing Score; Approval of State Process
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§ 668.141 Scope.
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§ 668.142 Special definitions.
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§ 668.143 Approval of State tests or assessments.
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§ 668.144 Application for test approval.
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§ 668.145 Test approval procedures.
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§ 668.146 Criteria for approving tests.
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§ 668.147 Passing scores.
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§ 668.148 Additional criteria for the approval of certain tests.
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§ 668.149 Special provisions for the approval of assessment procedures for special populations for whom no tests are reasonably available.
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§ 668.150 Agreement between the Secretary and a test publisher.
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§ 668.151 Administration of tests.
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§ 668.152 Administration of tests by assessment centers.
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§ 668.153 Administration of tests for students whose native language is not English or for persons with disabilities.
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§ 668.154 Institutional accountability.
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§ 668.155 Transitional rule for the 1996–97 award year.
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§ 668.156 Approved State process.
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Subpart K—Cash Management
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§ 668.161 Scope and purpose.
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§ 668.162 Requesting funds.
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§ 668.163 Maintaining and accounting for funds.
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§ 668.164 Disbursing funds.
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§ 668.165 Notices and authorizations.
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§ 668.166 Excess cash.
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§ 668.167 FFEL Program funds.
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Subpart L—Financial Responsibility
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§ 668.171 General.
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§ 668.172 Financial ratios.
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§ 668.173 Refund reserve standards.
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§ 668.174 Past performance.
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§ 668.175 Alternative standards and requirements.
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Appendix A to Subpart L of Part 668—Ratio Methodology for Proprietary Institutions
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Appendix B to Subpart L of Part 668—Ratio Methodology for Private Non-Profit Institutions
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Subpart M—Cohort Default Rates
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§ 668.181 Purpose of this subpart.
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§ 668.182 Definitions of terms used in this subpart.
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§ 668.183 Calculating and applying cohort default rates.
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§ 668.184 Determining cohort default rates for institutions that have undergone a change in status.
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§ 668.185 Draft cohort default rates and your ability to challenge before official cohort default rates are issued.
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§ 668.186 Notice of your official cohort default rate.
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§ 668.187 Consequences of cohort default rates on your ability to participate in Title IV, HEA programs.
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§ 668.188 Preventing evasion of the consequences of cohort default rates.
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§ 668.189 General requirements for adjusting official cohort default rates and for appealing their consequences.
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§ 668.190 Uncorrected data adjustments.
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§ 668.191 New data adjustments.
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§ 668.192 Erroneous data appeals.
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§ 668.193 Loan servicing appeals.
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§ 668.194 Economically disadvantaged appeals.
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§ 668.195 Participation rate index appeals.
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§ 668.196 Average rates appeals.
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§ 668.197 Thirty-or-fewer borrowers appeals.
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§ 668.198 Relief from the consequences of cohort default rates for special institutions.
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Appendix A to Subpart M of Part 668—Summaries of Eligibility and Submission Requirements for Challenges, Adjustments, and Appeals
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Appendix B to Subpart M of Part 668—Sample Default Management Plan for Special Institutions to Use When Complying With §668.198
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