Federal Updates 

U.S. Department of Education

On June 3, 2019, the Department published Q&A guidance on the implementation of the currently effective 2016 Borrower Defense to Repayment Rule. On June 7, 2019, the Department issued additional guidance on the GE disclosures template. This guidance follows up the May 23, 2019 electronic announcement regarding  GE Compliance Dates and the May 9, 2019, Electronic Announcement #119 releasing the 2019 Gainful Employment Disclosure Template that must be used by July 1, 2019.

On June 12, 2019, the Department will publish in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) containing proposed revisions to the Department’s requirements applicable to recognized accrediting agencies. Public comments are due within 30 days after publication. The regulations are designed to reduce the unnecessary regulatory burden associated with accreditor oversight of the nation's colleges and universities and to streamline state authorization requirements for distance education or correspondence courses. These changes, which were developed by consensus from a negotiated rulemaking panel earlier this year, are designed to promote innovation, protect students while ensuring they have access to the higher education options that meet their unique needs, and reduce irrelevant and over-burdensome regulations on higher education institutions.

Congress 

This week, the House Rules Committee is considering a number of proposed amendments to a FY 2020 appropriations bill package, several of which targeted for-profit colleges. However, as of the time of publication, those amendments have been ruled out of order and are no longer a threat. The AACS Government Relations Committee is actively monitoring the amendment process.