The Changing “Ability to Benefit” Regulations: What You Need to Know
The U.S. Department of Education’s recently concluded negotiated rulemaking on Institutional and Programmatic Eligibility resulted in the committee reaching consensus on changes to the Title IV regulations at 34 C.F.R. 668.2, 668.32, 668.156 and 668.157 regarding enrollment of students without a high school diploma or GED in an Eligible Career Pathway Program (ECPP).
If your institution currently offers one or more ECPPs, or is considering doing so, this is a must-attend webinar. Panelists will discuss the forthcoming regulatory changes and what you should do to evaluate compliance with Title IV regulations in this area.
Katherine Brodie, Partner, Duane Morris LLP, who has been advising institutions on ECPP program compliance for over a decade, and Jonathan Helwink, Associate, Duane Morris, LLP, a former attorney in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of General Counsel, will lead the discussion. They will discuss both the “stand-alone” ECPP regulations that guide ECPPs offered by institutions as well as the changes to the approved state process regulations.
Most significantly, stand-alone ECPPs will soon need to satisfy heightened evidentiary requirements and will be subject to a prior approval process by the Department. Institutions should take steps now to prepare for these changes to ensure ongoing compliance and the ability to continue offering these important, student-centered programs.
Please feel free to submit questions through registration to the panelists ahead of time to be sure your question is answered in real time.