Regulatory Updates

This page provides a quick update on new or proposed regulatiuons that may affect your institution,

Florida Commission for Independent Education

New Definitions in Rule 6E-1.003, F.A.C.,

Includes the addition of new definitions to implement new statutory provisions relating to institutional accreditation of prelicensure professional nursing program and disclosure regarding the scope of accreditation.

Notice of Proposed Rule

Modifications to Rule 6E-2.004, Standards and Procedures for Licensure

Includes the format by which the institutions shall provide required data to the commission; the required data to be reported to the commission; the data definitions for reporting purposes; updated language; and the administrative fine when a licensed institution fails to timely submit the required data; the requirement for a retention and completion management plan and the format for which the institution must disclose the plan to the commission; the format for which the institution must disclose all programs to the commission; the requirement for an institution to obtain institutional accreditation prior to obtaining approval for a prelicensure professional nursing program by the commission and the application process for new prelicensure professional nursing programs; and updated requirements for verification of high school graduation, high school equivalency, or qualifying scores on an ability-to-benefit test.

Notice or Proposed Rule

Modifications to Rule 6E-4.001, Fees and Expenses

Includes the addition of the administrative fine for failure to submit data needed for accountability reports and the location for which the fines must be deposited as required by section 1005.11, F.S.

Notice of Proposed Rule

Modifications to Rule 6E-1.0032, Fair Consumers Practices

Includes the requirement for institutions to provide written disclosures to a student or prospective student regarding exit examination requirements and the grade point average required for completion of the student’s program or degree. This proposed rule includes the format by which the institutions must disclose the information to the student.

Notice of proposed Rule

ACCSC Publishes Updates to Standards of Accreditation

In preparation for ACCSC’s Petition for Rerecognition with the U.S. Department of Education, ACCSC conducted a comprehensive study of the federal regulations and identified the following conforming revisions as useful to demonstrate or strengthen ACCSC’s compliance with the federal regulations. Because the Commission views these changes as non-substantive and primarily comprised of conforming and clarifying language, the Commission determined that a Call for Comment is not required and has made these changes effective immediately.

The following portions of the standards were changed:

Chapter 1 – Rules of Process and Procedure

Section I (A)(7)

Section IV (C)(2)(b)

Section IV (E)(2)(h)

Section VII (D)(2, 7, & 8)

Section VII (G)(1)

Section VIII (C)(2)(c) & (6)

Section IX (E & F)

Section X (B)

Section X (C)(2-4)

Section X (D)(4)

Chapter 2 – Substantive Standards

Section VI (D)(1-5), Substantive

Section VIII (A)(1), Substantive

For details of the changes, please review the ACCSC Accreditation Alert below.

ACCSC Accreditation Alert

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education Announces New Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.

he US Department of Education released a preview of a Federal Register Notice that is expected to be formally posted tomorrow. Copy of the notice is linked below:

Federal Register Notice Announces New Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

This notice announces the formation of a new Negotiated Rulemaking ("Neg Reg") Committee to discuss new federal regulations impacting Title IV programs. The specific issues the Department has charged this committee to address are:

The Secretary’s recognition of accrediting agencies under 34 CFR part 602 and related parts;
Institutional eligibility under 34 CFR 600.2, including State authorization as a component of such eligibility under 34 CFR 600.9;
The requirements for distance education under 34 CFR 600.2 that pertain to clock hour programs and reporting for students who enroll primarily online;
Return of title IV funds, to address requirements for participating institutions to return unearned title IV funds in a manner that protects students and taxpayers while easing the administrative burden for institutions of higher education under 34 CFR 668.22;
Cash management, to address timely student access to disbursements of title IV, HEA Federal student financial assistance and provisions related to credit balances, escheatment, and loss of such funds under 34 CFR part 668, subpart K; and
The eligibility requirements for participants in the Federal TRIO Programs.

In addition to the Full Committee, the Department is also forming a subcommittee to make recommendations on Federal TRIO Programs.The Full Committee will consider the subcommittee's recommendations of proposed regulations relating to changes to participant eligibility requirements in the Federal TRIO Programs.

The Full Committee will meet for three sessions on the following dates:

Session 1: January 8-11, 2024
Session 2: February 5-8, 2024
Session 3: March 4-7, 2024

Session times will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with a public comment period from approximately 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.

The subcommittee will meet for two sessions on the following dates:

Session 1: January 12, 2024
Session 2: February 9, 2024

Session times will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern time. There will not be a public comment period for the subcommittee meetings.

All sessions will be conducted virtually and available for the public to view.