Regulatory Environment
Describe how the regulatory environment has changed over the past few years. What impact have these changes had on your school?
The primary change I have seen is that accrediting bodies are giving even more attention to ensure that its members are following their policies. I am proud to say that the organization I belong to has really not altered its manner of doing business. I would attribute that to the fact that it has a very clear understanding that our students are our customers. And that catalogs represent the contracts we have with those customers. But I believe the heightened awareness over the last few years in the for-profit sector regarding improprieties has helped all of us to see just how expensive and costly the consequences of such acts can be.
Regulatory environment is more transparent now, there is no more hide and seek game. This really helped our school to achieve our goal and change our culture.
Regulatory environment is more transparent now, there is no more hide and seek game. This really helped our school to achieve our goal and change our culture.
Regulatory environment is more transparent now, there is no more hide and seek game. This really helped our school to achieve our goal and change our culture.
Hi Jay,
I submitted my answer at the end of module 1.
John L.
There seems to be a mistrust of "for profit" colleges. Rules and regulations have been promulgated that apply only to the for profit schools. One must remember that these schools are business that receive no governmental support in their operations except for the loans that students receive. Therefore, tuition and costs would have to be more than a subsidized community or state college.
My career college is brand new to title IV funding. I started out as the Lead Instructor and am now the financial aid director so all of the regulations are new to me. As the Lead Instructor, building student trust and setting high standards has always been a goal, so that should make for an easy transition.
I think that Accreditors are feeling more pressure from USDE to enforce DE Standards and they seem distracted from their own missions' of ensuring high academic standards are met. The Definition of Credit Hour and outside work is a good example of this.
I think that the changes in Regulatory environment over the past few years is a good thing. i think that it ensure students are going to college for the reasons they intend to go: to get a job from the training and schooling received. I like the job placement help from the education institutions. I think it sure beats being alone in endeavoring to find employment after education.
I am new to the education world, having spent the last dozen years or so recruiting health care professionals. As a former student myself, I can see that there has been a stronger focus on regulating the financial aid programs, as well as on positive, successful outcomes for students.
I'm glad to see a commitment to students' success, as opposed to just getting them enrolled to qualify for federal financial aid.
Our college is dedicated to ensuring our students complete our nursing program with the ability pass the NCLEX exam and obtain meaningful employment. We go the extra mile during the admissions process to prescreen applicants for fit as well as 'meeting the bare requirements' for enrollment.
It has increased. Probably because of the "mystery shoppers" and the negative press that came out of that. Area of compliance.
They are getting stricter. The impact on my school is that it seems like everytime we want do something, there's a new rule in place and it feels like our hands are tied.
Christine,
Thank you so much, this is so helpful as a list of important recommendations to ensure students fully understand their choices and financial obligations in concert their education and training. I hope that all course participants have the opportunity to review your suggestions!
Jay Hollowell
In financial aid the regulatory environment is constantly changing and to ensure that students understand their obligations and their rights we have done several things. We have extended our length of time we meet with them, found additional handouts and websites to further their understanding. When we give them handouts, we review the same information in several different ways. When we discuss borrowing of students loans we review SULA, Sub, Unsub, their definitions and how they impact a student now and later. We review current borrowing amounts, estimated future borrowing and expected loan repayment amounts for all possibilities. Some students are visual, some audio and some need to work it out for themselves and with meeting our students individually it gives us an opportunity to explain FA in a way they understand.
The environment has changed by many misleads in the school and financial systems. Some schools are not being truthful so the impact has been bad by removing their accreditations or shutting the schools down. That is why we should always be honest.
The regulatory environment has changed dramatically over the last several years. Previously, our accrediting body took responsibility to make sure that we were in compliance with laws, regulations, and best practices. But more recently, the federal government has taken more control over higher education. Most of the new rules seemed aimed at for-profit schools. It almost seems as if certain members of Congress have a personal vendetta against proprietary schools. We have to be very careful to ensure that we follow every rule to the letter.
Amy,
Thanks, this is by far one of the most important points. Students often have a perception of the career they are exploring that may be very different from the realities and demands of the position. Part of assisting students in making informed decisions about their education is to ensure they are, in fact, informed about the characteristics and requirements of their chosen fields. This must be done right from the beginning of their educational pursuit.
Jay Hollowell
It is true. There are times that regulations tend to drown. But know that the institution meets standards is a great satisfaction.
The regulatory environment is increasingly demanding. Therefore, institutions have to ensure that regulations are distributed and discussed with staff from each department. Each institution must have a compliance office to ensure compliance of each area.
