The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed regulations aimed at increasing college access for high school students, enhancing public data on student outcomes, and strengthening oversight of distance education programs. These regulations propose changes in three key areas: federal TRIO programs, Distance Education, and Return to Title IV (R2T4). This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to improve college access, affordability, and the overall quality of postsecondary education.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we continue our relentless push to make higher education more affordable and accessible to all Americans. The regulations proposed today, if enacted, would help expand both access and affordability to our most disadvantaged students: those from low-income backgrounds, students without immigration status, and students with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “By broadening eligibility for federal programs and placing guardrails that help protect against situations that leave students with debt but no degree, we can open more doors to the life-changing potential of higher education.”
The proposed regulations will be formally published soon, with a 30-day period for public comment. Key improvements include:
- Increasing Dreamers’ access to higher education through federal TRIO programs. These programs are designed to support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by expanding eligibility to include students without immigration status enrolled in or seeking enrollment in U.S. high schools or territories.
- Enhancing oversight over distance education by requiring additional reporting on online programs and student outcomes. This aims to provide better data for evaluating student success and ensuring protections such as closed school discharges when institutions end programs.
- Simplifying R2T4 calculations for institutions while helping students who withdraw manage their outstanding balances more effectively.
These proposed regulations follow a series of public hearings initiated by the Department in April 2023 as part of its ongoing work on Program Integrity and Institutional Quality. The negotiating committee reached consensus on TRIO expansion earlier this year.
An unofficial copy of the proposed regulations is available for review.
