Publication Date: November 18, 2015
Posted Date: November 18, 2015
Subject: Expansion of the Competency-Based Education Experiment Under the Experimental Sites Initiative
FR Type: Notice
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 72052-72055] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2015-29437] ====================================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice Expanding an Experiment Under the Experimental Sites Initiative; Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. [[Page 72053]] ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary is expanding the Competency-Based Education experiment, which was announced in a previous Federal Register notice, to provide additional flexibility in how institutions provide Federal student aid to students who are enrolled in competency-based education programs, including providing waivers and modifications to statutory and regulatory requirements designed to support competency-based education programs that charge a flat fee for a period of time rather than charging by course or by competency. The expansion of the Competency-Based Education experiment provides two additional sets of waivers that are available to both institutions currently approved for the experiment and institutions that may be approved based on their submission of a letter of interest. These sets of waivers are described in this notice below, under "The Experiment" In a Federal Register notice published on July 31, 2014, the Secretary invited postsecondary educational institutions (institutions) that participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to apply to participate in institutionally-based experiments, including the Competency-Based Education experiment, under the Experimental Sites Initiative (ESI). DATES: Institutions that have not already received approval to participate in the Competency-Based Education experiment must submit a letter of interest following the instructions included in this notice. Letters of interest must be received by the Department no later than January 19, 2016 in order for an institution to receive priority to be considered for participation in the experiment. Letters received after January 19, 2016 may still, at the discretion of the Secretary, be considered for participation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Warren Farr, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, 830 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20002. Telephone: (202) 377-4380 or by email at: Warren.Farr@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1- 800-877-8339.