Post on 18-Dec-2015
transcript
ONLINE PROGRAMS: CHALLENGES AND
SOLUTIONSMelody DeFlorioMay 18, 3014
• Identify Challenges1
• Discuss institutional solutions2
• Discuss long term ED solutions3
Goals
Distance Education CoursesHEA Sec. 103 and 484(I)34 CFR 600.2, 668.38
Distance education refers to instruction delivered to students who are physically separated from their instructor, to support regular and substantive interaction between student and instructor, whether in real time or through time delay
Distance Education
VERIFICATION
PROCESSING AID
COA
FRAUD
Challenges
• Educational Purpose
• Identity• Citizenship• Unusual enrollment
History
Verification
Identity and statement of educational purpose
For students selected for verification tracking group 5:“A student who is unable to appear at the school must sign and submit the statement of educational purpose, and he must submit a copy of his ID with the statement signed by a notary public confirming that the student appeared before her and presented the ID confirming his identity”
For students who are flagged in the V6 group who only qualify for non-need based aid, the verification of identity/educational purpose is not required.
Citizenship – US Citizens
For Packaging
• Copy of birth certificate
• Copy of US Passport• Form FS-240, report
of birth abroad• N-560, certificate of
citizenship• N-550, certificate of
naturalization
For Disbursement
• Original documentation of citizenship presented by student
Citizenship – Eligible Noncitizens
DHS cannot confirm noncitizen status(Code 144)
DHS Performs automated secondary confirmation
Code 120 (Y) – Eligibility confirmed Code 105 (C) – not yet confirmed, wait 10 business days for new ISIR
Eligibility Confirmed
No Confirmation – Code 046 (N)
School begins Paper Secondary
Confirmation
Challenges:
Original Documentation• Finding secure methods to obtain original documents
Frequent starts/rolling admissions• Students may have a faster admissions process in the
online environment. Clearing these issues quickly to get students their funds
Students Nationwide• Working with students around the country and out of the
country to get the documentation required in a timely manner
Document Management
• Establish policies and procedures for accepting documents from distance learners
• Have system in place to return documents to a student
• Indicate a point person to handle all DHS flags and do necessary follow up
Training• Provide adequate training for
staff on verification documents
Communication
• Are departments communicating with one another?
• How can admissions help?• What can the registrar do to expedite
these processes?
Solutions
Enrollment Status
Attendance Policy
R2T4
Overpayments
Challenges of Processing Aid
Enrollment status Challenges
Award/Refund Accuracy
Communication
Enrollment status Challenges
Award/refund accuracy
Communication
Registrar
Faculty
Financial Aid
Enrollment
Participation
Eligibility
‘Classroom’ Activity
• Confirming Participation
• Nonterm programs
• Module based programs
• Change in enrollment status: student vs institution at fault
• Add/drop policy: working with or against disbursement and refunding policies
Are you an institution required to take attendance?
From FSA Handbook, Volume 6, Chapter 1
• Discussion Posts
• Group Projects
• Submitting weekly assignments
• Administrative withdraw policy
R2T4 and Overawards
Problem:
• Higher risk of overaward/overpayment
Solutions:
• Routine monitoring of attendance
• Routine monitoring of enrollment status,
particularly for module-based programs
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Tuition and Fees
Books, supplies
Transportation
Miscellaneous
Room and board
Dependent care
Disability care
Loan fees
Exceptional Expenses*
Allowable COA Costs
Allowable COA Costs
COA considerations
Student by student considerations:Student unemployed?
Do they have daycare expenses?
Where do they live?
Internet/computer costs
Aggregate borrowing: sustainable?
Institutional considerations:Distance learners must be treated same way as traditional learners
COA must be same for all students in same program
Room and board component should be adjusted for less than half time enrolled students
COA Resources
College Board
IPEDS
NASFAA Tools
EASFAA Peers
Survey Monkey
FRAUD
OIG Audit Findings:
Colleges disbursed $222 million in aid to more than 42,000 online students who did not earn credits during a payment period
Fraud
OIG’s IPAR: Distance Education Fraud Rings L42L0001
“Education programs that are delivered solely through the Internet present unique opportunities for fraud and challenges for oversight, because Title IV programs were designed to deliver aid to students who are physically present in traditional classrooms, rather than alternative on-line environments”
Fraud
• Distance Education Programs growing quickly• Verification of Identity is not required• Refunds
Fraud Challenges
Verification of Student IdentityAligning disbursement/refund schedule with add/drop scheduleNSLDS and CPS flags for potential fraud activityMonitor classroom activity
Fraud Solutions
Shared Experiences
Other Challenges
Questions?
Melody DeFloriomdeflori@norwich.edu802-485-2019