Program Eligibility

• Statutory Authority

  • U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part F—General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs § 1088(b) Definitions [HEA § 481(b)]
  • U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1001(b)(1) General definition of institution of higher education [HEA § 101(b)(1)]
  • U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1002(b)(1)(A)(i) Definition of institution of higher education for purposes of student assistance programs; Proprietary Institution of higher education [HEA § 102(b)(1)(A)(i)]
  • U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1002(c)(1)(A) Definition of institution of higher education for purposes of student assistance programs; Postsecondary vocational institution HEA § 102(c)(1)(A)]

• Regulations

  • 668.8

• ED References

  See also Subtopics for more specific references.

  • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2
  • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2

• NASFAA Publications and Articles

  • NASFAA AskRegs Knowledgebase

    Search or browse the Knowledgebase for answers to regulatory and compliance questions submitted by financial aid administrators.

  • NASFAA Compliance Engine

    The Compliance Engine is comprised of two modules: the Self-Evaluation Checklists which allows administrators to evaluate their programs in a centralized, shared online space, and the P&P Builder, a tool designed to assist institutions in the creation and maintenance of a policies and procedures manual. Along with an online space to update and maintain policies and procedures, the P&P Builder includes legislation and regulation associated with compliance with Title IV requirements.

  • How-to Guide: NASFAA Title IV Eligibility Checklist

• Subtopics

  • Academic year

    See top list entry for Academic Year

  • Clock hour

    • Definition

      • 600.2
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Required use of

      • 668.8(k)(2), (3)
      • Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, CH-Q9/A9 to CH-Q11/A11
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Direct assessment program equivalent

      • 668.10(a)(3)

  • Correspondence program

    • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
    • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Credit hour

    • Definition

      • 600.2
      • Federal Register, 10/29/10, p. 66844
      • GEN-11-06
      • Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, CH-Q1/A1 to CH-Q8/CH-A8ED
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Conversion from clock hours

      • 668.8(k)(1)
      • 668.8(l)
      • 668.9
      • Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, A-Q1/A-A1 to A-Q2/A-A2
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Direct assessment program equivalent

      • 668.10(a)(3)

    • Out-of-class work

      • Federal Register, 10/29/10, p. 66848
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 1
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 1

    • Rounding prohibition

      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Direct assessment program

    See Eligible program

  • Distance education

    • 600.2
    • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
    • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Educational program (definition)

    • 600.2

  • Eligible program

    See also Institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit), Postsecondary vocational institution, and Proprietary (for profit) institution of higher education

    • Apprenticeships

      • GEN-14-22

    • Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities

      • 668.8(n)
      • 668.232
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Definition of eligible program (general)

      • 668.8(a)

    • Direct assessment program

      • 668.8(n)
      • 668.10
      • GEN-14-23
      • GEN-13-10
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Flight training program

      • 668.8(i)

    • Pell Grant-specific criteria

      • English as a Second Language (ESL)

        • 668.8(j)
        • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
        • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

      • Postbaccalaureate teacher program

        • 668.8(h)(1)
        • 690.6(c)

      • Undergraduate program

        • 668.8(h)(1)

    • School’s responsibility to determine program eligibility

      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • SEOG-specific criteria

      • 668.8(h)(2)

    • TEACH Grant-specific criteria

      • 668.8(h)(3)

    • Telecommunications program

      • Definition of distance education

        • 600.2

      • Eligibility criteria

        • 668.8(m)

  • Gainful employment (GE)

    • General rules

      • 668.401
      • 668.403
      • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #53, 5/20/15
      • Gainful Employment Information FAQ
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

    • Certification Requirements

      • 668.414
      • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #77, 5/26/16
      • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #66, 10/23/15

      • Teacher certification programs

        • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #53, 5/20/15

    • Disclosures related to gainful employment programs

      See top list entry for Consumer Information

    • Need for training and relationship between program length and job entry requirements

      • 668.14(b)(26)

    • Reporting requirements

      • 668.411
      • Federal Register, 10/31/14
      • GEN-15-12
      • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #108, 8/18/17
      • Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement, #107, 8/2/17

  • Institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit)

    See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admission criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

    • One-academic-year training program (definition)

      • 600.2

    • Qualifying programs

      • 668.8(c)
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Postsecondary vocational institution

    See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admissions criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

    • Equivalent of an associate degree (definition)

      • 668.8(b)

    • Qualifying programs

      • 668.8(d)
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Proprietary (for-profit) institution of higher education

    See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admissions criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

    • Equivalent of an associate degree (definition)

      • 668.8(b)

    • Qualifying programs

      • 668.8(d)
      • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
      • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Qualitative factors for short programs (>300 but <600 clock hours) eligible for Direct Loan only

    • 668.8(d)(3)
    • 668.8(e)
    • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
    • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Recognized occupation (definition)

    • 600.2

  • Study abroad

    • 668.39
    • 2018-19 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2
    • 2017-18 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

  • Week of instruction (definition)

    • 668.8(b)(2),(3)

  • Written arrangements between schools (consortium and contractual agreements)

    See top list entry for Written Agreements