Student Aid Reference Desk | Misrepresentation | Misrepresentation, definition

Federal law holds schools accountable for the truthfulness of information upon which students and families might rely, for example to make decisions regarding attendance. R...

Federal law holds schools accountable for the truthfulness of information upon which students and families might rely, for example to make decisions regarding attendance. Regulations define misrepresentation in specific areas of institutional function.

Related terms: Consumer Information

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Federal law holds schools accountable for the truthfulness of information upon which students and families might rely, for example to make decisions regarding attendance. Regulations define misrepresentation in specific areas of institutional function.

Related terms: Consumer Information

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Academic Year Administrative Capability Audit and Program Review Cash Management Cohort Default Rate (CDR) Consumer Information Cost of Attendance (COA) Direct Loans Disbursement Enrollment Status Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) Financial Responsibility of Institutions Institutional Eligibility Loan Counseling Misrepresentation Need Analysis Overawards and Overpayments Packaging Payment Period Pell Grant Perkins Loan Program Professional Judgment (PJ) Program Eligibility Program Participation Agreement (PPA) Recordkeeping Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Student Aid Index (SAI) Student Eligibility TEACH Grant Third-Party Servicers Verification Written Arrangements

Statutory Authority

Web URL 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 § 1094(c)(3) Program participation agreements [HEA § 487(c)(3)]

Web URL 34 CFR 668 Subpart F (668.71 – 668.74)

See also Subtopics for more specific references.

PDF 2023-24 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, October 2023

Publications, Articles & Other Resources

PDF A Validation Study of Self-Reported Behavior: Can College Student Self-Reports of Behavior Be Accepted as Being Self-Evident?

(North Carolina State University)

Web URL Consumer Information AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&As

(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Web URL Consumer Information Self-Study Guide

(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Web URL Do High School Students Know Their Parents' Income? Research Brief

(Journal of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, AERA)

PDF Misrepresentation Memorandum

(Postsecondary National Policy Institute)

Affiliated entities that can cause institutional liability for misrepresentation

Web URL 668.71(b)

Misrepresentation, definition

Web URL 668.71(c)

PDF 2023-24 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 6, October 2023

Misrepresentation regarding the nature of an eligible institution’s educational program

Accreditation

Web URL 668.72(a)

Availability of part-time employment or other financial aid

Web URL 668.72(j)

Facilities and equipment

Web URL 668.72(f)

Web URL 668.72(h)

Faculty, counselors, and personnel

Web URL 668.72(i)

Web URL 668.72(k)

Program and course requirements

Web URL 668.72(d)

Web URL 668.72(l)

Web URL 668.72(m)

Recommendations, testimonials, and qualification to practice career or profession

Web URL 668.72(c)

Web URL 668.72(e)

Web URL 668.72(g)

Web URL 668.72(n)

Transfer of credit

Web URL 668.72(b)

Misrepresentation regarding financial charges

Charges and cost

Web URL 668.73(b), (c)

Scholarships and other financial aid

Web URL 668.73(a)

Web URL 668.73(d)

Web URL 668.73(e)

Refund policy

Web URL 668.73(c)

Misrepresentation regarding employability of graduates

Employment conditions in field of training and job statistics

Web URL 668.74(c)

Web URL 668.74(e)

Institution's relationship with organizations or agencies to lead to employment

Web URL 668.74(a)

Placement service or other assistance to obtain employment

Web URL 668.74(b)

Web URL 668.74(d)

Requirements for, and preclusions to, employment in field of training

Web URL 668.74(f)

Penalties for substantial misrepresentation

Web URL 668.71(a)

Web URL 668.83(c)(2)(ii)

Web URL 668.84(a)(1)(ii)

Web URL 668.85(a)(1)(ii)

Web URL 668.86(a)(1)(ii)

Web URL 668.92(a)(1)(ii)

Web URL 668.92(b)

Private right of action

Web URL Program Integrity Q&A, Misrepresentation, M-Q2/M-A2

Referral by institution to ED of suspected misrepresentation by employee, third-party servicer, or other agent

Web URL 668.16(g)(2)

Substantial misrepresentation, definition

Web URL 668.71(c)

PDF 2023-24 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 6, October 2023

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