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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Good Morning Fellow FAAs.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Want to share an email response I received from DOE regarding minimum length of Certificate Programs we could offer, etc.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script";color:#1F497D'>Susan Prater<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>Director<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>UCO Student Financial Services<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>405.974.2300<o:p></o:p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Rhodes, Michael [mailto:Michael.Rhodes@ed.gov]  Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 3:48 PM To: Susan Prater Cc: Summers, Trevor Subject: RE: Certificate program requirement question<o:p></o:p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>Susan, <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>As you cited from the Handbook, on page 2-4, we see the definitions of the three types of institutions:<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>Institution of Higher Education (IHE) - A public or private nonprofit educational institution located in a state<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>Proprietary Institution of Higher Education - a private for-profit educational institution located in a state<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>Postsecondary Vocational Institution (PVI) - A public or private nonprofit educational institution located in a state<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>You and I agree your school meets the definition of the IHE.  We also agree your school does not meet the definition of a proprietary school. Given these facts, let's concentrate on the PVI. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>PVI's can sometimes be considered only as a PVI. Examples would be those nonprofit schools that offer only vocational/certificate programs. They have no degrees, AA, BA, BS, MBA, etc. Because they otherwise meet the definition as mentioned above, these schools are allowed to offer certification programs less than one year in length, as long as these programs lead to gainful employment. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>Two-year and four-year schools may also be defined as PVI's if the certificate programs being offered also lead to gainful employment. The fact that an IHE offers degree programs does not prevent that school from also meeting the requirements of a PVI. Both types of schools are defined with the same basic language. For purposes of this discussion, the basic difference between an IHE and a PVI is the ability to grant degrees. Both types of schools qualify to offer certificate programs of less than one year. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>My only caution in creating new programs is to ensure your school is very familiar with the types of aid students may or may not be eligible for and the various responsibilities a school may have for programs of different length. For example:<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>Students in programs of 600 clock hours or longer (or its equivalent in credit hours) could qualify for both Pell Grants and Direct Loans, if otherwise eligible. Students enrolled in programs of 300 - 599 clock hours (which must be offered in clock hours, not credit hours) will only qualify for Direct Loans, no Pell Grants)<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>Programs of 300 - 599 clock hours, also termed as short term programs, must also meet what is called the 70/70 rule. These programs must<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New";color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>   <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>have verified completion and placement rates of at least 70%,<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New";color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>   <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>not be more than 50% longer than the minimum training period required by the state or federal agency, if any, for the occupation for which the program of instruction is intended, and<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New";color:#0F243E'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>   <![endif]><span style='color:#0F243E'>have been in existence for at least one year.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have further questions. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'>Thank you, <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Michael K Rhodes<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Institutional Improvement Specialist<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Federal Student Aid<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>U.S. Education Department<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>1999 Bryan St Suite 1410<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Dallas, TX 75201-6817<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>214-661-9484<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>214-661-9662 (fax)<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#3300FC'><img width=297 height=33 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01CF661D.5EBF8C10" alt="Description: cid:087061C5-FCA6-454F-AE50-2B402E475341"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#76923C'><a href="http://studentaid.gov/"><span style='color:#76923C'>StudentAid.gov</a><span style='color:#76923C'><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FederalStudentAid"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#76923C'>https://www.facebook.com/FederalStudentAid</a><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><a href="http://www.youtube.com/%20FederalStudentAid"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#76923C'>http://www.youtube.com/ FederalStudentAid</a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;color:#76923C'><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><a href="http://twitter.com/FAFSA"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#76923C'>http://twitter.com/FAFSA</a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;color:#76923C'><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0F243E'><o:p> </o:p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Susan Prater [<a href="mailto:SPrater4@uco.edu">mailto:SPrater4@uco.edu</a>]  Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 2:34 PM To: Rhodes, Michael Subject: FW: Certificate program requirement question<o:p></o:p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>Michael,<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for attempting to respond so quickly to my Certificate program question.  My institution is in the process of considering offering more Certificate programs that would be eligible for financial aid and I have been invited to an Academic Affairs meeting next Tuesday to discuss the federal regulations involved.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>My understanding per Vol. 2, Ch. 2<span style='color:#1F497D'>, <span style='color:black'>p. 16 of the Student Federal Aid Handbook is that if you meet the definition of a post-secondary vocational or proprietary institution, you can offer a Certificate program less than one year, and additional guidance is provided in the handbook.  But, if you don’t meet the post-secondary vocational institution definition, a Certificate program offered at a 4 year public/private or 2 year community college must be at least one academic year in length.    In both cases, the program must prepare for gainful employment.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>Upon review of our ECAR, #26G is checked that includes several bullets regarding undergraduate program information but doesn’t include the differences of an institution of higher education versus meeting the definition of a postsecondary vocation institution.  I did read the regulations 34 CFR 668.6 on Postsecondary vocational institution, if that is where the definition is supposed to be, but that really didn’t clear up my question relating to what’s stated in the SFA handbook and whether UCO meets that definition. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated.  My understanding was that for financial aid eligibility, our school could only offer Certificate programs of 1 academic year.  What definition is the SFA Handbook referencing?<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script"'>Susan Prater<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Director<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>UCO Student Financial Services<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>405.974.2300<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><br clear=all>**Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary!  **CONFIDENTIALITY** -This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited. <o:p></o:p></div><br clear=all> **Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary!  **CONFIDENTIALITY** -This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited.

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