[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 34, Volume 3] [Revised as of July 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 34CFR668.3] [Page 413-414] TITLE 34--EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PART 668--STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS--Table of Contents Subpart A--General Sec. 668.3 Reductions in the length of an academic year. (a) General. (1) An institution that provides at least a 2-year or 4-year educational program for which the institution awards an associate or baccalaureate degree, respectively, may request the Secretary to reduce the minimum period of instructional time of the academic year for any of the institution's educational programs to not less than 26 weeks. (2) The institution must submit its request to the Secretary in writing and must include in the request-- (i) Identification of each educational program for which the institution requests a reduction and the requested length of its academic year, in weeks of instructional time, for that educational program. The requested length for its academic year may not be less than 26 weeks of instructional time; (ii) Information demonstrating that the institution satisfies the requirements of this section; and (iii) Any other information that the Secretary may require to determine whether to grant the request. (b) Transition period for institutions participating in at least one Title IV, HEA program on the effective date of this section. The Secretary grants, for a period not to exceed 2 years from the effective date of this section, the request of an institution participating in at least one Title IV, HEA program on the effective date of this section for a reduction in the minimum period of instructional time of the academic year if the institution-- (1) Satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; (2) Has an academic year of less than 30 weeks of instructional time on the effective date of these regulations; (3) Demonstrates that the institution awards, disburses, and delivers, and has since July 23, 1992, awarded, disbursed, and delivered, Title IV, HEA program funds in accordance with the definition of academic year in section 481(d) of the HEA; and (4) Demonstrates that the institution is in the process of changing to a minimum of a 30-week academic year. (c) Longterm reduction. (1) The Secretary may grant the request of any institution that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section for a longterm reduction in the minimum period of instructional time of the academic year. In making this determination, the Secretary considers circumstances including, but not limited to: (i) A demonstration to the satisfaction of the Secretary by the institution of unique circumstances that justify granting the request; (ii) In the case of a participating institution, demonstration that the institution awards, disburses, and delivers, and has since July 23, 1992, awarded, disbursed, and delivered, Title IV, HEA program funds in accordance with the definition of academic year in section 481(d) of the HEA; (iii) Approval of the institution's nationally recognized accrediting agency or State body that legally authorizes the institution to provide postsecondary education, including specific review and approval of the length of the academic year for each educational program offered at the institution; and (iv) The number of hours of attendance and other coursework that a full-time student is required to complete in the academic year for each of the institution's educational programs. [[Page 414]] (2) An institution that is granted a reduction in the minimum of 30 weeks of instructional time for an academic year in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section and that wishes to continue to use a reduced number of weeks of instructional time must reapply to the Secretary for a reduction whenever the institution is required to apply to continue to participate in a Title IV, HEA program. (d) An institution may demonstrate compliance with paragraphs (b)(3) and (c)(1)(ii) of this section by making arrangements that are satisfactory to the Secretary to repay any overawards that resulted from the improper awarding, disbursing, or delivering of Title IV, HEA program funds. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1840-0537) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1088) [59 FR 22421, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 34964, July 7, 1994; 59 FR 61178, Nov. 29, 1994; 60 FR 42408, Aug. 15, 1995]