[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 34, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 34CFR600.41]



[Page 192-194]

 

                           TITLE 34--EDUCATION

 

 CHAPTER VI--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

PART 600_INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 

1965, AS AMENDED--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart D_Loss of Eligibility

 

Sec. 600.41  Termination and emergency action proceedings.



    (a) If the Secretary believes that a previously designated eligible 

institution as a whole, or at one or more of its locations, does not 

satisfy the statutory or regulatory requirements that define that 

institution as an eligible institution, the Secretary may--

    (1) Terminate the institution's eligibility designation in whole or 

as to a particular location--

    (i) Under the procedural provisions applicable to terminations 

contained in 34 CFR 668.81, 668.83, 668.86, 668.87, 668.88, 668.89, 

668.90 (a)(1), (a)(4), and (c) through (f), and 668.91; or

    (ii) Under a show-cause hearing, if the institution's loss of 

eligibility results from--

    (A) Its previously qualifying as an eligible vocational school;

    (B) Its previously qualifying as an eligible institution, 

notwithstanding its unaccredited status, under the transfer-of-credit 

alternative to accreditation (as that alternative existed in 20 U.S.C. 

1085, 1088, and 1141(a)(5)(B) and Sec. 600.8 until July 23, 1992);

    (C) Its loss of accreditation or preaccreditation;

    (D) Its loss of legal authority to provide postsecondary education 

in the State in which it is physically located;

    (E) Its violations of the provisions contained in Sec. 600.5(a)(8) 

or Sec. 600.7(a);

    (F) Its permanently closing; or



[[Page 193]]



    (G) Its ceasing to provide educational programs for a reason other 

than a normal vacation period or a natural disaster that directly 

affects the institution, a particular location, or the students of the 

institution or location;

    (2) Limit, under the provisions of 34 CFR 668.86, the authority of 

the institution to disburse, deliver, or cause the disbursement or 

delivery of funds under one or more title IV, HEA programs as otherwise 

provided under 34 CFR 668.26 for the benefit of students enrolled at the 

ineligible institution or location prior to the loss of eligibility of 

that institution or location; and

    (3) Initiate an emergency action under the provisions contained in 

34 CFR 668.83 with regard to the institution's participation in one or 

more title IV, HEA programs.

    (b) If the Secretary believes that an educational program offered by 

an institution that was previously designated by the Secretary as an 

eligible institution under the HEA does not satisfy relevant statutory 

or regulatory requirements that define that educational program as part 

of an eligible institution, the Secretary may in accordance with the 

procedural provisions described in paragraph (a) of this section--

    (1) Undertake to terminate that educational program's eligibility 

under one or more of the title IV, HEA programs under the procedural 

provisions applicable to terminations described in paragraph (a) of this 

section;

    (2) Limit the institution's authority to deliver, disburse, or cause 

the delivery or disbursement of funds provided under that title IV, HEA 

program to students enrolled in that educational program, as otherwise 

provided in 34 CFR 668.26; and

    (3) Initiate an emergency action under the provisions contained in 

34 CFR 668.83 with regard to the institution's participation in one or 

more title IV, HEA programs with respect to students enrolled in that 

educational program.

    (c)(1) An action to terminate and limit the eligibility of an 

institution as a whole or as to any of its locations or educational 

programs is initiated in accordance with 34 CFR 668.86(b) and becomes 

final 20 days after the Secretary notifies the institution of the 

proposed action, unless the designated department official receives by 

that date a request for a hearing or written material that demonstrates 

that the termination and limitation should not take place.

    (2) Once a termination under this section becomes final, the 

termination is effective with respect to any commitment, delivery, or 

disbursement of funds provided under an applicable title IV, HEA program 

by the institution--

    (i) Made to students enrolled in the ineligible institution, 

location, or educational program; and

    (ii) Made on or after the date of the act or omission that caused 

the loss of eligibility as to the institution, location, or educational 

program.

    (3) Once a limitation under this section becomes final, the 

limitation is effective with regard to any commitment, delivery, or 

disbursement of funds under the applicable title IV, HEA program by the 

institution--

    (i) Made after the date on which the limitation became final; and

    (ii) Made to students enrolled in the ineligible institution, 

location, or educational program.

    (d) After a termination under this section of the eligibility of an 

institution as a whole or as to a location or educational program 

becomes final, the institution may not certify applications for, make 

awards of or commitments for, deliver, or disburse funds under the 

applicable title IV, HEA program, except--

    (1) In accordance with the requirements of 34 CFR 668.26(c) with 

respect to students enrolled in the ineligible institution, location, or 

educational program; and

    (2) After satisfaction of any additional requirements, imposed 

pursuant to a limitation under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, which 

may include the following:

    (i) Completion of the actions required by 34 CFR 668.26(a) and (b).

    (ii) Demonstration that the institution has made satisfactory 

arrangements for the completion of actions required by 34 CFR 668.26(a) 

and (b).

    (iii) Securing the confirmation of a third party selected by the 

Secretary



[[Page 194]]



that the proposed disbursements or delivery of title IV, HEA program 

funds meet the requirements of the applicable program.

    (iv) Using institutional funds to make disbursements permitted under 

this paragraph and seeking reimbursement from the Secretary for those 

disbursements.

    (e) If the Secretary undertakes to terminate the eligibility of an 

institution, location, or program under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 

section:

    (1) If the basis for the loss of eligibility is the loss of 

accreditation or preaccreditation, the sole issue is whether the 

institution, location, or program has the requisite accreditation or 

preaccreditation. The presiding official has no authority to consider 

challenges to the action of the accrediting agency.

    (2) If the basis for the loss of eligibility is the loss of legal 

authorization, the sole issue is whether the institution, location, or 

program has the requisite legal authorization. The presiding official 

has no authority to consider challenges to the action of a State agency 

in removing the legal authorization.



(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1088, 1091, 1094, 1099a-3, and 1141)



[59 FR 22336, Apr. 29, 1994, as amended at 63 FR 40623, July 29, 1998]