Going the DistanceFinancial Aid for On-line and

Distance Learning

Thomas J. Dalton,

Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management

Excelsior College

Excelsior College History

1971 – The Regents External Degree Program is established by the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York

1977 – The Regents External Degree Program earns accreditation by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

1984 – Regents External Degree Program changes its name to Regents College Degrees.

1998 – The College separates from the Board of Regents, becoming an independent College with its own charter and Board of Trustees

2001 – New name “Excelsior College” is adopted

Excelsior College Today

Assessor of Credits No Residency Requirement (except for

capstone course) Assessment of prior learning

Credits by Examination Credits by On-line Courses

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA)

On February 8, 2006, online students got a boost in their ability to pay for distance education.

HERA struck down the 50-percent rule, a 1992 statute denying online students equal access to certain types of federal loans.

50 Percent Rule

Before the change, the regulation -- known as the 50-percent rule -- made the Title IV student-aid program off limits to any institution that enrolled more than half of its students at a distance or offered more than half of its courses at a distance.

The rule was enacted to halt the spread of diploma mills of the 1980s.

50 Percent Rule

Students at Colleges providing more than 50 percent of their courses online couldn't qualify for Title IV, HEA financial assistance.

Demonstration Program

Eventually, several major online institutions received special exemptions from the 50-percent rule when Congress enacted the Distance Education Demonstration Program.

In 2006, following sharp growth in online-education programs, Congress revoked the rule altogether.

Fear with Rescinding the 50% Rule

Some observers predicted that the rule change would create a swarm of institutions vying to become eligible for Title IV programs.

Others warned of a new age of diploma mills In the 3 years since the rule was lifted, little

has happened. Only a handful of schools have become

eligible including: Excelsior College American Public University

DOE – Program Review

If the institution offers programs via distance education, include the following: a list of all programs that are offered at physical campus

locations a list of all programs that includes courses that are offered via

distance education, regardless of the percentage (e.g. online) Please provide whatever materials explain the faculty role in

regards to interaction with students in distance education courses (e.g. faculty contract, handbook, job description, and policy, training materials)

any instructions or materials provided to students for participation in online courses

DOE – Program Review

If the institution offers correspondence courses, include the following: The percentage of correspondence courses offered in

the latest complete award year A list of all courses offered in the latest complete

award year, identifying those courses that are correspondence

EC Student’s Connection to Financial Aid

How EC Monitors Interaction with Students

Instructors

Course Assistance

Excessive Absenteeism Policy

Excessive Absenteeism Policy

“Attendance and participation in course activities are essential to student success at Excelsior College”

“A student is expected to be in contact with the instructor at the beginning of the course and to remain an active participant until its completion”

“Attendance will be monitored on a weekly basis”

Excessive Absenteeism Policy

The minimum expectation of a student is to demonstrate some activity in his or her course at least once a week. Activity is defined as one of the following: Posting on a discussion board, Taking an assessment (Exam) Submission of an assignment

Excessive Absenteeism Policy

If a student fails to actively participate in a course for three consecutive weeks, at any point in a term, the student is considered excessively absent

The student will be administratively withdrawn (AW) after three consecutive weeks of nonparticipation

If an AW occurs in all course work a R2T4 is calculated

Academic Calendar 2010-11

Period of Enrollment POE Start Date

July 8 Week Tuesday, July 06, 2010July 15 Week Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Sept 8 WeekTuesday, September 07, 2010

Sept 15 WeekTuesday, September 07, 2010

Nov 8 Week Monday, November 01, 2010Nov 15 Week Monday, November 01, 2010Jan 8 Week Monday, January 03, 2011Jan 15 Week Monday, January 03, 2011March 8 Week Monday, March 07, 2011March 15 Week Monday, March 07, 2011May 8 Week Monday, May 02, 2011May 15 Week Monday, May 02, 2011

Other Challenges with Online Distance Learning

SAP

Two Pell Grants in One Year

Consortium Agreements

Campus Safety and Security

Questions???