Going the Distance

Financial 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

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Instructors

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Course Assistance

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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

July 8 Week July 15 Week Sept 8 Week Sept 15 Week Nov 8 Week Nov 15 Week Jan 8 Week Jan 15 Week March 8 Week March 15 Week May 8 Week May 15 Week

POE Start Date

Tuesday, July 06, 2010 Tuesday, July 06, 2010 Tuesday, September 07, 2010 Tuesday, September 07, 2010 Monday, November 01, 2010 Monday, November 01, 2010 Monday, January 03, 2011 Monday, January 03, 2011 Monday, March 07, 2011 Monday, March 07, 2011 Monday, May 02, 2011 Monday, May 02, 2011

Other Challenges with Online Distance Learning

 SAP  Two Pell Grants in One Year  Consortium Agreements  Campus Safety and Security

12000000 10000000 8000000 6000000 4000000 2000000 0

Total Federal Aid

Total Federal Aid

Questions???