Program Integrity and Institutional Quality: Distance Education and Return of Title IV, HEA Funds

Document 2024-31031 is a Final Rule published by the Department of Education in the Federal Register on January 3, 2025, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The Secretary amends the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations governing participation in the student financial assistance programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to promote program integrity and institutional quality. These regulations clarify, update, and consolidate certain provisions that apply to distance education and the return of title IV, HEA funds. They also make technical changes to the TRIO program regulations to reflect the current status of the Republic of Palau as a member of the Freely Associated States. This document provides notice that the Department fully closes out the Program Integrity and Institutional Quality: Distance Education and Return of Title IV, HEA Funds notice of proposed rulemaking. That is, we will not be finalizing the remainder of the Federal TRIO program provisions but may promulgate through future rulemaking efforts. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/03/2024-31031/program-integrity-and-institutional-quality-distance-education-and-return-of-title-iv-hea-funds.

No. Document 2024-31031 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.