Student Aid Reference Desk | Program Eligibility

Program Eligibility

Academic programs must meet certain criteria, including minimum length, to enable students enrolled in those programs to receive Title IV assistance. An eligible institution consists of its eligible programs.

Related topics in this Index: Institutional Eligibility; Student Eligibility

Statutory Authority

U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part F—General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs § 1088(b) Definitions [HEA § 481(b)]

U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1001(b)(1) General definition of institution of higher education [HEA § 101(b)(1)]

U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1002(b)(1)(A)(i) Definition of institution of higher education for purposes of student assistance programs; Proprietary Institution of higher education [HEA § 102(b)(1)(A)(i)]

U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter I—General Provisions > Part A—Definitions § 1002(c)(1)(A) Definition of institution of higher education for purposes of student assistance programs; Postsecondary vocational institution HEA § 102(c)(1)(A)]

Regulation

ED References

See also Subtopics for more specific references.

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2

Publications, Articles & Other Resources

An Analysis Of Existing Short-Term Postsecondary Programs

Could Short-Term Pell Lead to a Pell Shortfall?

COVID And Change-Adjustments: Can Higher Education Handle Deep Change?

How Do Education Students Pay for College?

Pell Grants For Short-Term Programs

Program Eligibility AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&As

Rethinking What "Quality" Means for Accreditation and Higher Education

Short-Term Programs In The Shadows

Taking Initial Steps: A Path for Rethinking Accreditation and Quality Assurance

The Effects of Expanding Pell Grant Eligibility for Short Occupational Training Programs: Results from the Experimental Sites Initiative

Title IV Eligibility Checklist

Subtopics

Academic year

See top list entry for Academic Year

Clock hour

Definition

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Required use of

Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, Credit Hour

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Direct assessment program equivalent

Correspondence program

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Credit hour

Definition

Federal Register, 10/29/10

Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, Credit Hour

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Conversion from clock hours

Program Integrity Q&A, Credit Hour, Accrediting Agencies

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Direct assessment program equivalent

Out-of-class work

Federal Register, 10/29/10

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 1

Rounding prohibition

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Direct assessment program

See Eligible program

Distance education

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Educational program (definition)

Eligible program

See also Institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit), Postsecondary vocational institution, and Proprietary (for profit) institution of higher education

Apprenticeships

Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Definition of eligible program (general)

Direct assessment program

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Flight training program

Pell Grant-specific criteria

English as a Second Language (ESL)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Postbaccalaureate teacher program

Undergraduate program

School’s responsibility to determine program eligibility

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

SEOG-specific criteria

TEACH Grant-specific criteria

Telecommunications program

Definition of distance education

Eligibility criteria

Gainful employment (GE)

General rules

Federal Register, Rescission of Gainful Employment Regulation, 7/1/19

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #53, 5/20/15

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #123, 9/13/19

Gainful Employment Information FAQ

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #122, 6/28/19

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Certification Requirements

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #122, 6/28/19

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #77, 5/26/16

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #66, 10/23/15

Teacher certification programs

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #122, 6/28/19

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #53, 5/20/15

Disclosures related to gainful employment programs

See top list entry for Consumer Information

Need for training and relationship between program length and job entry requirements

Reporting requirements

Federal Register, Rescission of Gainful Employment Regulation, 7/1/19

Federal Register, Program Integrity Final Regulations, Gainful Employment,10/31/14

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #123, 9/13/19

Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #122, 6/28/19

Institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit)

See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admission criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

One-academic-year training program (definition)

Qualifying programs

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Postsecondary vocational institution

See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admissions criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

Equivalent of an associate degree (definition)

Qualifying programs

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Proprietary (for-profit) institution of higher education

See also Accreditation or preaccreditation, Admissions criteria, Educational program, State, State authorization (“Legally authorized”)

Equivalent of an associate degree (definition)

Qualifying programs

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Qualitative factors for short programs (>300 but <600 clock hours) eligible for Direct Loan only

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Recognized occupation (definition)

Study abroad

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 2

Week of instruction (definition)

Written arrangements between schools (consortium and contractual agreements)

See top list entry for Written Agreements