Guidance
Description
Guidance reflects an administrative agency’s interpretation of a law or regulation and does not create new legal requirements or obligations.
The U.S. Department of Education issues guidance in forms such as Dear Colleague Letters, FSA Enforcement Bulletins, and Agency Interpretations. Explanations included in the preamble of newly published final regulations in the Federal Register also serve as guidance.
Critical Guidance
Clarification of the Appropriate Use of Terms “National” and “Regional” by Recognized Accrediting Agencies
Description:
This interpretive rule is guidance to clarify that “regional” accreditation is an outdated term and can be misleading. Per the Higher Education Act (HEA) and Federal regulations effective July 1, 2020, all recognized accreditors are nationally recognized as institutional or regional accreditors, with no difference in quality implied.
Regulatory Guidance Relating to the Criteria and Process for Initial Recognition of an Accrediting Agency
Description:
This interpretive rule by the U.S. Department of Education is guidance to define elements in regulation pertaining to the process for initial regulation of a new programmatic or institutional accreditor.
Changes to the Approval Process for Changing Accrediting Agencies
Description:
This guidance provides direction on changing accrediting agencies and supersedes GEN-22-10 and GEN-22-11.