Department of Education Regulations

Compliance with federal rules and regulations impacts administrative offices across college and university campuses. For business officers, NACUBO is highlighting five federal Department of Education compliance areas college and university business officers should pay particular attention to. Compliance with these rules and regulations is required for eligibility for and participation in Title IV federal student aid programs and requires collaboration with officials across the institution. NACUBO encourages chief business officers (CBOs) to collaborate with general counsel, campus risk managers, and those with IPEDS, EZ Audit, and other reporting responsibilities to ensure proper compliance, as well as these suggested administrators:

• Financial Responsibility Standards
  
  • Controllers

• Privacy & Data Security
  • Information security officers

• Program Integrity
  • Presidents, provosts

• Student Financial Services (SFS)
  • Bursars, financial aid officers

• Title IX & Campus Safety and Security
  • Campus security & student affairs professionals

Financial Responsibility Standards

The Department of Education's financial responsibility standards are intended to ensure that institutions that participate in the federal financial assistance programs are able to meet their financial obligations and provide the resources necessary to offer their educational programs and comply with ED rules. Learn more on NACUBO's Financial Responsibility Standards page.

Privacy & Data Security

Colleges and universities are the holders of sizable amounts of personal and financial data on both students and employees that may be stored across multiple different academic and business office areas for a variety of purposes. As such, higher education institutions are regulated under a number of different privacy and data security regulations. Find out more about your institution's privacy and data security obligations, including those under the newly passed European Union General Data Protection Regulation, by visiting NACUBO's Privacy & Data Security page.

Program Integrity

NACUBO is committed to preserving the public’s confidence in federal student aid programs and protecting students from fraud and abuse without placing an undue regulatory burden on institutions that offer a legitimate, quality education. NACUBO’s expertise and advocacy efforts have focused on ED regulations related to program integrity, particularly borrower defense, gainful employment, and state authorization. Find out more by visiting NACUBO's program integrity regulations page

Student Financial Services (SFS)

Student Financial Services (SFS) describes how colleges and universities provide students and families with finance-related services, such as applying for financial aid and paying a tuition bill, along with the associated business processes necessary to pay for college. SFS professionals manage the policies and procedures related to a student's account, which tracks tuition and other charges, payments, and application of financial aid. Learn more on NACUBO's SFS regulations page.

Title IX & Campus Safety and Security

Every school that receives federal dollars, whether public or private, must adhere to federal regulations related to campus safety and gender discrimination. To find out more about NACUBO's work on the Clery Act and Title IX, visit the Title IX and campus safety regulations page.

Archives 

To read older articles related to NACUBO's work on Department of Education regulations, see NACUBO's ED regulations archives.