What is new?

Consumerist reports.

New Rules Aim To Regulate Online College Programs

Colleges offering distance education, such as online courses, must receive authorization from each state where it has students in order to received federal financial aid, according to recently released rules that aim to better regulate the online education industry and ensure students understand what protections they have when attending a college in another state.

The Department of Education unveiled the proposed rules [PDF], clarifying what schools must do to received federal student aid funds, and ensure institutions are legally authorized and monitored by states.

Under the proposal, the Department would require a school offering online education programs to get authorization in each state where it wants to market its programs and enroll students.