(GEN-22-11) Procedures for Institutions Seeking Approval of a Request to Change or Add Accrediting Agencies

Federal Student Aid

July 19, 2022
DCL ID
GEN-22-11
SUBJECT
Procedures for Institutions Seeking Approval of a Request to Change or Add Accrediting Agencies
SUMMARY
This letter provides guidance on the process institutions must follow that are seeking to change primary accrediting agencies or that are adding multiple accrediting agencies.

Please note that companion DCL ID GEN-22-10, dated July 19, 2022, describes the policy guidance institutions must follow to change or add an accrediting agency.

Dear Colleague:

In a previous Electronic Announcement published Aug. 5, 2016, the Department reminded institutions of the requirements for seeking FSA approval of a change of primary accrediting agency, including the documentation an institution must submit to FSA in support of a request to change a primary accrediting agency. The Department also specified the procedures for submitting such documentation. This communication updates the procedures for submitting documentation to change or add an accrediting agency by requiring an institution to submit the required documentation to the Department prior to submitting an application to a new accrediting agency. Accordingly, this communication revokes and supersedes the Aug. 5, 2016, announcement. To the extent institutions have begun the process of changing or adding an accrediting agency and relied on the 2016 EA, they must immediately inform the Department consistent with the procedures described below.

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