Substantive Change Restrictions

What to expect if you are deemed non-compliant

Institutions on Substantive Change Restrictions are subject to different or additional requirements for certain types of substantive change. Institutions are on substantive change restriction if one of the below criteria are met: 

• institution is placed on warning status (over the prior three academic years)
• institution is placed on probation (over the prior three academic years)
• institution is placed on probation for good cause (over the prior three academic years)
• is under provisional certification for participation in federal financial aid programs

Institutions on restriction are also subject to the following: 

• all off-campus instructional site changes will require approval through extensive review pathway where 50% or more of a program is offered
• approval of new programs with 25% new content (as opposed to 50%)
• approval of change in program length is program credit hours increase or decrease by 25% (verses 25% and if it impacts time of completion)
• approval to add a delivery method to an existing program (verses a notification)
• approval to initiate a program desired for prior learning (verses a notification)
• approval of an agreement with an entity not certified to participate in U.S. Department of Education title IV programs to deliver less than 25% of a program's content (verses a notification)