Policy Owner: Veterans Resource Center and Enrollment Management
VP/Mission Area/Cabinet Member: President (Signs MOU with DOD)
Background:
The College entered an Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD), whereby The College provides educational and supportive services to military service members participating, or looking to participate, in our education programs. The College provides a variety of services, including the acceptance of tuition assistance funding from the service member's branch, offering financial aid support and detailed degree plans, and meaningful tuition and fees information, to help these individuals reach their educational goals. The agreement underlines the importance of providing appropriate, fair, and clear support and prohibiting high-pressure tactics through professional standards and College-wide policies.
Purpose:
Per the memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defense, the College is required to “have policies in place compliant with program integrity requirements consistent with the regulations issued by ED (34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 and 668.14) related to restrictions on misrepresentation, recruitment, and payment of incentive compensation. This applies to the educational institution itself and its agents including third party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institution.” We are required to eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members, and this policy will meet our requirements to be in compliance with our signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense.
Policy:
To eliminate aggressive marketing aimed at military service members, The College will:
- Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis amount, to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible.
- Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.
- Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.