Substantive Change: Pell-Eligible Prison Education Programs
Prior HLC approval or notification may be required when an institution offers a new Pell-eligible prison education program (also referred to as PEP) or changes the modality of a previously approved PEP. See HLC’s Glossary for the definition of a PEP and other related terms, including oversight entity, correctional facility and best interest determination.
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Federal PEP Requirements
See the Federal Student Aid Knowledge Center: Prison Education Programs for federal expectations and requirements for PEPs. Prior to seeking approval from HLC for a new PEP, institutions are required to obtain approval from the relevant oversight entity for the correctional facility.
Revised Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative
Institutions currently participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Revised Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative (ESI) remain responsible for seeking HLC approval no later than the expiration of the timeframe for such ESI (three award years), if they intend to continue offering Pell-eligible prison education programs.
PEP Resources
Webinar on HLC’s Policies and Processes
Watch our recorded webinar on the Pell-eligible prison education program (PEP) process. It covers HLC’s PEP policy, substantive change application, screening form and stipulations, as well as our additional location confirmation visits for PEP.
Guidebook on Prison Higher Education Programs
HLC collaborated with the Vera Institute of Justice on a guidebook for accreditors and their peer reviewers, providing insight into the unique context and goals of postsecondary education in correctional facilities.
Screening Form
Institutions planning to start a new PEP or change the modality of an approved PEP should complete HLC’s PEP screening form.
Types of Requests
New Programs
Change to Program Modality
Follow-Up Reviews
Additional Location Confirmation Visit for PEPs
Additional location confirmation visits for PEPs are conducted for an institution’s first two approved PEPs at two separate correctional facilities. The review takes place within six months of the matriculation of students who are incarcerated and initiation of instruction at each correctional facility.
PEP Methodology Review
Two years after an institution begins offering its first PEP at a correctional facility, HLC will review and approve the methodology for how the institution, in collaboration with the oversight entity for the correctional facility, determined that the PEP meets the same standards as substantially similar programs at the institution that are not prison education programs, and otherwise meets related federal requirements. Therefore, institutions are required to create and retain documentation of this methodology to facilitate this review.
Related Resources
