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Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici
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The Forum is pleased to share that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has announced that study abroad is exempt from its Dear Colleague Letter Guidance on “(GEN-23-03) Requirements and Responsibilities for Third-Party Servicers and Institutions” that was first issued on Wednesday, February 15. The DOE has also shared that they are rescinding the prohibition against foreign ownership.

We are grateful to have collaborated with the education abroad community to ensure that key groups were exempt from the DCL. “Thank you to everyone who showed up, listened, took action, sent letters, shared comments, and showed your support to help your colleagues—and future students—with speed and determination,” said Forum President & CEO Melissa Torres. “You are the reason why this field is able to change the lives of so many students around the globe…and will continue to have that opportunity for years to come. I am honored to advocate for you and alongside you.”

Please find more highlights from the DOE announcement shared on April 11 below:

We received significant and helpful feedback in the form of more than 1,000 comments. The careful review of these comments and consideration of any revisions to the guidance letter will take time. We know that many institutions and companies have already begun to analyze their contracts in anticipation of reporting and compliance deadlines, and we understand the concerns that can cause. We are therefore providing additional time for institutions and companies to come into compliance with the guidance. Specifically, we will delay the effective date of the guidance letter, and the September 1, 2023, date will no longer be in effect. The effective date of the revised final guidance letter will be at least six months after its publication, to allow institutions and companies to meet any reporting requirements. Deadlines for audit and contractual requirements will follow in fiscal years that begin after the effective date for the reporting requirements. 

 In the meantime, we wanted to highlight several key pieces of information that we think the community should be aware of right away.

Here is what we want everyone to know: 

• There are several activities that generated hundreds of comments but are not subject to third-party servicer requirements under the guidance. The Department does not consider contracts involving the following activities to constitute third-party servicer relationships: 
• Study abroad programs. 
• Recruitment of foreign students not eligible for Title IV aid. 
• Clinical or externship opportunities that meet requirements under existing regulations because they are closely monitored by qualified personnel at an institution. 
• Course-sharing consortia and arrangements between Title IV-eligible institutions to share employees to teach courses or process financial aid. 
• Dual or concurrent enrollment programs provided through agreements with high schools and local education agencies, which are exempt because they do not involve students receiving Title IV aid.

The announcement was posted on the same day that Forum Board Chair John Lucas and Torres presented public comments on behalf of 700+ members at the U.S. Department of Education Public Hearings on Higher Education Rulemaking on Tuesday, April 11.

Read Torres’ full comments and find out more about The Forum's advocacy efforts related to this situation in our news story.

Planning your professional development for this fall? We encourage you to explore what our European Institute and Career-Integrated Global Learning (CIGL) Conference have to offer this November—registration is now open for both events!

CIGL Conference
November 8-10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

The Career-Integrated Global Learning (CIGL) Conference is designed to bridge applied learning and international education around themes that help prepare students and colleagues for the changing world of work.

New for 2023, CIGL will be held in conjunction with the Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI) in Las Vegas. Join us for lively discussion and debate related to best practices, emerging research, and future trends that link education and employability!

European Institute
November 16-17 | Strasbourg, France

Hosted with The European Association of Study Abroad, the European Institute will be an opportunity to connect with European colleagues and address key issues facing on-site study abroad professionals and faculty.

The Institute will include workshops from a European perspective, focused on equity, diversity and inclusion, supporting students’ mental health, and sustainability. The Institute will conclude with a facilitated Open Forum, which will create a curated deliverable to share with the education abroad community.  

Today is the final day to nominate yourself or a colleague for The Forum Council! Benefits to being a member of the Forum Council include:

• The opportunity to have a strong influence on the overall direction of The Forum on Education Abroad;
• A chance to work with highly committed colleagues on a variety of initiatives that span the field;
• Multiple opportunities to demonstrate leadership; and
• Recognition as a leading professional in education abroad.

Visit our website to discover the responsibilities of the Council and get details on the election process, view the current Council Members, and more!