N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 8 § 53.3

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 53.3 - Information to be provided

Information shall be provided on financial assistance available to students, costs of attending the institution, the refund policy of the institution, and the instructional programs and other related aspects of the institution, as provided in this section.

(a) Information on financial assistance available to students shall be provided for each of the aid categories listed in this subdivision. The information printed for each program of financial assistance available to students at that institution, and for which student application is required, shall include: application procedures, including a description of forms and their preparation, method of selection of recipients and allocation of awards, award schedule, and rights and responsibilities of recipients. Standard current descriptions of State and Federal financial assistance programs will be provided by the Education Department in cooperation with the Higher Education Services Corporation to the institutions subject to the provisions of this Part. These descriptions, or some other descriptions providing the required information, along with current procedures and definitions related to emancipated student status, shall be provided by the institutions to persons identified in section 53.2 of this Part. Where summary information is provided, an institutional office where detailed information can be obtained shall be identified.

(1) State programs. Information shall be provided for those of the following programs for which students at the institution may be eligible: the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Regents College Scholarships, Regents Nursing Scholarships, Regents Awards for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans, State Assistance for Native Americans, guaranteed student loans, and also special programs for the economically and educationally disadvantaged including the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Education Opportunity Program (EOP), Search for Education and Elevation through Knowledge (SEEK), College Discovery (CD) Program, and the Work Incentive (WIN) Program. Any other State program which accounts for 10 percent or more of the total State student aid administered by the institution shall also be described in similar detail and terminology.

(2) Federal programs. Information shall be provided for those of the following programs for which students at the institution may be eligible: the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants (BEOG) program, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), National Direct Student Loans (NDSL), College Work Sugdy (CWS) program, social security payments to children of deceased/disabled parents, Federal aid to Native Americans, and Veterans Administration educational benefits. Any other Federal program which accounts for 10 percent or more of the total Federal student aid administered by the institution shall also be described in similar detail and terminology.

(3) Local institutional programs. Information shall be provided on grants, scholarships, waivers, deferrals, loans, including small emergency loans, and work-study arrangements which are administered by the institution. Financial aid programs involving awards of $300 or more per year shall be individually listed, including restrictions if any. THe number and average value or programs with awards of less than $300 per year shall be provided, along with the name, address and telephone number of an institutional office from which more detailed information can be obtained.

(b) Costs of attending the institution for each of the cost categories listed below shall be provided. Estimates, so indicated, may be used where exact figures are unavailable or inappropriate. Where summary information is provided, an institutional office where detailed information can be obtained shall be identified.

(1) Tuition and fees. Information shall be provided on all assessments against students for direct educational and general purposes. A brief description of purpose of any mandatory fee shall be included if the purpose of such fee is not apparent from its name. Course fees and lab fees shall be clearly identified. Conditions under which nonmandatory fees need not be paid shall be clearly stated.

(2) Books and supplies. Estimated costs of textbooks, books, manuals, consumable supplies and equipment, which a student should possess as a necessary corollary to instruction, shall be provided. Separate estimates shall be provided for major program categories for which such costs vary more than 25 percent from the average for the entire institution.

(3) Room and board. Costs of housing and food services operated by the institution shall be provided where such services are available. Estimated costs of similar accommodations available in the community shall also be provided. These figures shall be consistent with estimated student budgets prepared by the institution's financial aid office.

(4) Other living expenses. Estimated cost of personal expenses applicable to students devoting primary efforts to pursuit of educational objectives shall be provided. This estimate shall be consistent with similar figures defined by the institution's financial aid office.

(c) The institution shall state its policy concerning refunds due to failure of students to complete an academic term for any reason. The policy shall include the percentage or amount of tuition, fees, institution-operated room and board, and other assessments to be refunded after specified elapsed periods of time.

(d) The instructional programs of the institution shall be accurately described.

(1) Degree, certificate and diploma programs. A list of degree, certificate and diploma programs shall be provided. The list shall be consistent with the inventory of registered degree and certificate programs maintained by the Education Department. The list shall contain at least the official approved program title, degree and HEGIS code number, and shall be preceded by a statement that enrollment in other than registered or otherwise approved programs may jeopardize a student's eligibility for certain student aid awards.

(2) Program descriptions. Each degree, certificate or diploma program shall be described in terms of both prerequisites and requirements for completion.

(3) The academic year in which each instructional offering (course) is expected to be taught shall be indicated.

(4) Program-related facilities. A general description of instructional, laboratory and other facilities directly related to the academic program shall be provided, in addition to general information describing the total physical plant. Narrative and/or statistical information shall be provided about library collections and facilities, student unions, and institution-operated eating places. Hours of operation, including holiday and vacation schedules, shall be provided.

(5) Faculty and other instructional personnel. Regular resident faculty shall be listed by rank, with the highest degree held by the faculty member and the institution by which such degree was granted, and department or major program area to which such member is assigned. An estimated number of adjunct faculty and teaching assistants in each department or major program area shall be provided.

(6) Student retention. Information on student retention and graduation rates shall be provided based on a summary of the most recent cohort survival statistics (e.g., percentages of those students enrolled at the end of the spring term, percentages of freshman classes that graduate in four, five and six years) available to the institution for at least full-time undergraduates. Statistics shall be computed in a manner consistent with data reported to the Education Department through its higher education data system.

(7) Placement of graduates. Summaries of job placement and graduate school placement statistics compiled by the institution, including its placement center, shall be provided where available.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 8 § 53.3