With all of the ongoing changes and constant updates to regulations, eligibility, and compliance within higher education, it can be hard for institutions to keep up. Many institutions and continuing education programs employ the services of a professional organization to ensure that all requirements for funding, grants, and overall review remain up to date. Lapses in any area can be catastrophic for a career school, but luckily there are many tools and resources available to help you manage these issues and ensure everything is on track.
Higher Ed Content Online
A great place to start is to follow blogs and websites that feature new information on changes in the world of higher ed. It’s great to stay informed on current events in your industry no matter what, but this can also be a great place to check for trends that could lead to official changes that affect your operations. For instance, the U.S. Department of Education provides users with a centralized repository of information to assist with adherence to federal laws and regulations. From a news perspective, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) give readers the latest events and news analysis of career school goings-on.
Training & Conferences
Another option for ensuring your institution remains at the forefront of the latest trends in higher ed is to attend training sessions, seminars, and conferences, particularly on the subjects of updates and compliance measures. Software and services provider FAME offers a variety of webinars aimed at improving the efficiency of your school operations, minimizing errors, and reducing costs for institutions like yours. These types of collaborative events, whether virtual or in-person, also allow you to learn and discuss current news and happenings with other school owners or faculty members.
A Knowledgeable Consultant
In some cases, career schools have so many moving parts that there is really no substitute for working with a knowledgeable higher education consultant. When it comes to complex needs like student information systems, financial aid processing, and or overall regulatory compliance, having a highly knowledgeable consulting partner — like those at FAME — can be invaluable. These partners can save you time, money, and effort as well as act as a middleman between your institution and federal authorities. In some cases, consultants have developed relationships throughout the financial aid and higher ed community in order to ensure the services they provide are as up-to-date as possible.
The Bottom Line
There’s a lot to keep up with when it comes to staying current as a career school. Whether staying up to date with the news, ensuring your institution is fully compliant with regulations, or preparing for an audit, it helps to have an array of resources in your toolbox. This can include in-house resources as well as employing the assistance of experienced consultants. This will ensure that your institution is running as efficiently as possible given the ever-changing landscape of higher ed.
