Requires institutions of higher education and proprietary degree-granting institutions that have agreements with online program managers to disclose online program information.
The introduction of S3821 has potential implications for accountability within the higher education sector, especially for institutions relying on OPMs for online program delivery. By mandating these disclosures, the state aims to protect students from misleading advertising and practices related to online degrees. This move could serve to mitigate the concerns surrounding the opacity of costs and financial aid packages associated with online education, which has been a point of contention among student advocacy groups.
Senate Bill S3821, introduced on October 24, 2024, mandates that institutions of higher education and proprietary degree-granting institutions with agreements with online program managers (OPMs) must disclose specific details regarding their online programs on their websites. The bill seeks to enhance transparency for prospective students by requiring schools to provide essential information such as the name of the OPM, admission requirements, tuition costs compared to traditional on-campus options, available financial aid, the average amount of financial aid awarded, and the percentage of online students receiving aid. This requirement is aimed at ensuring that students can make informed decisions about their educational investments.
While the bill emphasizes transparency, it may also generate discussion about the extent of regulatory oversight on higher education institutions and OPMs. Critics may argue that increased disclosures could lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced flexibility for institutions in how they market their programs or operate their financial aid processes. Furthermore, the nature of OPM agreements themselves could be scrutinized, as these relationships often involve significant financial incentives that may not always align with student success or institutional integrity.