Prison Education Program Accreditation Requirements

The Secretary establishes regulations for Federal Pell Grants (Pell Grants or Pell) for Prison Education Programs (PEPs), to implement the statutory requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, that amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to establish Pell Grant eligibility for a confined or incarcerated individual enrolled in a PEP. These regulations are a result of negotiated rulemaking and added new title IV regulations to especially in Subpart P of 34 CFR Section 668. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 added section 484(t) to the HEA to formally establish Pell Grant eligibility for confined or incarcerated individuals, as long as they are enrolled in a PEP as defined under the HEA. The regulations implement the statutory requirements allowing access to Federal Pell Grants for individuals who are confined or incarcerated when enrolled in programs that meet necessary standards. This collection established the burden under regulations at 34 CFR 668.237 - Accreditation requirements. These regulations prescribe program evaluation at the first two additional Prison Education Program (PEP) locations of a participating institution of higher education to ensure institutional ability to offer and implement the PEP in accordance with the accrediting agency's standards. The regulations require the accrediting agency to conduct a site visit no later than one year after the institution has initiated a PEP at its first two additional locations at correctional facilities. Additionally, the regulations require accrediting agencies to review the methodology used by an institution in determining the PEP meets the same standards for substantially similar non-PEP programs offered at the institution.

The latest form for Prison Education Program Accreditation Requirements expires 2029-01-31 and can be found here.