UPR COMPLETES FEDERAL FUNDS REINSTATEMENT PROCESS, NEW AGREEMENTS IN PLACE

Department of Education has received and completed evaluation of the reinstatement process for 10 of the 11 University of Puerto Rico (UPR) campuses. New agreements will secure no disruption of federal aid funds for students.

"NPRC and our coalition members are satisfied that both the Department of Educaction and the University of Puerto Rico have acted speditiously in solving this issue," stated Rafael A. Fantauzzi, President & CEO of the National Puerto Rican Coalition. "Now we expect that the UPR administration to focus their efforts in making sure the institution secures its accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, currently in jeopardy."

Below is Press Statement for Department of Education (Spanish and English)

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U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office   
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202                 

FOR RELEASE    
July 16, 2010  
Contact: Public Affairs
(202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

Comunicado official:

La ley es muy clara: si por cualquier motivo, excepto un periodo programado de vacaciones o una catástrofe natural, una institución deja de ofrecer programas educativos por cualquier motivo –lo que es el caso con las clausuras resultantes de la huelga de estudiantes de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR)– esa institución deja de cumplir con los requisitos para participar en programas de ayuda federal a estudiantes.

Para el viernes, 9 de julio, UPR había tomado las medidas necesarias para volver a cumplir con los requisitos de participación en programas de ayuda federal a estudiantes, las cuales el departamento ha examinado. Como resultado, hemos producido nuevos acuerdos de participación en el programa para 10 de los 11 recintos de UPR. Estos recintos volverán a reunir los requisitos para recibir ayuda federal una vez que las instituciones y el departamento suscriban dichos acuerdos. Tenemos previsto que este proceso concluya a comienzos de la próxima semana.

El undécimo, el campus de UPR en Mayagüez, actualmente está cerrado debido a los Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe que se están llevando a cabo en Mayagüez. Por lo tanto, el Departamento no puede crear los acuerdos con el recinto hasta que recomienze sus operaciones.  Esta circunstancia no perjudicará negativamente a los estudiantes.  Tenemos previsto permitir que el campus de Mayagüez vuelva a participar en el programa cuando entre en funciones en agosto.

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Statement:

The law is very clear: if an institution ceases to provide educational programs for any reason other than a scheduled vacation period or a natural disaster -- which was the case with the closures resulting from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) student strike -- that institution will lose its eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs.  

As of Friday, July 9, UPR has taken the necessary steps to reinstate its eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs, which the Department has reviewed. As a result, we’ve issued new program participation agreements to 10 of the 11 UPR campuses.  These campuses will again be eligible to receive federal aid once the schools and the Department sign those agreements.  We anticipate this process will be completed by early next week.

The 11th, UPR’s Mayaguez campus, is currently closed while they host the Central American and Caribbean Games.  They are not eligible until they reopen. This situation is understood by UPR and will not adversely impact the student population.  We anticipate reinstating eligibility to the Mayaguez campus once it reopens in August. 

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