12-HOUR RULE OFFICIALLY DEAD - The contentious 12-hour rule officially
died November 1 with a final regulation from the U.S. Department of Education in
the Federal Register. Distance education providers had long lobbied to change the
rule, which prevented many distance learners from qualifying for federal financial aid.
Replacing the 12-hour rule is the "one-day rule," requiring at least one day of
instruction per week, though "one day" has never been clearly defined. The
department's notice concerning the change said that most who commented on the
change supported it and that none who opposed it suggested an alternative. See:
http://chronicle.com/free/2002/11/2002110101t.htm (Chronicle of Higher Education,
1 Nov 02)