High School Diploma Verification Policy and Procedures
According to 34 CFR 668.16(p), institutions have a role in checking the validity of a student’s high school completion. Institutions are required to develop and follow procedures to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school completion if the institution or the Secretary has reason to believe that the high school diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education.
An institution is in compliance with 34 CFR 668.16(p) if it establishes and follows a process to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school completion that includes (1) receiving documentation from the secondary school that confirms the validity of the student’s diploma, and (2) confirming with or receiving documentation from the relevant department or agency in the state in which the secondary school is located.
According to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, to receive Title IV funds, students must be qualified to study at the postsecondary level. In order to be qualified to study at the postsecondary level, students must:
- Have a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma);
- Have the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or other state-sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate; have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law;
- Have completed secondary school education in a homeschool setting which qualifies for an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law, if state law does not require a homeschooled student to receive a credential for their education; or
- Have completed one of the ability-to-benefit (ATB) alternatives and are either currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program or first enrolled in an eligible postsecondary program prior to July 1, 2012.
Los Rios Policy
Los Rios Colleges will rely on a student’s self-certification on the FAFSA that he or she obtained a high school diploma. However, if the college has reason to believe that the high school diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education or if the student was placed in a Verification Tracking Group that requires verification of high school completion status, the college will follow the procedures below, as required under the regulations at 34 CFR 668.16(p), to evaluate the validity of the student's high school completion.
Los Rios Colleges will accept a high school diploma, transcript, or its equivalent only if the issuing institution is recognized by a U.S. state education authority or accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
If a student’s secondary institution cannot be verified, or if its legitimacy is questionable, the college will conduct an independent review to determine whether the institution meets the conditions of a valid high school.
Diplomas determined to be invalid or issued by unrecognized entities (“diploma mills”) will not be accepted for financial-aid eligibility.
Verification Procedures
Financial Aid staff will check the high school against:
- California Department of Education (CDE) Private School Directory
- NCES School Search Database
- Index of Secondary Credentials for foreign high school diplomas
The diploma and transcript are reviewed for:
- Reasonable graduation date and credit completion.
- Appropriate signatures or seals.
If the school cannot be verified or if the institution has reason to believe that the high school diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity that provides secondary school education, the college may request a written statement from the entity to verify the authenticity. The college may also request a written description of course requirement or a written statement from the high school attesting to the coursework if needed.