The second regulation that I will describe is the 12-Hour Rule
that was created by Education Department. The aim for the creation of this rule is similar to the objective of 50-percent rule: to stop the proliferation of fraudulent diploma mills and correspondence programs.

This ruling demanded all the non-traditional higher education programs to give at least 12 hours of weekly regular scheduled instruction in order for students to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Another program that pertains to distance education is the Distance Education Demonstration Program or DEDP. This was created as an assessment to verify if the rules regarding financial aid for distance education needs to be modified. The program was likewise created to provide for increased student access to higher education through distance education and to help determine the most effective means of delivering quality education via distance education.

The laws and rulings that I thought of including here are the 50 Percent Rule, the 12 Hour Rule, the Distance Education Demonstration Program, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act.

The 50 Percent Rule was a regulation that prevents the colleges offering more than half their courses through distance education and/or enrol more than half of their students in online programs from obtaining federal financial aid programs. This was created in 1992 to stop the acceleration of diploma mills.

However, on February 8, 2006, the Higher Education Reconciliation Act or HERA stopped down the 50-percent rule granting online students equal access to certain types of federal loans. This means that people who wish to study or continue their studies through online colleges have now more ways to finance their education whether it is just short-term certificate programs.

It is a common qualities among diploma mills to have a name that sounds similar to accredited academic institutions. This is to attract and give impression that they are prestigious online school. For this reason they tend to confuse many people or student
who check on their websites.

Most diploma mills have a license to do business so they can operate but that is not enough compliance because the school business is regulated by the government. It is a mere privilege and not anyone can enjoy venturing into this business without observing the rules set by the authorities.

A diploma mill is far from the procedure the accredited schools and institution implemented. The diploma mill does not require academic record or grade average unlike in accredited schools. They accept anyone without going into the procedure of screening if the potential student is qualified to take the degree. Hence when you consider taking online degree carefully investigate and check your chosen school to prevent yourself from mishap of getting no recognition.

One way to identify if your prospected school is engaged in selling diploma mill is to check if they have a legitimate accreditation. Take time to verify if they are recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and if they have a pertinent list of their faculty because the absence of either makes them unacceptable.

Be watchful when they do not require you academic records upon admission because this definitely means they are bogus. They are likewise to be engage in selling degree mills if they promise you to receive your diploma in a short period of time.

There are two kinds of bogus diploma mills. The first kind is the one which sell a copy of degree diploma with your name on it. The people involved here will just require you to pay certain amount of tuition fee. After payment you will receive a ready made diploma though you have not done anything. This act is unauthorized and punished by the State.

The next type of bogus diploma mill is the one that offers sham courses which will usually charge low tuition fee. Once you check their website you will be attracted on the advertisement they have. They will make you believe that the programs they offer are legitimate and will give you the required degree you needed. They will also emphasize on the convenience and flexibility of their online learning programs.

So if by chance you meet these two forms of bogus diploma mills stay away from it because they cannot give you the legal degree you want. And the sure way to know the authenticity of any diploma or degree being offered to you is to check and investigate the validity of their accreditations. And remember that although, online studying are more flexible and more convenient than traditional schooling, you still need to sweat out and study hard to earn any degree.

Many people who rush in applying for online courses usually get into this bogus diploma. The reason for this is once they make an inquiry the bogus school will do the sales talk boosting their programs. They will tell you that you are not required to study hard or to take exams . They will promise you that everything is done fast and simple. They also attract you with low tuition fees or one time payment for as low $299 in exchange of your desired diploma. So if you failed to research and check their accreditation most likely you will fall on their operation.

Imagine who can’t be attracted when they are very energetic on sending e-mails to follow-up your confirmation. They will also give you tempting offers and discount that you can hardly say no. For example if you will enrol now or within their promo period they will help you to get a scholarship. So once you are face with this situation make sure to check and investigate.

But did you know that there are some people in the Unites States who are holding bogus diploma? Check out this story.