U.S. Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) enacted in 2008 amends and extends the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. The HEOA contains numerous federal reporting and disclosure requirements.
Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
Each institution must annually provide to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of the information that is required to be made available to students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or “FERPA”), and under The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA). This information is available on Institute Of World Politics’ website as specified under each of the headings below.
Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information
Admissions and Financial Aid makes this information available through mailings, emails, and their website.
- Staff contact information
- Types of federal student loans
- Federal student loans
- External scholarships and fellowships
Student Financial Aid Information
The Financial Aid office makes financial aid information available to prospective students via mailings and current students via emails. Information can also be found at the financial aid website.
Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
A student convicted of a federal or state drug offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV federal financial aid is ineligible for federal student aid.
The chart below illustrates the period of ineligibility for federal student aid funds.
| Number of Offenses | Possession of Illegal Drugs | Sale of Illegal Drugs |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | 1 year from date of conviction | 2 years from date of conviction |
| 2nd Offense | 2 years from date of conviction | Indefinite period |
| 3rd Offense and beyond | Indefinite period | Indefinite period |
Additional information can be found in the IWP Catalog and Student Handbook.
Student Outcomes
Alumni of The Institute of World Politics are engaged in important work in a wide variety of government agencies, private companies, foreign governments, the U.S. armed forces, intelligence agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Privacy of Student Records – FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords all students who attend a postsecondary educational institution certain rights with respect to their educational records. The Institute’s Student Privacy Policy outlines these rights and gives students the tools to direct the Institute in the handling of their personal information. Required notifications to students can be found in the Catalog and Student Handbook and it is also available on the IWP website. Students are also notified of their rights under FERPA by the Registrar’s office at the beginning of every term.
Students with Disabilities
Students who have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act are entitled to academic accommodations. The Institute of World Politics offers services for students with disabilities which can be initiated upon the students request with the Disability Officer at studentaffairs@iwp.edu or 202-462-2101.
Price of Attendance
In accordance with the HEOA, the Institute must make available to prospective and enrolled students’ information about the price of attendance, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation costs, and any additional costs. This information can be found on the Institute of World Politics website, which includes comprehensive fee details and a cost of attendance.
Refund Policy, Requirements for Withdrawal, & Return of Financial Aid
The Institute of World Politics refund policy, requirements and procedures for official withdrawal, and requirements for the return of financial aid are detailed in the Catalog and Student Handbook.
Textbook Information
IWP makes Textbook Information available to students through course syllabi and the online bookstore sixty days prior to the start of classes. The online bookstore is described in the Catalog and Student Handbook and can also be found in our online bookstore.
Academic Programs
The Catalog and Student Handbook contains information about The Institute of World Politics’ academic programs, including current programs, facilities, and faculty in accordance with the HEOA. Most of this information can also be found on the IWP Programs Page.
Transfer of Credit Policies
Academic procedures and regulations regarding transfer credit can be found in the Catalog and Student Handbook.
Accreditation & Licensing
The Institute of World Politics is accredited as a degree-granting institution by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). If you find the Institute to be out of compliance with Commission Requirements of Affiliation, standards, or policies or out of compliance with its own policies or procedures, you can contact MSCHE. The Commission expects individuals to attempt to resolve the issue through the Institute’s own published grievance procedures before submitting a complaint to the Commission.
Additionally, the Institute is licensed by the DC Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC), and information regarding our good standing with the commission can be found online at: https://helc.osse.dc.gov/Reports/InstitutionProfile.aspx?F_Institution_ID=50. Our HELC license may be found here: 2022 DC HELC License Certificate IWP (Exp 31 May 2023). HELC is the agency of last resort in the grievance process and may be contacted at 202-727-6426.
IWP is certified to operate from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), as indicated under “Private and Out of State College & Universities Certified to Operate in Virginia” on the SCHEV webpage. Our SCHEV certificate may be found here: IWP SCHEV Certificate (Sept 2022 – Aug 2023). SCHEV is also the agency of last resort in the grievance process.
IWP has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. Please contact NC-SARA only as an agency of last resort in the grievance process.
Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions
In accordance with the HEOA, the Institute communicates the Copyright Policy annually to students.
Immunization Policy
The HEOA requires the Institute to make available to current and prospective students information about institutional policies regarding immunization. Before enrolling in courses at the Institute, all students under the age of 26 must show proof of immunization against poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), diphtheria and tetanus. Forms for this purpose are available from the Registrar or on our forms page.
Security & Fire Safety Report
The Institute of World Politics emails its students, faculty, and staff an annual Safety, Security, and Fire Safety Report.
Student Loan Information Published by Department of Education
In accordance with the HEOA, institutions must provide information published by the Department of Education to students at any time that information regarding loan availability is provided. This is published on our Federal Student Loans page.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for federal student aid. Federal Stafford, Perkins, and Parent PLUS loans will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. For each new federal loan and for any changes made to the amount of a loan, a Disclosure Statement will be sent to the borrower.
Entrance and Exit Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers
In accordance with HEOA, all students must complete entrance and exit counseling available at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action. The Institute strictly enforces these requirements and makes the completion of the counseling a prerequisite for graduation.
Cohort Graduation Rates
Certificate
| Cohort | Total | # Graduated | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 16 | 5 | 31.3 |
| 2015-16 | 10 | 6 | 60 |
| 2016-17 | 13 | 7 | 53.8 |
| 2017-18 | 20 | 10 | 50 |
| 2018-19 | 8 | 3 | 37.5 |
Masters
| Cohort | Total | # Graduated | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 34 | 25 | 73.5 |
| 2015-16 | 32 | 31 | 96.8 |
| 2016-17 | 50 | 38 | 76 |
| 2017-18 | 59 | 42 | 71.2 |
| 2018-19 | 53 | 34 | 64.2 |
Note: **Students from the AY2016-2017 to AY2018-2019 cohorts are still matriculating. These graduation rates are therefore likely to increase.
Cohort Retention Rate
| Semester | Item | Description | Students | Retention Rate [D/B * 100] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP2017 | A | FA2016 Enrollment | NA | 78% |
| B | Students Eligible for Retention | NA | ||
| C | LOA’s/WD’s | NA | ||
| D | Students Retained | NA | ||
| SP2018 | A | FA2017 Enrollment | NA | 74.50% |
| B | Students Eligible for Retention | NA | ||
| C | LOA’s/WD’s | NA | ||
| D | Students Retained | NA | ||
| SP2019 | A | FA2018 Enrollment | 141 | 90.83 |
| B | Students Eligible for Retention | 131 | ||
| C | LOA’s/WD’s | 12 | ||
| D | Students Retained | 119 | ||
| SP2020 | A | FA2019 Enrollment | 144 | 89.25 |
| B | Students Eligible for Retention | 121 | ||
| C | LOA’s/WD’s | 13 | ||
| D | Students Retained | 108 | ||
| SP2021 | A | FA2020 Enrollment | 121 | 89.7 |
| B | Students Eligible for Retention | 107 | ||
| C | LOA’s/WD’s | 11 | ||
| D | Students Retained | 96 |