"Telecommunications" was defined as using television, audio, or computer transmission, including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conference, computer conferencing, video cassettes or discs. Non-U.S. institutions are permitted, however, to use telecommunications technologies to supplement and support classroom instruction offered as part of an otherwise eligible program.
From time to time Sallie Mae revises its loan program policies and eligibility guidelines. Currently it is Sallie Mae's policy that otherwise qualified U.S. borrowers enrolled in distance learning programs at non-U.S. higher education institutions are not eligible for Sallie Mae Signature Student loans.
We recognize that these policies may limit the funding options for a small number of programs at your institution. It is our hope that you will contact your Sallie Mae International representative, should you have any questions about this policy.
These rules apply to U.S. students in a program that leads to a certification, or associate, bachelors or graduate degree at a foreign institution. Foreign students are not eligible. The FFELP eligibility information can be found in the Common Manual under Section 5.12, "Use of Telecommunications and Correspondence in Programs of Study" (PDF, 3.57MB).
Definition of telecommunications (distance learning)
A course offered during an award year is one that principally uses television, audio, or computer transmission, including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave or satellite, audio conferencing, computer conferencing, or video cassettes or discs.
A course is not considered to be a telecommunications course if the course is delivered using video cassettes or discs unless that same course is also delivered to students who are physically attending classes at the institution providing the course during the same award year. "If a foreign school offers a program of study that includes even a single telecommunications course, that program of study is ineligible for Title IV funds." However, legislation states that "telecommunications technologies may be used in the foreign school classroom to supplement and support instruction offered as part of an otherwise eligible program."
Definition of correspondence study (online courses)
A home-study course is one in which the institution provides instructional materials, including examination on those materials, to students who are not physically attending classes at the institution. If a course is a combination of correspondence work and residential training, the entire course is considered correspondence study.