Justice and Law Enforcement:

The Basic Educational Opportunity Grant Program at Holliston Junior College

HRD-77-45, Feb 15, 1977

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

The Holliston Junior College Basic Educational Grant Program, which provides grants to needy students enrolled in a special secretarial program, was reviewed in response to charges of abuse of the program.

As of June 1976, the college had awarded 248 Basic Grants, totaling about $238,000, to students enrolled in what appeared to be an ineligible secretarial program established in June 1975. Holliston introduced the special secretarial program to provide welfare mothers with a marketable skill. The failure of the program to lead to a degree or certificate made the program ineligible. In addition, for a program to be eligible, it must be of at least 6-months duration; a semester at Holliston was 15 weeks long. Holliston has changed the program to include 30 credit hours of study, which leads to a certificate, and has made the program satisfy the 6-month criteria.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendation for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Office of Education should determine if the college circumvented the Basic Grant eligibility criteria and whether restitution should be made to the Federal Government. The Office of Education should also determine whether the changes made in the special secretarial program bring it into compliance with Basic Grant eligibility criteria.

    Agency Affected:

    Status: Closed

    Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.