DEGREE VERIFY

What is the National Student Clearinghouse?

The National Student Clearinghouse is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1993 by the higher education community to reduce administrative burdens and costs related to student data reporting and exchange.

The Clearinghouse provides verification and reporting services to most of the postsecondary institutions in the U.S.

The Clearinghouse performs more than 700 million electronic student record verifications annually. Including the verification of enrollment and degrees.

Nearly 3.5 million degrees are confirmed through DegreeVerify each year.

How Does it Work?

Once an institution enters into an agreement to participate in the Clearinghouse, the Clearinghouse becomes the agent for confirming the enrollment status of student financial aid recipients.

Institutions are then required to report the enrollment status of all students to the Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse is then responsible for providing status and deferment information on behalf of the institution to guaranty agencies, lender servicers, and the Department of Education.

Is CUNY a Member?

Yes.

Most of the Colleges within CUNY have been participating enrollment reporting institutions of the Clearinghouse since the mid 90’s

Specifically 21 CUNY campuses have established school codes with the Clearinghouse.

Only 6 campuses have active HR Accounts and use DegreeVerify.

What is an HR Account?

An Human Resources Account is a role assignment that provides HR representatives with secure automated access to Clearinghouse information to verify the credentials of prospective and current employees.

The Benefits of DegreeVerify in HR

Reduces credentials fraud Automates degree verification Fast and accurate Free

Examples of Credentials Fraud

In 2007, the dean of admissions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was forced to resign after nearly thirty hears at the school after she admitted that she fabricated her educational credentials by falsely claiming that she had degrees from Albany Medical College, Union College and Rensseler Polytechnic Institute, when she in fact did not have an undergraduate degree.

In 2010, a York College employee was given the opportunity to resign after 10 years of employment when it was discovered that the employee did not have a bachelor’s degree, which was required in the position, and then submitted a forged document to cover-up the issue.

How Degree Verify is Used in Human Resources at York College

Degree Verify has been incorporated into the College’s Onboarding Process

Employees are currently required to complete an

employment application and provide proof of their education credentials, i.e. Original Degree or Official Transcript

The information provided is confirmed using DegreeVerify…..after the Onboarding Process

How Degree Verify is Used in Human Resources at York College

In the event an employee or prospective employee is unable to provide the requested verification of degree information, the College will rely on the verification information from the Student Clearinghouse. Which eliminates delays in processing.

The College is currently exploring the possibility of eliminating the requirement for employees to submit verification of degree information if the granting institution is enrolled in the Student Clearinghouse.

What Information Is Needed to Verify a Degree

Data Entry Tips

Input required data exactly as it appears on the employee’s records

Avoid abbreviations for degree title and majors Enter previous name information, if available

Degree Verify Results

The Clearinghouse will review the information submitted and respond by:

Confirming the information provided as correct, or Submitting the information to the granting

institution for clarification/verification, or Indicating the inability to verify the degree

information using the data provided.

DegreeVerify Results

Questions?

How To Get Access

At most campuses the Clearinghouse account is managed by the Registrar.

The Human Resources Director on your campus should reach out to the Registrar to determine if access can be granted and to whom.

The Director of Human Resources can determine how to incorporate DegreeVerify into the hiring process.