Title 20EducationRelease 119-73

§1234c Remedies for existing violations

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 31— - GENERAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - ENFORCEMENT › § 1234c

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary finds that someone getting program money is not following the law, the Secretary may stop further payments under section 1234d, file a complaint to get a cease-and-desist order under section 1234e, make a compliance agreement under section 1234f, or use any other lawful action. Whether the Secretary does any of these things or not, the Secretary can still try to recover funds under section 1234a.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §1234c

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any recipient of funds under any applicable program is failing to comply substantially with any requirement of law applicable to such funds, the Secretary may—
(1)withhold further payments under that program, as authorized by section 1234d of this title;
(2)issue a complaint to compel compliance through a cease and desist order of the Office, as authorized by section 1234e of this title;
(3)enter into a compliance agreement with a recipient to bring it into compliance, as authorized by section 1234f of this title; or
(4)take any other action authorized by law with respect to the recipient.
(b)Any action, or failure to take action, by the Secretary under this section shall not preclude the Secretary from seeking a recovery of funds under section 1234a of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–297 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to remedies for existing violations for provisions relating to cease and desist orders. See section 1234e of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–297 effective 180 days after Apr. 28, 1988, but not applicable to recipients receiving written notice to return funds prior to that date, see section 3501(b) of Pub. L. 100–297, set out as a note under section 1234 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 1234c

Title 20Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73