http://www.insidehighered.com/sites/all/themes/ihecustom/logo.jpgBy Paul Fain. UniversityNow’s Patten University may be the first institution to successfully renew its regional accreditation while also voluntarily dropping out of federal financial aid programs. That move is one of several that make the Bay Area startup novel, or at least a new twist on emerging models in higher education. UniversityNow operates New Charter University and Patten, a former religious college in Oakland the company bought last year. The two sister institutions both offer competency-based degrees that are self-paced and online, but feature a relatively heavy dose of faculty support. Read more...