Powell, while continuing his leadership role as CEO of APEI to provide strategic and leadership support to APUS and other APEI ventures. In September 2016, Vernon Smith was named senior vice president and provost, succeeding Powell. In September 2017, Dr. Boston was reappointed APUS president after the resignation of Dr. Karan Powell. In September 2019, Angela Selden was named CEO of APEI, succeeding Boston who would remain APUS president until his planned retirement in June 2020. APUS had a partnership with Walmart from 2010 to 2019. Walmart spent $50 million on the "Lifelong Learning Program, chiefly for tuition grants for Walmart workers to 'further develop a pipeline' for leaders". From 2013 to 2017, APUS' enrollment declined from 127,000 to 84,000 students. In 2018, APUS paid the state of Massachusetts $270,000 after an investigation by the state's attorney general into allegations that it violated the state's for-profit and occupational school regulations, which are aimed at protecting students from the deceptive and unfair business practices by for-profit schools. In July 2020, Wade Dyke, former president of Kaplan University was named president of APUS. In October 2020, American Public University began the process of acquiring Rasmussen College, later named Rasmussen University. Under the 90-10 rule, schools are required to get funds that are not federal funds. In 2021, Congress closed the loophole in the 90-10 rule that previously excluded DOD Tuition Assistance funds and GI Bill funds. The Veterans Education Project reported that American Public University System would be the largest for-profit college chain negatively affected by the modified rule. Accreditation APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In 2018, the accreditation status was designated "under governmental investigation" as a result of an investigation by the Massachusetts state attorney general into deceptive and predatory recruiting practices. The investigation ended in a settlement in which APUS paid $270,000 to the state to provide relief to eligible AMU students, and has agreed to change its disclosures to prospective students, and the designation was removed. From January 6, 1995 to April 30, 2012, the institution was accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. APUS resigned its accreditation through this organization as of April 30, 2012. The university's School of Business is accredited by, and several business programs have specialized accreditation from, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The university's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is accredited by the Commission