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MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Scholarship Pilot Program

Learn about the 2-year scholarship pilot program for high-demand fields at MnSCU campuses. No separate application needed, just complete FAFSA. Check eligibility and application process details.

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MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Scholarship Pilot Program

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  1. MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Scholarship Pilot Program • Webinar 1/20/2016 • 10:00-11:00 a.m.

  2. Program Overview • Created by 2015 Legislature • Pilot program for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years • Recent high school graduates/GED completers • Grant for students enrolled in qualifying Perkins occupational programs at MnSCU two-year campuses leading to employment in high-demand fields • Award = Tuition and Fees minus Pell and State Grants • Income Limit = $90,000

  3. Application Process

  4. Application Process • No separate application required beyond the FAFSA (available January 1, 2016) • 2016-2017 FAFSA/MN Dream Act also available January 1, 2016 • Based on 2015 tax year income • Schools will rank their applicants by 2016-2017 FAFSA submission date • 2016-2017 MN Dream Act application date for undocumented students

  5. FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) www.fafsa.gov • Apply • Retrieve IRS data • Reapply • Apply for FSA ID • Find college codes • Check status of FAFSA • Make corrections • Add additional colleges • Print SARs

  6. MN Dream Act Applicationwww.ohe.state.mn.us/MNDreamAct

  7. After Completing the FAFSA Other Steps • Look for qualifying occupational programs at MnSCU two-year campuses • www.ohe.state.mn.us/MnSCUOccupGrant • Apply for admission to qualifying program • If awarded, complete MnSCU Occupational Grant online program agreement at: • https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/XXXXX TBD • Student grants permission for college and OHE to share student data • Student agrees to participate in free mentoring services while attending college and provides contact information

  8. Application Process • College financial aid office ranks applicants by FAFSA (or Dream Act) submission date • Student’s financial aid file must be complete and ready for awarding to be included in ranking • If awarded, scholarship will appear on student’s financial aid award letter from college • Award notice will direct student to OHE secure web site to complete student participation agreement • Student should notify financial aid office if declining award • Funds can be used to award other students

  9. Student Eligibility • Enroll in qualifying certificate, diploma, AS or AAS program at MnSCU two-year college • Must start program (not just prereqs) fall term 2016 immediately following: • MN high school graduation during 2015-2016 academic year*; or • Completion of Adult Basic Education program** or passing a GED test** during the 2015-2016 academic year*; or • Completing a 12 or 24-month Americorps program during 2015-2016 academic year* immediately following high school graduation *July 1, 2015 through beginning of fall term 2016 **Must be MN resident at time of ABE completion or GED test

  10. Program Eligibility Programs are covered by the Federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and designated as high-demand field by MN Department of Employment and Economic Security (DEED) Eligible program areas: • Agriculture, food and natural resources • Business management and administration • Human services • Engineering, manufacturing and technology • Arts, communications and information systems • Health science technology More detailed information available at: • www.ohe.state.mn.us/MnSCUOccupGrant • List subject to change – check with college

  11. Program Eligibility • Public list has been edited to remove programs that: • Can’t be started fall 2016 due to prereqs • Aren’t scheduled to be completed within two academic years • Are no longer offered according to campus • However, colleges can award individual applicants with PSEO credits if they can start program fall 2016 • If campus has a new program for fall 2016 not on list • Contact Ginny Dodds ASAP if Perkins program • Will compare to DEED high-demand fields • Will not impact campus’s allocation

  12. Student Eligibility • Meet definition of MN resident used for state financial aid programs • Includes undocumented students under the MN Dream Act • FAFSA (or MN Dream Act) adjusted gross income (or wages, if non-filers) of $90,000 or less • Parental income if dependent applicant • Student (and spouse) income if independent • Agree to participate in free mentoring services provided by OHE-selected mentoring contractor(s) • Receive an Occupational Grant for fall term 2016

  13. Definition of Minnesota Resident • Meet ONE of the following criteria: • Student who graduated from MN high school while lawfully residing in MN and, if currently residing in another state, is physically attending college in MN; OR • Student who earned GED in MN after lawfully residing in MN for one year; OR • Dependent student whose parents lawfully resided in MN when FAFSA completed; OR • Undocumented student meeting MN Dream Act; OR • Student who lawfully resided in MN for 12 consecutive months without being enrolled for 6 or more credits in any term

  14. Minnesota ResidentWaiver of 12-Month Period in MN • A member (or spouse or dependent of) of the armed forces of the US stationed in MN on active federal military service as defined in MS 190.05, Subd. 5c; or • A spouse or dependent of a veteran who meets the residency requirement; or • A person (or spouse of) who relocated to MN from an area that is declared a presidential disaster area within the preceding 12 months, if the disaster interrupted the person’s postsecondary education; or • A person defined as a refugee under US Code, Title 8, section 1101 (a)(42) who upon arrival in the US, moved to MN and has continued to reside in MN

  15. Minnesota ResidentWaiver of 12-Month Period in MN • An active member (or spouse or dependent of) of the state’s National Guard who resides in MN • An active member (or a spouse or dependent of) of the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces whose duty station is located in Minnesota and who resides in Minnesota

  16. Meeting MN Resident Definition -MN Dream Act • MN Dream Act is now part of state residency statute • Dream Act requirements are: • Attended MN high school for at least 3 academic years • Graduated from MN high school or earned MN GED • Meet Selective Service System registration requirements • Must register with SSS if male 18-25 years old • If male 26 or older, must have registered when 18-25 • Can attempt to get status letter from SSS to show failure to register wasn’t knowing or willful • Apply for lawful immigration status once a federal process for doing so exists

  17. Student Eligibility - Renewal 2017-2018 Academic Year • Submit 2017-2018 FAFSA (or MN Dream Act application) before priority deadline set by college • Successfully completed 30 program credits during 2016-2017 academic year (including summer) • School certifies student is on track to completing program by end of 2017-2018 academic year (including summer 2018) • Participate(d) in free mentoring services • Meeting standard state/federal satisfactory academic progress standards • However, at least 2.5 GPA at end of first academic year and at end of each term thereafter

  18. Required Mentoring Services • OHE selected contractor(s) to provide mentoring to each recipient • Mentors will contact students • Must include (but not limited to): • Communicating frequently and consistently throughout the program • Developing personalized student success plan • Concrete steps towards program completion and job placement • Contingency plans for obstacles • Connecting recipients to on-campus resources and personal development resources • Financial planning

  19. Enrollment Requirements • Grant will cover up to 72* attempted credits • For programs ≤ 30* credits • Must register in manner that ensures program completion by end of 2016-2017 academic year (including summer 2017) • For programs 31-72* credits: • Must successfully complete 30 credits the first academic year (including summer 2017) • School must certify student can complete program during 2017-2018 academic year *including credits for prerequisite and/or developmental courses taken after admission to qualifying program

  20. Enrollment Requirements • Programs > 72* credits • Must be able to complete program in two academic years • Must successfully complete 30 credits the first academic year (including summer 2017) • School must certify student can complete program during 2017-2018 academic year • If student’s remaining credits of eligibility < actual term enrollment level, student can receive award for term during which student completes 72 credits • e.g. student has completed 68 credits and is taking 12 credits • Student can receive grant for 12 credits (rather than 4) • No awarding after that point *including credits for prerequisite and/or developmental courses taken after admission to qualifying program

  21. Enrollment Requirements • Grant does not cover prerequisite or developmental courses taken prior to admission to eligible program • Must be taken during summer term 2016 • Does cover courses taken after admission to program • No revocation of award for 2016-2017 aid year if: • Student did not complete at least 30 semester credits in program ≥ 30 credits • Student did not complete program ≤ 30 credits

  22. Limit on Number of Credentials • Can receive funding for multiple certificate programs if: • In the same field and build upon each other • e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced, etc. • Can receive funding for one AS/AAS degree plus certificate program, if related • Available if certificate program required for licensure in field • If both can be completed within pilot program period • Otherwise, limited to 1 credential

  23. Transfer Students • Okay if student transfers to program with same 2-digit CIP code at same/new campus, but no guarantee of funding at new school • Would have begun mentoring at first school • Must be able to complete program within the pilot program timeframe

  24. Multiple Campuses • Attending multiple campuses same term • College where student pursuing credential should award • Award based on combined tuition and fees, State Grants at both colleges

  25. Grant Funds Allocation • $3.9 million grant funding for FY2017 • Allocated by OHE to MnSCU two-year campuses based on: • Each campus’s headcount of students enrolled in qualifying occupational programs during fall term of prior academic year • Allocations will be calculated in January 2016 • Disbursed to campuses August 2016 • OHE will do refund/reallocation during fall term 2016 • Any unused funds will be reallocated to other campuses requesting additional funds • Reallocation amounts also based on proportional headcount

  26. Ranking Applicants • Colleges do awarding on campus • Per program statute, applicants must be ranked by application receipt date • FAFSA or MN Dream Act application receipt date • College sets date of first ranking and ranks all applicants ready for awarding (complete files) based on application receipt date • Those with incomplete applications are placed on waiting list until they are ready for awarding • Waiting list ranking also based on application receipt date for students with completed files • Waiting list priority for current recipients who have award adjustments increasing award

  27. Waiting List/Retroactive Awarding • If funding becomes available before the end of spring term 2017 drop/add period: • Can award late/retroactively for fall term and include student in pilot program cohort • Student must have started qualifying program fall term 2016 • No new awarding after that point • Too late for student to receive equal mentoring services • Student must receive award for fall term 2016 to be included in pilot program cohort • No awarding for just spring and summer terms

  28. Awarding Calculation • Grant Award = “Last Dollar In” Tuition & Fees - Federal Pell Grant - MN State Grant = Occupational Grant • Students with low EFCs will usually have tuition and fees covered by Pell and State Grants • Will not be Occupational Grant recipients if no tuition and fees remaining after Pell and State Grants applied for fall semester 2016 • May possibly qualify if taking > 15 credit per semester or charged a differential tuition rate • Occupational Grant funds may end up going to more middle-income students

  29. Awarding Calculation • Grant Award = “Last Dollar In” Tuition & Fees - Federal Pell Grant - MN State Grant = Occupational Grant • Tuition and fees not limited to 15 credits per term • Tuition = actual tuition charged to student • Can be program-specific (differential) tuition rate • Use net tuition after any tuition waivers applied • Fees = general fees charged to all students • i.e., fees used for MN State Grant program • No program or course-specific fees or equipment • Campuses should let students know if program has fees/equipment that won’t be covered

  30. Awarding Calculation • Grant Award = “Last Dollar In” Tuition & Fees - Federal Pell Grant - MN State Grant = Occupational Grant • Federal Pell Grant only subtracted for students who actually receive the Pell Grant • No subtraction for undocumented students, resulting in higher Occupational Grant amount • No Pell Grant subtracted for summer term if used up during fall and spring terms • State Grant subtracted even if student doesn’t receive it • e.g. in student loan default, child support arrears, etc. • No partial/reduced awards due to lack of remaining grant funds • Includes last student awarded

  31. Award Notice • Schools must include Occupational Grant in financial aid award notice • Use amount for full-time (15 credit) enrollment or student’s registered credits • Adjust after drop/add for final award amount • Award notice must provide link to OHE web site for online student participation agreement • Will provide student with downloadable information about Occupational Grant • Student must agree to participate in mentoring and grant permission for data sharing • Completing agreement = accepting award • Schools can access OHE database to see which students have completed agreement

  32. Post-Award • In general, rely on MN State Grant policies and procedures regarding • Disbursement • Award adjustments • Refunds • Occupational Grant will change if: • Enrollment level recalculation of Pell or State Grant • Changes to EFC or PC affecting Pell or State Grant • Schools will need to watch for students who become eligible later in fall term due to these changes

  33. Further Guidance • OHE current working on program manual • Rely on this guidance until manual released

  34. Reporting • OHE required to report annually to Legislature by January 15 • Colleges must report to OHE: • # recipients • Recipient names, DOBs and SSNs • Race, ethnicity and gender of recipients • Recipient enrollment level and award amount for each term awarded • GPA • Persistence and completion of recipients • Recipient employment outcomes • Initial report due January 15, 2017, will only include data for fall term 2016 • MnSCU central office will pull required data from system for reporting to OHE

  35. Getting the Word Out • OHE web site with qualifying programs • www.ohe.state.mn.us/MnSCUOccupGrant • Make sure all campus staff know about program • Be sure your web site indicates this is pilot program only for Fall 2016 starts • Students should be sure they want to pursue occupational program • Many qualifying programs can’t be used towards 4-year degree • Limits on how long students can receive Pell Grant and MN State Grant • OHE will do press release January 2016

  36. Questions?

  37. Contact Ginny Dodds Manager, State Financial Aid MN Office of Higher Education Ginny.Dodds@state.mn.us (651) 355-0610

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