Missouri Department of Higher Education

1. Missouri Department of Higher Education State updates presented by Leroy Wade

2. Today’s Agenda • Challenge Grant updates • Content on dhe.mo.gov • Report on state aid programs for 2008-09 • FAMOUS enhancements • Reauthorization updates • Entrance and exit counseling and materials

3. Challenge Grant • Sub-grant RFP and application materials • Competitive grant • MDHE contacts: Leroy Wade and Tim Hopkins • Ready for distribution by end of December • MDHE will distribute materials by: • Posting on MASFAP-L • Article in MDHE Digest • MDHE e-distribution message to all subscribers • Article in DESE counselor newsletter, Guidance Digest • Who can submit a proposal? • Non-profit Missouri organizations with proven expertise in activities promoting postsecondary education

8. Challenge Grant • Proposals will be evaluated by a panel on: • Expected impact on target populations • Quality of the organization’s existing activities • Extent to which statutory guidelines are met • The benefits of postsecondary education & financing options • “At risk” populations served • Assistance with FAFSA completion • Note: Draft scoring rubric will be distributed with the RFP and application materials

9. Content Updates dhe.mo.gov • Since May 2008: • 59 web pages have been updated • Updated speakers bureau topic list • 22 topics now on the list • As always, additional topics available upon request • MDHE is continuing to work on updating Web site content; next priorities: • Missouri state aid content • Recent changes in federal regulations/laws

11. State Aid Programs • Access Missouri • $47.8 M distributed to date ($96 M appropriated) • 39,655 students served • Preferred fall certification deadline 12/5/08 • Bright Flight • $7.96 M distributed to date • 7,961 students served

12. State Aid Programs • Marguerite Ross-Barnett • $210,464 distributed • 153 students served • Payments on Hold • Public Service Officer Survivor • Growing program • Vietnam Veterans Survivor • Program winding down

13. State Aid Programs • Missouri Teaching Fellows Program • Letter sent to interested students • Application materials in development • Kid’s Chance Scholarship • Fall 2009 implementation • Proposed rule in development • HB 2191 - $1 million principal by 2018 • War Veteran’s Survivors Grant • Created by HB 1678 in 2008 legislative session • Fall 2009 implementation • Proposed rule in development

14. FAMOUS Enhancements • Conversion to online platform • Improved messages • Additional certification functionality • Ability to certify for Access only, Bright Flight only, or both • Confirm Certify screen with export capability • Disbursement History to replace Transfer Payment Info screen • User info from security system to replace contact info

15. Proposed Administrative Rule Changes • General clean up of all state aid administrative rules • Generic institutional eligibility rule to cover all programs • All rules to reference the institutional eligibility rule • Addition of disability language to all rules • To CBHE for approval 12/08 to be effective for fall 2009

16. 2009 Missouri Legislative Session • CBHE and MDHE legislative priorities • Bright Flight • Access Missouri

18. Publication Updates • Materials distributed • Just under 200,000 pieces distributed 2007-08 • YTD 2008-09, distributed 196,100 pieces • New state aid electronic publication coming soon • In-depth information • Will be available via www.dhe.mo.gov • Printed copies may be requested • Additions to online order form: • Common Manual CD added for order by Missouri institutions • Choices, October 2008 publication from Missouri Life magazine

20. Publications and HEOA • Entrance and Exit Counseling Workbooks • HEOA changed the requirements regarding what must be covered during entrance and exit counseling • MDHE workbooks may still be ordered and used, however additional information may be needed to supplement

21. MDHE Exit Workbooks • Exit counseling supplemental materials & information • Comparison of each repayment plan option • Average monthly payments • Differences of total interest • Differences in total amount repaid • Copy of USDE publication regarding loan forgiveness & discharge • Copy of USDE publication describing deferments & forbearances • How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively

22. MDHE Entrance Workbooks • Entrance counseling supplemental materials & information • Effect of accepting the loan on eligibility for other aid • Interest accrual and capitalization • Unsubsidized Stafford or Grad PLUS • How to pay the interest while in school • Definition of half-time enrollment • Consequences of falling below half time • What to do if the student needs to withdraw or drop below half time • How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively

23. Federal Title IV Reauthorization • Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) • Adverse credit definition change for PLUS loans • Some dependent students MAY now qualify for unsubsidized Stafford Loans when the parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA • Dependent loan limits apply • MDHE system can guarantee these loans now

24. MDHE FDF Subsidy • Subsidy available 2008-09 for: • All Stafford and PLUS loans • Missouri schools • Guarantee dates between 7/1/2008 and 6/30/2009 • MDHE total subsidies year-to-date of $2,749,781

25. MDHE Advisory Committees • Joint meeting of school FAOs and lenders conducted in October • New members continue to be welcome • Contact your MDHE client rep or Julie Meyer, if interested • High school counselor committee met September 29 • 24 members • Committee mission and goals: • Identify critical needs of Missouri’s college-bound students that are not currently being met • Provide insight into teen viewpoints and popular culture trends • Identify needs of the secondary education community

26. MODEL Direct & ATOM • MODEL Direct updates • MODEL Direct logo being replaced by MDHE logo • Product name is staying the same • ATOM updates • ATOM logo being replaced by MDHE logo

27. Questions or comments? 3515 Amazonas Drive Jefferson City, MO 651O9 (8OO) 473-6757 (573) 751-3940 Fax (573) 751-6635 info@dhe.mo.gov www.dhe.mo.gov