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A+ Program Conference: Enhancing Education in Missouri

Join us for an insightful conference on the A+ Program, including historical perspective, eligibility criteria, and postsecondary responsibilities. Learn about proposed amendments, hot topics, and the future outlook. Engage in discussions and Q&A sessions.

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A+ Program Conference: Enhancing Education in Missouri

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  1. A+ Program COTA Conference 2/1/2013

  2. Agenda • Historical Perspective • A Look Ahead • Program Overview • Proposed Amendments • Hot Topics • Q&A

  3. Historical Perspective • 1993 Outstanding Schools Act created the A+ Program • High school improvement program • Scholarship as incentive • Executive Order 10-16 transferred the program from DESE to MDHE effective August 28, 2010 • Program changes reflect new ideas of the scholarship’s purpose

  4. Historical Perspective • FY 2012 • $29.4 million appropriated • 11,587 students received $25.9 million in A+ funds • FY 2013 • $29.4 million appropriated • 8,965 students have received $13 million to date • Fall and spring requests incomplete

  5. A Look Ahead • 402 high schools currently designated • 58 high schools currently in designation pipeline • 65 high schools currently undesignated • March 29, 2013 DESE “self-certification” deadline • Governor’s proposal to make all Missouri public high school graduates eligible for A+ Scholarship

  6. A Look Ahead • Future uncertainty • Will there be sufficient funding? • How will the process to identify eligible students need to change? • Governor’s proposed FY 2014 budget $30.4 million • $1 million increase from FY 2013

  7. Program OverviewHigh School Eligibility Criteria • Enter into a written agreement with the A+ designated high school prior to high school graduation • Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12  • Have maintained a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol

  8. Program OverviewHigh School Eligibility Criteria • Graduate with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent. • Grade point average should not be weighted • Have performed 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring. • Up to 25% may be job shadowing

  9. Program OverviewHigh School Eligibility Criteria • For high school graduating class of 2015 • Score proficient or advanced on the official Algebra I EOC Exam • May be taken more than once OR • Complete the requirements of an eligibility alternative

  10. Program OverviewHigh School Responsibilities • Establish: • Written agreement signed by students • Definitions of attendance and good citizenship • Option for review committee • Policy to include or exclude job shadowing in 50 hours of tutoring/mentoring • May specify types of acceptable jobs/job shadowing

  11. Program OverviewHigh School Responsibilities • Collect attendance information for students transferring from any public or private Missouri high school • Not required for students that are home schooled or transferring from out-of-state • Provide high school transcript with A+ seal (a.k.a. stamp) to postsecondary institution • Graduation date on transcript used to determine start of 48 months of eligibility

  12. Program OverviewPostsecondary Eligibility • U.S. citizen/permanent resident • Make a good faith effort to secure federal financial aid each year • Completion of a FAFSA • Sufficient to calculate an EFC, or • Sufficient for loan eligibility, if parents refuse to provide data when required • Completion of FAFSA4Caster • If student’s postsecondary institution does not participate in federal Title IV programs

  13. Program OverviewPostsecondary Eligibility • Be admitted as a regular student at a participating postsecondary institution • Cannot be a “visiting” student • Summer immediately following high school graduation may be reimbursable even if student attends a different type of institution in fall • Renewal students - Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and satisfactory academic progress as otherwise defined by the postsecondary institution

  14. Program OverviewPostsecondary Eligibility • Enroll full-time • 6 semester credit hours (or equivalent) for summer • 12 semester credit hours (or equivalent) for fall and spring • Based on school policy if school requires more than 6 or 12 hours for full-time enrollment

  15. Program OverviewPostsecondary Eligibility • Exceptions to full-time enrollment • Student meets Title II requirements of the ADA (must be enrolled in at least 6 hours) • Student is enrolled in all hours available for his program during a given term • Student is participating in a required internship • Student is enrolled in pre-requisite coursework

  16. Program OverviewPostsecondary Eligibility • Not be enrolled or intend to use the award to enroll in a course of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity. • Not have a criminal record preventing receipt of federal Title IV student financial aid.

  17. Program OverviewA+ Award • Maximum award • Tuition • Covers actual in-district or out-of-district tuition • Capped at standard tuition rate at Linn State Technical College • 2012-2013 $155/credit hour; $4.10/clock hour • General fees • General fees are those that are charged of all students enrolled • Does not include group- or program-specific fees

  18. Program OverviewA+ Award • Award calculation Actual tuition and general fees Minus - Pell and other non-loan federal aid Minus - Amount paid for incomplete or withdrawn coursework from previous term Equals - Reimbursement Amount

  19. Program OverviewA+ Award • A+ can only be applied to cover tuition and general fee costs • Pell and other federal aid MUST be applied before A+ • Other federal aid excludes loans and work study • A+ will cover remaining tuition and general fee costs • A+ award may be reduced to zero by this process

  20. Program OverviewLength of Eligibility • Eligibility expires on the earliest of: • 48 months from high school graduation • Receipt of an associates degree • Completion of 105% of the required hours for the student’s current program of study

  21. Program OverviewLength of Eligibility • 48 months • Maximum time frame to receive an award • Calculation based on high school graduation date on transcript • Delayed or interrupted enrollment results in scholarship eligibility of less than 48 months • Students qualifying for a military deferment may defer eligibility for the length of active military duty service • Application for deferment through MDHE • If this benchmark falls within a term, students will be reimbursed for that term but will be ineligible in the next term

  22. Program OverviewLength of Eligibility • Receipt of an associate’s degree even if: • A+ paid for only a portion of the degree • The associate’s degree was not obtained at an A+ participating postsecondary school

  23. Program OverviewLength of Eligibility • 105% includes: • All hours, including developmental/remedial hours, taken at the student’s current institution • All known hours, including developmental/ remedial hours, taken at any other A+ eligible institution • Hours taken at any non-eligible A+ institution, including out-of-state institutions, that the student’s current institution accepts in transfer

  24. Program OverviewLength of Eligibility • 105% excludes: • Hours earned for work completed before high school graduation, including (but not limited to): • Dual credit • Dual enrollment • Technical education articulation • Advanced Placement • International Baccalaureate • Hours from a non-participating institution not accepted in transfer by a participating institution

  25. Proposed Amendments • Definition of full time student • Includes summer and clock hour programs • Definition of renewal student • Includes students eligible for A+ with zero award due to receipt of Pell • Satisfactory academic progress requirements • Clarifies SAP for initial & renewal students and institutional verification of SAP • Replaces definition of SAP

  26. Proposed Amendments • Algebra I EOC • Allows waiver when DESE’s testing requirement is waived • Allows qualifying scores on DESE-approved higher level math EOCs (geometry and Algebra II) • Revises alternative • Achievement of minimum score on COMPASS or ACT math subtest • Score may be achieved before or after HS graduation • Newly eligible postsecondary student may receive reimbursement in same term score is achieved

  27. Proposed Amendments • Clarifies eligibility expires 48 months from high school graduation date on transcript • Revises the calculation of the 105% eligibility limit to maximize eligibility for students pursuing a higher level certificate or degree • Clarifies the military deferment language

  28. Proposed Amendments • Specifies reimbursement & 105% calculation made by institution providing the highest outcome if student seeking more than one certificate or degree • Student may provide written notice specifying otherwise • Amends reimbursable coursework policy • Includes reimbursement for Incompletes • Specifies unofficial withdrawals ineligible for reimbursement • Provides two additional options for institutions to handle adjustments for withdrawn coursework

  29. Proposed Amendments • Requires institutions to always reduce A+ based on federal non-loan aid received on behalf of a student • Ensures students attending under multi-institution agreements are treated equitably with students attending one institution

  30. Proposed Amendments • CBHE approved proposed amendments 12/5/2012 • Tab E of board book on dhe.mo.gov • Published January 15 Missouri Register • http://sos.mo.gov/adrules/moreg/current/v38n2/v38n2.asp • 30-day public comment period • 1/15/2013 to 2/14/2013 • Effective for 2013-2014 academic year

  31. Hot Topics • Distinguishing students eligible under EOC alternative from students meeting all high school criteria • Effect of changes to A+ high school designation process • Definition of 3-year attendance

  32. Questions State Aid Connie Bestgen, Program Specialist (800) 473-6757, option 4 (573) 751-1772 connie.bestgen@dhe.mo.gov Amy Haller, Program Specialist (573) 526-7958 amy.haller@dhe.mo.gov Kelli Reed, Student Assistance Associate (573) 751-2444 kelli.reed@dhe.mo.gov General MDHE P.O. Box 1469 Jefferson City 65102-1469 Phone 573-751-2361 Fax: (573) 751-6635 Info. Center: (800) 473-6757 info@dhe.mo.gov www.dhe.mo.go

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