1 / 86

ACG NATIONAL SMART GRANT UPDATE SASFAA 2008

sandra_john
Download Presentation

ACG NATIONAL SMART GRANT UPDATE SASFAA 2008

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

    1. ACG & National SMART Grant Update SASFAA 2008 Sophia McArdle Sue O’Flaherty

    3. ACG/NATIONAL SMART: POLICY AND PROGRAM UPDATE General Information

    4. Higher Education Reconciliation Act (2005) ACG, NATIONAL SMART GRANT HISTORY

    5. Funding 2008-09: $798 million* 2009-10: $960 million 2010-11: $1.01 billion *After rescission of $525 million in FY 2008 Appropriation’s Act Is not subject to annual appropriations Ratably reduce awards if funds are insufficient Carry forward unused funds

    6. PROGRAM SIMILARITIES

    7. PROGRAM DIFFERENCES

    8. INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION All schools that participate in Pell Grants and offer an eligible educational program must participate in ACG and National SMART Grants No new Program Participation Agreement (PPA)

    9. Student may not receive ACG or National SMART Grant concurrently from more than one school. Student must receive ACG (or National SMART Grant) and Pell Grant from the same award year For ACG: HS graduation after 1/1/06 (ACG Level 1) HS graduation after 1/1/05 (ACG Level 2) STUDENT ELIGIBILITY ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

    10. ACG/NATIONAL SMART: POLICY AND PROGRAM UPDATE State and National Comparisons (Statistics as of end of Fall 2007)

    11. ACG: FEDERAL AND REGIONAL RECIPIENTS

    12. ACG: ELIGIBILITY REASON CODE

    13. REASON CODES BY SASFAA STATES

    14. ACG: Academic Year Level

    15. ACG: Academic Year (AY)Level Comparisons

    16. NATIONAL SMART: FEDERAL AND REGIONAL RECIPIENTS

    17. NATIONAL SMART: Academic Year Level

    18. NATIONAL SMART: Academic Year (AY) Level

    19. NATIONAL SMART TOP MAJORS Top Majors Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Computer Science Physical Sciences Mathematics

    20. TOP FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJORS Russian Japanese Chinese

    21. NEW ELIGIBLE MAJORS: 2007-2008 (Gen-07-06)

    22. ACG/NATIONAL SMART: POLICY AND PROGRAM UPDATE Legislative, Regulatory, and Administrative Update

    23. LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE College Cost Reduction and Access Act: CCRAA. Signed 9/27/07. ACG/National SMART Grant Final Regulations 11/1/07 DCL Gen –07-07 10/9/07 Secretary’s Report Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965

    24. CCRAA College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Signed by the President Sept. 27,2007 MAKES NO CHANGE TO ACG OR NATIONAL SMART

    25. NOVEMBER 1, 2007 FINAL REGULATIONS Final regulations for ACG/National SMART Grant Programs Include changes to: Academic Year Progression Grade Point Average Prior Enrollment Successful Completion of a Rigorous Secondary School Program of Study Recognition of a Rigorous Secondary School Program of Study Eligible Majors

    26. ACG/National SMART Final Regulations Academic Year Progression – Changes include: Clarifies progression based on student’s attendance in ACG/National SMART eligible programs only at the institution in which the student is currently enrolled. Clarifies that a student may not receive more than two ACG scheduled awards and two national SMART grant scheduled awards during the student’s undergraduate education.

    27. ACG/National SMART Final Regulations Academic Year Progression Clarifies and defines determination of weeks of instructional time Defines alternative methods for determining weeks of instructional time Clarifies rules for determining weeks of instructional time for transfer student Defines “weeks with no hours”

    29. The institution to which the student transferred must count both: The credit or clock hours earned by the student at prior institutions that are accepted for the student’s ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program, and An estimated number of weeks of instructional time completed by the student. Current requirement is a “may” in lieu of an exact accounting.

    30. To determine weeks of instructional time, must use specified formula: (hours accepted * weeks of i. t. in ac. yr) hours in ac. yr. Subject to prohibition under §691.6(d)(2) for hours without weeks

    31. Final Regulations: GPA- ACG Transfer Students Prior to 11/1/07: For 1st payment if completed 1st academic year in ACG-eligible program at prior institution(s), institution to which the student transfers must calculate GPA using grades for courses accepted from any prior institution toward student’s ACG-eligible program If student did not complete 1st academic year, institution uses its own policy on how transfer credits are counted to determine whether grades for transfer credits are included in GPA at school to which student transferred

    32. Final Regulations: GPA- ACG Transfer Students For a student who transfers hours of at least one academic year but less than two, institution to which the student transfers must calculate GPA using grades for courses accepted from any prior institution toward student’s ACG-eligible program. For a student who transfers in hours comprising less than one academic year, the institution uses grades for all coursework accepted by the current institution into the eligible program and grades for coursework earned at the current institution.

    33. FINAL REGULATIONS: NATIONAL SMART GRANT- Transfer Students - GPA Prior to November 1, 2007: For 1st payment, must use student’s grades for courses accepted into eligible program. If no credits accepted, must consider student ineligible for 1st payment period. Final regulations provide for use of one of two methods.

    34. FINAL REGULATIONS: NATIONAL SMART GRANT Transfer Students - GPA Method 1: For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into National SMART grant eligible program if academic policy does not incorporate grades from courses accepted. For subsequent payment periods, use institutional GPA policy

    35. FINAL REGULATIONS: NATIONAL SMART GRANT Transfer Student - GPA Method 2: For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into eligible program if academic policy incorporates grades from courses accepted. For subsequent payment periods, use institutional policy that includes grades for transfer courses.

    36. Final Regulations: Documenting Major Previous guidance: Student must enroll in courses necessary both to complete the degree program and fulfill the eligible major requirements. The final regulations clarify how an institution must document: a student’s eligible major; and progress in the eligible program and major.

    37. Final Regulations: Documenting Major An institution must maintain documentation of: the declared major, or in the case of a student’s intent to declare a major, a written declaration of intent provided by the student timely enough for the institution to determine that it still correctly reflects the student’s stated intent

    38. Final Regulations: Documenting Major The final regulations require written documentation showing that the student is completing coursework at an appropriate pace in the student’s declared eligible major or intended eligible major.

    39. DCL: DOCUMENTING MAJOR DCL GEN-07-07, October 9, 2007 Student must be enrolled in at least one course that meets the specific requirements of the student’s National SMART Grant-eligible major to receive a National SMART grant for the payment period.

    40. Gen-07-07: DOCUMENTING MAJOR Implementation: The remainder of the 2007-2008 award year except through the fall payment period for students Already packaged and disbursed Already packaged 2008-2009 award year and beyond No changes required for 2006-2007

    41. Final Regulations: Rigorous Secondary School Programs In addition to completing a rigorous program, a student must receive a high school diploma or, for a home-schooled student, may receive certification of completion of a secondary education provided by the student’s parent or guardian. Must document a student’s successful completion of a rigorous program and receipt of a high school diploma or certification of completing home-schooling Rigorous secondary school programs of study for 2008 high school graduates - update

    42. Secretary’s Report: ACG/National SMART Released in October, 2007. Provides Statistics on first year of ACG/National SMART – over 360,000 students benefited Award amounts to states to remind them the benefit of the grants to students Stated intent for program to double by 2010-2011

    43. SECRETARY’S Report: ACG/NATIONAL SMART Identifies “Best Practices” Discuss the ACG and National SMART Grant Programs in State, local, and school-level outreach. Reach out to all potential eligible students, not just students who self-identify Advocate for low-income students’ access to rigorous, college preparatory classes and pursuit of high-demand majors

    44. Reauthorization Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 Bill approved by Senate; Bill approved by House Contains provisions that impact ACG/National SMART Grant Programs

    45. Provisions Common to Senate and House Permits students enrolled in degree-seeking institutions who are enrolled in a certificate program to receive an ACG Permits institutions to use their own academic progression definition instead of the Title IV academic year definition

    46. Provisions only in Senate Bill Extends eligibility to students enrolled at least half-time Permits students enrolled in institutions that have a single liberal arts degree curriculum that meets certain course requirements for the major to receive a National SMART Grant Permits students in 5th year of a 5-year program to receive a National SMART Grant

    47. Provisions only in House Bill Permits otherwise eligible non-citizens to receive ACG/National SMART Grant Permits students enrolled in institutions that have a single liberal arts degree to receive a National SMART Grant Removes Secretary’s authority to recognize state plans for academic rigor; replaces Secretary’s recognition with requirement that the program of study prepare students for college work, beyond the basic graduation requirements, as recognized by the designated State official

    48. ACG/NATIONAL SMART: OPERATIONAL UPDATE Transfer Student Processing

    49. TRANSFER STUDENT ELIGIBILITY ACG/National SMART Programs require award information from previously attended schools to properly award transfer students. Calculation for eligibility used Where to obtain necessary information

    50. ELIGIBILITY USED, TOTAL ELIGIBILITY USED

    51. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY USED, TOTAL ELIGIBILITY USED  EU% = 100% × Sum of Actual Disbursements of Award ÷ Scheduled Award Amount* TEU% = Sum of all EU%’s at each applicable Academic Year Level** Across Award Years and Schools * Scheduled Award Amount is the maximum award amount by Academic Year Level and Award Year ** The COD System considers Academic Year Levels 0 and 1 to be the same when calculating TEU %

    52. ELIGIBILITY USED, TOTAL ELIGIBILITY USED EXAMPLE 1 A student in Academic Year Level 3 is awarded an 07-08 SMART grant for $3000, $1250 in actual disbursements. EU% = 100% × ($1250 ÷ $4000) = 31.2500%

    53. ELIGIBILITY USED, TOTAL ELIGIBILITY USED EXAMPLE 2 A Student in Academic Year Level 4 is awarded an 07-08 SMART grant. However the student’s second disbursement would have caused his actual disbursements to exceed his award amount so the disbursement is rejected with Edit 137. Since the disbursement would cause EU to exceed 100%, it is rejected. The award and first disbursement is accepted by the COD system. Since the disbursement would cause EU to exceed 100%, it is rejected. The award and first disbursement is accepted by the COD system.

    54. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY Now that you know the calculation….. Where can you obtain the information you need? ISIR COD to NSLDS COD

    55. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY ISIR RECORD NSLDS Data Elements added/changed for ACG and National SMART Grant Scheduled Award % Eligibility Used by Scheduled Award Total % Eligibility Used by Academic Year Level Award Year “School Year” label changed to “Academic Year Level”

    56. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY – COD TO NSLDS Data Elements Award Year OPEID Transaction Number Award Amount Amount Paid to Date Date Posted to COD Academic Year Level Award ID

    57. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY – COD TO NSLDS Data Elements ACG Eligible Payment Reason Code ACG High School Program Code Major CIP Code Scheduled Award Percent Eligibility Used Total Eligibility Used

    58. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY - NSLDS This is a screenshot of the existing AID screen. Schedule Amount and % Scheduled Used will be added to the ACG and National SMART Histories. It is likely that column positions will be similar to what currently exists for Pell to ensure consistency across the Grant programs.This is a screenshot of the existing AID screen. Schedule Amount and % Scheduled Used will be added to the ACG and National SMART Histories. It is likely that column positions will be similar to what currently exists for Pell to ensure consistency across the Grant programs.

    59. TRANSFER STUDENT MONITORING NSLDS will monitor changes made by other institutions to ACG/National SMART Grants and alert the informing school. Monitoring is across award years Changes made to any one of the following will trigger an alert: Award Amount Amount Paid to date (Disbursement Amount) Latest Disbursement Date

    60. TRANSFER STUDENT MONITORING The alert process continues to send schools an alert email notification and the alert data via Web only or Web and Batch. Schools designate the alert method on the School Transfer Profile page setup.

    61. DETERMINING TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY COD WEBSITE Talk.Talk.

    62. COD WEB: PERSON INFORMATION WEBPAGE

    63. ACG/NATIONAL SMART: OPERATIONAL UPDATE Funding and Closeout

    64. FUNDING AUTHORIZATION ACG & National SMART Grant NO initial authorization Funding driven by student disbursement records When to submit ACG & National SMART Grant records: 7 Days in advance of disbursement date 7 days before COD sends funding transaction to GAPS No Just-In-Time or Pushed Cash methods

    65. RECONCILIATION & CLOSEOUT For Award Year 2007-2008, Schools SHOULD be reconciled by September 30, 2008 Must closeout within… Pell: Five Years ACG, SMART: Four Years

    66. POST-DEADLINE PROCESSING For Award Year 2007-2008: Occurs After September 30, 2008 Schools request on the Web Request only when you are ready to submit Granted only for unusual circumstances

    67. UNDERLYING PELL GRANT REQUIREMENT If student has an ACG or National SMART Grant and is not a Pell recipient, the student will lose the ACG/National SMART Grant A special deobligation job will be run beginning in Spring 2008

    68. ACG/NATIONAL SMART:OPERATIOAL UPDATE Edits and Updates

    69. Citizenship The inclusion of a Citizenship Status Code in the Person Block is optional If no Citizenship Status Code is provided in the Person Block, COD will pull the value from CPS Documentation Citizenship Status Code must be included if it differs from the value on CPS. For example, if school has accepted documentation that student is a U.S. Citizen AND the CPS contains a different code, school must report a code of “1” in the citizenship status field.

    70. INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY Offers a 2 or 4 year degree program Program length in COD System 5,6,7,8 for ACG 6,7,8 for National SMART See School Information, “General” page at COD Web site (cod.ed.gov) Based on school program information as reported in the Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (See eligcert.ed.gov)

    71. NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM CODES: 2007-2008 Rig HS Program Codes Updated 7/6/07 These HSPCs are effective for 2007-2008Rig HS Program Codes Updated 7/6/07 These HSPCs are effective for 2007-2008

    72. Edits for ACG and National SMART Most popular edits for the ACG and National SMART grant programs include: Edit 994: Missing value Edit 014: Citizenship Status is not eligible for this award Edit 123: Incorrect academic year level for ACG/National SMART grant awards***** Edit 048: School is ineligible Edit 051: Disbursement date with payment trigger set to true outside of allowable window

    73. ACG Specific Edits Most “popular” edits include: Edit 130 Award amount exceeds maximum scheduled award for ACG Edit 127 Missing rigorous high school program code Edit 129 Invalid rigorous high school program code Edit 135 Disbursement exceeds scheduled award for ACG at your school

    74. National SMART Specific Edits Most “popular” National SMART edits include: Edit 131 Incorrect CIP Value Edit 137 Disbursement exceeds scheduled award for National SMART grant at your school. Edit 132 Award amount exceeds maximum scheduled award for National SMART grant

    75. AWARD ID 123456789A09999999001

    76. REPORTING IMPACTS Changes in field names and record lengths will impact the following reports for ACG & National SMART Grant: Multiple Reporting Records Year-To-Date (Origination) Year-To-Date (Disbursement) Field position details can be found in the 2008-2009 COD Technical Reference http://www.ifap.ed.gov/cod/0809CODTechRef.html

    77. OPERATIONAL UPDATE: TEACH

    78. TEACH New Program: Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants

    79. High-level Business Functions

    80. TEACH Processing TEACH question added to FOTW 1/2/08 Student response to be sent to schools on ISIR and to Student on SAR through comment codes beginning mid-February. For 2009-2009 Students must complete FAFSA to be eligible for TEACH grant

    81. School Processing School determines student’s eligibility and awards student TEACH Grant. Submits TEACH grant record to FSA through COD New TEACH block added to COD

    82. Processing Student informed to complete “Agreement to Serve” ATS ATS – combined agreement to serve with Federal Direct Loan Unsubsidized Promissory Note ATS – Electronic Access Only; required annually ATS website captures ATS completion and notifies school and COD

    83. Teach processing After Accepted by COD, record is sent from COD to Servicing and Debt Collections. Servicing and Debt Collections sends record to NSLDS Servicing and Debt Collections sends and receives at least annual confirmation from student on interest in becoming a Teacher.

    84. Teach Processing If at any point, student is no longer eligible for a TEACH grant, grants are made into a loan as of the date of disbursement.

    85. RESOURCES COD Technical Reference http://www.ifap.ed.gov/cod/0809CODTechRef.html Webinars http://ifap.ed.gov/IFAPWebApp/currentCPresentationsYearPag.jsp?p1=Additional+FSA+Presentations&p2=c COD Computer-Based Training Now available!

    86. 86

    87. CONTACT INFORMATION

More Related