1 academic competitiveness grants and national smart grants david bergeron office of postsecondary...
Post on 20-Jan-2016
217 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
1
Academic Competitiveness Grants and National SMART
GrantsDavid BergeronDavid Bergeron
Office of Postsecondary EducationOffice of Postsecondary Education
Sue O’FlahertySue O’FlahertyFederal Student AidFederal Student Aid
Jeff BakerJeff BakerFederal Student AidFederal Student Aid
2
The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created two new grant
programs
National Science and Mathematics
Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART)
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
3
Both ProgramsACG and National
SMART Grants
4
Rules and Regulations Interim Final Regulations published on
July 3, 2006 Invitation to comment through August 17, 2006 for possible changes for 2007-2008
Negotiated Rulemaking to begin in fall for 2008-2009 and beyond.Watch for IFAP announcements
Both Programs
5
Authorization and Funding• Funding for these programs is not subject to
annual appropriations process: 2006-07 -- $790 million2007-08 -- $850 million2008-09 -- $920 million2009-10 -- $960 million2010-11 -- $1.01 billionIf funding insufficient, ratable reduction.No reduction for 2006-07Funds not spent in one year are carried over to
subsequent years.
Both Programs
6
Award AmountsACG – First Academic Year of student’s program
of study - $750 Second Academic Year of student’s
program of study - $1,300National SMART Grant – $4,000 per year for each of the student’s
third and fourth academic year of undergraduate study
Note: There will be second year ACG and both third and fourth year National SMART Grants in 2006-07.
Both Programs
7
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)
No Administrative Cost Allowance (ACA)
Institutional Participation
Both Programs
8
Academic Competitiveness Grants
(ACG)
9
U.S. citizen Federal Pell Grant recipient First or second year student in a
two or four year degree program Full-time enrollment No specific major required
Eligibility Requirements
ACG
10
Eligibility Requirements 1st year students May not have been previously enrolled
in a program of undergraduate education
Have completed secondary school program of study after January 1, 2006
2nd year students Have completed secondary school
program of study after January 1, 2005 Have a 3.0 G.P.A. in an eligible program
ACG
11
Student must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study
ED has outlined options to meet requirement in DCL GEN-06-08 and in the interim regulations
Eligibility Requirements
ACG
12
Options for Rigorous Program
1. State Designated Program
State Submitted Program
An advanced or honors secondary school program established by a state and in existence for the 04-05 or 05-06 school year
State Scholars Initiative
ACG
13
Options for Rigorous Program
2. A set of courses as outlined in the Secretary’s May 2 letter to states.
3. Completion of at least two Advanced Placement courses with passing test score of 3 or two International Baccalaureate courses with passing test score of 4
ACG
14
Options for Rigorous Program
Courses Similar to State Scholars Initiative 4 years of English 3 years of math (Algebra I and above) 3 years of science (Bio, Chem, Physics) 3 years of social studies 1 year of a foreign language
ACG
15
Options for Rigorous Program All states responded by June 1 to
Secretary’s May 2 request. 45 states have one or more designated
programs. Students from these states will have
all four options for their high school graduates.
Students from other states will have the last three options listed on the two previous slides.
ACG
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
8
COD SYSTEM8
COD SYSTEM
1Student Completes
FAFSA ANDSUBMITS TO
FSA
3STUDENT GOES
TO WEBSITE
6SCHOOL IDENTIFIES
ELIGIBLE ACG STUDENTS
USINGEXISTING
INFORMATION
ACG
17
Applicant Self-Identification Process
Department notifies potentially eligible students of how to provide additional eligibility information.
Student provides additional information on website or calls toll-free number.
Department sends student responses to schools.
ACG
18
Applicant Self-Identification
Emails and letters were sent to students who had applied prior to July 1 and who are potential ACG recipients. Notifications sent to –Pell EligibleYear in School (FAFSA response of 0, 1, 2,)U.S. CitizenDate of BirthNotice provides instructions on how to self-identify (website or toll-free number).
ACG
19
Applicant Self-Identification
After July 1, --
FOTW Filers: Potential ACG recipients will submit the additional information at the time they complete their FAFSA.
Paper Filers: potential ACG recipients will receive a comment directing them to the website and toll-free number.
ACG
20
Applicant Self-Identification
Student presented with questions on their high school curriculum – Date high school curriculum completed State where high school curriculum completed
Drop-down box with state designated programs
AP/IB course and test completion questionListed courses question
ACG
ACG
ACG
ACG
ACG
25
Applicant Self-Identification
Results of student self-identification will be
sent to all schools listed on student’s record--
CPS will send ISIR’s with new comment codes If no other changes, message class will be IGAA07AP
Special “flat file” with separate message class of ED2007OP
Student specific information available using FAA Access
ACG
26
Applicant Self-Identification
Comment codes will be provided on SAR for student, and ISIR for schools.
Comment codes can be found in ISIR positions 1677 to 1736.
Multiple comment codes - one for each rigorous criteria selected by student.
ACG
27
Applicant Self-IdentificationSAR and ISIR Comments
Comment Code #267: SAR comment explaining potential ACG eligibility
Comment Code #268: SAR comment for students who selected a rigorous high school program or state scholars program
Comment Code #269: SAR comment for students who reported completion of AP/IB courses and tests.
ACG
28
Applicant Self-IdentificationSAR and ISIR Comments
Comment Code #270: SAR comment for students who selected coursework completion
Comment code #271 advises student that their Financial Aid Administrator will determine their eligibility.
ACG
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
8
COD SYSTEM8
COD SYSTEM
1Student Completes
FAFSA ANDSUBMITS TO
FSA
3STUDENT GOES
TO WEBSITE
6SCHOOL IDENTIFIES
ELIGIBLE ACG STUDENTS
USINGEXISTING
INFORMATION
ACG
30
Documenting Rigorous Program
Institutions are responsible for determining the eligibility of students who ED reported as having self-identified eligibility. On at least the standard(s) selected by
the student . Institutions are also able to identify eligible
students based on records they have (e.g., high school transcripts, test scores).
ACG
31
Documenting Rigorous Program Documentation from “cognizant authority”
can be provided by – The student Directly from “cognizant authority” Home schooled students, the parent or
guardian is the cognizant authority For transfer students, an institution may rely on
another school’s determination that student completed a rigorous program.
NSLDS will store the data
ACG
32
Grade Point Average
For second academic year ACG, student must have a GPA of at least 3.0 from the first academic year.
Only determined one time, prior to first disbursement of second academic year award.
Special rule for transfer student – For student who transfers after completing
first academic year, the new school must calculate GPA using the grades from all coursework accepted from prior schools.
ACG
33
National SMART Grants
34
U.S. citizen Pell Grant recipient for same payment
period Third or fourth year student in a four year
degree program Full-time enrollment in an eligible major Cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in
student’s eligible program No rigorous high school program required
Eligibility Requirements
SMART Grant
35
Computer Science Engineering Technology Life Sciences
Mathematics Physical Sciences Designated
Foreign Languages
Identified by CIP* code in DCL GEN-06-06*Classification of Instructional Program
National SMART Major Fields of Study
Major Fields of Study
SMART Grant
36
Requires that a recipient –– Declare an eligible major, or – If school policy does not require a
major before 3rd year, student must show intent to declare eligible major.
In both cases, student must enroll in coursework leading to completion of the program with that eligible major.
Monitoring Major
SMART Grant
37
• If student changes to an eligible major between payment periods –– Eligible for new payment period– Cannot be paid for prior periods
• If student changes to an ineligible major between payment periods –– No grant for that payment period– Prior disbursements need not be repaid
Monitoring Major
SMART Grant
38
• If student changes to an eligible major within a payment period –– Can be paid for the entire payment period– Cannot be paid for prior periods
• If student changes to an ineligible major within a payment period –– No additional disbursements– Prior disbursement need not be repaid
Monitoring Major
SMART Grant
39
Grade Point Average
Student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all payment periods.
Calculated from last completed payment period.
Reviewed prior to each disbursement. Provision for “interim disbursement” at
school’s risk.
SMART Grant
40
Grade Point Average
Special rule for student who transfers after completing two academic years, the new school- For first payment period upon transfer,
must use the grades from all coursework accepted from prior schools for GPA determination.
For subsequent payment periods, comply with school academic policies
SMART Grant
41
No student self-identification as in ACG Institutions are responsible for reviewing
records to identify all eligible students – ISIR for Pell Eligibility, Citizenship, and
other Title IV eligibility requirements Academic Records for –
Eligible Major or, if available, intentGPAFulltime Enrollment
Eligibility Determination
SMART Grant
42
Both ProgramsACG and National
SMART Grants
43
Determining Enrollment Status
Schools must use their Pell Grant recalculation date policy to determine enrollment status for ACG and National SMART Grant
Must use same recalculation date (census date) that is used for Pell Grants
Both Programs
44
Duration of Student Eligibility
For ACG, students are restricted to one grant for each of of the student’s first academic year and one grant for the student’s second academic year.
For National SMART Grant, students are restricted to one grant for each of of the student’s third and fourth academic year in an eligible major.
Both Programs
45
Academic Year For both programs, schools must use
their Title IV academic year definition to determine the student’s academic year in the program of study.
HEA provides that an academic year for an undergraduate student be a –
Minimum of 24 semester or trimester credit hours or 36 quarter credit hours
Both Programs
46
Academic Year
Minimum Title IV definition of academic year is often not the same as grade level progression for loans and for other institutional purposes (i.e., 30 credit hours to progress from grade level 1 to grade level 2)
Both Programs
47
Academic Year School may define its Title IV academic
year as more than 24 credit hours – 30 in the examples.
If school is semester, trimester, or quarter and it defines fulltime in the summer as requiring 12 credits there is – No impact on 12 credits for full-time Pell No impact on 6 credits for FFEL/DL loans
Both Programs
48
Academic Year- ACG Example
Institution Defines Title IV Academic Year as 24 credit hours but grade level progression as 30 credit hours.
First year ACG recipient completes 24 semester hours
Student now eligible for second year ACG award while still “freshman” and still at first year loan limit.
Both Programs
49
Academic Year- ACG Example
Institution Defines Title IV Academic Year as 30 credit hours and grade level progression as 30 credit hours.
First year ACG recipient completes 24 semester hours
Student not yet eligible for second year ACG award, because 30 credits required to complete first academic year. Student still at first year loan level.
Both Programs
50
Academic Year- SMART Example
Institution Defines Title IV Academic Year as 24 credit hours but grade level progression as 30 credit hours.
Student has completed a total of 48 semester hours in eligible program
Student now eligible for first National SMART Grant while still “sophomore” and still at second year loan limit.
Both Programs
51
Academic Year- SMART Example
Institution Defines Title IV Academic Year as 30 credit hours but grade level progression as 30 credit hours.
Otherwise eligible student has completed a total of 48 semester hours in eligible program
Student not yet eligible for first National SMART Grant while still “sophomore” and still at second year loan limit.
Both Programs
52
Disbursements
Funds maintained and disbursed according to Title IV cash management rules.
Disbursements made on payment period basis.
If disbursement is for a cross-over payment period, Pell Grant and ACG/National SMART Grant must be assigned to same award year
Both Programs
53
Disbursements
Student may not receive ACG or National SMART concurrently from more than one school
ACG and National SMART must be received from same school from which Pell Grant is received
Both Programs
54
Transfer Students
Determination of remaining eligibility for transfers based on % of scheduled award remaining
Example: Student receives first year ACG for two quarters for a total of $500 has received 2/3 of scheduled award. Student is only eligible, as a first year student, for the remaining 1/3 of the scheduled award.
Note: Scheduled award may be different if balance of first academic year is in a new award year
Both Programs
55
Need Based Grants
Total of EFC and all estimated financial aid cannot exceed cost of attendance
ACG and National SMART may not replace EFC in need equation
May reduce other aid, including FSEOG, to avoid an overaward.
May reduce ACG/National SMART award to avoid an overaward.
Special treatment of VA benefits No overaward tolerance
Both Programs
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
2FSA NOTIFIESSTUDENT OF POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
4STUDENT SELF-
IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL ELIG. &
PROGRAM ONWEB PAGE
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
5FSA INFORMS
SCHOOLS OF POTENTIAL
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
7SCHOOLCONFIRMSAND DOCUMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
9COD PROCESSES
GRANT & SCHOOL DRAWS
DOWN FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT
8
COD SYSTEM8
COD SYSTEM
1Student Completes
FAFSA ANDSUBMITS TO
FSA
3STUDENT GOES
TO WEBSITE
6SCHOOL IDENTIFIES
ELIGIBLE ACG STUDENTS
USINGEXISTING
INFORMATION
Both Programs
57
Availability of Funds Initial authorizations in GAPS and COD with
Electronic Statements of Account (ESOA) on July 29, 2006. Not like campus-based. No institutional allocation, Like Pell or Direct Loans
First draw downs from GAPS available first week of August 2006
Schools will receive separate authorization for each program
Both Programs
58
Availability of Funds GAPS Award Number for ACG will be
P375A06xxxx
GAPS award number for National Smart Grant will be : P376506xxxx
“xxxx” are populated with school’s GAPS award sequence number that currently exists for the Pell Grant and Direct Loan programs
Both Programs
59
Reporting of Awards and Payments
Schools report student specific awards and disbursements with COD Release 5.2, on December 16, 2006.
COD will begin reporting to NSLDS on December 17, 2006.
COD can handle one academic year for loans and a different grade level for grants.
Academic year is an element in award block
Both Programs
60
Reporting of Awards and Payments
COD XML Common Record -- Student name Student SSN Student date of birth Student citizenship Student grade level Award amount Disbursement amount
Both Programs
61
Reporting of Awards and Payments For ACG – Eligibility Reason Code
State Designated Program: “01” Six-digit ‘program code’ found on
On flat file On FAA Access On list posted to IFAP
AP/IB: “02” List of Courses: “03”
For National SMART Grant Major/CIP code
Both Programs
62
EDExpress
September 1, 2006, EDExpress 3.0 release
Functionality includes: Ability to import an ACG Data file
and print Ability to enter and store ACG and
National SMART grant originations and disbursements
Both Programs
63
EDExpress
EDExpress functionality continued EDExpress software will hold
originations and disbursements until COD system is ready to receive.
Schools able to import ESOAs for ACG and National SMART Grants
Both Programs
64
Key Implementation Dates
July 1, 2006ACG Web Screens on FOTW,
Student Inquiry, and FAA AccessEmail and paper notifications
sent to potentially eligible students
ACG SAR CommentsSchools begin receiving ISIRs
and Flat Files
Both Programs
65
Key Implementation Dates
July 29, 2006ESOA with an Initial
Authorization (also known as Current Funding Level-CFL) available for Advanced Funded or Heightened Cash Monitoring 1 (HCM1) funding methods
School can view CFL on COD website: www.cod.ed.gov
Both Programs
66
Key Implementation Dates
September 1, 2006 EDExpress release 3.0 available
December 16, 200 School able to send origination and
disbursement information about ACG and National SMART awards using new COD XML Common Record Block Or by submitting individual records via the COD Web Site.
EDExpress 4.0 available
Both Programs
67
Key Implementation Dates
December 17, 2006 NSLDS begins to receive ACG and
National SMART award information
April 14, 2007 Reports available for ACG and SMART Includes reconciliation, YTD reports, SAS,
etc
Both Programs
69
Questions
top related