New Scholarship Coordinators’ Orientation March 30, 2016

Scholarship Coordinator’s role Your job is important - you can make a difference in other people’s lives! Strive to acquire a working knowledge of GRACE Ask questions!

Requirements For All Students Must be a resident of Georgia (state law) Must have calculated financial need (CFN) from FACTS – must be updated annually (GRACE Scholars)

Additional Requirements For Students Entering 2nd Grade and Above Must be transferring from a Georgia public school Exceptions: Attending a private school with an student scholarship organization (SSO) financial assistance Zoned to attend low-performing Georgia public school Was subject to physical violence/verbal abuse at a Georgia public school (bullying exception) Home schooled for the previous year

Annual Award Limits Maximum annual award: the lesser of the following: Student’s CFN 80% of the tuition rate applicable to the student The state index ($8,996) Minimum annual award: $200

Multi-Year Funding Students are funded for entire career at school Example: Student is entering kindergarten in a K-8 school with an annual award of $2,000 Multi-year award is $18,000 (9 x $2,000) $18,000 is set aside from day 1 of scholarship No surprises if fundraising falls short GRACE policy

Key Dates March 1 Third Friday in April (4-15-16) September 1 Due date for FTC applications (preferred treatment) Due date for updated CFN (renewals) Third Friday in April (4-15-16) Recommendation forms due to GRACE (FTC and renewal) September 1 Final date to submit recommendations for SY 2017-18

Last minute application rule May not be seated in classroom before GRACE award is approved by the executive committee Once a student is seated in the classroom, she/he is a current student and no longer a transfer student

Working with parents/guardians It’s an art Parent/guardian responsibilities Apply for GRACE (FTCs only) Do FACTS every year Sign acceptance letter (FTCs only) Endorse checks each year Develop strategies for working with parents/guardians who have difficulty meeting deadlines

GRACE Staff: Who to Contact Balances Melissa Compliance David Documentation (missing) Melissa Exceptions to policy David Forms, filling out Melissa Recommendations status Melissa Scholarship portal Melissa Student eligibility David

GRACE: How to Contact David Brown, executive director 404-920-7903 | dbrown@gracescholars.org Melissa Bassett, coordinator 404-920-7902 | mbassett@gracescholars.org Submit scholarship documents to: scholarships@gracescholars.org

Forms Scholarship application First time candidate (FTC) recommendation form Renewal recommendation form Adjustment recommendation form Forfeiture form Affidavit of residence