Leroy Wade & Kelli Reed MO Dept. of Higher Education A+ Check Up Leroy Wade & Kelli Reed MO Dept. of Higher Education

Agenda Updates GPA & Completion Requirements Reimbursable Coursework Award Calculation Common Reporting Errors Q&A February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL!

Updates February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Legislative Update Omnibus bills SB 807 & 577 HB 1744 Modified 3-year attendance requirement Effective 6/1/18 for 2018 HS seniors Students can attend an A+ designated HS for any three years prior to graduation Removed “immediately prior” language Students must still: Graduate from an A+ designated HS Be enrolled for 80% of instructional days over the 3 years at an A+ HS Separate from 95% attendance, which also still applies February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Legislative Update Administrative rule change in progress Approx. 6 month process Full guidance in June 2018 e-distribution message: “Change to A+ Three-Year Attendance Requirement” E-distribution message sign up: https://dhe.mo.gov/mdhedigest/signup.php February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

EOC Score Update Release expected by end of fall 2018 term Delay request of fall awards for affected 2018 seniors until eligibility known, if can Retain funds if student later found to be ineligible A+ stamped transcript required for certification after score announcement E-distribution messages: 3/14/18: “A+ Eligibility and Delayed Release of 2017-2018 Algebra I EOC Scores” 3/29/18: “Clarification of A+ Eligibility and Delayed Release of 2017-2018 Algebra I EOC Scores” February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

EOC Score Update EOC Alternatives for 2018 & 2019 Seniors ACT Math/HS GPA Sliding Scale Other options still under consideration ACT Math Subscore High School GPA 17 or greater and 2.5 or greater 16 2.8 or greater 15 3.0 or greater February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Audit Response Update 2016 Audit Finding: Lack of Oversight A+ award calculation not automated Ineligible payments Recommendation: Implement additional edit checks in FAMOUS, or establish other review procedures, to ID ineligible students/erroneous award amounts Status: Feasibility study in progress Cost Resources February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Completion Requirements GPA & Completion Requirements February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

GPA Requirements Initial Student 2.0 CGPA at end of fall term (summer or fall starts only) 2.5 CGPA at end of spring term (regardless of start date) Renewal Student 2.5 CGPA CGPA as calculated per institutional policy May include credit for coursework earned in HS and in transfer Check at end of term or academic year per SAP policy Eligibility regained in term after 2.5 CGPA attained February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Completion Requirements Initial and renewal students must complete: 12 credit hours for fall/spring 6 credit hours for summer 6 credit hours if ADA disability 90% of clock hours required for the federal payment period Ineligible until the difference between the completed hours and the completion requirement are satisfied at student’s expense. If ADA student takes 9 hours, must complete 9 February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Completion Requirements Only applies to students with a positive net disbursement for the term (received an award and funds not fully returned) Complete = standard grades, including Fs but excluding grades at withdrawal prior to completion Students qualifying for a FT enrollment exception must complete all hours enrolled “Make up” credits must be accepted in transfer to apply to this provision February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Completion Requirements Example: Student enrolls in 15 hours in fall Completes 9 hours in fall (withdraws from 6) Ineligible for spring or until completes at least 3 hours out of pocket 9+3=12 February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework Completed coursework required for certificate/degree completion (standard grade assigned, includes remedial & incomplete) Coursework for a subsequent, higher-level credential if related to the initial cert. Withdrawn coursework IF student DOES NOT meet the completion requirement February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework Not Reimbursable: Coursework without a standard grade Coursework from which the student was terminated Repeat coursework Withdrawn coursework IF student DOES meet the completion requirement February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework Example 1 Withdrawn Coursework Reimbursed Enrolled in 15 hours for fall Completed 9 hours (withdrew from 6) All 15 hours are reimbursable because student is ineligible for next term February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework Example 2 WD Coursework Ineligible for Reimb. Enrolled in 15 hours for fall Completed 12 hours (withdrew from 3) Only 12 hours eligible for reimbursement because student is eligible for next term. February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Reimbursable Coursework Example 3 Withdrawn from All Coursework Option 1: Student pays for all withdrawn coursework out of pocket (does not receive A+ positive net disbursement) Eligible for next term Option 2: A+ pays for all withdrawn coursework Ineligible for next term Must complete 12 hours out of pocket to regain eligibility February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation Treatment of Non-Reimbursable Withdrawn Coursework If not paid Omit the coursework from the current reimbursement request If paid Return the ineligible funds Deduct from the next reimbursement request (Incomplete Dollar Amount field in FAMOUS) February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation Step 1: Calculate the reimbursement cap + Fees Published standard per-credit hour rate at State Technical College Announced annually For 2018-2019: $170.75/credit hour or $4.60/clock hour Waiver upon request and approval Tuition based on cap rate + Fees = Reimbursement cap February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation Step 2: Calculate standard reimbursement Remaining costs of actual tuition and fees after any federal sources of funding have been applied and any deductions have been made for reimbursement of coursework for which a standard grade wasn’t assigned: Tuition based on institutional rates + Fees - Pell - Incomplete Dollar Amount (if applicable) = Standard Reimbursement Amount February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation Step 3: Compare and award the lesser amount All 3 steps necessary, even if institutional rate is greater than cap rate Provides greatest benefit to Pell students within program’s parameters February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculation 1 Step 3 Steps Standard Calculation w/ Cap Rate Step 1: Reimbursement Cap $1,920 Tuition (12 hours x $170.75/hour) + $300 Fees +$300 Fees = $2,220 Tuition and Fees = $2,220 Reimbursement Cap - $2,000 Pell Step 2: Standard Calc w/Inst. Rate $220 A+ Award $2,100 Tuition ( 12 hours x $175/hour) $2,700 Tuition and Fees =$2,000 Pell $700 Standard Reimbursement Step 3: Comparison $700 < $2,200 = $700 A+ Award Example: February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Award Calculator Award Calculation February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

FAMOUS Reporting Errors Failure to update Total Accumulated Hours field Used to monitor 105% Entry of total program hours in a term’s Total Hours Enrolled field Information entered in a term panel must be specific to that term Award components don’t support amount requested February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Questions? Verification Good faith effort = completing FAFSA – requirement met BUT need to complete verification to determine Pell. Students who fail to complete verification by institutional deadline must contact MDHE for case-by-case determination. February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL

Contact Us P.O. Box 1469 Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469 State Aid Questions General Questions Connie Bestgen Financial Aid Specialist (800) 473-6757, option 4 (573) 751-1772 connie.bestgen@dhe.mo.gov P.O. Box 1469 Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469 Phone: (573) 751-2361 Fax: (573) 751-6635 Info. Center (800) 473-6757 info@dhe.mo.gov www.dhe.mo.gov Amy Haller (573) 526-7958 amy.haller@dhe.mo.gov Kelli Reed Senior Associate (573) 751-2444 kelli.reed@dhe.mo.gov February 22, 2019 MASFAP Conference I Keeping it REAL