Regulations Workshop State Scholarships and Grants June 16, :30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Agenda General Eligibility – All Programs SC HOPE Scholarship LIFE Scholarship Palmetto Fellows Scholarship SC Need-based Grants Lottery Tuition Assistance Appeals Students with Disabilities Scholarship and Grant Reporting Question and Answer/Wrap-up Contact Information

General Eligibility – All Programs

General Eligibility Criteria Applies to All Programs Be a South Carolina resident; Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident; Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible South Carolina public or private institution; Certify that he or she has not been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year (excluding LTAP);

General Eligibility Criteria Applies to All Programs Verify that he or she does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid; and Cannot exceed the cost-of-attendance (excluding LTAP, which can only be used toward the cost-of- tuition).

SC HOPE Scholarship

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Earn a cumulative 3.0 GPR based on the Uniform Grading Scale upon high school graduation Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment Must not be a recipient of a LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance

SC HOPE Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS Students attending an eligible four-year institution may receive up to $2,650 (including a $150 book allowance) towards the cost-of-attendance during the first-year only Funds are awarded half in the fall and half in the spring

SC HOPE Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or equivalent) at the time of the scholarship disbursement Students are eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship for up to two terms (fall & spring) based on initial college enrollment

SC HOPE Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Students who initially enroll mid-year (spring term) are eligible for up to two terms (spring & fall). Unless the student earns 15 credit hours and a 3.0 LIFE GPA by the end of Summer 2004, the student may earn for the LIFE Scholarship the next academic year GED recipients are not eligible for the HOPE Scholarship

LIFE Scholarship

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment Must not be a recipient of the SC HOPE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance

LIFE Scholarship INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS Two of the following three criteria: Earn a cumulative 3.0 GPR based on the Uniform Grading Scale (UGS) upon high school graduation (no rounding & at least two decimal places) Score an 1100 on the SAT I (must use highest math score combined with highest verbal or highest writing score, students cannot use both Verbal and Writing scores to meet the minimum SAT criteria. It is permissible to select scores from different test administrations) or 24 on the ACT Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class consisting of high school diploma candidates only based on the UGS (no rounding)

LIFE Scholarship INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point ratio based on the UGS upon high school graduation ( No rounding & at least two decimal places) The standardized test score and class rank requirements are waived

LIFE Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS Students attending an eligible four-year institution may receive up to $5,000 (including a $300 book allowance) each academic year Students attending an eligible two-year public institution may receive up to cost-of-tuition plus a $300 book allowance Students attending an eligible two-year independent institution may receive up to the maximum cost-of- tuition at the USC regional campuses plus a $300 book allowance each academic year

LIFE Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Funds are awarded half in the fall and half in the spring Students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours or equivalent) at the time of the scholarship disbursement

TERMS OF ELIGIBILITY (Based on Initial College Enrollment)

Continued Eligibility In order to renew eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship Program, the student must:  Continue to meet all “Student Eligibility” requirements according to guidelines;  Earn at least a 3.0 “LIFE GPA” by the end of each academic year; and  Earn an average of thirty credit hours (or its equivalent) for graduation purposes by the end of each academic year based on initial college enrollment.

LIFE Scholarship REMEDIAL, CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND NON-DEGREE CREDIT COURSES LIFE Scholarship funds cannot be applied towards the cost of continuing education, remedial/developmental, non- degree credit courses for an associate degree or higher Twelve credit hours of the course load must be non- remedial/developmental, non-continuing education, and degree-credit courses for an associate degree or higher in order to receive LIFE Scholarship funds Remedial/developmental, continuing education, and non- degree credit courses for an associate degree or higher cannot be included in the “LIFE GPA” or credit hour calculations

LIFE Scholarship REMEDIAL/DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES First-time entering freshmen attending a two-year institution who enroll in remedial courses during the first term(s) will not be eligible for scholarship funds during this period, unless the student is enroll in at least 12 credit hours of non-remedial courses Term(s) of remedial enrollment will not count against the LIFE Scholarship initial college enrollment

LIFE Scholarship GED RECIPIENTS Cannot receive the LIFE Scholarship during their freshman year May be eligible in subsequent years, if they earn an average of 30 credit hours and a 3.0 “LIFE GPA” based on all grades earned at an eligible SC Institution and meet all “Student Eligibility” criteria according to guidelines

LIFE Scholarship TRANSFER STUDENTS Academic Year * For determining initial eligibility for the first time at an eligible institution, a transfer student must have:  earned a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale at all prior institutions. For eligibility in subsequent years, the student must earn a cumulative 3.0 “LIFE GPA”; and  earned a minimum of thirty credit hours (or equivalent) at the end of each academic year from all prior institutions or consistent with the policies of the institution for graduation purposes *During the transitional period, transfer students must use the “LIFE GPA” calculation. However, beginning with the Academic Year, transfer students must use all grades earned at ALL prior institutions (in-state and out-of-state).

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA In order to be eligible to apply for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship during the senior year of high school, a student must meet ALL of the following minimum requirements:  Score at least 1200 on the SAT (must use highest math score combined with highest verbal or highest writing score, students cannot use both Verbal and Writing subsection scores to meet the minimum SAT score. It is permissible to select scores from different test administrations) or 27 on the ACT  Earn a cumulative 3.50 GPR based on the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of the junior year  Rank in the top five percent of the class at the end of either the sophomore or the junior year based on the UGS Must submit applications to CHE during January and May 2005

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship AWARD NOTIFICATION The Commission provides a roster of students offered the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship to the institutions in March and May In early May and June, the Commission notifies institutions of the Palmetto Fellows who have reserved the scholarship at their institution

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS Each Palmetto Fellow may receive a scholarship of up to $6,700 annually (half awarded in the fall and half in the spring) Must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Charges for room and board are to be limited as follows:  Room charges shall not exceed the average cost of on- campus residential housing; and  Board charges shall not exceed the cost of the least expensive on-campus meal plan, which includes 21 meals per week. Palmetto Fellows may be supported for a maximum of eight full ‑ time terms of study toward the first baccalaureate or first professional degree at an eligible senior institution in South Carolina

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours or equivalent) at the time of the scholarship disbursement Cannot receive the LIFE Scholarship or SC HOPE Scholarship (Palmetto Fellows cannot receive LTAP during summer)

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship RENEWAL CRITERIA Earn at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale for graduation purposes by the end of each academic year (fall, spring and summer terms); and Take and earn a minimum of 30 credit hours for graduation purposes by the end of each academic year (exempted credit hours, AP, CLEP, and dual credit hours cannot be used).

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship TRANSFER FORM Palmetto Fellows transferring to another eligible institution must submit a Transfer Form to CHE for approval (available on the Commission’s Web-site)

SC Need-based Grant

ADMINISTERING PROCESS Financial aid office on each public college campus administers the Need-based Grants Program (can establish additional guidelines consistent with regulation) S.C. Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission administers the Need-based Grants Program for private institutions as a part of the Tuition Grants Program

SC Need-based Grant - Publics AWARDING PROCESS Students must be needy based on the results of the FAFSA (consistent with Pell Grant eligibility) Students may receive up to $2,500 annually if enrolled full-time and up to $1,250 annually if enrolled part-time (half disbursed in fall and half in spring) College determines the exact amount, less any other gift aid received

SC Need-based Grant - Publics AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Must be applied directly towards the cost-of- attendance at the college for a maximum of eight full- time equivalent terms Charges for room and board are to be limited as follows:  Room charges shall not exceed the average cost of on- campus residential housing; and  Board charges shall not exceed the cost of the least expensive on-campus meal plan, which includes 21 meals per week

SC Need-based Grant - Publics AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Students must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree Students must be enrolled at the time of the grant disbursement in a minimum of twelve credit hours if full-time or six credit hours if part-time at an eligible institution

SC Need-based Grant - Publics AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) Institutions must give first priority and award the maximum allowable award to students who are in the custody of the SC Dept. of Social Services The institution may redistribute funds to other eligible students until 45 days after the last day to register for the spring term

SC Need-based Grant - Publics CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY Awarded full-time (both fall and spring terms) Must earn 24 credit hrs. Awarded part-time (both fall and spring terms) Must earn 12 credit hrs.

SC Need-based Grant - Publics CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY (CONT’D) Awarded part-time one term and full-time other term Must earn 18 credit hrs. Awarded one term (either fall or spring term) Must earn 6 if part-time and 12 if full-time Credits earned during any additional terms (i.e., summer or other non-regular term) cannot be used to replace/reduce the minimum credit hour requirement for the regular academic year

SC Need-based Grant - Publics CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY (CONT’D) Earn at least a cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for graduation purposes by the end of each regular academic year (fall and spring terms only) Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress Each year, must file a FAFSA form and continue to meet all general eligibility requirements

SC Need-based Grant INCREASED FUNDING AY $6.1 Million additional funds through SC Education Lottery Account Total Funding for SC Need-based Grant Program for AY $22.4 Million!! Reminder: Make sure that your institution funds as many needy students as possible (based on Federal Guidelines)

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) USC-Regional Campuses and Spartanburg Methodist College

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) ADMINISTERING PROCESS Financial aid office at USC – Regional Campuses and Spartanburg Methodist College administers the Lottery Tuition Assistance Program S.C. Technical College System administers the Lottery Tuition Assistance Program for the technical colleges

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours each term as a degree-seeking student in a certificate, diploma, or associate degree program Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress each academic year Must not be a recipient of a LIFE, Palmetto Fellows or SC HOPE Scholarship during the academic year (fall, spring, and summer)

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Must file the FAFSA Form each academic year Not eligible to receive LTAP for more than one certificate, diploma, or degree earned within any five-year period unless the additional certificate, diploma, or degree constitutes progress in the same field of study

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) AWARDING PROCESS Must first apply federal and state need-based aid towards the cost-of-tuition For the Fall 2004 term, students may receive $77 per credit hour and up to $924 for full-time towards the cost-of-tuition

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) AWARDING PROCESS (CONT’D) The award amount is determined each term based on the number of eligible students and available funding LTAP should be retroactively awarded  For example, a student who enrolls part-time during the fall term and then enrolls full-time during the spring term, but does not file the FAFSA until after the beginning of the spring term should be awarded LTAP retroactively. The student must have met all other eligibility criteria

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) DIRECTIVE REMINDER MARCH 18, 2004 DUALLY ENROLLED HS STUDENTS Effective Fall 2004, CHE has granted another one-year extension to the original moratorium to allow dually enrolled high school students to receive funding through LTAP

Appeals

The institution is responsible for making the appeals information available to students Students who fail to meet the continued eligibility criteria to renew the LIFE, PFS, or SC HOPE Scholarship due to an extenuating circumstance (Serious health condition, missionary trip, death of a family member) have the option to appeal

Appeals Students who fail to meet the initial eligibility criteria for the HOPE, LIFE, or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships are not eligible to submit an appeal Students must submit a completed appeal application to CHE by the established deadline The following are not considered extenuating circumstances: Roommate issues, financial issues, poor advisement, course/grade issues

Students with Disabilities

Students are responsible for receiving approval from Office of Disability Services to be enrolled in less than full-time status or earn less than the required annual credit hours Disability Services Provider must provide written documentation to the Office of Financial Aid prior to each academic year

Students with Disabilities For renewal, students must meet the grade point average requirement as stipulated in each program regulation and the number of credit hours stipulated by the Disability Services Provider in the written documentation Students cannot exceed eight terms based upon initial college enrollment

Early Graduates

Students who complete their high school graduation requirements prior to the official graduation date (usually May/June with their senior class) may be eligible to receive the HOPE/LIFE Scholarships dependent on prior approval by the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) The institutional representative must complete and submit an Early Graduation Application Form and all appropriate documentation as deemed necessary by CHE for each student provided on the Commission’s Website The student must also submit an official high school transcript and an official letter from the high school principal verifying that he/she has met all graduation requirements

Scholarship and Grant Reporting

Reporting Deadlines Fall 2004 Disbursement and Enrollment Data Reports due to CHE by October 29, 2004 Spring 2005 Disbursement and Enrollment Data Reports due to CHE by March 31, 2005 Summer 2005 Reconciliation Reports due to CHE by June 15, 2005

Question and Answer Session/ Wrap-up

Contact Information ( See Student Services Division & Financial Aid Officers Links ) Bichevia Green  LIFE Scholarship & SC HOPE Scholarship  (803) or Sherry Hubbard  Palmetto Fellows Scholarship & SC Need-based Grant  (803) or Michelle McDowell  Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP)  (803) or Karen Woodfaulk  Director of Student Services  (803) or