2. State Aid/A+ Update OTC Counselor Workshop September 9, 2016

3. Agenda Legislative Recap Budget Outlook State Aid Update – A+ Information – Access Missouri – Bright Flight FAFSA Completion Project

4. Higher Education Legislation TAFP and Governor Action – SB 997 – College Completion Act of 2016- Signed Loan forgiveness guidance State Authorization Student portal Common core curriculum/Course numbering matrix – SB 968 – Veterans Programs - Signed National Guard residency Returning Heroes revisions Reauthorizes War Veterans program

5. Higher Education Legislation – SB 638 – K -12 Education - Signed A+ expansion to private high schools – SB 921 – Sexual Assaults - Signed Requires MOU with law enforcement TAFP but no Governor action required – SCR 66 Creates UM Study Commission

6. Budget Update

7. State Budget Update FY 2016 – Revenue increased 0.9% – Budget predicated on increase of 4.1% – Income and sales/use taxes increased – Corporate taxes decreased by 16% – Refunds increased by 14% FY 2017 – Appropriation bills signed, w/o vetoes – $115 million spending restrictions – Higher Education spending restrictions include only “new” funds

8. State Budget Update FY 2017 (cont.) – Veto Session – Current revenue status (August 2016) YTD – Up 2% Last 3 months – Down 8% FY 2018 – Continued slow growth – below long term average – Limited discretionary funds

9. State Aid Update

10. A+ Funding – $37.6 M transfer; $39.5 M spending authority – Increase of $2.5 million – Minimal fund carry over Usage – 12,761 recipients in FY16 – Projecting continuing increase FY 17 Awards – Full funding continues

11. A+ Rule Changes Effective 7/31/16 Resulted from: – Statutory Changes – Department-wide comprehensive rule review Amendments to definitions – FT: If institution has higher threshold than the rule, student must meet institutional definition – Positive net disbursement definition added: disbursements less returns >$0

12. A+ Rule Changes Effective 7/31/16 2015-2016 temporary cost saving measures made permanent beginning fall 2016 – Apply only to students receiving A+ – Completion requirement for all students – Fall CGPA requirement for initial students

13. A+ Rule Changes Effective 7/31/16 Completion requirement for all students – Required Hours 12 credit hours fall or spring 6 credit hours summer 90% of clock hours required for federal pymt period – Eligibility lost until hours completed Ex: 9/15 hours completed, 6 hours required to regain eligibility (9 + 6 = 15) – Effect on reimbursement of withdrawn coursework Enrollment After WDWD Coursework Reimbursed? 12+ hours (6+ summer)No < 12 hours (<6 summer)Yes (prevents double penalty)

14. A+ Rule Changes Effective 7/31/16 CGPA for initial students – 2.0 CGPA at end of fall to be eligible for spring – 2.5 CGPA at end of spring to be eligible for next academic year – Institutional policy determines coursework included in CGPA

15. A+ Rule Changes Effective 7/31/16 High School Eligibility Criteria – U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required – Specifies 50 hours of tutoring/mentoring must be completed prior to graduation Case-by-case exception allowed (not required) for circumstances beyond the student’s control, not to exceed 6 months beyond graduation – Flexibility in establishing Algebra I EOC alternatives added/COMPASS references removed – Specifies good citizenship maintained in grades 9-12

16. A+ Proposed Rule Amendments Resulted from: – Legislative action – Clarification of questions posed while previous rulemaking in process Informal request for comment in August – No comments received

17. A+ Proposed Rule Amendments Define an A+ Designated High School – Reviewed by DESE & approved by BOE Define an Eligible Program – Leads to a certificate or degree – Meets the federal Title IV definition Coursework for a program not eligible for Title IV aid is not eligible for A+ reimbursement Clarify definition of Federal Sources of Funding – Excludes campus based aid from the A+ award calculation

18. A+ Proposed Rule Amendments Directly incorporates all statutory high school eligibility criteria (previously some in rule by statutory reference only) – Includes 80% enrollment guidance related to the three consecutive year requirement Does NOT impact the 95% attendance requirement Allows A+ high schools to include Constitution Project of Missouri participation in students’ good citizenship records – Inclusion should be specified in A+ policy Adds MDHE’s standard disbursement/delivery policy

19. A+ Proposed Rule Amendments Approved by CBHE 9/8/16 Rulemaking Process Anticipated Schedule (approx. 6 months) – Filed with Secretary of State in September – 30 day public comment period mid-October to mid-November – Final order of rulemaking effective late March Exact schedule dependent on timing of filing deadlines

20. A+ Expansion SB 638 Effective 8/28/16 – Allows for DESE designation of nonpublic high schools Application materials available soon – DESE mailing/website – Link on MDHE website – March BOE meeting last opportunity for designation each year (new apps only – reapplication unnecessary) Once designated, MDHE will send scholarship information to school official, including the A+ stamp template – Stamp on transcript verifies to postsecondary institutions the student has met all HS eligibility criteria

21. SAMPLE

22. A+ Expansion Rule of Thumb: – Students must attend an A+ designated school for 3 years immediately prior to graduation. – Student can be eligible IF The school becomes designated before the student graduates and The student meets all other A+ HS eligibility requirements

23. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident Enter into a written agreement with the A+ designated HS prior to graduation – A+ policy should include when agreement is made available to students and deadline for submission Graduate from an A+ designated high school with an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent on another scale – Unweighted

24. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria (cont’d) Have maintained a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol while in grades 9-12 – A+ policy may include participation the Constitution Project of Missouri in a student’s record of good citizenship Selective Service registration is NOT a requirement

25. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria 3-Year Requirement Attend an A+ designated HS(s) for at least 3 years immediately prior to graduation – Enrollment in sophomore, junior & senior years must total a min. of 80% of instructional days required by the graduating HS – Interruptions in enrollment cumulatively totaling no more than 20% may be consecutive or intermittent – Early (junior year) graduates may eligible based on enrollment in grades 9-11

26. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria 95% Attendance Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12 – A+ attendance policy may differ from HS attendance policy – Transfer students must meet the attendance policy at the A+ high school from which they graduate Have performed 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which up to 25% may include job shadowing prior to HS graduation

27. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria Algebra I EOC/Alternatives Meet one indicator of college preparedness: – Score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I EOC, or a higher level DESE approved math EOC – Meet other criteria established by CBHE (announced spring of students’ junior year) 8 th grade scores qualify Students may utilize any accommodations included in their IEPs or allowed by ACT

28. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria Algebra I EOC/Alts (cont’d) Alternatives for 2017 Seniors Alternatives for 2018 seniors TBA early spring 2017 – COMPASS scores will not be an alternative even if already achieved ScoreCOMPASS Exam 43Pre-Algebra 1Algebra ACT Math Score High School Minimum GPA 17&2.5 16&2.8 15&3.0 OR

29. A+ HS Eligibility Criteria Good Faith Effort Make a good faith effort to first secure all available federal sources of non-loan funding that could be applied to tuition and fee costs File a FAFSA (or FAFSA4Caster if will attend an institution not participating in Title IV) – For summer students, FAFSA must be for correct academic year based on institution’s definition of an academic year

30. A+ Summer Eligibility All students may receive A+ in summer immediately following HS graduation, regardless of fall plans Otherwise, must be regularly enrolled in a participating A+ institution – Visiting students are not eligible

31. A+ Mid-Year HS Graduates Eligible for spring term following graduation if the HS transcript has a mid-year graduation date – Graduation date on the A+ stamp secondary to the transcript date – When diploma received or graduation ceremony occurs does not affect A+ eligibility

32. A+ Postsecondary Eligibility Basic Criteria Be seeking a degree or certificate Not be pursing a degree in theology/divinity Not have a criminal record preventing receipt of federal Title IV aid Make a good faith effort to secure federal aid each year (FAFSA, or FAFSA4caster if applicable)

33. A+ Postsecondary Eligibility Basic Criteria (cont’d) Enroll full time Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by school, except must have 2.0 CGPA at end of fall semester – 2.0 CGPA calculated per institutional policy and may include dual credit or other credit earned prior to HS graduation Must have 2.5 CGPA at end of spring to renew

34. A+ Postsecondary Eligibility Basic Student Criteria (cont’d) Complete 12 credit hours (6 for summer) – If meet exception for FT enrollment, complete all enrolled hours – If not, ineligible until required hours completed Example: 9 hours completed in fall, must complete 3 hours before A+ eligibility regained

35. A+ Eligibility Expiration A+ eligibility expires the earliest of: – Receipt of an associate’s degree from any postsecondary institution – 48 months from HS graduation – Completion of 105% of the current program of study

36. A+ Award Award amount = tuition and general fees remaining after any federal sources of funding have been applied Reimbursement capped at the standard credit hour rate at State Technical College (or clock hour equivalent) – For 2016-2017 = $159.75/credit hour or $4.30/clock hour A+ will not pay for repeated, withdrawn or dropped courses, or coursework completed prior to HS graduation (dual credit, dual enrollment, AP, etc.)

37. A+ Scholarship Application No state application for students to complete but postsecondary institutions may require additional information in addition to A+ stamped transcript – Requirements may vary from institution to institution – Students should double check with the financial aid office, especially if transferring Good faith effort

38. A+ Resources MDHE Website: http://dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/aplusscholarship. php http://dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/aplusscholarship. php E-Distribution List Service: http://www.dhe.mo.gov/mdhedigest/signup.php

39. A+ Contacts Designation Questions to DESE: – John Robertson, Supervisor, School Improvement (573) 751-2453 or john.robertson@dese.mo.govjohn.robertson@dese.mo.gov Scholarship Questions to MDHE: – Connie Bestgen, Financial Aid Specialist (800) 473-6757, option 4; (573) 751-1772, or connie.bestgen@dhe.mo.gov – Amy Haller, Financial Aid Specialist (573) 526-7958 or amy.haller@dhe.mo.govamy.haller@dhe.mo.gov – Kelli Reed, Student Assistance Associate (573) 751-2444 or kelli.reed@dhe.mo.gov

40. Access Missouri Funding – $63.7 M transfer, $76.5 M spending authority – Increase of $4 M/$7 M ($2M MOHELA) – Some carry over funds available Usage – 48,305 students paid in FY16 – Eligible applications down by 11 percent for FY 17 FY 17 awards increased – 79% of statutory max (up from 65% in FY 16) – $1030 max/$300 min – Public 2-Years – $2250 max/$1500 min – Pub. 4-Years, State Tech & Privates

41. Bright Flight Funding – $18.2 M transfer; $20.7 M spending authority – Increase of $500K/$2 million ($2M MOHELA) – Small carry over amount Usage – 6,709 recipients in FY16 – Eligible students up 5 to 8 percent for FY17 FY 2017 Awards – $3,000 top 3% – $0 top 4 th & 5 th percentiles Scores for 2017 Seniors – ACT 31 = top 3% – ACT 30 = top 4 th & 5 th percentiles – SAT scores TBD

42. Other State Programs Ross-Barnett – 272 students paid $599,306 in FY16 – Unable to maintain full funding (55 students pend) – Full funding unlikely for foreseeable future Other programs – Public Safety and War Vets continue to grow – Vietnam Vets sunset in FY16

43. FAFSA Initiative

44. FAFSA Completion Project National Initiative Goal: Increase the number of students who successfully complete a FAFSA In Missouri – http://dhe.mo.gov/fafsa-completion http://dhe.mo.gov/fafsa-completion – Student-specific report indicates if FAFSA is: Complete Missing signature Has an error Selected for verification – 200 staff/154 high schools/111 districts to date

45. FAFSA Completion Project (cont’d) Participation is a 2 step process: 1.FAFSA Data Access Agreement between district superintendent & MDHE Commissioner 2.Individual registration for a user ID/password to access the student-specific report Superintendent must have authorized the individual in the agreement Must be district employee for now

46. Questions State Aid Questions Connie Bestgen Financial Aid Specialist (800) 473-6757, option 4 (573) 751-1772 connie.bestgen@dhe.mo.gov Amy Haller Financial Aid Specialist (573) 526-7958 amy.haller@dhe.mo.gov Kelli Reed Student Assistance Associate (573) 751-2444 kelli.reed@dhe.mo.gov General Questions P.O. Box 1469 Jefferson City 65102-1469 Phone 573-751-2361 Fax: (573) 751-6635 Info. Center: (800) 473-6757 info@dhe.mo.gov www.dhe.mo.gov