1. New Scholarship Coordinators’ Orientation
March 30, 2016

2. 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!

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 ( )
Recommendation forms due to GRACE (FTC and renewal)
September 1
Final date to submit recommendations for SY

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. GRACE: How to Contact
David Brown, executive director |
Melissa Bassett, coordinator |
Submit scholarship documents to:

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