Ridge and Traviss Catalog.indd 1 9/27/ :59:09 PM

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2 POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Superintendent of Schools Kathryn LeRoy School Board Members Hunt Berryman District 1 Lori Cunningham District 2 Hazel Sellers District 3 Dick Mullenax District 4 Kay Fields District 5 Debra Wright District 6 Tim Harris District 7 &

3 Table of Contents Schools Accreditations Program Certifications and Approvals ACTS RELATING TO SCHOOL OPERATION Americans with Disabilities Act Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Federal Drug-Free School Act Jeffrey Johnston Anti-Bullying Act Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of Student Accommodations Handicapped Diversity Statement Non-Discrimination Statement ADMISSIONS Admission Requirements and Procedures for Adult (Postsecondary) Students Admission Requirements and Procedures for High School (Secondary) Students Standard Diploma Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma Health Science Education Adult/Postsecondary Admission Process and Requirements Admission to the Practical Nursing Program TUITION AND FEES Tuition and Program Costs Job Preparatory Fees Continuing Workforce Education Fees Adult Education Fees Individual Program Costs Methods of Payment Information for Florida Residency Foreign Students FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Americorps Bureau of Indian Affairs Farmworker Federal PELL Grant Financial Aid Revenue Scholarship Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Florida Prepaid College Plan Polk County Workforce Development Board (Polk Works, Inc.) Polk Career Centers Table of Contents i

4 Scholarships (Business and Industry and Other) Veterans Training Vocational Rehabilitation Third Party Funding CENTERS REFUND POLICY Job Preparatory Programs Continuing Workforce Education Programs Funding Agency Reimbursement ENTRY, TRANSFER AND ARTICULATION Length of Programs/Class Schedules Orientation Transfer Policy Articulation with High School and Community Colleges/State Colleges Military Service OTHER INFORMATION Student Dress Code Identification Badges Parking Hangtags Transportation Visitors Textbooks Insurance Drug-free School Policy Tobacco Products Grievance Procedure ATTENDANCE CRITERIA AND GRADING SYSTEM Rationale Attendance and Punctuality Excused Absences Attendance Policy Student Leave of Absence Policy Criteria for Determining Excused or Unexcused Checkouts and Tardies Dismissal Student Grades and Progress Reports Program Completion Requirements Skill Grade Pretesting Work Habits and Attitudes Grade Polk County Grading Scale Standards of Progress for Veteran Benefit Eligibility Student Records Disclosure ii Table of Contents Polk Career Centers

5 WITHDRAWALS, RE-ENTRY AND PLACEMENT Adult/Postsecondary Student Withdrawal High School/Secondary Student Withdrawal Re-Entry Employment Assistance Student Follow-up Commencement Ceremonies PART-TIME PROGRAMS AND CONTINUING WORKFORCE EDUCATION Evening Program Information Continuing Workforce Education STUDENT SERVICES Career Counseling Cooperative Education Media Center Cashier s Window Dining Facilities Clinic CAREER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) American Academy of Procedural Codes (AAPC) Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA) Future Builders of America (FBA) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) National Association of Practical Nursing Education Service (NAPNES) Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) SkillsUSA ADVISORY COMMITTEES School Advisory Council Program Advisory Committees RIDGE CAREER CENTER (RCC) AND TRAVISS CAREER CENTER (TCC) PROGRAMS LISTED BY CAREER CLUSTERS RIDGE CAREER CENTER A Message From the Director School Profile Vision Statement Mission Statement Philosophy Polk Career Centers Table of Contents iii

6 Hours of Operation Visitor Information Parking RIDGE CAREER CENTER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS Fire Fighting (Minimum Standards Fire Fighting I and II) Nursing Assistant (Acute and Long-Term Care) and Home Health Aide Training and Testing Site Administration Full-Time Instructional Staff Part-time Instructional Staff TRAVISS CAREER CENTER Director s Message Mission Statement School Profile Accreditations School Hours Visitors Child Care Uniforms TRAVISS CAREER CENTER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS Adult/Postsecondary Health Sciences Education Programs High School/Secondary Cosmetology Health Sciences Education Programs Administrative Staff Support Staff Professional Technical Staff Guidance Counselors Full-Time Instructional Staff Part-time Instructional Staff CAREER CENTERS PROGRAMS Accounting Operations (RCC) Administrative Assistant (RCC, TCC) Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology (RCC, TCC) Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology 1 (RCC, TCC) Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology 2 (RCC, TCC) Applied Welding Technologies (RCC, TCC) Architectural Drafting (RCC, TCC) Automation Production Technology (RCC) Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing (TCC) Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing 1 (TCC) Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing 2 (TCC) iv Table of Contents Polk Career Centers

7 Automotive Service Technology (RCC, TCC) Automotive Service Technology 1 (RCC, TCC) Automotive Service Technology 2 (RCC, TCC) Automobile Mechanic Apprenticeship (RCC) Avionics 1 (TCC) Avionics 2 (TCC) Brick and Block Masonry (TCC) Commercial Art Technology (TCC) Commercial Art Technology 1 (TCC) Commercial Art Technology 2 (TCC) Commercial Foods and Culinary Arts (New) (RCC, TCC) Commercial Class B Driving (RCC) Commercial Vehicle Driving (RCC) Computer Systems & Information Technology (TCC) Computer Systems & Information Technology (TCC) Cosmetology (NEW) (RCC, TCC) Culinary Arts (RCC, TCC) Customer Assistance Technology (TCC) Customer Service Representative (RCC) Dental Assisting (TCC) Digital Design (RCC, TCC) Digital Design 1 (RCC, TCC) Digital Design 2 (RCC, TCC) Electricity (RCC, TCC) Electrocardiograph Aide EKG (HS Only) (RCC) Emergency Medical Responder (RCC) Facials Specialty (RCC) Fire Fighter (RCC) Fire Instructor (RCC) Fire Safety Inspector (RCC) Health Unit Coordinator (TCC) Home Health Aide (HS Only) (RCC) Legal Administrative Specialist (TCC) Massage Therapy (RCC) Mechanical Drafting (RCC) Medical Administrative Specialist (RCC, TCC) Medical Coder/Biller (RCC) Medical Record Transcribing Medium and Heavy Duty Truck and Bus Technician (RCC, TCC) Medium and Heavy Duty Truck and Bus Technician 1 (RCC, TCC) Medium and Heavy Duty Truck and Bus Technician 2 (RCC, TCC) Nails Specialty (RCC) Network Support Services (RCC) Polk Career Centers Table of Contents v

8 Nursing Assistant (Acute and Long Term Care) (HS Only) (RCC) Nursing Assistant (Long Term Care) (RCC, TCC) Optometric Assisting (TCC) Patient Care Technician (RCC) Pharmacy Technician (NEW) (RCC, TCC) Phlebotomy (RCC, TCC) Practical Nursing (RCC, TCC) School Bus Driver Training (RCC) Surgical Technology (TCC) Teacher Assisting (RCC) Adult Basic Education (ABE) Online (TCC) Applied Academics of Adult Education (RCC, TCC) English Literacy for Career and Technical Education (ELCATE) (TCC) General Educational Development (GED) Online (RCC, TCC) General Educational Development (GED) Preparation (RCC, TCC) COSTS Ridge Career Center s Adult/Postsecondary Costs Ridge Career Center s High School/Secondary Costs Traviss Career Center s Adult/Postsecondary Costs Traviss Career Center s High School/Secondary Costs CALENDAR AND MAP Polk County School Calendar Ridge and Traviss Career Centers Location Map vi Table of Contents Polk Career Centers

9 The Mission of Polk County Public Schools is to ensure rigorous, relevant learning experiences that result in high achievement for our students. Schools Accreditations Ridge and Traviss Career Centers are part of the Polk County Public School System. All programs offered at the Centers are approved by the Florida Department of Education. Those eligible are approved by the Bureau of State Approving for Veterans Training-Division of Veterans Benefits and Assistance-Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), 7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, Georgia ( accredits Ridge Career Center (RCC) and Traviss Career Center (TCC). COE may be contacted at The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACSCASI) ( Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia , also accredits Ridge Career Center and Traviss Career Center. SACSCASI may be contacted at Polk Career Centers 1

10 Program Certifications and Approvals In addition, a number of programs at both Centers have been approved, certified and/or recognized by the military, sponsoring agencies and professional organizations. They are listed below. Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) American Academy of Procedural Codes (AAPC) American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) American Heart Association American Optometric Association Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) Authorized Certiport Testing Center (MOS) Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) CompTIA A+ Certification CompTIA Network+ Certification Department of Business and Professional Regulations Board of Cosmetology Division of Medical Quality Assurance Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Florida Dental Association Florida Dental Health Foundation Florida Department of Health Florida State Board of Massage Therapy Florida State Board of Nursing HVAC Excellence Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFTC) National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) North American Technician Excellence (NATE) 2 Polk Career Centers

11 Acts Relating to School Operations Americans with Disabilities Act The Polk County School Board is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to programs and services and their rights to confidentiality are protected. Please contact your school s Student Services Center, program administrator or the District s Office of Equity and Compliance at for further information. The Polk County School Board is committed to ensuring equity in all of its school programs and shall comply with Title IX, Title VI, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Drug Free Workplace Act of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The procedures of protecting the confidentiality of student records are based on state regulations and the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of The School Board of Polk County policies regarding student records are in accordance with these regulations. Federal Drug-Free School Act Federal legislation has been passed as part of the war on drugs. This legislation is intended to convey to students of any institution receiving federal funds (contracts, grants, student financial aid, etc.) the health risks which exist for those who abuse alcohol or drugs. In addition, penalties for those who violate school standards are in place and consistently enforced. Jeffrey Johnston Anti-Bullying Act The School Board of Polk County, Florida, is committed to protecting its students, employees, and applicants for admission from bullying, harassment, or discrimination for any reason and of any type. The School Board believes that all students and employees are entitled to a safe, equitable, and harassment-free school experience. Bullying, harassment, or discrimination will not be tolerated and shall be just cause for disciplinary action. This policy shall be interpreted and applied consistently with all applicable state and federal laws and the Board s Collective Bargaining Agreements. Conduct that constitutes bullying, harassment or discrimination, as defined herein is prohibited. Policy 1.011, prohibition of discrimination policy, addresses requirements for discrimination against defined federal, state, and local protected categories of persons. Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act Each Career Center has a security plan and security personnel. The cooperation and involvement of every member of staff, student body, and all visitors on campus are absolutely necessary to ensure maximum safety and security. All persons must assume responsibility for their own safety and security of personal belongings. Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 The Student Right-To-Know Act requires institutions to disclose specific information on the general student population. The Campus Security Act of 1990 requires all postsecondary institutions participating in Federal Student Aid Programs to disclose campus security policies and crime statistics. Each Career Center publishes these reports to the faculty, staff and students to comply with the provisions of the law. Polk Career Centers 3

12 Student Accommodations Each Career Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects United States citizens who possess physical or mental disabilities. The Centers also comply with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973 which state that no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented special needs. If any type of accommodation is required to complete the application process due to a disability, please call the School Board of Polk County s Human Resource Services Division at If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please contact the Polk School District by calling Florida Relay Service at Handicapped All programs, campus organizations and activities are open to all students. Efforts are made to assist handicapped students to function as independently as possible while attending school. Should special needs arise, administration and/or guidance counselors will be notified. Diversity Statement The Polk County School Board is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, accessible, civil, and supportive learning community. It fosters respect and understanding among all cultures and all individuals who work, study, live, and teach within this community. Bigotry, expressions of hatred or prejudice, behaviors that infringe upon the freedom and respect that every individual deserves, and harassment of any kind transgress the school s purposes and values. Just as learning benefits from the interplay of teaching and scholarship in a variety of disciplines, so does the school community learn and profit from diverse cultures and perspectives. Non-discrimination Statement The School Board of Polk County prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, services, activities or employment. To file concerns, you may contact the Office of Equity and Compliance, Human Resource Services at The School Board of Polk County, Florida, Policies and 1.011, Florida Educational Equity Act, Section , F.S., Rule 6A through 6A , FAC, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act, Vocational Guidelines, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Title IX. To file a discrimination/harassment complaint at each Center, contact each Center s Director, Lisa Harden (Ridge Career Center) at or Wayne Dickens (Traviss Career Center) at or the School Board of Polk County s Office of Equity & Compliance in the Human Resource Services Division at Polk Career Centers

13 Admissions Most of the training programs at Ridge and Traviss Career Centers have minimum admission or state licensure requirements. Applicants must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, be interested in career education and have basic skills necessary for potential success in the training program chosen. Students should provide proof of age and two proofs of residence with picture identification. Assessment is accomplished by completing the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) which is used as a diagnostic tool to determine completion of a program. Both Centers comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973 in regard to students with disabilities. The Centers also strictly adhere to the Non-discrimination Policy adopted by the School Board of Polk County. Reasonable accommodations can be made for special needs students. Qualified students applying for admission are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis during open enrollment periods. Admission Requirements and Procedures for Adult (Postsecondary) Students 1. Take Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment ($15 fee and picture identification are required prior to testing). This assessment is required for all programs 450 hours and over except for the English Literacy for Career and Technical Education (ELCATE) program where students must be pretested and post-tested using the CASAS Assessment Tool. Students who possess an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited institution are exempt from this requirement. 2. Register for program by completing a WATERS application. 3. Interview with appropriate counselor to interpret test scores; discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition and fees. 4. Apply for financial assistance if applicable and/or pay tuition and fees. Note: Some programs may require additional steps and/or a formal interview with an additional staff member for admission. Admission Requirements and Procedures for High School (Secondary) Students Both Career Centers, in conjunction with students home high schools, offer three high school diploma options: the 3-year, 18 credit standard diploma; the 4-year, 24 credit standard high school diploma; and the State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma. Standard Diploma Students spend the entire day at a Career Center and can earn elective and academic credits each year; however, due to limited academic offerings at the Centers, since they are not a regular high school, counselors, students and parents/guardians have to carefully develop the first year plan and consecutive years to ensure all credits for graduation can be attained. Tuition and books are free; however, some programs require laboratory fees, kits, consumable supplies and workbooks, uniform costs and/or state testing fees. High school students should remember that the focus of a Career Center is to provide job skills for those individuals ready to seek employment and/or continue into higher education. Students must be willing to accept personal responsibility and function in a job atmosphere. Entry Requirements: 1. Must be at least 16 years of age. 2. Must be a student (preferably at the junior or senior level) or at the 9th or 10th grade level who only need limited academic credits to graduate. 3. Have a good attendance record. Polk Career Centers 5

14 4. Have a good discipline record. 5. Must take the TABE assessment. 6. Must take an Interest Inventory and possibly an Aptitude Assessment. 7. Complete WATERS application in Student Services Department. 8. Consult with high school guidance counselor. All related paperwork necessary for transferring from the home high school will be explained. 9. Transfer from home high school and report to Career Center with all required paperwork. 10. If all admission requirements are met and space is available, a counselor will register the student for a program. State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma In order to prevent many students from dropping out of school at the later middle school level and/or early senior high stages of their educational program, students lagging behind on credits can be designated as 11th or 12th graders for the purpose of allowing them to attend the Career Centers under the Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma Option. This grade designation should take place before a student sits for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Grade designation is not based on number of high school credits. If a student returns to a regular high school, grade in school will be based on number of credits. The administration of the General Educational Development (GED) test shall occur no sooner than March of the cohort graduation year. A State of Florida High School Performance- Based Diploma will be awarded for those who successfully pass the FCAT, GED and attain at least one Career Education Occupational Completion Point. Entry Requirements: 1. Students are required to take the TABE, Interest and possibly an aptitude assessment prior to enrolling. 2. Students must transfer from their last high school or from an out-of-county or middle school and be 16 years of age or older. 3. Students must meet at least one of the alternative education criteria established by Florida Statutes: a. Retained or administrative promotion, one or more times, prior to referral b. Failure to achieve minimum (or master 80% of basic skills) on state assessment testing c. Disinterest in school documented by two or more sources d. Excessive absences Parents and students who choose this option agree in writing to the following: 1. A regular standard diploma will not be attainable. 2. A State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma may be attainable. 3. The primary function of such grade designation is to provide the student with technical job skills. Students work on career education skills as well as academic skills necessary to pass the GED. Students who meet the appropriate career and academic criteria, as well as successfully pass the FCAT, GED assessment, earn an Occupational Completion Point in their career education program and maintain excellent attendance will be awarded a Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma. Students enrolling from out-of-county or out-of-state may enroll directly into the Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma Program. They do not have to enter through a high school or middle school. However, they must meet all entrance criteria like any other student new to Polk County. Direct enrollments into the Career Centers apply only to the Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma Program and not for students completing their high school credits toward regular graduation. 6 Polk Career Centers

15 Health Science Education Adult/Postsecondary Admission Process and Requirements Applicants desiring entry into the Career Center Health Science Education programs must complete all admission criteria specific to the health program selected and meet all general admission requirements for the Center. 1. Take the Level A TABE. The TABE is required for all health programs except programs that are less than 450 hours in length. Students who possess an Associate Degree or higher degree are exempt from this requirement. 2. Meet with the adult counselor in Student Services and discuss TABE results. 3. Request the following from the Health Science Education Department for specific program desired. a. Program Information Sheet. b. Medical Clearance Package Information. This is used to document current results of specified immunizations concerning the applicant s mental and physical health. (The Centers are not responsible for any cost incurred by applicants to secure required immunizations or medical documentation.) 4. Complete Ridge or Traviss Career Center s WATERS Application. Complete all information on the application. 5. Submit official high school transcript or official GED grade record. Applicants who graduated from a Florida public high school after 1980 may use the FASTER system; transcripts are electronically transmitted using this system. Applicants desiring to utilize the FASTER system should contact the Center s Guidance Counselor. Applicants who have graduated from an accredited college with an Associate Degree or higher do not need high school transcripts or GED documentation, but these applicants must have an official college transcript. Transcripts from foreign countries must be translated and evaluated for certification. Admission to the Practical Nursing Program Information sessions will be held prior to the start of each Practical Nursing Program. In order to receive an admission packet for the Practical Nursing Program, the prospective applicant must attend an information session. 1. Interested students should contact the Health Science Department for exact days and times of information sessions. 2. Admission criteria will be discussed at these sessions, and each person in attendance will receive the Practical Nursing Admission Packet. 3. Questions that the applicant may have regarding the Practical Nursing Program will be answered, and program expectations will be discussed. 4. The National League of Nursing (NLN) Exam is required for admission with the exception of students who hold a college degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher or an accredited nursing school transfer with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Days and times of assessment will be discussed at the information sessions. Polk Career Centers 7

16 Tuition and Fees Tuition and Program Costs Tuition fees are established by the Florida Legislature and Polk County School Board. Tuition and program costs are to be paid at the beginning of each semester. New students who enroll after the initial registration period will pay a pro-rated amount based on the instructional time remaining in the semester. Cash, personal checks, debit cards, electronic transfers, money orders or credit cards (VISA or MasterCard only) are accepted. Program costs may vary and are subject to change without notice. Tuition for Florida residents is lower than tuition for non-residents. A student must live in the state of Florida for twelve (12) months before establishment of Florida Residency. The student must present documentation to that effect. Job Preparatory Fees Tuition is $2.88 per clock hour for Florida residents and $11.52 per clock hour for out-of-state residents. Tuition is also $11.52 per clock hour for non-u.s. residents with proper immigration credentials. Continuing Workforce Education Fees Tuition is $5.76 per clock hour for both resident and non-resident/foreign students. Adult Education Fees (Applied Academics for Adult Education -- AAAE) Tuition is $45 for Florida residents and non-residents and $180 for out-of-state residents and non-residents who possess proper immigration credentials. Individual Program Costs Adult/Postsecondary Students Tuition and program costs may be found on pages 123 and 126. High School/Secondary Students High school students do not pay tuition; however, they will have to pay for any supplies or texts which become their own personal property. Program costs may be found on pages Methods of Payment For non-funded students, cash, Visa, MasterCard, debit cards, electronic transfers, personal money orders and checks drawn on local banks are accepted for payment of tuition and consumable laboratory fees. A local address and telephone number must be on all checks. Tuition and fees for some students are deferred when a voucher is submitted to the Center from a funding agency or other source. If fees paid by checks are refunded, the student must wait at least 45 days for processing of the refund. Note: The Centers do not cash personal checks! 8 Polk Career Centers

17 Information for Florida Residency A Florida resident for tuition purposes is a person who has, or is a dependent person whose parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residency in Florida for at least twelve months. Residence in Florida must be as a bona fide domicile rather than for the purpose of maintaining a residence incident for enrollment at an institution of higher education. To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you must be a United States citizen, permanent resident alien, or legal alien granted indefinite stay by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Persons not meeting the twelve-month legal residence requirement may be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes only if they fall within one of the limited categories authorized by the Florida Legislature and Board of Trustees. All other persons are ineligible for classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. Living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence. Students who depend on out-of-state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents. If you claim Florida residency for tuition purposes, you may be required to provide additional documentation (see below). 1. A copy of your and/or your parents most recent tax return or other documentation requested to establish dependence/independence. Dependent: a person for whom 50% or more of his/her support is provided by another as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Independent: a person who provides more than 51% of his/her own support. 2. A copy of the marriage certificate is required in all cases of spouse claiming partner s residency. a. I am an independent person and have maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months. b. I am a dependent person and my parents or legal guardian has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months. c. I am a dependent person who has resided for five years with an adult relative other than my parent or legal guardian, and my relative has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months. (Required: copy of most recent tax return on which you were claimed as a dependent or other proof of dependency) d. I am married to a person who has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months. I have not established legal residence and intend to make Florida my permanent home. (Required: copy of marriage certificate, claimant s voter registration, driver license and vehicle registration) e. I was previously enrolled at a Florida state institution and classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. I abandoned my Florida domicile less than 12 months ago and am now establishing Florida legal residence. (Required: verification from previous institution) f. According to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, I am a permanent resident alien or other legal alien granted indefinite stay and have maintained a domicile in Florida for at least 12 months. (Required: INS documentation and proof of Florida residence status) g. I am a member of the armed services of the United States and I am stationed in Florida on active military duty pursuant to military orders, or whose home of record is Florida, or I am a member s spouse or dependent child. (Required: copy of military orders or DD2048 showing home of record.) h. I am a full-time instructional or administrative employee employed by a Florida public school, community college or institution of higher education, or I am the employee s spouse or dependent child. (Required: copy of employment verification) i. I am part of the Latin American/Caribbean Scholarship Program. (Required: copy of scholarship papers) j. I am a qualified beneficiary under the terms of the Florida Pre-Paid College Program (F.S ) and not otherwise eligible. Polk Career Centers 9

18 k. I am living on the Isthmus of Panama and have completed 12 consecutive months of college work at the FSU Panama Canal branch, or I am the student s spouse or dependent child. (Required: copy of marriage certificate or proof of dependency) l. I am a Southern Regional Education Board s Academic Common Market graduate student. (Required: certification letter from State Coordinator) m. I am a full-time employee of a state agency or policy subdivision of the state whose student fees are paid by the state agency or political subdivision for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training. (Required: copy of employment verification) n. I am a McKnight Fellowship recipient. (Required: verification from Graduate School) o. Documents supporting the establishment of legal residence must be dated, issued or filed 12 months before the first day of classes of the term for which a Florida resident classification is sought. All documentation is subject to verification. Additional documentation other than what is required above may be requested in some cases. Foreign Students Foreign students are allowed to register, enroll and study at the Centers if they have a valid status as defined by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Proper documentation proving valid status must be shown at time of registration. 10 Polk Career Centers

19 Financial Assistance Financial aid is available for all students who qualify and enroll in an approved career education training program at a Career Center. The need is based upon individual student need or merit criteria. A Financial Aid Coordinator will help determine eligibility. The Financial Aid offered at the Career Centers consists of Title IV Federal Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistant Grant, Florida Work Experience Program, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, Student Financial Aid Fund, private scholarships and assistance. Students who wish to apply for Financial Aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application ( It is recommended that the completed application be submitted for processing a minimum of four weeks prior to expected enrollment date. Research for scholarships can be completed on-line at or Students receiving financial aid need to confirm payment procedures with the Center s Financial Aid Coordinator. Students receiving financial aid who withdraw from their registered program will be subject to a financial aid review and will be notified of any financial obligation deemed to be the student s responsibility. Once a financial aid student notifies the school he/she is withdrawing from school or is withdrawn by the teacher, a Return of Title IV Funds calculation is processed by the Financial Aid Coordinator. If the student receiving financial aid does not complete enough clock hours to draw down Pell funds to pay tuition and lab fees, the student then becomes responsible for the outstanding debt. Financial assistance at the Career Centers include: AmeriCorps AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive volunteer service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members enrolled in the National Service Trust are eligible to receive an education award. Each Career Center automatically bills the National Service Trust each semester for fees covered by AmeriCorps. Bureau of Indian Affairs The Bureau of Indian Affairs is part of the United States Department of the Interior which provides postsecondary educational opportunities to students of Native American heritage. Qualified students need to contact the Centers Financial Aid Coordinator for assistance ( Farmworker The Farmworker Program is a federally-funded form of assistance for students and/or their families who are migrant or seasonal agricultural workers. For further information, please contact their office at 300 E Bridgers Avenue, Auburndale, FL ( ). Federal PELL Grant This grant is an entitlement from the United States Department of Education which does not require repayment if all criteria are met and maintained. It is designed to provide funds to help eligible students who have a high school diploma or a GED pay for their education after high school. Polk Career Centers 11

20 A Pell Grant is awarded to students who qualify according to federal government Title IV guidelines. A student must have a GED or 24 credit high school diploma, be a certificate-seeking student in a 600 clock hour or more program. A student must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for each school year attended and provide the necessary documentation to verify financial need. A student who qualifies for aid must sign the appropriate documents to complete the application process. A student will receive an itemized award letter for the current school year. A student s attendance, skill grade, and work habits and attitudes grade will be monitored each month and are critical to meet the established criteria for payment for this funding. Financial Aid Revenue Scholarship This Scholarship is a needs-based award for students who have lived in Florida for at least one year prior to enrolling at a Center. It covers tuition and laboratory fees only and has very specific requirements which are available in the Financial Aid Office. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship This lottery-based state program provides merit scholarships for high school graduates who wish to receive postsecondary training in the state of Florida. It includes the Florida Academic Scholar Award (FAS), the Florida Medallion Scholar Award (FMS), and the Florida Gold Seal Scholar Award (FGSS). A prospective student should provide a copy of his/her award letter to the Financial Aid Coordinator for processing. A qualifying student must meet a program s attendance and academic requirements for continuous funding. Florida Prepaid College Plan The Florida Prepaid College Plan is available to students who have paid into this state operated college plan. Each Career Center automatically bills Florida Prepaid each semester for fees covered by the Florida Prepaid College Plan. Polk County Workforce Development Board (Polk Works, Inc.) This federal program provides assistance to full-time career education students who live in Polk County, are economically disadvantaged, unemployed, long-term laid off workers, or underemployed. Funding will be based on two categories WIA and TANF. Students have to be enrolled in a high-skill, high-wage program. Students receive career education training that prepares them to enter the workforce. Questions about this financial assistance should be directed to the adult guidance counselor and/or the liaison at each Center for Polk Works. Scholarships (Business and Industry and Other) Many businesses and industries donate money for needy students on a yearly or occasional basis. These funds are dispersed to deserving students on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also scholarships and awards from sources outside of the Centers which are deposited into a trust fund and are administered by the Financial Aid Coordinator according to guidelines of the donating sources. 12 Polk Career Centers