CCCSFAAA Summer Training BOG Fee Manual Mt. San Jacinto College Menifee Campus July 13 Fullerton College July 14 LA Mission College July 15 Modesto Junior College July 29 Sierra College July 30
2015 CCCSFAAA Summer Training BOGFW Manual
Agenda BOGFW Manual Update Title IV Eligibility for Persons Who Do Not Have a High School Diploma Cal Vet Fee Waivers The VACA Act (The Veteran s Access, Choice & Accountability Act)
Chapters in the New Fee Manual Introduction Application Process Eligibility: Financial and Non-Financial Loss of Fee Waiver Eligibility Special Eligibility and Veteran Fee Waivers Student Equity Plans Enrollment Priority Default Prevention Initiative Payment Policies
Chapters in the New Fee Manual Categorical Funding for SFA Administration Chancellor s Office Audit Authority Campus Reporting Requirements MIS Data Submission and Use Participation by New Colleges COTOP Program Miscellaneous Information Chancellor s Office SFA Staff Contacts and Communications 5
Significant Enhancements 1. Increased legal citations and supporting documentation 2. Information on fee waivers for veterans 3. Title IV Eligibility as it relates to High School Completion 4. Enhanced appendices
Fee Waiver Manual Appendices The law regarding the BOG Fee Waiver Regulations regarding the BOG Fee Waiver Special eligibility categories for persons eligible for BOG Fee Waiver Law regarding military residency for dependents of the armed forces
Fee Waiver Manual Appendices The current BOG Fee Waiver Paper Application 2015-16 income eligibility rates for the BOG Fee B Waiver Law Regarding Veterans, Military and Non- Resident Fees Clarification on VACA Act Implementation
CalVet Fee Waivers Fee Waivers paid through the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) These are, for the most part, for the dependents of veterans Eligibility is determined by the local county Veterans Services Offices A College Fee Waiver Authorization letter issued by a county Veterans Services Office
Dependents of Veterans - Plan A Students who are a Child of veteran killed or totally disabled Unmarried Spouse of veteran killed Spouse of disabled veteran Any dependent of a veteran missing in action, captured in the line of duty by hostile forces, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty
Dependents of Veterans - Plan A Wartime service required Not concurrently eligible for VA Chapter 35 Must sign an "election" statement acknowledging this fact The event which caused basic entitlement to benefits must have occurred prior to the child's 21st birthday
Child of a Veteran with a Service-Connected Disability Plan B CalVet refers to the following as Plan B The child of a veteran who has a serviceconnected disability The child of a veteran who had a serviceconnected disability at the time of death The child of a veteran who died of servicerelated causes
Child of a Veteran with a Service-Connected Disability Plan B Under Plan B wartime service is not required no specific age requirements. Children are the only dependents eligible under this plan No prohibition against receiving concurrent VA Chapter 35
Dependents of California National Guard Members Plan C The Dependent of any CNG member who: was killed while on active service to the state died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in active service to the state, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the service to the state is eligible
Medal of Honor Recipients - Plan D For Medal of Honor recipients Includes children under the age of 27 of Medal of Honor recipients Limited to undergraduate studies only applicants are subject to both income and age restrictions no prohibition against receiving concurrent VA Chapter 35 benefits
CalVet Fee Waivers Can t require a BOG Fee Waiver Application However, campus must collect enough information to report on MIS Could be a hand-written note Should probably inform student that other financial aid may be available which requires another application
Title IV Eligibility for persons who do not have a High School Diploma
Title IV Eligibility as it relates to High School Completion A student may receive federal student aid funds if the student has a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent Certificate of Completion not acceptable Otherwise, a student may not receive federal student aid funds unless they have the recognized equivalent as described in the following (next slide)
A recognized equivalent of a high school diploma: Tests approved by the USED for the purpose of receiving a California High School Equivalency Certificate The General Educational Development Test (GED) provided by the GED Testing Service (GEDTS) The High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) The Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) provided by CTB/McGraw Hill California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) provided by the CA Department of Education
A recognized equivalent of a high school diploma: An academic transcript of a student who has successfully completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree; or For persons in an educational program that leads to at least an associate degree and who has not completed high school, documentation that the student excelled academically in high school and has met the formalized, written policies of that postsecondary institution for admitting such students
Homeschooled Students Can show they are qualified to obtain a college education by completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law or, if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential, by completing a homeschool program that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law CDE information on home schooling: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/psfaq.asp#d Does the State of California issue a secondary school completion credential to homeschoolers? Home schools in California are considered private schools. The State of California does not offer a secondary school completion credential to private schools students, including home schooled students.
Recent Statutory Change Congress provides an opportunity for students who are enrolled in eligible career pathway programs, but who lack a high school diploma, to become eligible for Title IV aid using one of the ATB alternatives
ATB Alternatives for students enrolled in eligible career pathways programs 1. Pass an independently administered USED approved ATB test, or 2. Complete at least 6 credit hours or 225 clock hours that are applicable toward a degree or certificate offered by the postsecondary institution, or 3. Complete a State process approved by the Secretary of Education Note: To date, no State process has ever been submitted for the Secretary's approval
Approved ATB tests used in conjunction with an eligible career pathway program Test: Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST) Test: Spanish Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Spanish WBST) Test: Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA) Test: ACCUPLACER (Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and Arithmetic)
What is an eligible career pathway program? A combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and support services to prepare the student for the job market that: 1. Enroll students concurrently in connected adult education and eligible postsecondary programs 2. Provide students with counseling and supportive services 3. Provide structured course sequences
What is an eligible career pathway program? 4. Provides opportunities for acceleration for students to attain recognized postsecondary credentials, including degrees, industry relevant certifications, and certificates of completion of apprenticeship programs 5. Aligned with the education and skill needs of the regional economy 6. Developed in collaboration with partners in business, workforce development, and economic development
Pell Grant amounts for students in eligible career pathway programs The law provides for alternate maximum and minimum Pell Grant award amounts for students enrolled in such programs The maximum Limited Pell Grant amount that such a student may receive for enrollment in an eligible career pathway program for the 2015 2016 award year is $4,860
CCC eligible career pathway programs? Currently, none of our community colleges meet the criteria for eligible career pathway programs However: the work force staff will be re-designing such programs with such criteria in mind If the college believes they do have an eligible program, contact the ED
The VACA Act
The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACA Act) Approved into law August 2014 (Federal level) Effective July 1, 2015 Disapproves institutions if they charge covered individuals higher fees than state residents For educational programs under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD) and Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit programs
VACA Act The VA cannot require a college to charge covered individuals the in-state resident rate but funding will be disapproved if they do Disallows capital outlay fees and processing fees that are charged to nonresident students
State Bill AB13 Approved into law August 2014 Effective July 1, 2015 CO s Memo: May 5, 2015 To ensure compliance with Federal law Requirement for community colleges and CSUs Request for the UC
So who are Covered Individuals under the VACA Act? A covered individual is defined in the VACA Act as: A veteran who lives in the state who enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more A spouse or child entitled to transferred education benefits who enrolls in the school within 3 years of the transferor s discharge
So who are Covered Individuals under the VACA Act? A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship A qualifying student who had covered individual status who remains continuously enrolled after expiration of the three year period
Documenting Covered Individuals Students eligible for VA education benefits are provided a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the VA that will confirm the approved education benefits for the veteran or eligible dependent The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a "DD 214", may also be of assistance in confirming covered individual status at it will show the effective date of the veteran s discharge from active service Districts may want to revise local residency questionnaires to help identify potentially eligible students
Federal Reminders Gainful employment deadline July 31, 2015 DCL Gen -15-06 ~ Loan Counseling Requirements DCL Gen -15-09 ~ ATB provision reinstated for eligible Career Pathways Programs DCL GEN-15-10 ~ State Authorization & complaint process ifap.ed.gov
Training Opportunities SSARCC, Osher, & R2T4 Annual Report Training ~ Aug/Sept 2015 Online MIS Data Submission Training ~ Aug/Sept 2015 Online New FA Director Training ~ Oct/Nov 2015 in Sacramento Veterans Summit ~ Oct/Nov 2015 in Sacramento FYSI Statewide Convening ~ Oct 2015 in Sacramento CASFAA on Nov 1 to Nov 3, 2015 in Sacramento
Miscellaneous AB 1930 - Cal Fresh Snap benefits for at least ½ time students in employment training programs SB 850 - CCC Students in Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BDP) implementation at 15 Pilot colleges Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support (CAFYES) implementation of SB 1023 (up to 10 Districts) Disbursement Services model contracts SB 845
Financial Literacy Partnership with NEFE The Chancellor s Office partners with the National Endowment for Financial Education to provide financial literacy information to students. CashCourse CashCourse is a free, online resource designed to provide students with financial education information for every stage of college life. CashCourse will co-brand with schools to display the college logo, colors, and, optionally, links to social media profiles
Financial Literacy For colleges, CashCourse also: Provides unbiased, commercial-free content Provides customizable promotional materials, although schools using the materials cover the printing costs Allows multiple campus departments to use the website For students, CashCourse provides the following: Free, online financial literacy information Articles, Videos, Worksheets, Quizzes Calculators Budget Wizard
Financial Literacy For more information on Chancellor s Office Financial Literacy initiative for colleges, contact: Ruby Nieto rnieto@ 916.322.4300