A+ Update

Ozarks Technical Community College

December 6, 2013

Agenda

• Program Growth• Communications• Administrative Rule Recap– Algebra I EOC

• Deferred Action for Childhood Admission• Legislative Issues• Award Reminders• Questions

Program Growth

• Projections– FY 2014: 13,230 students paid $32.1 million– FY 2015; 14,000 - 15,000 students paid $36

million• $11 million in additional funding requested• Unknown effect of newly designated high schools

• Students from newly designated high schools– Eligible if 3-year attendance requirement met– Even if transferred prior to designation

Communications

• Questions about:– A+ Scholarship: MDHE (800) 473-6756, option 4– Core Data/Reporting Requirements: DESE Office of Data

Management (573) 751-8271– Stamp: DESE (573) 751-8247– A+ Designation Requirements: No contact information

available

• DESE listserv has been discontinued• MDHE e-distribution list is the primary

means of receiving A+ information– E-Subscribe to MDHE Electronic Communications page on

MDHE website: http://www.dhe.mo.gov/mdhedigest/signup.php

Communications

Administrative Rule Recap

• All rule changes effective June 30, 2013

• 6 CSR 10-2.190 available on Secretary of State’s website– http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/

6csr/6c10-2.pdf, page 26

• Summary of changes in December 5, 2012 board book, Tab E, Attachment A– http://dhe.mo.gov/documents/BB1212.pdf

Algebra I EOC

• Remains effective for 2015 Seniors• Allows for waiver when DESE has waived

its testing requirement for a student• Eligible if score proficient or advanced on

higher-level math EOC (Algebra II, Geometry)

• New alternative replaces old:– Old: Complete 12 credit hours at student’s

expense with minimum 2.5 GPA– New: Achieve minimum score on COMPASS exam

or ACT math subtest

Algebra I EOC

• Status of Alternate Eligibility Process– Developing cut scores for ACT/COMPASS

math exams• Equivalent to mastery of high school Algebra I

– Reviewing available information • MDHE developmental ed. study• Other data on math mastery/placement

– Request input from A+ community– Proposal to CBHE in February

Deferred Action for Childhood Admission

(DACA)• Federal policy to delay deportation of

children brought to US by undocumented parents– Prosecutorial discretion

• Not the “Dream Act”– Does not change legal status of child

• Not eligible for federal student aid– Can complete the FAFSA

Deferred Action for Childhood Admission

(DACA)• Primary state financial aid impact is A+– Access and BF require citizenship or permanent

residency

• Missouri law prohibits “public benefit” to individuals who are “unlawfully present”

• Currently under study– Final decision will be distributed through e-

distribution list serve

Legislative Issues

• Academic preparation– End of course exam requirements

• Algebra I and English I EOC

– Alternatives for eligibility

• Timely completion– Complete minimum number of hours per year– Focus on completion not enrollment

• Better targeting of programs– Bright Flight Boost

Award Reminders

• A+ award does not always equal two years of tuition and fees

– The amount of tuition and general fees remaining after any federal sources of funding have been applied

– Pell must always be applied to tuition and fees before A+ award is calculated

– Additional fees (e.g., program specific) are not covered

• A+ will not pay for repeated, withdrawn or dropped courses

QuestionsState Aid Questions• Connie Bestgen

Program Specialist(800) 473-6757, option 4(573) 751-1772connie.bestgen@dhe.mo.gov

• Amy HallerProgram Specialist(573) 526-7958amy.haller@dhe.mo.gov

• Kelli ReedStudent Assistance Associate(573) 751-2444kelli.reed@dhe.mo.gov

General QuestionsP.O. Box 1469

Jefferson City 65102-1469

Phone 573-751-2361Fax: (573) 751-6635

Info. Center: (800) 473-6757

info@dhe.mo.govwww.dhe.mo.gov