ready to succeed scholarship (rtss) program overview pasfaa – fall 2014
TRANSCRIPT
Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program Overview
PASFAA – Fall 2014
Today’s Agenda
Program Background
Institution Eligibility
Student Eligibility
Technical Requirements
Student Nominations and Certifications
Disbursements and Refunds
Top RTSS FAQs
Program BackgroundFunded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly2014-15 = Year One
$5 Million Allocation
Developed by PHEAA and PDE
Provides awards to high achieving, middle-income Pennsylvania students
Recognizes that many middle income families may not meet traditional State Grant ‘need’ requirement
Scholarship awards in combination with Pennsylvania State Grant awards
Institution Eligibility
Approved for State Grant Program
Domiciled and Headquartered in PA
Principal physical location in PA as of June 30, 2014
For-profit schools = Incorporated within PA
Completed Application for 2014-15
Applications for 2015-16 available in Summer 2015
Institution EligibilityProgram of Study Requirements
At least 50% Classroom Instruction
Lead to a recognized Certificate, Diploma, or Degree
At least 2 academic years and offered over a period of at least 15 months
2 academic years = Minimum of 60 semester credits 2 academic years = Minimum of 1,800 clock hours 15 weeks = Minimum of 60 weeks of instruction
AST or ASB must have a minimum of 1,500 clock hours, 60 semester credits, or 90 quarter credits
Student EligibilityEligible students must have:Completed at least 1 academic year
Cumulative GPA of 3.25
Completed FAFSA and State Grant Form
State Grant eligibility (excluding ‘need’) Enrolled in an approved Program of Study Enrolled at least half-time
Total annual family income ≤ $110,000
May receive both SG and RTSSMaximum Award = $2,000 (full-time) or $1,000 (part-time)
Minimum Award = $500
Transfer StudentsMid-Year New-Year
Previous Institution(s)
• Institution must have been eligible
• Institution must have nominated transfer student
• Student must have maintained at least 3.25 from all previous institutions – report lowest
New Institution
• Institution must currently be eligible
• Institution must accept at least 24 semester credits to maintain eligibility
• Award may fluctuate based on cost of attendance and State Grant eligibility
• Institution must currently be eligible
• Institution must accept at least 24 semester credits to be eligible
• Institution must maintain eligibility documentation (GPA)
Technical RequirementsTransmissionsStatus Transmission – To: School/ From: PHEAA
Certification Transmission – To: PHEAA/ From: School
Disbursement Transmission* – To: School/ From: PHEAA Equivalent list of students eligible for certification Equivalent to disbursement roster
Refund Transmission - To: PHEAA/ From: School
Partner Interface
OC Webconnect
FG3S, FG7E, and FG59
Student NominationsNo separate student application
Mid-November: Student nomination period begins
PHEAA to provide potential Student Candidate List
School provides: Grade level (2-5) Cumulative GPA (3.00 and above) Nomination indicator
Submitted via Partner Interface or Transmissions
First-come, first-served*
Student NominationsNomination Steps:
Identify Academic Level: Determine grade level 2 or above students from list (minimum of 24 semester credits or the equivalent)
Report GPA: Provide the exact GPA for students with a 3.00 or higher and a grade level 2 and above
Report Academic Level: Provide academic level for students reported for GPA (3.00 or higher + grade level 2,3,4, or 5)
Nominate: Nominate candidates (3.25 GPA+ level 2 and above)
Indicate: Indicate which students are excluded due to GPA or grade level (no other specific data)
Student Certifications
Eligibility Runs
Calculates award value for student and confirms eligibility
Run Dates = TBD
First Run = Early December
Pre-Certification
School certifies award value and eligibility
Required before disbursement
Student Communication
Eligibility Status
Determination Made
Account Access Updated
Mid-year Changes
Review Required
PHEAA Verification
Similar to State Grant Validation
Income and/or Domicile reviews
Account Access Updated
Disbursements & Refunds
First disbursement = January 2015
Student-level disbursements
Student-level refunds
Reject N if funds are spent
Reconciliation Process
Similar to SGDEPP
Anticipated to begin Spring 2015
Reporting
No outcomes reporting for schools
Survey RTSS Recipients
Schools will be notified when survey is sent to students
Schools are encouraged to remind students to complete
Survey details are forthcoming
RTSS FAQQ: Will there be an even distribution of funds among students/schools?
A: RTSS is a student-based award. Eligible student recipients will be selected based upon a nomination process and awarded based upon the first-come, first-served criterion of the program. There is no limit to the number of student recipients at any given school.
Q: What is the first-come, first-served nature of the award based upon?
A: The first-come, first-served funding order of the RTSS award is based upon the date students complete their FAFSA and State Grant Form. The institution’s participation date in the RTSS Program will have no bearing on student awards.
RTSS FAQQ: Is it necessary for a student to receive a State Grant award in order to receive a RTSS award?
A: No. Students may receive a RTSS award without receiving a State Grant award. If a student does receive both a RTSS award and a State Grant award, the award may not exceed the RTSS maximum values.
Q: How are academic levels determined?
A: The institution is responsible for determining each student’s academic level beyond that of the second year. A grade level of 5 should only be used when a student is enrolled in a bona-fide five-year program.
RTSS FAQQ: What are the maximum number of payments a RTSS student can receive?
A: Students may receive up to three years (a 3.0 counter) of full-time RTSS awards and this may occur in conjunction with the State Grant award counter. Students that are eligible to receive up to four years of State Grant funding may also receive up to 3 years of RTSS funding.
The receipt of a RTSS award does not impact State Grant eligibility. Students that have exhausted the RTSS counter, but not the State Grant counter, may still receive State Grant funds providing he/she meets the eligibility requirements. Once students exhaust the State Grant counter, they are not eligible to receive RTSS funds.
RTSS FAQ
Q: If the student gets $2,000 in State Grant funds, can they also get $2,000 in RTSS funds? Or, if they get a $1,500 State Grant, can they only get $500 in RTSS funds?
A: The maximum combined award amount for RTSS is $2,000 for a full-time student. If that student receives more than $1,500 in State Grant funds, they will not receive any RTSS funds. If, however, that full-time student only receives $1,500 in State Grant funding, he/she may be eligible to receive up to $500 in RTSS funds.
RTSS FAQQ: Can a student who does not have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and/or 24 semester credits at the time the institution checks academic progress become eligible for a Spring 2015 RTSS award if they meet the minimum requirements at the end of Fall 2014?
A: No. GPA and credit level are measured as snapshots of achievement and will only be reviewed at a fixed point in time—Spring or Summer 2014 for the 2014-2015 academic year.
As a reminder, your institution is required to check State Grant progress for the entire population of students at the same time annually, after the Spring or Summer.
RTSS FAQ
Q: How will State Grant Distance Education Pilot Program (SGDEPP) nominations affect RTSS eligibility? Are students who are enrolled in programs of study that are structured to be more than 50% online eligible to receive a RTSS award?
A: Programs of study that are structured to be more than 50% online are not State Grant eligible; therefore, students enrolled in these programs are not eligible for RTSS funding. This means that students currently eligible for the SGDEPP are not eligible to receive funds through the RTSS Program.
RTSS Websites
School Pagewww.PHEAA.org/rtss
Program Guidelines, FAQs, etc
Student Page‘Funding Opportunities’
Eligibility Requirements
ResourcesUpdated Materials
Program Guidelines
Transmission Layouts
Partner Interface
Website FAQs Communications School Lists (Student Page)
Training Opportunities Student Nominations and Certifications Reconciliation Refunds
Resources
Contact State Grant and Special Programs Staff
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 717-720-3786
Phone: 1-800-443-0646, Option 3, Option 1 or1-800-443-0646, Option 4 (discuss transmissions)
Isaac Greene (o) 717.720.3310 (e) [email protected]
Ashley Ruth (o) 717.720.2183 (e) [email protected]