6A-20.001. Definitions of Terms for State Student Aid Programs

These definitions apply to the administration of state scholarship and grant programs described in Rules 6A-20.001 through 6A-20.099, F.A.C., and are not applicable to rules outside of these including, but not limited to, rules governing enrollment or reporting, and are also not applicable to federal aid programs or requirements.

(1) Academic term. A semester, trimester, quarter, or a summer session(s) that is equal to a semester, trimester, or a quarter, or to the equivalent of three hundred sixty (360) full-time clock hours during the school year.

(2) Academic year. A period of time, from one fall term to the next, in which a full-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of two (2) semesters, two (2) trimesters, or three (3) quarters at institutions using credit hours or seven hundred twenty (720) clock hours for each program at institutions using clock hours.

(3) Allocation. Funds designated by the Florida Department of Education (department) for a postsecondary educational institution for the administration of a state student aid program for which the institution determines the student’s eligibility and makes student awards.

(4) Associate in applied science and associate in applied arts degrees. Degrees that are consistent with the definition accepted by the Commission for Independent Education and Florida colleges, which are awarded for study that is occupationally oriented and requires a minimum of sixty (60) semester credits, or the equivalent, require a percentage of the total credits to be in general education, and for the Commission for Independent Education only, requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(5) Associate in arts degree. A degree awarded for study that is the primary basis for admission of transfer students to upper division study in a baccalaureate program, and which requires a minimum of sixty (60) semester credits, or the equivalent, of academic work exclusive of occupational courses, requires a minimum of thirty-six (36) semester credits, or the equivalent, to be in general education, and requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(6) Associate in science degree. Degrees that are consistent with the definition accepted by the state universities, Florida colleges, and the Commission for Independent Education, which are awarded for study and prepare a student for employment, require a minimum of sixty (60) semester credits, or the equivalent, require a percentage of the total credits to be in general education, and require a minimum 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(7) Award. A monetary commitment made to a student applicant for a specific student aid program, contingent upon the availability of funds and the student’s eligibility.

(8) Baccalaureate degree or bachelor’s degree. A degree that is consistent with the definition accepted by the state universities, Florida colleges, and Commission for Independent Education, and which requires a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) semester credits, or the equivalent, requires a percentage of the total credits to be in general education, and requires a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(9) Bona fide self-supporting student. An independent student who can provide evidence of financial support from sources other than parents, legal guardian, relatives, or student aid.

(10) Clock-to-credit hour conversion rate. An institution that is established for reporting purposes as a credit-hour institution and also offers clock-hour credit must convert the clock hours to credit hours at a rate of thirty (30) clock hours to one (1) credit hour and report only credit hours, unless otherwise specified.

(11) College-level program. A program of academic study that leads to the awarding of a graduate degree, a bachelor’s degree, an associate in arts degree, an associate in science degree, an associate in applied arts degree, or an associate in applied science degree.

(12) College preparatory course. A course defined by the state universities and Florida colleges as necessary for a student to acquire the skills or knowledge to perform successfully in college-level courses. College preparatory courses are also referred to as developmental education or remedial courses.

(13) Cost of education. The average cost for a student to attend a postsecondary educational institution for one academic year, which includes the cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

(14) Default. The condition of a borrower of an educational loan when the borrower’s payments are one hundred twenty (120) days or more past due.

(15) Department. Florida Department of Education.

(16) Early admission student. An early admission student is a full-time college level student who is counted as FTE only by the college or university and who is responsible for payment of all fees and instructional materials.

(17) Enroll or enrollment. Registered for instruction in which the student earns credit toward an approved degree or certificate program.

(18) Full-time enrollment. For undergraduate students, enrollment in twelve (12) or more credit hours, or three hundred sixty (360) or more clock hours, during an academic term. For graduate students, enrollment in nine (9) or more credit hours during an academic term. This definition is only applicable for the purposes of state scholarship and grant programs.

(19) General education credits. Courses in the areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

(20) Graduate student. A student who is enrolled in a degree program leading to a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or any post-baccalaureate certificate at an institution of higher education, and has been classified as a graduate student by the institution.

(21) Half-time enrollment. For undergraduate students, enrollment in six (6) to eight (8) credit hours, or one hundred eighty (180) to two hundred sixty-nine (269) clock hours, during an academic term, or the quarter-based equivalent. This definition is only applicable for the purposes of state scholarship and grant programs.

(22) Minority. Any individual belonging to one of the following race/ethnic categories: Black, not of Hispanic Origin; Hispanic; Asian or Pacific Islander; American Indian, or Alaska Native.

(23) Net financial need. The difference between the student’s cost of education and the expected family contribution and other financial resources available to the student to meet this cost.

(24) Refund. State aid funds for which the educational institution shall be responsible for returning to the department.

(25) Reinstatement student. A student who was eligible for a specific state aid program but did not receive an award during the previous academic year(s) and wishes to reestablish use of the scholarship.

(26) Remedial course. A course defined by a Florida college or state university as necessary for a student to acquire the necessary skills or knowledge to perform successfully in college-level courses. Remedial courses are also referred to as college preparatory education or developmental courses.

(27) Renewal student. A student who received an award the previous academic year and met the program eligibility requirements for a specific state aid program.

(28) Repayment. Money received from state aid that a student is required to return to the educational institution; or an amount of money received from a state scholarship loan that a student is required to return to the state.

(29) Residency. The legal status that a person acquires as the result of establishment of a domicile with the intent to permanently remain in that domicile other than for temporary absences. However, any domicile established solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining an education or of obtaining financial aid from the state shall not constitute residency.

(30) Restoration student. A student who lost eligibility for a specific state aid program that provided for restoration due to a low renewal grade point average, but earned the required grade point average in a subsequent academic year.

(31) Returning student. All categories of students classified as a renewal, reinstatement, or restoration student.

(32) Satisfactory academic progress. A satisfactory rate of student course -completion that is determined using qualitative and quantitative measures in the institution’s financial aid measurable progress policy, which complies with Title IV requirements.

(33) School year. The period of time beginning with the academic year from one fall term to the next fall term.

(34) Three-quarter-time undergraduate enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment in nine (9) to eleven (11) credit hours, or in two hundred seventy (270) to three hundred fifty-nine (359) clock hours during an academic term, or the quarter-based equivalent. This definition is only applicable for the purposes of state scholarship and grant programs.

(35) Undergraduate student. A student who is in the process of attaining a degree or certificate and has yet to complete a first bachelor’s or baccalaureate degree.

Rulemaking Authority 295.01(4), 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.50(5),1009.505(5), 1009.51(5), 1009.52(6), 1009.53(3), 1009.55(2), 1009.66(9), 1009.67(6), 1009.72(1), 1009.73(10), 1009.77(9), 1009.89(2), (7), 1009.893(14), 1009.894(1), 1009.95(7) FS. Law Implemented 295.01, 295.015, 295.02, 295.03, 295.04, 295.05, 1009.40, 1009.50, 1009.505, 1009.51, 1009.52, 1009.53, 1009.531, 1009.532, 1009.533, 1009.534, 1009.5341, 1009.535, 1009.536, 1009.538, 1009.55, 1009.60, 1009.66, 1009.67, 1009.701, 1009.72, 1009.73, 1009.77, 1009.89, 1009.893, 1009.894, 1009.95 FS. History–New 12-9-86, Amended 10-15-02, 9-22-08, 2-21-23.