6A-20.007. William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grants

(1) Eligibility Criteria for Awards. To receive aid, a student shall meet the provisions of Sections 1009.89, 1009.521, 1009.42 and 1009.40, F.S. and Rules 6A-20.001, 6A-20.003 and 6A-20.0371, F.A.C., and:

(a) Meet the application procedures established by the participating institution.

(b) Not have previously received a bachelor’s degree.

(c) Be enrolled in a degree program in an eligible institution, pursuant to Sections 1009.521 or 1009.89(3), F.S.

(d) Not be enrolled in a degree program which has the primary purpose of advancing or impeding religion.

(e) Be enrolled for a minimum of twelve (12) credits at the end of the regular registration period, inclusive of the drop-add period, for each academic term in which aid is received.

(f) Have been a bona fide Florida resident, pursuant to Section 1009.21, F.S. and Rule 6A-20.003, F.A.C., for twelve (12) months prior to the first day of class for the first academic term for which funds are being requested.

(g) Not owe a repayment of a grant under the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or any state grant or scholarship program.

(h) Not be in default on any federal or state student loan program, unless satisfactory arrangements to repay the loan have been made.

(i) Renewal award. Eligibility for the renewal of awards pursuant to Section 1009.40(1)(b), F.S., shall be evaluated at the end of the second semester or third quarter of each academic year. As a condition for renewal, a student shall:

1. Have earned, at the last institution attended, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; and,

2. Have earned during the previous summer and two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters, if a renewal applicant, twelve (12) credit hours per term, or the equivalent, for the number of terms for which the award was received. A student who has received the funds through this program who fails to earn the required credits shall be ineligible for a renewal award.

(j) Probationary award. A student who earns the minimum number of credits required for renewal, but who fails to meet the minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average, may be granted a probationary award for two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters. To be eligible for renewal the following year, each such student shall have earned the required credits and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the probationary period.

(k) Restoration award. A student who fails to meet the renewal requirements stated in subparagraph (1)(i)2. and paragraph (1)(j) of this rule shall, after two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters, be eligible to apply for restoration. Each such student may be eligible for a restoration if he has an earned grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year for which he was ineligible for an award.

(l) Reinstatement awards. A student who met the requirements for a renewal award, but did not receive an award during a full year of eligibility and wishes to reestablish use of the grant may apply for reinstatement in any subsequent year provided the student has earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as of the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year preceding the year the award is sought.

(2) Appeals. An applicant may appeal decisions of ineligibility made due to failure to meet academic progress requirements or errors made by the Office of Student Financial Assistance under the provisions of Rule 6A-20.0371, F.A.C.

(3) Maximum Terms of Eligibility. A student shall be eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of nine (9) semesters or fourteen (14) quarters. However, pursuant to Section 1009.40(3), F.S., a student participating in college preparatory instruction, a student requiring additional time to complete the college-level communication and computation skills testing program, or a student enrolled in a five-year undergraduate degree program shall be eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of ten (10) semesters or fifteen (15) quarters. Five-year eligibility does not extend to a program of study which leads to the simultaneous award of a graduate and undergraduate degree.

(4) Amount of Awards. The amount of the annual award is specified in the General Appropriations Act. Awards for the first academic term shall be one-half of the annual award for semester schools and one-third of the annual award for quarter schools. However, should the funds requisitioned by participating institutions, in accordance with subsection (5) of this rule, exceed the appropriation, the Department shall prorate awards for the second semester or second and third quarters accordingly.

(5) Institutional Responsibilities. The institution each academic term shall determine the eligibility of students and notify students of their award eligibility. The institution shall certify to the Department utilizing the State Student Financial Aid Database, no later than October 30 and February 28 for first and second semesters or quarters respectively, and April 15 for third quarter, each student’s enrollment and eligibility status. This certification shall include a list of eligible students awarded and official certification of each student’s eligibility. When awarding and requisitioning funds for a student receiving other aid designated for tuition and fees, the institution shall assure that the amount of the grant, when combined with such aid, does not exceed the cost of the student’s tuition and fees. Refunds shall be received by the Department within sixty (60) days of the end of the institution’s regular registration period, inclusive of the drop-add period.

(6) Supplemental Requisitions for Payment. Institutions submitting supplemental requisitions for additional students may receive payment for such students at the end of the academic year. Supplemental requisitions will be honored by the Department to the extent that funds are available after all regular requisitions have been funded.

(7) Payments of Awards. The Department shall provide for the delivery of funds to students by transmitting the funds each academic term to the institutions for distribution.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1009.89(2) FS. Law Implemented 1009.40, 1009.42, 1009.521, 1009.89 FS. History–New 9-27-79, Amended 3-23-83, Formerly 6A-7.397, 6A-7.0397, Amended 12-25-86, 1-11-88, 4-3-90, 10-18-94, 10-15-02, 9-22-08, 2-20-24.