6A-20.045. Open Door Grant Program

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements relating to the Open Door Grant Program, which is created to incentivize current and future workers to enroll in career and technical education that leads to a credential, certificate, or degree.

(2) Definitions.

(a) “Cost of the program” means the cost of tuition, fees, examination, assessments, books, and related course supplies, equipment and materials. Examination costs can include vouchers for third-party testing vendors.

(b) “Other educational expenses” include transportation and personal costs, in addition to, housing and food living expenses that are tied to a student’s institutional cost of attendance. Students that receive a stipend to offset institutional cost of attendance expenses may not receive an amount that exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per academic year.

(c) “Department” means the Florida Department of Education.

(d) “Eligible institution” means a school district postsecondary technical career center under Section 1001.44, F.S., a Florida College System institution under Section 1000.21(3), F.S., or a charter technical career center under Section 1002.34, F.S.

(e) “Eligible program” means integrated education and training (IET) programs as specified in Section 1009.895(2)(b), F.S., which result in the award of credentials on the Master Credential List or any of the following workforce education programs that are included on the Master Credentials List: career certificate, applied technology diploma, registered apprenticeship certificate, preapprenticeship certificate, college credit certificate, associate in science degree, associate in applied science degree, non-credit program resulting in an industry certification on the Master Credentials List. The credential or program must be on the Master Credential List at the time of initial enrollment in program.

(f) “Integrated Education and Training” (IET) means programs that provide adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training, as defined by 34 CFR Part 463, Subpart D, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13508), (September 19, 2016). These federal regulations are incorporated by reference and may be obtained by contacting the Division of Florida Colleges, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(g) “Master Credential List” means the list of nondegree and degree programs under Section 445.004(4), F.S., determined by the Credentials Review Committee that result in a credential of value. The Master Credential List is available at https://careersourceflorida.com/boardroom/florida-credentials-review-committee/master-credentials-list/.

(h) “State or federal financial aid” means scholarships and grants whose fund sources are the State of Florida or the federal government.

(i) “Allocation Formula” means the calculation by the Department to allocate funds to an eligible institution for the administration of the Open Door Grant Program.

(3) General Eligibility Requirements. To receive aid, a student shall meet the provisions of Sections 1009.21, 1009.40, and 1009.895, F.S., and Rules 6A-20.001, 6A-20.003, and 6A-20.0371, F.A.C., and:

(a) Be admitted to and enrolled in an eligible program at an eligible institution;

(b) Be a resident of this state as determined under Section 1009.40(1)(a)2., F.S.;

(c) Be a United States citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen pursuant to regulations established by the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Department of Education for the receipt of federal student financial assistance; and

(d) Meet the application procedures established by the eligible institution.

(4) Period of the award. An award is authorized to be made during the fall, spring, or summer semesters (or the equivalent) of an academic year.

(5) Appeals. An applicant may appeal the denial of an award pursuant to Section 1009.42, F.S., and Rule 6A-20.0371, F.A.C.

(6) Award procedures. The institution shall:

(a) Make determinations of applicant eligibility based on information it receives on the student application created by the particpiating institution;

(b) Make awards subject to availability of funding where returning students must be given priority over new students; and

(c) Verify the eligibility of such students and provide individual award notices to the students.

(7) Institutional Application. If funds are designated in the General Appropriations Act, institutions seeking eligibility for participation in the program must comply with Rule 6A-20.002(1)(j), F.A.C.

(8) Institutional Requirements. Institutions must meet the provisions of Sections 1009.46 and 1009.895, F.S., and Rule 6A-20.002, F.A.C.

(a) Reporting. Within thirty (30) days after the end of the regular registration period each term, institutions must report to the Department via State Student Financial Aid Database:

1. Student demographic information and the amount awarded to each student; and

2. Student demographic information of each student who is eligible for the grant, but who was not awarded grant funds.

(b) Refunds. Institutions must remit refunds with accompanying documentation to the department within thirty (30) days of the end of the institution’s summer term.

(9) Allocation Formula. For the 2024-25 fiscal year and beyond, each institution will receive a minimum base allocation of ninety (90) percent of disbursements for the prior fiscal year or a proportional amount when funds are insufficient to make such an allocation. From remaining funds, each institution will receive a proportional amount based on the average number of full-time equivalent disbursed students and total unduplicated number of otherwise eligible students reported for the prior three (3) years.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.895(7) FS. Law Implemented 1009.895 FS. History‒New 9-21-21, Amended 9-20-22, 2-20-24.