The purpose of this rule is to replace the existing rule (entitled Application for Educational Assistance Program) to delete reference to the State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) program, a program that is no longer in existence, and to more ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

70-2.001Application for Educational Assistance Programs

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule is to replace the existing rule (entitled Application for Educational Assistance Program) to delete reference to the State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) program, a program that is no longer in existence, and to more specifically delineate the criteria and requirements for National Guard personnel’s usage of the Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) program.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Application and Eligibility for Educational Dollars for Duty Program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 250.10(7), (8) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 250.10(7), (8) FS.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT IS: Colonel Elizabeth Masters, [phone]

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

(Substantial rewording of Rue 70-2.001 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)

 

70-2.001 Application for Educational Dollars for Duty Assistance Programs.

(1) The Educational Dollars for Duty Program (EDD Program) provides payment or payment reimbursement, when authorized, of tuition and fees for members in good standing of the Florida National Guard (FLNG) who enroll in authorized courses of study at Florida public or non-public institutions of higher learning that are accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or licensed by the Commission for Independent Education. Members are eligible for participation in the EDD Program upon enlistment in the FLNG. Authorized courses of study include college preparatory courses and required courses that satisfy the requirements for a Vocational-Technical Certificate, Associates Degree, Baccalaureate Degree, or Master's Degree. The EDD Program does not include, and benefits will not be paid, for noncredit courses and courses that do not meet college degree or vocational-technical certificate requirements. The EDD cannot be used for any doctoral or other course work beyond a master’s degree, and is not approved for medical school, veterinary school, dental school, law school, or similar courses of instruction. Benefits will not be paid for courses that a member drops prior to completion, or for courses that a member repeats where benefits were previously paid for the course.

(2) The benefits provided through the EDD Program are subject to annual appropriation by the legislature.

(3) Subject to appropriations, the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) may pay:

(a) The full cost of tuition and fees for members enrolled in authorized courses of study at accredited Florida public institutions of higher learning or vocation/technical schools; or

(b) An amount equal to the average tuition and fees for a similar course of study at public institutions of higher learning for members enrolled in authorized courses of study at accredited Florida non-public institutions of higher learning or vocational/technical schools.

(4) Subject to appropriations, the EDD Program may be used by members of the FLNG who are receiving Federal Tuition Assistance or utilizing Chapter 33 (post 9/11) G. I. Bill assistance to supplement the amounts received through these programs. The amount paid by the EDD program may not exceed the total cost of the tuition and fees and may not exceed the amounts authorized in subsection (3) above. Any payments received by Florida public or non-public institutions or members that are in excess of the amount authorized for tuition and fees shall be refunded directly to the EDD program by the institution or member within 30 days of receipt.

(5) Members participating in the EDD Program shall:

(a) Be seventeen (17) years of age or older;

(b) Be domiciled in the state;

(c) Be an active drilling member in good standing of the FLNG;

(d) Maintain continuous satisfactory participation in the FLNG as determined by the member's Unit Commander, including maintaining height, weight and physical fitness standards;

(e) Complete a memorandum of agreement to comply with the rules of the EDD Program;

(f) Not have obtained a master's degree through the EDD Program;

(g) Not be an inactive member of the FLNG or a member of the Individual Ready Reserve; and

(h) Maintain the member's current mailing address and telephone number with the State Education Program Administrator (SEPA), Florida Department of Military Affairs, DCSPER-EDD, P. O. Box 1008, St. Augustine, Florida 32085-1008.

(6) EDD Program applicants shall complete and submit FLNG Form 704 and the following documents to the SEPA, Florida Department of Military Affairs, DCSPER-EDD, P. O. Box 1008, St. Augustine, Florida 32085-1008, a minimum of fifteen days (15) days prior to the beginning of the academic term for which benefits are sought, or as soon thereafter as the required documents become reasonably available to the applicant:

(a) The course of study for the certificate or degree the applicant is pursuing;

(b) A list of courses the applicant intends to take during the applicable term;

(c) A signed memorandum of agreement;

(d) A copy of the applicant's transcripts for all courses for which benefits were previously paid;

(e) Written notice if the applicant's course of study changes; and

(f) Written notice if the applicant's institution of higher learning or vocation/technical school changes.

(g) The applicant's grades must be submitted within 30 days after the end of each term and the applicant must maintain the GPA set forth in paragraph 70-2.002(1)(d), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 250.10(7), (8) FS. Law Implemented 250.10(7), (8) FS. History–New 3-23-09, Amended________.