Amending rule language to be consistent across all rules with regard to clock hour equivalence to credit hours; college-preparatory courses, remedial courses, and developmental courses; general education credits; full-time ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Amending rule language to be consistent across all rules with regard to clock hour equivalence to credit hours; college-preparatory courses, remedial courses, and developmental courses; general education credits; full-time enrollment, three-quarter-time enrollment, half-time enrollment; undergraduate student; amending the clock hour to credit hour conversion rate and amending the definition of associate in applied science and arts degree and the definition for a baccalaureate degree.

SUMMARY: Definitions of full-time, part-time, and three-quarter-time enrollment in credit hours of postsecondary instruction and clock hour to credit hour conversion will be updated based on input from the Florida Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel. Definitions of enrollment, college-preparatory courses, remedial courses, general education credits, undergraduate student, the definition of associate in applied science and applied arts degrees, and the definition of a baccalaureate degree will be updated based on input from the Office of the Florida College System.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Based upon the nature of the changes, this proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of this rule change.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

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), F.S.

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, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: January 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Nassau County School Board Office, 1201 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Parker Campbell, Director, State Scholarships and Grants, Florida Department of Education, Suite 1344, Turlington Building, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

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 which is equal to a semester, trimester, or a quarter, or to the equivalent of three hundred sixty (360) four hundred fifty (450) 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) nine hundred  (900) clock hours for each program at institutions using clock hours.

(3) No change.

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

(5) Associate in arts degree. A degree awarded for study that which 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. A terminal Ddegrees that are which is consistent with the definition accepted by the state universities, Florida colleges, and the Commission for Independent Education, which are is awarded for study and which prepares a student for employment, requires a minimum of sixty (60) semester credits, or the equivalent, requires a percentage of the total credits to be in general education, and which requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(7) No change.

(8) Baccalaureate degree or bachelor’s degree. A degree that which is consistent with the definition accepted by the state universities, Florida colleges, and the 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 which requires a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

(9) No change.

(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)(10) College-level program. A program of academic study that which 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)(11) College preparatory course. A course as 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)(12) 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)(13) 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)(14) Department. Florida Department of Education.

(16)(15) 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)(16) Enroll or enrollment. Registered for credit instruction in which the student earns credit toward an approved degree or certificate program.

(18)(17) Full-time enrollment. For undergraduate students, enrollment in twelve (12) or more credit hours, or three hundred sixty (360) four hundred fifty (450) 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)(18) General education credits. Courses in the areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences language, humanities, mathematics, natural science, and social science.

(20)(19) 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)(20) Half-time enrollment. For undergraduate students, enrollment in six (6) to eight (8) credit hours, or one hundred eighty (180) two hundred twenty-five (225) to two hundred sixty-nine (269) three hundred forty-nine (349) 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)(21) 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)(22) 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)(23) Refund. State aid funds for which the educational institution shall be responsible for returning to the department.

(25)(24) 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)(25) 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)(26) Renewal student. A student who received an award the previous academic year and who met the program eligibility requirements for a specific state aid program.

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

(29)(28) Residency. The legal status that which 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)(29) 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)(30) Returning student. Refers to Aall categories of students classified as a renewal, reinstatement, or and restoration students.

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

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

(34)(33) Three-quarter-time undergraduate enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment in nine (9) to eleven (11) credit hours, or in two hundred seventy (270) three hundred fifty (350) to three hundred fifty-nine (359) four hundred forty-nine (449) 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)(34) 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)(1), 1009.505(5), 1009.51(5)(1), 1009.52(6)(7), 1009.53(3), 1009.55(2), 1009.66(9), 1009.67(6), 1009.72(1)(7), 1009.73(10)(1), 1009.77(9)(7), 1009.89(2), (7), 1009.891(2), 1009.893(14)(12), 1009.894(1), 1009.95(7) FS. Law Implemented 295.01, 295.015, 295.02, 295.03, 295.04, 295.05, 1001.02, 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, 1009.891, 1009.893, 1009.894, 1009.95 FS. History–New 12-9-86, Amended 10-15-02, 9-22-08.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Parker Campbell, Director, State Scholarships and Grants.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 08, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 2, 2022