A new rule is being proposed to establish criteria for the award of Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships. In accordance with section 1009.21(10)(e), Florida Statutes, recipients of a Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship are classified as ...

 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

72-1.002Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship Eligibility

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: A new rule is being proposed to establish criteria for the award of Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships. In accordance with section 1009.21(10)(e), Florida Statutes, recipients of a Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship are classified as residents for tuition purposes.

SUMMARY: A new rule is being proposed to establish criteria for the award of Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships. This new rule: (1) permits universities to create a Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship; (2) establishes minimum student eligibility requirements; (3) designates all recipients of the Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship as residents for tuition purposes; (4) classifies which state and federal funds may be used to fund Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships; (5) establishes minimum scholarship amounts; (6) lists which countries qualify as Latin American and Caribbean; and (7) provides university reporting requirements.

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 rule is only applicable to state universities awarding, and students receiving, Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships and as such, has no applicability to private sector job creation., business competitiveness, or the ability of persons doing business in Florida to compete with persons doing business in other states or domestic markets. The rule does not impose any fee or regulatory cost on state universities awarding, or students receiving, Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships and will not result in any increase in costs to the state universities because existing university personnel are in place to award and process scholarships. Compliance with the rule is voluntarily and does not impose additional requirements to admission or financial aid. Resident tuition benefits residents of Florida and other individuals otherwise meeting the requirements for resident tuition in accordance with section 1009.21, Florida Statutes. Resident tuition encourages matriculation at state universities, which increases the number of educated individuals available to meet the workforce needs of Florida businesses.

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: 1009.21(10)(e), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1009.21, 1011.43, FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Iris A. Elijah, Assistant General Counsel, Board of Governors, 325 West Gaines St., Suite 1614, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [e-mail], [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

72-1.002 Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship Eligibility

(1) Universities may award a scholarship to a degree-seeking student who is a citizen of a Latin American or Caribbean country and seeks to attend a state university on a full-time basis.  Recipients of a Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship shall be classified as residents for tuition purposes. 

(a)In addition to eligibility requirements contained herein, universities may impose additional criteria. 

(b)Scholarships awarded by a university must be funded from state funds appropriated to universities in the General Appropriations Act, investment earnings as provided under section 1011.43, Florida Statutes, or from federally authorized scholarship funds. Universities may seek equal matching funds from private businesses, private foundations, private donors, and public agencies.

(2) Eligible Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories are: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Bolivia; Brazil; British Virgin Islands; Caribbean Netherlands; Cayman Islands; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Curacao; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Falkland Islands; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Martinique; Mexico; Montserrat; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Puerto Rico; St. Barthelemy; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Maarten/St. Martin; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands; Uruguay; U.S. Virgin Islands; and Venezuela.

(3) Scholarship eligibility is limited to students making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the respective university’s standards of academic progress and who are enrolled on a full-time basis.  Continued eligibility must be determined each semester for renewal purposes.

(4) Without regard to other awards or scholarships the student may receive, the Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship, together with any matching funds, must equal at least one-half the amount of resident tuition for the semester.

(5) This regulation shall not disqualify any student awarded the scholarship prior to Fall 2016 provided the student continuously meets scholarship requirements.

(6) Each university shall report the number and value of all scholarships provided pursuant to this regulation in a format and timeframe prescribed by the Board of Governors.

Rulemaking Authority: Section 7(d), Art. IX, Fla. Const., and sections 1009.21 and 1011.43, Florida Statutes. History: New _______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Vikki Shirley, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, State University System of Florida, Board of Governors

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: State University System of Florida Board of Governors

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 23, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 2, 2016