Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-13-.06

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 300-4-13-.06 - Awarding Procedures

(1) The following procedures shall be the method used by the Commission for making the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program funds available to eligible students at approved institutions:

(a) Each applicant must submit to the eligible institution a yearly Free Application for Federal Student Aid application (FAFSA).

(b) An applicant may receive consideration for the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program award at only one approved institution during one academic term. An application must be submitted for each term of enrollment. The student recipient must remain continuously enrolled at the same approved institution while seeking to complete a degree in the approved (Re)Engage Program to maintain eligibility.

(c) The (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Application may be obtained from approved institutions.

1. All information requested on the initial(Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Application must be completed by the student and submitted to the Financial Aid Office of the approved institution in which the student is enrolled by the given deadline date. As long as a student is continuously enrolled as defined, the student is to complete a (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program application for each term following the initial award term. All applications must be kept on file (electronically or paper) by the institution for at least five years following the student receiving a degree. Should a student not be continuously enrolled at the institution, a new application is required following stop-out, as defined, prior to the new enrollment and reconsideration of receiving the grant. ACHE is to receive a copy of all applications and the certified (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Award List within 30 business days of the student application deadlines each academic term.

(i) Student application deadlines for semester terms are as follows:

(I) Fall Semester term grant applications must be received by September 15.

(II) Spring Semester term grant applications must be received by February 15.

(III) Summer Semester term grant applications must be received by June 15.

(ii) Student application deadlines for quarter terms are as follows:

(I) Fall Quarter term grant applications must be received by September 15.

(II) Winter Quarter term grant applications must be received by January 15.

(III) Spring Quarter term grant applications must be received by April 15.

(IV) Summer Quarter term grant applications must be received by June 15.

2. Initial applications received by an approved institution's Financial Aid Office shall be dated when received. Each initial application shall have a preliminary review by the institution to determine if the application is complete and meets the eligibility criteria for a grant. Each student applicant shall be notified by the institution when the initial application is incomplete and additional information is needed. If all items and information requested on the initial application form are not completed, the application is invalid and the student is ineligible to receive the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program payment. The institution shall notify each applicant who does not meet all eligibility criteria and is, therefore, ineligible for the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program award.

3. All applications which pass the institution's preliminary review for eligibility shall be compared to other appropriate institutional records. Institutional records shall be used to verify the following requirements for each student applicant:

(i) Age, 25 years or older.

(ii) A citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

(iii) A resident of Alabama.

(iv) A graduate of a secondary school or the recognized equivalent of a high school graduate.

(v) Has not attended a postsecondary education institution for at least two (2) years (24 consecutive months) prior to their current enrollment.

(vi) Has not earned an associate or baccalaureate degree at any other institution prior to applying for the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program.

(vii) Classified as an undergraduate student with the completion of at least 36 credit hours for an associate degree or at least 72 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree.

(viii) Enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of twelve (12) semester hours) or part-time (minimum of six (6) semester hours) student in an eligible program in an authorized institution leading to an associate degree or baccalaureate degree that is aligned with Alabama's high demand workforce needs promulgated by the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways.

(ix) Has good academic standing as defined by the institution.

(x) Not enrolled in a course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in theology, divinity, or field of preparation for a religious vocation.

(d) For students who are to be determined as eligible for a (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program award each term, the institution shall complete a certified (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Award List and submit the list to the Commission. The award list shall include but is not limited to the following information: student's full name, identification number, the eligible program in which the student is enrolled, current term requesting funds, prior terms of received funds (includes renewals of grant), and total enrollment hours of all students to validate eligibility and determine award amount during the identified academic term. This list will be electronically shared with the Commission using a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) network provided by the Commission for security purposes. The financial aid office representative and the president of each institution shall sign the approved institution's (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Award List for each academic term, certifying that each student on the roster is eligible for the award and has submitted a complete and acceptable (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program application to the institution on or before the application deadline for the term in which payment is requested.

(e) The maximum award amount a full-time student may receive per academic term is $3,000 for universities and $1,500 for community colleges. The maximum award shall be reduced proportionately for students who enroll six to eleven hours and for students enrolled in less common academic terms, such as quarters, summer terms, and intersessions.

(f) Each awardee shall be sent an award notice by the institution to inform of aid awarded through the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program.

(g) The institutional financial aid office representative will check each awardee for eligibility guidelines to include, but not limited to, the following:

1. Age, 25 years or older;

2. Residency of Alabama;

3. Student has not attended a postsecondary education institution for at least two (2) years (24) consecutive months) prior to their current enrollment.

4. Number of hours enrolled;

5. Eligible program and academic progress; and

6. Good standing as defined by the institution.

(h) The institutional financial aid office representative shall be responsible for ensuring that each student is not over-awarded.

(i) The (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program will send a total sum payment of funds per academic term to the approved institution for deposit in the institution's (Re)Engage account to be credited accordingly to eligible student accounts provided on each academic term's (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program Award List.

(j) All eligible institutions shall follow the policies and procedures set forth by the Commission for the (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-13-.06

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 03, December 29, 2023, eff. 2/12/2024.

Author: Artcola Pettway; Stephanie C. Dolan

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 16-5-1; Alabama Act 2023-539.