La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § IV-2103

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IV-2103 - Circumstances Warranting Exception to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirements

A. Initial Enrollment Requirement. Initially apply and enroll as a first-time freshman as defined in §301, unless granted an exception for cause by the Louisiana Board of Regents (the board), in an eligible college or university defined in §301 Initial enrollment requirements specific to TOPS are defined at §703. A 4, for TOPS-Tech at §803. A and for Louisiana GO-Youth ChalleNGe Program at §1505

B. Continuous Enrollment Requirement. To maintain eligibility, all scholarship programs require recipients to continue to enroll as full-time students, as defined in §301, each consecutive semester or quarter, excluding summer sessions and intersession, at two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Recipients who cannot meet this requirement may be granted an exception for cause, as determined by the board.

C. Less Than Full-Time Attendance. The board will authorize awards under the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Teachers Awards, the TOPS-Tech Award, the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship and the Louisiana GO-Youth ChalleNGe Program, for less than full-time enrollment provided that the student meets all other eligibility criteria and at least one of the following:

1. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete the undergraduate degree; or

2. is enrolled in a degree program that defines full-time as less than 12 hours per semester or eight hours per quarter; or

3. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete requirements for a specified course of study or clinical program.

a.Course of Study-for the purposes of this paragraph is a program:

i. established by the postsecondary institution leading to an associate's degree; or

ii. with course work specified by school of study at a postsecondary institution (e.g., business, architecture, mass communications, art and design) required for admission to that school for further studies to earn a baccalaureate degree.

b.Clinical Program-for the purposes of this Paragraph means student teaching, practicum courses, or clinic based experiences required to earn a baccalaureate degree.

D. Procedure for Requesting Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement

1. The student should complete and submit an application for an exception, with documentary evidence, to the office as soon as possible after the occurrence of the event or circumstance that supports the request. The deadline for filing the exception shall be prominently displayed on the notice of cancellation. If the applicant for an exception is a dependent student, a parent or court-ordered custodian of the dependent student may submit the application for exception on behalf of the applicant.

a. Through the 2000-2001 academic year (TOPS), the student must submit application for an exception no later than May 30 of the academic year the student requests reinstatement.

b. Commencing with the 2001-2002 academic year (TOPS), the student must submit the application for exception no later than six months after the date of the notice of cancellation, except as follows:

i. A returning student must submit the application for exception no later than six months after the date of the notice of ineligibility due to failure to meet the continuing eligibility requirements of §705

ii. Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, the deadline for a student who submits a request for exception based on military service shall be six months after his discharge from continuous active duty status.

2. If determined eligible for an exception, the recipient will be reinstated if he or she enrolls in the first fall, winter or spring term immediately following the exception ending date.

3. If determined ineligible by LOSFA for an exception provided in §2103.E 11.a.ii, recipient may appeal in accordance with §2109 of these rules.

a. Temporary Disability-Student

i. Definition. The student/recipient is recovering from an accident, injury, illness or required surgery.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(a). a completed exception request form, the reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be relevant to student's request; and

(b). a written statement from a qualified professional if a medical disability certifying the existence of a temporary disability, the dates of treatment, and opinions as to the impact of the disability on the student's ability to attend school.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two full academic years.

b. Temporary Disability-Student/Recipient's Care of Immediate Family Member

(a). Definition. The student/recipient is providing continuous care to his/her immediate family member due to an accident, illness, injury or required surgery.

(b). An immediate family member is his/her spouse, dependent, parent, stepparent, custodian, or grandparent.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(b). a written statement from a qualified professional of the existence of a temporary disability of the immediate family member, and the beginning and ending dates of the doctor's care; and

(c). a statement from a family member or a qualified professional confirming the care given by the student.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to a maximum of two consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters).

c. Temporary Disability-Mental Health

i. Definition. The student/recipient is receiving mental health care services.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(b). a written statement from a qualified professional or from a clergyman certifying the existence of an issue which requires mental health care, the dates of treatment, an opinion as to the impact of the disability on the student's ability to attend school, and a statement of when the disability is/was affecting student's ability to attend school.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two full academic years.

E. Qualifying Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement. A student who has been declared ineligible for TOPS, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Teacher, the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship or the Louisiana GO Youth Challenge Program because of failure to meet the initial or continuous enrollment requirements may request reinstatement in that program based on one or more of the following exceptions.

1. Parental Leave

a. Definition. The student/recipient is pregnant or caring for a newborn or newly adopted child less than one year of age.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form; and

ii. a written statement from a doctor of medicine who is legally authorized to practice certifying the date of diagnosis of pregnancy and the anticipated delivery date or the actual birth date or a copy of the hospital's certificate of live birth or a copy of the official birth certificate or equivalent official document or written documentation from the person or agency completing the adoption that confirms the adoption and date of adoption; and

iii. if the student requesting the exception is not the custodial parent of the child, the student must provide documentation of adoption/custodianship as well as documentation evidencing that the student was assisting in the care of the child, which may include, but not be limited to, a letter from the custodial parent confirming that care was provided by the student, evidence of child support payments made, and/or evidence of bills paid by the requesting student for the benefit of the child.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to the equivalent of one academic year (college) per pregnancy.

2. Physical Rehabilitation Program

a. Definition. The student/recipient is receiving rehabilitation in a program prescribed by a qualified medical professional and administered by a qualified medical professional.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form including the reason for the rehabilitation, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be relevant to students request; and

ii. a written statement from a qualified medical professional confirming the student/recipients rehabilitation, and the beginning and ending dates of the rehabilitation.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to four consecutive semesters (six consecutive quarters) per occurrence.

3. Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program

a. Definition. The student/recipient is receiving rehabilitation in a substance abuse program.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form, the reason for the rehabilitation, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be relevant to students request; and

ii. a written statement from a qualified professional or from the director of a substance abuse rehabilitation facility confirming the students rehabilitation and the beginning and ending dates of the rehabilitation.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters). This exception shall be available to a student only one time.

a. Temporary Disability-Student

i. Definition. The student/recipient is recovering from an accident, injury, illness or required surgery

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(b). a written statement from a qualified professional if a medical disability or from a qualified professional or a clergyman if a mental disability certifying the existence of a temporary disability, the dates of treatment, and opinions as to the impact of the disability on the student's ability to attend school.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two full academic years.

b. Temporary Disability-Student/Recipients Care of Immediate Family Member

(a). Definition. The student/recipient is providing continuous care to his/her immediate family member due to an accident, illness, injury or required surgery.

(b). An immediate family member is his/her spouse, dependent, parent, stepparent, custodian, or grandparent.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(a). a completed exception request form,, the reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be relevant to students request; and

(b). a written statement from a qualified professional of the existence of a temporary disability of the immediate family member, and the beginning and ending dates of the doctor's care; and

(c). a statement from a family member or a qualified professional confirming the care given by the student.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to a maximum of two consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters).

5. Permanent Disability

a. Definition. The student/recipient is permanently disabled in a manner that prevents the student from attending classes on a full-time basis.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form, a description of the disability, the reason for the disability, the reason(s) the disability restricts class attendance to less than full-time; and

ii. a written statement from a qualified professional stating the diagnosis of and prognosis for the disability, stating that the disability is permanent, and opining why the disability restricts the student/recipient from attending classes full-time.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to the equivalent of eight full-time semesters of post-secondary education in part-time semesters.

6. Exceptional Educational Opportunity

a. Definition. The student/recipient is enrolled in an internship, residency, cooperative work, or work/study program or a similar program that is related to the student's major or otherwise has an opportunity not specifically sponsored by the school attended by the student that, in the opinion of the student's academic dean or director of the students program of study, will enhance the student's education. Participation in one of the programs does not qualify as an exception to the initial enrollment requirement.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form; and

ii. a written statement from the college/school official that the applicant is a student at the school/college and that the program is offered or sponsored by the college/school, or a statement from the dean of the college or the dean's designee or from the Director of the students program of study that the program is related to the student's major and will enhance the student's education. The statements must include the dates of leave of absence, the semester(s) involved, the beginning and ending dates of the program.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to four semesters (six consecutive quarters) or required program of study.

7. Religious Commitment

a. Definition. The student/recipient is a member of a religious group that requires the student to perform certain activities or obligations which necessitate taking a leave of absence from school.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of days involved, and the length of the religious obligation; and

ii. a written statement from the religious group's governing official evidencing the requirement necessitating the leave of absence including dates of the required leave of absence.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to five consecutive semesters (eight consecutive quarters).

8. Death of Immediate Family Member

a. Definition. The student's spouse, parent, stepparent, custodian, dependent, sister or brother, step sibling, grandparent or step grandparent dies.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form; and

ii. a copy of the death certificate or a doctor's or funeral director's verifying statement or a copy of the obituary published in the local newspaper; and

iii. if the name of the deceased has a different last name than the student, a letter from a member of the students family verifying the relationship between the student and the deceased, provided that if the student provides an obituary which names the student and specifies the relationship between the deceased and the student, a letter from a member of the students family is not required.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to one semester or two quarters per death.

a. Military Service-Student

i. Definition. The student/recipient is in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard and is called on active duty status or is performing emergency state service with the National Guard or enlists or reenlists and enters on active duty as a member of the regular United States Armed Forces.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(a). a completed exception request form, the dates of the required leave of absence, necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of days involved, and the length of duty (beginning and ending dates); and

(b). a written certification from the military including the dates and location of active duty; or

(c). a copy of the military orders or other military documents confirming military service.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to the length of the required active-duty service period.

b. Military Service-Spouse

i. Definition. The student/recipients spouse is in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard and is called on active duty status or is performing emergency state service with the National Guard or enlists or reenlists and enters on active duty as a member of the regular United States Armed Forces.

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

(b). a copy of the students marriage license;

(c). a written certification from the military including the dates and location of active duty of the student/recipients spouse; or

(d). a copy of the military orders or other military documents confirming the military service of the student/recipients spouse.

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters.

10. Transfer-Selective Enrollment Program

a. Definition. A student/recipient who completed his or her program requirements for transfer to a selective enrollment program.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form; and

ii. a written statement from the dean of the college or the dean's designee certifying that the student/recipient has or will complete his or her course requirements for transfer to a selective enrollment program and the timing of completion of those course requirements.

c. Maximum length of exception-two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters.

11. Unavailability of Courses

a. Definition. The student/recipient is unable to enroll full-time due to the advanced coursework required, the necessity of earning credits in pre-requisites before moving on to the next block of courses, and/or the unavailability of courses due to limited course offerings.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient has earned credit for at least 75% of the courses required to complete his degree, and he must submit:

i. a completed exception request form, including college transcripts, a description of his major, the total hours required to graduate, the structure of courses, and an explanation as to why he is unable to enroll full time; and

ii. a letter from his academic counselor or from his academic dean or director of his program of study explaining the course structure and certifying that the student has earned credit for at least 75 percent of the courses required to complete his degree and that he was unable to enroll full time due to this structure.

12. Natural Disaster

a. Definition. The student/recipient is unable to enroll in school, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn the required annual hours due to the fact that he or his family lives in a region of the state of Louisiana that is declared a natural disaster by the Governor of the state.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. A completed exception request form;

ii. A written statement detailing the natural disaster's impact on the student and/or the student's immediate family (mother, father, custodian, siblings and/or spouse and children), which prevented the student from meeting the continuation requirements, including the length of the impact; and

iii. Documentation corroborating the student's statement (examples: photographs of damage; insurance, FEMA, fire and/or police reports; statements from public officials; statements from family members or other persons with actual knowledge; receipts and invoices for work done and materials purchased; a copy of a lease and statement from lessor regarding the impact of the flood; etc.).

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters).

13. Exceptional Circumstances

a. Definition. The student/recipient has exceptional circumstances, other than those listed in §2103 .E 1-10, which are beyond his immediate control and which necessitate full or partial withdrawal from, or non-enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution.

i. The following situations are not exceptional circumstances:

(a). financial conditions related to a student's ability to meet his or her educational expenses are not a justified reason for failure to meet the hours or continuous enrollment requirement, because TOPS is a merit, rather than need-based award, except that the students familys financial condition may be considered, provided that the student provides documentation that he has been required to obtain employment in order to supplement the familys income due to unexpected circumstances which has adversely affected the familys finances;

(b). dropping a course, failing a course, or withdrawing from school to protect the student's grade point average or because of difficulty with a course or difficulty arranging tutoring;

(c). not being aware of or understanding the requirements;

(d). assumption that advanced standing, or correspondence course work credited outside the academic year would be applied to the hours requirement;

(e). differing scholarship or award requirements for other programs, such as NCAA full-time enrollment requirements;

(f). voluntary withdrawal from school to move out-of-state or pursue other interests or activities;

(g). claims of receipt of advice that is contrary to these rules, public information promulgated by LOSFA, award letters, and the rights and responsibilities document that detail the requirements for full-time continuous enrollment. This provision shall not preclude an exception being granted when an academic counselor or academic dean confirms, in writing, that the student acted as a direct result of misinformation provided by the counselor, dean, or other college official;

(h). failure to provide or respond to a request for documentation within 30 days of the date of the request, unless additional time is requested in writing, LOSFA grants the request, and the requested documentation is provided within the additional time granted;

(i). an involuntary drop, suspension, or withdrawal from enrollment because of academics, scholastics, or failure to attend classes or to comply with institutional regulations;

(j). a suspension or expulsion for misconduct;

(k). an inability to register because of failure to satisfy financial obligations.

ii. All other situations will be assessed at the discretion of LOSFA and subject to appeal to the board.

b. Certification Requirement. Submit a completed exception request form including a sworn affidavit from the student detailing the circumstances and including the official college transcripts and documentation necessary to support the request for reinstatement.

c. Maximum length of exception-up to the number of semesters or quarters determined to be supported by the request for exception and accompanying documentation.

14. COVID-19

a. Definition. The student/recipient is unable to enroll in school, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn the required annual hours due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic as follows:

i. you struggle with on-line instruction; or

ii. gull time enrollment in on-line instruction is not conducive to your major/course of study; or

iii. you do not have the appropriate infrastructure, such as internet access, sufficient bandwidth for the number of people attending school/working from home, etc., to attend classes on-line; or

iv. your parent(s) were unable to work, lost their employment, or worked reduced hours due to mitigation measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit the following documentation:

i. if requesting an exception based on Section 14.a.i above, a letter from a parent and/or a letter from an academic advisor or dean at your school stating that you struggle with on-line enrollment; or

ii. if requesting an exception based on Section 14.a ii. above, a letter from an academic advisor or dean at your school that full time enrollment in on-line instruction is not conducive to your major/course of study; or

iii. if requesting an exception based on Section 14.a iii. above, a letter from a parent or other documentation that you do not have the appropriate infrastructure at home to attend courses on-line; or

iv. if requesting an exception based on Section 14.a iv. above, a letter from your parent/parents as well as a letter from their employer stating that the parent/parents were unable to work, lost their employment, or worked reduced hours due to mitigation measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

c. Length of Exception. Available for the fall semester/quarter of 2020 through the summer semester/quarter of 2022.

F. Students who are granted an exception based on military service in accordance with Paragraph E.9 above and who desire to enroll as a part-time student in an eligible postsecondary institution while on active duty shall be eligible on request for TOPS payment for such enrollment. Any payment for part-time attendance under this Subsection shall count towards the student's maximum eligibility for up to the equivalent of eight full-time semesters of postsecondary education in part time and full time semesters.

G. Natural Disaster Exceptions

1. For the purposes of this Subsection, displaced students are TOPS recipients and students eligible for TOPS and:

a. on August 26, 2005:

i. were enrolled at one of the following eligible college or university campuses:

(a). University of New Orleans;

(b). Dillard University;

(c). Delgado Community College;

(d). Nunez Community College;

(e). Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans;

(f). Southern University at New Orleans;

(g). Loyola University;

(h). New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary;

(i). University of Holy Cross (formerly Our Lady of Holy Cross College);

(j). Tulane University;

(k). Xavier University;

(l). St. Josephs Seminary College; or

(m). Louisiana Technical College:

(i). Jefferson Campus;

(ii). Sidney N. Collier Campus;

(iii). Slidell Campus;

(iv). Sullivan Campus;

(v). West Jefferson Campus; or

ii. whose home of record was one of the following Louisiana parishes:

(a). Jefferson;

(b). Lafourche;

(c). Orleans;

(d). Plaquemine;

(e). St. Bernard;

(f). St. Tammany;

(g). Tangipahoa; or

(h). Washington; or

b. on September 23, 2005:

i. were enrolled at one of the following eligible college or university campuses:

(a). SOWELA Technical Community College;

(b). Louisiana Technical College:

(i). Gulf Area Campus;

(ii). Morgan Smith Campus;

(iii). Lamar Salter Campus;

(iv). Oakdale Campus; or

(v). Sabine Valley Campus; or

ii. whose home of record was one of the following Louisiana parishes:

(a). Acadia;

(b). Allen;

(c). Beauregard;

(d). Calcasieu;

(e). Cameron;

(f). Iberia;

(g). Jefferson Davis;

(h). Lafayette;

(i). St. Mary;

(j). Terrebonne; or

(k). Vermilion.

2. For the purposes of this Subsection, home of record is:

a. the domiciliary address of a dependent student's parent or court-ordered custodian; or

b. the domiciliary address of an independent student.

3. For the purposes of this Subsection, natural disaster is limited to Hurricane Katrina and/or Hurricane Rita.

a. For the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS), displaced students are not required to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment or to earn at least 24 hours during the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS).

b. Displaced students may enroll on a part-time basis in an eligible college or university without losing TOPS eligibility. Upon request by the student, the eligible college or university may bill for these part-time students.

c. The terms of eligibility for a displaced student whose part-time enrollment is paid by TOPS will be reduced by one full semester (term) for each semester (term) (part- or full-time) paid.

d. Institutions must document the displaced student's request for part-time payment of the award.

e. If a displaced student enrolls in an eligible college or university during the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS) and receives grades, those grades will be included in calculating the student's cumulative grade point average.

a. For the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS), students who are not displaced students, but due to the effects of a natural disaster were unable to enroll for the first time as full-time students by the deadline or to enroll as full-time students or to maintain continuous enrollment or to earn at least 24 hours during the academic year (TOPS), may submit a request for an exception in accordance with §2103 D, based on one of the circumstances listed in §2103 E, or in accordance with the following procedures for the circumstances described in this Subsection.

i. The student should file the application for exception as soon as it is known that the student will not meet one or more of the continuing eligibility requirements to ensure the earliest reinstatement of the award. The student must submit the application for exception no later than six months after the date of the notice of cancellation. The deadline for filing the exception shall be prominently displayed on the notice of cancellation. If the applicant for an exception is a dependent student, a parent or court-ordered custodian of the dependent student may submit the application for exception on behalf of the applicant.

ii. If determined eligible for an exception, the recipient will be reinstated if he or she enrolls in the first fall, winter or spring semester or term immediately following the exception ending date.

b. Natural Disaster Exception (for other than displaced students)

i. Definition. The effects of a natural disaster prevented the student/recipient from enrolling as a full-time student or continuing enrollment or earning 24 hours during the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS).

ii. Certification Requirements. The student/ recipient must submit:

(a). a completed exception request form; and

(b). a written statement detailing the natural disaster's impact on the student and/or the student's immediate family (mother, father, custodian, siblings and/or spouse and children), which prevented the student from meeting the continuation requirements, including the length of the impact; and

(c). documentation corroborating the student's statement (examples: photographs of damage; insurance, FEMA, fire and/or police reports; statements from public officials; statements from family members or other persons with actual knowledge; receipts and invoices for work done and materials purchased).

iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters).

H. 2020 Natural Disaster Exceptions

1. For the purposes of this subsection, displaced students are TOPS, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, and GO Youth Challenge recipients and students eligible for TOPS whose home of record on August 26, 2020, was located in, or who, on August 26, 2020, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, or Winn Parish: or

b. a student whose home of record on October 8, 2020, was located in, or who, on October 8, 2020, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin, or Vermilion Parish.

c. a student whose home of record on October 26, 2020, was located in, or who, on October 26, 2020, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, or Terrebonne Parish.

2. For the purposes of this Subsection, home of record is:

a. the domiciliary address of a dependent student's parent or court-ordered custodian; or

b. the domiciliary address of an independent student.

3. For the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS), displaced students are not required to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment, or to earn at least 24 hours during the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS).

4. Displaced students may enroll on a part-time basis in an eligible college or university without losing TOPS eligibility.

a. Upon request of the student, the eligible college or university may bill for the TOPS award for these parttime students.

b. The terms of eligibility for a displaced student whose part-time enrollment is paid by TOPS will be reduced by one full semester (term) for each semester (term) paid.

c. Institutions must document the displaced student's request for part-time payment of TOPS under these circumstances.

d. Any grades earned by a displaced student who enrolls part-time during the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS) will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average.

5. Displaced students who are Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship recipients may enroll full-time or parttime in a college or university that does not offer a course of study leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree in wildlife, forestry or marine science.

a. Upon request of the student, the eligible college or university may bill for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship for these students.

b. The amount paid for any such semester of enrollment in accordance with this Subsection shall reduce the student's total eligibility for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship Program.

c. Institutions must document the displaced student's request for payment in accordance with this Subsection.

d. Any grades earned by a displaced student who enrolls in school during the 2020-2021 in accordance with this Subsection will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average.

6. For the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS), students who are not displaced students, but who, due to the effects of Hurricane Laura were unable to enroll for the first time as full time students by the applicable deadline, to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn 24 hours during the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS) may submit a request for exception in accordance with §2103.D based on the circumstances provided in §2103.E 12.

I. 2021 Natural Disaster Exceptions

1. For the purposes of this subsection, displaced students are TOPS, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, and GO Youth Challenge recipients and students eligible for TOPS whose home of record on August 27, 2021, was located in, or who, on August 27, 2021, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, or Terrebonne Parish.

2. For the purposes of this Subsection, home of record is:

a. the domiciliary address of a dependent student's parent or court-ordered custodian; or

b. the domiciliary address of an independent student.

3. For the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS), displaced students are not required to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment, or to earn at least 24 hours during the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS).

4. Displaced students who are Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship recipients may enroll full-time or parttime in a college or university that does not offer a course of study leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree in wildlife, forestry or marine science.

a. Upon request of the student, the eligible college or university may bill for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship for these students.

b. The amount paid for any such semester of enrollment in accordance with this Subsection shall reduce the student's total eligibility for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship Program.

c. Institutions must document the displaced student's request for payment in accordance with this Subsection.

d. Any grades earned by a displaced student who enrolls in school during the 2021-2022 in accordance with this Subsection will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average.

6. For the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS), students who are not displaced students, but who, due to the effects of Hurricane Ida, were unable to enroll for the first time as full time students by the applicable deadline, to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn 24 hours during the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS) may submit a request for exception in accordance with §2103.D based on the circumstances provided in §2103.E 12.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § IV-2103

Promulgated by the Student Financial Assistance Commission, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 22:338 (May 1996), amended LR 23:1648 (December 1997), repromulgated LR 24:647 (April 1998), amended LR 24:1916 (October 1998), LR 26:1015 (May 2000), LR 26:2002 (September 2000), LR 27:36 (January 2001), repromulgated LR 27:1866 (November 2001), amended LR 27:1875 (November 2001), LR 28:46 (January 2002), LR 28:449 (March 2002), LR 28:775 (April 2002), LR 28:2330 and 2333 (November 2002), LR 29:126 (February 2003), LR 29:2373 (November 2003), LR 29:2373 (November 2003), LR 30:785 (April 2004), LR 30:1167 (June 2004), LR 31:1060 (May 2005), LR 33:440 (March 2007), LR 35:1233 (July 2009), LR 38:3160 (December 2012), LR 41:657, 667 (April 2015), Amended by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 44562 (3/1/2018), Amended by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 451173 (9/1/2019), Amended by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 46, Amended LR 47, Amended LR 47, Amended by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 47, Amended LR 47862 (7/1/2021), Amended LR 482731 (11/1/2022), Amended LR 4954 (1/1/2023), Amended LR 491211 (7/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:3021-3025, R.S. 17:5001 et seq., and R.S. 17:3050.1-3050.4.