W. Va. Code R. § 133-42-3

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 133-42-3 - Definitions

3.1. Academic Year. A period of time in which a full-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of at least two semesters or other approved academic term.

3.2. Commission. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission as defined in W. Va. Code § 18B-1-2.

3.3. Cost of Attendance. The estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend college during an academic year, including tuition and fees; housing and food for the period of enrollment; books and supplies for education; travel costs directly related to attendance; childcare expenses; costs related to a disability; and other costs determined by the educational institution to be educationally related.

3.4. Council. The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education as defined by W. Va. Code § 18B-2-1.

3.5. Dependent Student. A student who is required to provide parental information on the free application for federal student aid because the student does not meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education to be classified an independent.

3.6. Student Aid Index (SAI). The amount that a family is expected to contribute toward a student's education costs under the federal need analysis. For an independent student, SAI is the same as student contribution. For a dependent student, SAI is the same as the total of student and parent contributions.

3.7. Financial Aid Package. The total amount of financial aid a student receives during an academic year.

3.8. Financial Need. The demonstrated need of an applicant for financial assistance to meet the actual costs of attending the eligible institution of choice. It is the calculated difference between a student's cost of attendance and his or her SAI.

3.9. Fiscal Year. The State fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

3.10. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An application that students must complete in order to apply for most forms of financial aid, including the West Virginia Higher Education Grant. The filing of a FAFSA by an individual who indicates West Virginia as his or her state of legal residence will be treated as an application for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant.

3.11. Full-time Student. A student enrolled in a minimum of 12 undergraduate credit hours per semester or other comparable period at an institution with a non-traditional calendar.

3.12. Grant. Financial aid awarded to students that does not have to be paid back. For purposes of this rule, scholarships are included within the definition.

3.13. Higher Education Grant Program or Grant Program. Financial aid program established in W. Va. Code § 18C-5-1, et seq. that provides grants to West Virginia residents based on financial need.

3.14. Independent Student. A student who is not required to provide parental information on the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) because the student meets the criteria contained in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to be classified an independent student.

3.15. Participating Institution. An institution that is eligible to participate in the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program and for which a participation agreement is in place.

3.16. Participation Agreement. A contract entered into between a participating institution and the Vice Chancellor for Administration that specifies the rights and responsibilities of the institution and the Vice Chancellor as they relate to participation in the Grant Program.

3.17. Title IV. The section of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, that pertains to federal student financial aid programs.

3.18. Undergraduate Student. A student who has not yet met the requirements for a bachelor's degree and who is deemed an undergraduate student by the institution.

3.18.1. A student who is enrolled in a program that results in the awarding of a bachelor's and master's degree simultaneously and continues to meet the eligibility guidelines for the federal Pell Grant program is considered an undergraduate student if he or she is in his or her first four years of full-time postsecondary education and has not previously received a bachelor's degree.

3.18.2. A student who is enrolled in a doctor of pharmacy program is considered an undergraduate student if he or she has not previously received a bachelor's degree and is deemed an undergraduate student by the institution.

3.19. Vice Chancellor for Administration or Vice Chancellor. Commission employee statutorily charged with overseeing the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program or his or her designee.

W. Va. Code R. § 133-42-3