Regents (Board Of), Administration

Rule R765-609

Regents' Scholarship

Notice of Proposed Rule

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 33581
Filed: 04/28/2010 10:42:36 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Establish criteria outlining qualifying requirements for the Regents' Scholarship which rewards high school students who complete a rigorous curriculum as outlined by the Utah Scholars Initiative in preparation for postsecondary education.

Summary of the rule or change:

The Regents' Scholarship is established to reward Utah high school students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum in preparation for postsecondary education. This scholarship is intended to provide incentive for all Utah high school students to prepare academically and financially through meaningful course work through their senior year which will allow a more successful transition to college and the demands of a modern workforce.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53B-8-108

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This rule is established as the result of legislative action that provides for a scholarship fund for the benefit of qualifying Utah high school graduates. There are no costs or savings to the state budget as a result of this rule, but rather the rule is required in support of the allocated funds by the legislature.

local governments:

This rule does not affect local government and therefore there are no costs or savings to local governments as a result of this rule being implemented.

small businesses:

This rule does not affect small businesses and therefore there are no costs or savings to small businesses as a result of this rule being implemented.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

Persons other than small businesses, businesses or local government entities are not burdened by any costs as a result of this rule. Students qualifying for Regents' Scholarship funds will realize a savings when utilizing the scholarship to pay for higher education tuition charges at an eligible institution as defined within the rule.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs associated with this rule or the scholarship program for which it is written.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

Since there are no fiscal impacts on businesses there is no comment by the department head on such matters.

David Buhler, Associate Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Regents (Board Of)
Administration
60 SOUTH 400 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84101-1284

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Ronell Crossley at the above address, by phone at 801-321-7291, by FAX at 801-321-7299, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

06/14/2010

This rule may become effective on:

06/21/2010

Authorized by:

William Sederburg, Commissioner

R765. Regents (Board of), Administration.

R765-609. Regents' Scholarship.

R765-609-1. Purpose.

To encourage all Utah high school students to take a rigorous high school curriculum as outlined by the Utah Scholars Initiative that will successfully prepare them for postsecondary education and the demands of the modern workforce; to provide incentives for all Utah high school students to prepare academically and financially for postsecondary education; to motivate high school students to complete meaningful course work through their senior year; and to increase the numbers of Utahans enrolling in Utah colleges and universities.

 

R765-609-2. References.

2.1. Utah Code Ann. Section 53B-8-108 et seq., Regents' Scholarship Program.

2.2. Utah Admin. Code Section R277-700-7, High School Requirements (Effective for graduating students beginning with the 2010-2011 School Year).

2.3. Policy and Procedures R604, New Century Scholarship.

 

R765-609-3. Definitions.

3.1. "Base Award": A one-time scholarship to be awarded to students who complete the eligibility requirements of section 4.1 of this policy.

3.2. "Board": The Utah State Board of Regents.

3.3. "Core Course of Study": The 16.5 credit Utah Scholars' curriculum taken during grades 9-12, which includes:

3.3.1. 4.0 credits of English;

3.3.2. 4.0 credits of mathematics taken in a progressive manner (at minimum Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a class beyond Algebra II);

3.3.3. 3.5 credits of social studies;

3.3.4. 3.0 credits of lab-based natural science (one each of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics); and

3.3.5. 2.0 credits of the same foreign language, other than English, taken in a progressive manner.

3.4. "Exemplary Academic Achievement Award": A renewable scholarship to be awarded to students who complete the eligibility requirements of section 4.2 of this policy.

3.5. "Full-time": A minimum of twelve college credit hours.

3.6. "High school": A public or private high school within the boundaries of the State of Utah. If a private high school, it must be accredited by a regional accrediting body approved by the board.

3.7. "Home-schooled": Refers to a student who has not received a high school grade point average.

3.8. "Recipient": A student who receives an award under the requirements set forth in this policy.

3.9. "Regents' Diploma Endorsement": A certificate or transcript notation that may be awarded to students who qualify for the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award of the Regents' Scholarship.

3.10. "Reasonable progress": A recipient must complete at least twelve credit hours during Fall and Spring Semester or apply for and receive an approved Deferral or Leave of Absence from the Board. If applicable, students attending summer must enroll full-time according to their institution and or program policy regarding full-time status.

3.11. "Scholarship Review Committee": The committee approved to review Regents' Scholarship applications and make final decisions regarding awards.

3.12. "UESP": The Utah Educational Savings Plan.

3.13. "USHE": The Utah System of Higher Education, which includes the University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College of Utah, Utah Valley University, and Salt Lake Community College.

3.14. "Eligible Institutions": USHE, or at any private, nonprofit institution of higher education in Utah accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

 

R765-609-4. Conditions of the Regents' Scholarship Program and Program Terms.

4.1. Base Award: To qualify for the Regents' Scholarship Base Award, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

4.1.1. Core Course of Study: The applicant must submit an official high school transcript, and college transcript if the student has completed any college courses that are part of the Core Course of Study during grades 9-12, even if the concurrent/college classes is reflected on the high school transcript, (Information regarding courses satisfying the core requirements can be found online). If the core course is one full credit students must complete the full unit in order to satisfy the credit requirement in a specific core area.

4.1.2. GPA and Weighted Courses: The applicant must demonstrate completion of the Core Course of Study with a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0, with no individual core course grade lower than a "C" on a transcript . The grade earned in any course designated on the student's high school transcript as Advanced Placement (AP) or a college course concurrent enrollment shall be weighted (only if college transcript is provided) according to the Scholarship Review Committee's standard procedures.

4.1.3. College Course Work: The Regents' Scholarship Review Committee reserves the right to apply a 3:1 ratio in relation to college course work. If a student enrolls in and completes a college course worth three or more college credits, this may be counted as one full credit towards the scholarship requirements, however; the student then is evaluated on the college grade earned, with the weighted added to the college grade.

4.1.4. ACT Score: The applicant must submit at least one verified ACT score.

4.1.5. Utah High School Graduation: The applicant must have graduated from a Utah high school.

4.1.6. Citizenship Requirement: A recipient shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive federal student aid.

4.1.7. No Criminal Record Requirement: A recipient shall not have a criminal record; with the exception of a misdemeanor traffic citation.

4.1.8. Mandatory Fall Term Enrollment: A recipient shall enroll full-time at an eligible institution by Fall semester immediately following the student's high school graduation date or receive an approved Deferral from the Board under subsection 7.2.

4.1.9. New Century Scholarship: A recipient shall not receive a Regents' Scholarship and the New Century Scholarship established in Utah Code Section53B-8-108 and administered in R604.

4.2. Exemplary Academic Achievement Award: To qualify for the Regents' Scholarship Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, the applicant must satisfy all requirements for the Base Award, and additionally meet all of the following requirements:

4.2.1. Required GPA: The applicant must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5, with no individual core course grade lower than a "B" on a transcript.

Required ACT Score: The applicant must submit a verified composite ACT score of at least 26.

4.2.2. Duty of Student to Report Reasonable Progress Toward Degree Completion: In order to renew the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, the recipient must maintain and report reasonable progress toward degree completion by achieving a 3.0 GPA each semesters and by enrolling full-time (twelve credit hours) each semester. If the recipient fails to maintain a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters or fails to enroll full-time, the scholarship will be revoked. Students will be required to pay back the entire payment received for the semester in which the student did not enroll full-time.

4.2.2.1. Each semester, the recipient must submit to the Scholarship Review Committee an official college transcript verifying his/her grades to demonstrate that he/she is meeting the required GPA and is making reasonable progress as well as detailed schedule as proof of full-time enrollment by the dates listed below. A recipient must apply for and receive and approved Leave of Absence if he or she will not enroll full-time in continuous Fall and Spring Semesters.

4.2.2.2. Proof of enrollment for Fall Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by September 30.

4.2.2.3. Proof of enrollment for Spring Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by February 15.

4.2.2.4. Proof of enrollment for Summer Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by June 30.

4.2.2.5. Proof of enrollment if you are attending Brigham Young University during Winter Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by February 15.

Proof of enrollment if you are attending Brigham Young University during Spring Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by May 30.

4.2.2.6. Proof of enrollment if you are attending Brigham Young University during Summer Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by July 30.

4.2.3. If a student earns less than a 3.0 GPA in any single semester, the student must earn a 3.0 GPA or better the following semester to maintain eligibility for the scholarship.

4.2.4. A student will not be required to enroll full-time if the student can complete his/her degree program with fewer credits.

4.3. Replacing Low Grades by Retaking a Course: A student may retake a course to replace a low received grade. When retaking courses to replace a grade the following subsections apply:

4.3.1. The Entire Course: The student must either (1) retake the entire original course, or (2) complete an approved course equal to or greater in credit value in the same subject-area. The math and foreign language requirement of progression must be shown. This is true even if the student only received a lower grade in a single semester, trimester, or quarter.

4.3.2. The Higher of Two Grades: The higher of two grades in the same or an approved course will count towards meeting the scholarship requirements.

4.3.3. Approved Courses and Progression Determined by the Regents' Scholarship Review Committee: The Regents' Scholarship Review Committee reserves the right to determine if the repeated course qualifies as an approved course in the same subject-area and if progression is required and demonstrated.

4.4. Eligible Institutions: Both the Base Award and the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award may be used at any public college or university within USHE, or at any private, nonprofit institution of higher education in Utah accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

4.5. Student Transfer: A scholarship may be transferred to a different eligible institution upon request of the student.

4.6. "P" and "I" Grades not Accepted: Pass/fail or incomplete grades do not meet the minimum grade requirement, nor do they qualify towards the scholarship renewal requirements.

 

R765-609-5. Application Procedures.

5.1. Application Deadline: Students must submit a scholarship application to the Scholarship Review Committee no later than February 1 of the year that they graduate from high school. A priority deadline may be established each year. Students who meet the priority deadline may be given first priority or consideration for the scholarship.

5.2. Required Documentation: Scholarship awards may be denied if all documentation is not submitted, if any documentation demonstrates that the applicant did not satisfactorily fulfill all course and GPA requirements, or if any information, including the attestation of criminal record or citizenship status, proves to be falsified. Required documents that must be submitted with a scholarship application include:

5.2.1. the official application;

5.2.2. an official high school paper or electronic transcript, official college transcript(s) when applicable, and any other miscellaneous transcripts demonstrating all completed courses and GPA. A final transcript showing the last semester of coursework will be requested if the student is found conditionally approved, meaning that the student appears to be on track to receive the scholarship;

5.2.3. verified ACT scores; and

5.2.4. a class schedule form, provided by the Board, demonstrating the courses and credits that the student will completed during grade twelve. Simply submitting a high school transcript does not satisfy this requirement.

5.3. Incomplete Documentation: Applications or other submissions that have missing information or missing documents are considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed.

 

R765-609-6. Amount of Awards and Distribution of Award Funds.

6.1. Funding Constraints of Awards: The Board may limit or reduce the Base Award and/or the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, as well as supplemental awards granted, depending on the annual legislative appropriations and the number of qualified applicants.

6.2. Amount of Awards.

6.2.1. Base Award: The Base Award of up to $1,000 may be adjusted annually by the Board in an amount up to the average percentage tuition increase approved by the Board for USHE institutions.

6.2.2. Exemplary Academic Achievement Award.

6.2.2.1. For a students who graduates from high school in the 2009-10 school year and prior

6.2.2.1.1. If used at a USHE institution, the award is equal in value up to seventy-five percent of the tuition costs at the selected institution; or

6.2.2.1.2. If used at a private, nonprofit institution of higher education in Utah accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the award is equal in value up to seventy-five percent of the tuition costs at the selected institution, not to exceed seventy-five percent of the average tuition costs of the USHE institutions.

6.2.2.2. For a student who graduates from high school in or after the 2010-11 school year or prior and still has remaining eligibility, the total award is up to $5,000, allocated semester-by-semester throughout whichever of the following time periods is the shortest: Recipients are not entitled to the maximum award.

6.2.2.2.1. Four semesters of full-time enrollment (minimum of twelve credit hours per semester);

6.2.2.2.2. Sixty-five credit hours; or

6.2.2.2.3. Until the student meets the requirements for a Baccalaureate degree.

6.3. Distribution of Award Funds.

6.3.1. Tuition Documentation: The award recipient must submit to the Scholarship Review Committee a copy of the college class schedule verifying that the student is enrolled full-time (twelve or more credits) at an eligible institution. Documentation must include the student's name, institution they are attending and the number of credits in which the student is enrolled.

6.3.2. Award Payable to Institution: The award will be made payable to the institution. The institution may pay over to the recipient any excess award funds not required for tuition payments. Award funds shall be used for any qualifying higher education expense, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment required for course instruction, or housing.

6.3.3. Credit Hours Dropped after Award Payment: If a student drops credit hours after having received the award which results in enrollment below twelve credit hours, the scholarship will be revoked.

6.3.4. High School Graduates of 2010 and Before: The following subsections only apply to students who graduated from high school in 2010 and before:

6.3.4.1. Tuition Calculation by the Board: The Board will calculate the award disbursement amount based on the published tuition costs at the enrolled institution(s) and the availability of scholarship funding.

6.3.4.2. Added Hours after Award Payment: At the discretion of the Scholarship Review Committee and depending on funding, the student may be awarded up to seventy-five percent of the tuition costs of any hours added in the semester after the initial award has been made. The recipient must submit to the USHE a copy of the tuition invoice and a class schedule verifying the added hours before a supplemental award is made.

6.3.4.3. Credit Hours Dropped after Award Payment: If a student drops credit hours which were included in calculating the award amount, either the subsequent semester award will be reduced accordingly, or the student shall repay the excess award amount to the USHE If the student drops below twelve credit hours.

6.4. UESP Supplemental Award to Encourage College Savings: Subject to available funding, a student who qualifies for the Base Award is eligible to receive up to an additional $400 in state funds to be added to the total scholarship award.

6.4.1. For each year the student is 14, 15, 16, or 17 years of age that the student had an active UESP account, the Board may contribute, subject to available funding, $100 (i.e., up to $400 total for all four years) to the student's award if at least $100 was deposited into the account for which the student is named the beneficiary.

6.4.2. If no contributions are made to a student's account during a given year, the matching amount will likewise be $0.

6.4.3. If contributions total more than $100 in a given year, the matching amount will cap at $100 for that year.

6.4.4. Matching funds apply only to contributions, not to transfers, earnings, or interest.

 

R765-609-7. Time Constraints and Continuing Eligibility.

7.1. Time Limitation: A Regents' Scholarship recipient must use the award in its entirety within five years after his/her high school graduation date.

7.2. Deferral or Leave of Absence.

7.2.1. Deferrals or leaves of absence may be granted, at the discretion of the Scholarship Review Committee, for military service, humanitarian/religious service, documented medical reasons, and other exigent reasons.

7.2.2. An approved deferral or leave of absence will not extend the time limits of the scholarship. The scholarship may only be used for academic terms which begin within five years after the recipient's high school graduation date.

7.3. No Guarantee of Degree Completion: Neither a Base Award nor an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award guarantees that the recipient will complete his or her Associate or Baccalaureate program within the recipient's scholarship eligibility period.

 

R765-609-8. Scholarship Determinations and Appeals.

8.1. Scholarship Determinations: Submission of a scholarship application does not guarantee a scholarship award. Individual scholarship applications will be reviewed, and award decisions made, at the discretion of a Scholarship Review Committee, based on available funding, applicant pool, and applicants' completion of scholarship criteria. Each applicant will receive a letter informing the applicant of the decision on his/her application.

8.2. Appeals: Applicants may appeal a denial of the scholarship by submitting a written appeal to the USHE within 30 days of receipt of the decision letter. Appeals will be reviewed and decided by an appeals committee appointed by the Commissioner of Higher Education. A list of required documents for an appeal is listed on the Regents' Scholarship Appeal Form.

 

KEY: higher education, scholarships, secondary education

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: June 21, 2010

Authorizing and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53B-8-108