Regents (Board Of), Administration

Rule R765-604

New Century Scholarship

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 33760
Filed: 06/15/2010 10:09:43 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Recent legislative action due to state budget constraints limiting available funding has necessitated a limit of $5,000 for future New Century Scholarship award amounts. This amendment also allows the Utah State Board of Regents to make future adjustments to the maximum award as allowed by available funding from the Utah Legislature.

Summary of the rule or change:

Future award amounts are changed from the current limit of 75% of tuition to a limit of $5,000 to complete a bachelor's degree. This amendment also allows the Board of Regents to adjust the maximum award either up or down as allowed by allocations from the state legislature from year to year. This amendment also clarifies enrollment and attendance requirements and appeal processes.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53B-8-105

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

State budgets constraints necessitated these changes to this rule. As a result, the proposed changes will reduce what costs would have been incurred by approximately $937,500. This is merely an estimate based on current levels of applicants and tuition costs. The Legislature appropriates an amount to fund the New Century Scholarship Program. Recent increases in the level of interest for this scholarship required adjustments to the maximum award and qualifying standards that are intended to contain costs within the state budget amount.

local governments:

There are no costs or savings to local governments as a result of this rule or this amendment to the rule.

small businesses:

There are no costs or savings to small businesses as a result of this rule or this amendment to the rule.

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

There are no direct costs nor savings to any persons as a result of this rule or this amendment to the rule. However, this amendment may limit the amount of scholarship funds available for future recipients depending on appropriated funding from the State legislature from year to year. Such aspect of funding could indirectly affect the amount an individual student would need to provide by other means that may include a cash outlay in order to pay any remaining tuition charge.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for any persons associated with this rule or this amendment.

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

There is no fiscal impact on businesses from this rule.

William Sederburg, 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:

08/02/2010

This rule may become effective on:

08/09/2010

Authorized by:

William Sederburg, Commissioner

R765. Regents (Board of), Administration.

R765-604. New Century Scholarship.

R765-604-1. Purpose.

To provide policy and procedures for the administration of the New Century Scholarship which was established to encourage and reward high school students who[will be awarded to high school graduates who either] complete the requirements for an [a]Associate 's degree while still in high school[with at least a 3.0 grade point average prior to September 1 of the same year they would normally graduate with their high school class], or who complete a rigorous math and science curriculum approved by the State Board of Regents[ with a 3.0 grade point average].

 

R765-604-2. References.

2.1. 53B-8-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953

 

R765-604-3. Definitions.

[3.1. "Program" - New Century Scholarship program.

3.2. "Awards" - New Century Scholarship funds which provide payment as provided in this rule.

3.3. "SBR" - State Board of Regents.

3.4. "Reasonable progress" - A recipient must be enrolled at least full-time (12 credit hours) during any semester for which he or she receives an award. Effective for new 2010 recipients and continuing students starting Summer Semester 2010.

3.5. "Recipient" - A Utah resident who either: (1) completes the requirements for an associate degree with at least a 3.0 grade point average either prior to September 1 of the year he or she graduates from a Utah high school, or, if he or she graduates early or is home schooled, prior to the September 1 of the year in which he or she normally would have graduated with his or her class; or (2) completes the rigorous math and science curriculum approved by the State Board of Regents with at least a 3.0 grade point average.

3.6. "High school graduation date" - The date when an applicant or recipient graduates from high school with his or her class, or if he or she graduates early or is home schooled, the date on which he or she normally would have graduated from high school with his or her class.

3.7. "Associate Degree" - An Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree, or equivalent academic requirements, as received from or verified by a regionally accredited Utah public college or university, provided that if the college or university does not offer the associate degree, the requirement can be met if the institution's registrar verifies that the student has completed academic requirements equivalent to an associate degree prior to the September 1 deadline.

3.8 "Math and Science Curriculum" - The rigorous math and science curriculum developed and approved by the State Board of Regents which, if completed, qualifies a high school student for a New Century Scholarship.]3.1. "Associate's Degree": An Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree received from, or verified by, a regionally accredited institution within the Utah System of Higher Education. If the institution does not offer the above listed degrees, equivalent academic requirements will suffice under subsection 3.4.2. of this policy.

3.2. "Awards": New Century Scholarship funds.

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

3.4. "Completes the requirements for an Associate's degree": Means that a student completes either of the following:

3.4.1. all the required courses for an Associate's degree from an institution within the Utah System of Higher Education that offers Associate's degrees; and applies for the Associate's degree from the institution; or

3.4.2. all the required courses for an equivalency to the Associate's degree from a higher education institution within the Utah System of Higher Education that offers Baccalaureate degrees but does not offer Associate's degrees.

3.5. "Full-time": A minimum of twelve 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. "High school graduation date": The day on which the recipient's class graduates from high school. For home-schooled students refer to subsection 4.2.1 of this policy.

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

3.9. "Math and science curriculum": The rigorous math and science curriculum developed and approved by the Board which, if completed, qualifies a high school student for an award. Curriculum requirements can be found at the Web site of the Utah System of Higher Education.

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

3.12. "Scholarship": The New Century Scholarship.

 

R765-604-4. [Conditions of the Scholarship]Recipient Requirements .

[4.1. Program Terms - The program scholarship may be used at any 4-year public or private not-for-profit higher education institution in the state accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.

4.2. Applicant Qualification - To qualify for the award, an applicant must have either: (1) completed the requirements for an associate degree with at least a 3.0 college grade point average by September 1 of the year of his or her high school graduation date; or (2) completed the approved math and science curriculum with at least a 3.0 grade point average by September 1 of the year of his or her high school graduation date.

4.3. Accredited College or University - The associate degree must be received from, or the approved math and science curriculum must be completed through, a regionally accredited Utah public institution, provided the institution's academic on-campus residency requirements, if any, will not affect a student's eligibility for the scholarship if the institution's registrar's office verifies that the student has completed the necessary class credits for an associate degree or completed the approved math and science curriculum.

4.4. Eligible Institutions - The award may be used at any 4-year public or private not-for-profit higher education institution in the state accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.

4.5. Enrollment at More Than One Institution - The award may be used at more than one of Utah's eligible institutions within the same semester.

4.6. Student Transfer - The award may be transferred to a different eligible Utah institution upon the request of the student.]4.1. General Academic Requirements: Unless an exception applies, to qualify as a recipient a student shall:

4.1.1. complete the requirements for an Associate's degree or the math and science curriculum at a regionally accredited institution within the Utah System of Higher Education

4.1.1.1. with at least a 3.0 grade point average

4.1.1.2. by student's high school graduation date; and

4.1.2. complete the high school graduation requirements of a Utah high school with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

4.2. Utah Home-schooled Students: For Utah home-schooled students the following exceptions and requirements apply:

4.2.1. High School Graduation Date for Home-schooled Students:

4.2.1.1. Completes High School in 2011 and After: If a home-schooled student would have completed high school in 2011 or after, the high school graduation date (under subsection 4.1.1.2.) is June 15 of the year the student would have completed high school;

4.2.1.2. Completes High School in 2010 and Before: If a home-schooled student would have completed high school in 2010 or before, the high school graduation date (under subsection 4.1.1.2) is September 1 of the year the student would have completed high school.

4.2.2. ACT Composite Score Requirement: A composite ACT score of 26 or higher is required in place of the high school grade point average requirement (under subsection 4.1.2).

4.3. Exception for High School Graduating Class of 2010 and Before: For students whose high school graduation date is in 2010 or before the following exceptions apply:

4.3.1. Change in Deadline: The deadline to complete the requirements for an Associate's degree or the math and science curriculum (under subsection 4.1.1.2.) is changed to September 1 of the year of the student's graduation date; and the documentation submission deadline is October 15.

4.3.2. No High School GPA Requirement: Subsection 4.1.2. shall not apply.

4.4. 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 or Leave of Absence from the Board under subsection 8.7 of this policy.

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

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

4.7. Regents Scholarship: A recipient shall not receive both an award and the Regents' Scholarship established in Utah Code Section 53B-8-108.

 

R765-604-5. Application Procedures.

5.1. Application Contact : [-] Qualifying students may apply for the award through the [SBR office]Board.

5.2. [Support Documentation - Applicants must provide an official high school transcript verifying their high school graduation date and ACT score where applicable, an official college transcript, and if the student is enrolled at an institution which does not offer an associate degree or an institution that will not award the associate degree until the academic on-campus residency requirement has been met, the registrar must verify that the applicant has completed the equivalent academic requirements prior to September 1 of the year of the recipient's graduation date.]General procedure: An application for an award shall contain the following:

5.2.1. Application Form: the official application will become available on the New Century Web site each November prior to the February 1 deadline; and

5.2.2. College Transcript: an official college transcript showing college courses, Advanced Placement and transfer work a student has completed to meet the requirements for the Associate's degree and verification of the date the award was earned; and

5.2.3. High School Transcript: an official high school transcript with high school graduation dated posted (if applicable).

5.2.4. ACT Score: a copy of the student's verified ACT score (if applicable).

5.3. Registrar Verification: If a student is enrolled at an institution which does not offer an Associate's degree or an institution that will not award the Associate's degree until the academic on-campus residency requirement has been met, the registrar must verify that the applicant has completed the equivalent academic requirements under 4.1.1.

5.[3]4. Application Deadline[s -]: [Beginning on or after January 1, 2010, a]Applicants shall meet the following deadlines to qualify for an award:

5.[3]4.1. Application Submission: [An]Students must submit a scholarship application [shall be submitted on or before January 8 of the applicant's high school graduation year. A priority deadline may be established each year. Students who meet the priority deadline may be given first priority of consideration for awards.]to the scholarship review committee no later than February 1 of the year of their high school graduation date or the year they would have graduated from high school.

5.[3]4.2. Support Documentation Submission: All necessary support documentation shall be submitted on or before [October 15]August 1 following the applicant's high school graduation date. In some cases exceptions may be made as Advanced Placement and transfer work verification may be delayed at an institutional level and no fault of the applicant.

5.4.3. Priority Deadline: A priority deadline may be established each year. Students who meet the priority deadline may be given first priority of consideration for awards.

5.[4]5. Incomplete Documentation:[-] Applications or other submissions that have missing information or missing documents are considered incomplete, will not be considered, and may result in failure to meet a deadline.

 

R765-604-6. [ Amount of ]Awards[ and Distribution of Award Funds ].

6.1. [Amount]Value of the Award[s]: [-]Unless an exception applies, the maximum total value of the award is $5000. The award amount up to $5000 is allocated over a time period described in subsection 7.1. Recipients are not entitled to the maximum award. The award amount is subject to Legislative funding and may be reduced. The total value may change in accordance with subsection 6.3.

6.[1.1]2. Exception for High School Graduating Class of 2010 and Before: For a student who graduates from high school in [the 2009-10 school year]2010, or before, the maximum total value of the award is as follows:

6.[1.1]2.1. Public Institutions: If used at an institution within the [state]Utah [s]System of [h]Higher [e]Education, the amount of the award, depending on available funding and may be reduced, will be up to 75% of the total cost of tuition based on the number of hours the student is enrolled; or

6.[1.1]2.2. Private Nonprofit Institutions: If used at an eligible private nonprofit institution [not within the state system of higher education, ]the award, depending on available funding and may be reduced, will be up to 75% of the tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average tuition costs at the baccalaureate degree granting institutions within the [state]Utah [s]System of [h]Higher [e]Education.

[6.1.2. For a student who graduates from high school in or after the 2010-11 school year, the total award is up to $5,000, allocated semester-by-semester throughout whichever of the following time periods is the shortest:]6.3. Changes in Award Amount

6.3.1 The Board May Increase Award: The Board may increase the total value of the award in subsection 6.1. by an amount not to exceed the average percentage tuition increase approved by the Board for institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education.

6.3.2. The Board May Decrease Award: If the appropriation from the Utah Legislature for the scholarship is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the scholarship, the Board may reduce the award under both subsections 6.1. and 6.2.

6.4. Eligible Institutions: An award may be used at either

6.4.1. Public Institution: a four-year institution within the Utah System of Higher Education that offers baccalaureate programs; or

6.4.2. Private Nonprofit Institution: a private not-for-profit higher education four-year institution in the state of Utah accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.

6.5. Enrollment at Multiple Institutions: The award may be used at more than one of the eligible institutions within the same semester for the academic year 2010-11. However, starting in 2011 when the award goes to a flat rate the award may only be used at the institution from which the students is earning a baccalaureate degree.

6.6. Student Transfer: The award may be transferred to a different eligible institution upon request of the recipient.

6.7 Financial Aid and other Scholarships:With the exception of the Regents' Scholarship (as detailed in subsection 4.7 of this policy) tuition waivers, financial aid, or other scholarships will not affect a recipient's total award amount.

 

R765-604-7. Disbursement of Award.

7.1. Disbursement Schedule of Award: The award shall be disbursed semester-by-semester over the shortest of the following time periods:

[6.1.2.1]7.1.1. [Two years]Four semester of full-time[equivalent] enrollment;

[6.1.2.2]7.1.2. [60]sixty credit hours; or

[6.1.2.3]7.1.3. Until the [student]recipient meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.

[6.1.3. Tuition waivers, financial aid, or other scholarships will not affect the total award amount.

6]7.2. Tuition Documentation:[-] The [award] recipient shall submit to [SBR]the Board a copy of a class schedule verifying the number of hours enrolled. [SBR]The Board will calculate the amount of the award based on the published tuition costs at the enrolled institution(s) and the availability of program funding.

[6]7.3. Award Payable to Institution : [-] The [scholarship] award will be made payable to the institution. The institution shall pay over to the recipient any excess award funds not required for tuition payments. Award funds should be used for higher education expenses including tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for courses of instruction.

7.4. Dropped Hours after Award: If a student drops credit hours after having received the award which results in enrollment below full-time the scholarship will be revoked (see 8.1) unless the student needs fewer than twelve hours for completion of a degree. Students will be required to pay back the entire payment received for that semester.

7.5. Exception for High School Graduating Class of 2010 and Before: For a recipient whose high school graduation date is in 2010 or before, the following additional provisions apply:

7.5.1. 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.

[6.4]7.5.2. Added Hours after Award: [-] The award will be increased up to 75% of the tuition costs of any hours added in the semester after the initial award has been made, depending on available funding. Recipient shall submit to [SBR]the Board a copy of the tuition invoice or class schedule verifying the added hours before a supplemental award is made.

[6.5]7.5.3. Dropped Hours [a]After Award: [-] If a student drops 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 [SBR]the Board. If a recipient fails to complete a minimum of twelve semester hours, the scholarship [may]will be revoked (see [7]8.1) unless the student needs fewer than twelve hours for completion of a degree. [No award will be made for that semester, and a grade earned in a class completed in that semester, if any, will not be considered in evaluating the recipient's reasonable progress.]Students will be required to pay back the entire payment received for that semester.

[ 6.6. Funding Constraints of Awards - The SBR may limit or reduce awards, depending on the annual legislative appropriations and the number of qualified applicants.

]

R765-604-[ 7 ] 8 . [ Time Constraints and ]Continuing Eligibility.

[7]8.1. Reasonable Progress toward Degree Completion: [-] In order to renew and award, the recipient must maintain reasonable progress toward degree completion by achieving a 3.0 GPA each semester and enrolling full-time (12 credit hours) each semester. If the recipient fails to maintain a 3.0 GPA or fails to enroll full-time, the award may be revoked.

[7.1.1]8.2. Duty of Student to Report Reasonable Progress: Each semester, the recipient must submit to SBR a copy of his or her grades to verify that he or she is meeting the required grade point average and is completing a minimum of twelve semester hours. Students will not be paid for the coming semester until the requested documentation has been received. These documents must be submitted by the following dates:[ effective for new 2010 recipients and continuing students starting Summer Semester 2010.]

[7.1.1]8.2.1. Proof of enrollment for Fall Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by September 30.

[7.1.1]8.2.2. Proof of enrollment for Spring Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by February 15.

[7.1.1]8.2.3. Proof of enrollment for Summer Semester and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by June 30.

[7.1.1]8.2.4. 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.

[7.1.1]8.2.5. Proof of enrollment if you are attending Brigham Young University during Spring Term and proof of completion of the previous semester must be submitted by May 30.

[7.1.1]8.2.6. Proof of enrollment if you are attending Brigham Young University during Summer Term and proof of completion of the previous semester or term must be submitted by July 30.

[7.1.2]8.3. Probation: If a recipient earns less than a 3.0 GPA in any single semester, the recipient must earn a 3.0 GPA or better the following semester to maintain eligibility for the award.

[7.1.3]8.4. Final Semester: A recipient will not be required to enroll full-time if the recipient can complete the degree program with fewer credits.

[7.2]8.5. No Awards after Five Years: [-] The [SBR]Board will not make an award to a recipient for an academic term that begins more than five years after the recipient's high school graduation date.

[7.3]8.6. No Guarantee of Degree Completion: [-] An [New Century Scholarship] award does not guarantee that the recipient will complete his or her baccalaureate program within the recipient's scholarship eligibility period.

[7.4. Awards Initiated Within Twelve Months of High School Graduation - An award recipient must enroll full-time at an eligible institution of higher education within twelve months of the recipient's high school graduation unless the recipient seeks and obtains an approved deferral or leave of absence from the SBR.

 

R765-604-8. Deferral or Leave of Absence.

] 8.7. Deferral or Leave of Absence.

8.7.1. A recipient may apply to the Board for a deferral of award or a leave of absence.

8.[1]7.2. [Does Not Extend Time -] A deferral or leave of absence will not extend the time limits of the scholarship under subsection 8.5.

8.[2]7.3. Deferrals or leaves of absence may be granted, at the discretion of the [SBR]Board, for military service, humanitarian/religious service, documented medical reasons, and other exigent reasons.

 

R765-604-9. Appeals.

9.1. 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 Legislative 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, whether the decision is a scholarship award or denial of scholarship.

9.2. Appeals: Applicants may appeal a denial of the scholarship by submitting a written appeal to the Board 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 New Century Scholarship Appeal Form.

 

KEY: higher education, secondary education, scholarships

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [May 11], 2010

Notice of Continuation: December 21, 2009

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53B-8-105