Missouri Department of Higher Education

Missouri Department of Higher Education

State updates presented by

Leroy Wade

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Today’s Agenda

• Challenge Grant updates

• Content on dhe.mo.gov

• Report on state aid programs for 2008-09– FAMOUS enhancements

• Reauthorization updates– Entrance and exit counseling and materials

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Challenge Grant• Sub-grant RFP and application materials

– Competitive grant– MDHE contacts: Leroy Wade and Tim Hopkins– Ready for distribution by end of December– MDHE will distribute materials by:

• Posting on MASFAP-L• Article in MDHE Digest• MDHE e-distribution message to all subscribers• Article in DESE counselor newsletter, Guidance Digest

• Who can submit a proposal?– Non-profit Missouri organizations with proven expertise in

activities promoting postsecondary education

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Challenge Grant• Proposals will be evaluated by a panel on:

– Expected impact on target populations– Quality of the organization’s existing activities– Extent to which statutory guidelines are met

• The benefits of postsecondary education & financing options

• “At risk” populations served• Assistance with FAFSA completion

– Note: Draft scoring rubric will be distributed with the RFP and application materials

Content Updates dhe.mo.gov

• Since May 2008:– 59 web pages have been updated– Updated speakers bureau topic list

• 22 topics now on the list• As always, additional topics available upon request

• MDHE is continuing to work on updating Web site content; next priorities:– Missouri state aid content– Recent changes in federal regulations/laws

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State Aid Programs• Access Missouri

– $47.8 M distributed to date ($96 M appropriated)– 39,655 students served– Preferred fall certification deadline 12/5/08

• Bright Flight– $7.96 M distributed to date – 7,961 students served

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State Aid Programs• Marguerite Ross-Barnett

– $210,464 distributed– 153 students served– Payments on Hold

• Public Service Officer Survivor– Growing program

• Vietnam Veterans Survivor– Program winding down

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State Aid Programs• Missouri Teaching Fellows Program

– Letter sent to interested students– Application materials in development

• Kid’s Chance Scholarship– Fall 2009 implementation– Proposed rule in development– HB 2191 - $1 million principal by 2018

• War Veteran’s Survivors Grant– Created by HB 1678 in 2008 legislative session– Fall 2009 implementation– Proposed rule in development

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FAMOUS Enhancements• Conversion to online platform

– Improved messages

– Additional certification functionality• Ability to certify for Access only, Bright Flight only, or both• Confirm Certify screen with export capability

– Disbursement History to replace Transfer Payment Info screen

– User info from security system to replace contact info

Proposed Administrative Rule Changes

• General clean up of all state aid administrative rules

• Generic institutional eligibility rule to cover all programs

• All rules to reference the institutional eligibility rule

• Addition of disability language to all rules

• To CBHE for approval 12/08 to be effective for fall 2009

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2009 Missouri Legislative Session• CBHE and MDHE legislative priorities

– Bright Flight– Access Missouri

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Publication Updates• Materials distributed

– Just under 200,000 pieces distributed 2007-08– YTD 2008-09, distributed 196,100 pieces

• New state aid electronic publication coming soon– In-depth information– Will be available via www.dhe.mo.gov

• Printed copies may be requested

• Additions to online order form:– Common Manual CD added for order by Missouri institutions– Choices, October 2008 publication from Missouri Life

magazine

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Publications and HEOA

• Entrance and Exit Counseling Workbooks

– HEOA changed the requirements regarding what must be covered during entrance and exit counseling

– MDHE workbooks may still be ordered and used, however additional information may be needed to supplement

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MDHE Exit Workbooks• Exit counseling supplemental materials & information

– Comparison of each repayment plan option• Average monthly payments• Differences of total interest• Differences in total amount repaid

– Copy of USDE publication regarding loan forgiveness & discharge

– Copy of USDE publication describing deferments & forbearances

– How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively

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MDHE Entrance Workbooks

• Entrance counseling supplemental materials & information– Effect of accepting the loan on eligibility for other aid– Interest accrual and capitalization

• Unsubsidized Stafford or Grad PLUS• How to pay the interest while in school

– Definition of half-time enrollment • Consequences of falling below half time• What to do if the student needs to withdraw or drop

below half time

– How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively

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Federal Title IV Reauthorization

• Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

• Adverse credit definition change for PLUS loans

• Some dependent students MAY now qualify for unsubsidized Stafford Loans when the parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA– Dependent loan limits apply– MDHE system can guarantee these loans now

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MDHE FDF Subsidy

• Subsidy available 2008-09 for:– All Stafford and PLUS loans– Missouri schools– Guarantee dates between 7/1/2008 and 6/30/2009

• MDHE total subsidies year-to-date of $2,749,781

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MDHE Advisory Committees

• Joint meeting of school FAOs and lenders conducted in October– New members continue to be welcome– Contact your MDHE client rep or Julie Meyer, if interested

• High school counselor committee met September 29– 24 members– Committee mission and goals:

• Identify critical needs of Missouri’s college-bound students that are not currently being met

• Provide insight into teen viewpoints and popular culture trends• Identify needs of the secondary education community

MODEL Direct & ATOM

• MODEL Direct updates– MODEL Direct logo being replaced by MDHE logo– Product name is staying the same

• ATOM updates– ATOM logo being replaced by MDHE logo

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Questions or comments?3515 Amazonas Drive

Jefferson City, MO 651O9(8OO) 473-6757(573) 751-3940

Fax (573) [email protected]