Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements relating to
the Open Door Grant Program, which is created to incentivize current and future
workers to enroll in career and technical education that leads to a credential,
certificate, or degree.
(2)
Definitions.
(a) "Cost of the program" means
the cost of tuition, fees, examination, assessments, books, and related course
supplies, equipment and materials. Examination costs can include vouchers for
third-party testing vendors.
(b)
"Other educational expenses" include transportation and personal costs, in
addition to, housing and food living expenses that are tied to a student's
institutional cost of attendance. Students that receive a stipend to offset
institutional cost of attendance expenses may not receive an amount that
exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars ($1, 500) per academic
year.
(c) "Department" means the
Florida Department of Education.
(d) "Eligible institution" means a school
district postsecondary technical career center under Section
1001.44, F.S., a Florida College
System institution under Section
1000.21(3),
F.S., or a charter technical career center under Section
1002.34, F.S.
(e) "Eligible program" means integrated
education and training (IET) programs as specified in Section
1009.895(2)(b),
F.S., which result in the award of credentials on the Master Credential List or
any of the following workforce education programs that are included on the
Master Credentials List: career certificate, applied technology diploma,
registered apprenticeship certificate, preapprenticeship certificate, college
credit certificate, associate in science degree, associate in applied science
degree, non-credit program resulting in an industry certification on the Master
Credentials List. The credential or program must be on the Master Credential
List at the time of initial enrollment in program.
(f) "Integrated Education and Training" (IET)
means programs that provide adult education and literacy activities
concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and
workforce training, as defined by 34 CFR Part 463, Subpart D, (
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13508),
(September 19, 2016). These federal regulations are incorporated by reference
and may be obtained by contacting the Division of Florida Colleges, 325 West
Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
(g) "Master Credential List" means the list
of nondegree and degree programs under Section
445.004(4),
F.S., determined by the Credentials Review Committee that result in a
credential of value. The Master Credential List is available at
https://careersourceflorida.com/boardroom/florida-credentials-review-committee/master-credentials-list/.
(h) "State or federal financial aid" means
scholarships and grants whose fund sources are the State of Florida or the
federal government.
(i) "Allocation
Formula" means the calculation by the Department to allocate funds to an
eligible institution for the administration of the Open Door Grant
Program.
(3) General
Eligibility Requirements. To receive aid, a student shall meet the provisions
of Sections 1009.21,
1009.40, and
1009.895, F.S., and Rules
6A-20.001,
6A-20.003, and
6A-20.0371, F.A.C., and:
(a) Be admitted to and enrolled in an
eligible program at an eligible institution;
(b) Be a resident of this state as determined
under Section 1009.40(1)(a)2., F.S.;
(c) Be a United States citizen, permanent
resident, or eligible noncitizen pursuant to regulations established by the
U.S. Congress or the U.S. Department of Education for the receipt of federal
student financial assistance; and
(d) Meet the application procedures
established by the eligible institution.
(4) Period of the award. An award is
authorized to be made during the fall, spring, or summer semesters (or the
equivalent) of an academic year.
(5) Appeals. An applicant may appeal the
denial of an award pursuant to Section
1009.42, F.S., and Rule
6A-20.0371, F.A.C.
(6) Award procedures. The institution shall:
(a) Make determinations of applicant
eligibility based on information it receives on the student application created
by the particpiating institution;
(b) Make awards subject to availability of
funding where returning students must be given priority over new students;
and
(c) Verify the eligibility of
such students and provide individual award notices to the
students.
(7)
Institutional Application. If funds are designated in the General
Appropriations Act, institutions seeking eligibility for participation in the
program must comply with Rule
6A-20.002(1)(j),
F.A.C.
(8) Institutional
Requirements. Institutions must meet the provisions of Sections
1009.46 and
1009.895, F.S., and Rule
6A-20.002, F.A.C.
(a) Reporting. Within thirty (30) days after
the end of the regular registration period each term, institutions must report
to the Department via State Student Financial Aid Database:
1. Student demographic information and the
amount awarded to each student; and
2. Student demographic information of each
student who is eligible for the grant, but who was not awarded grant
funds.
(b) Refunds.
Institutions must remit refunds with accompanying documentation to the
department within thirty (30) days of the end of the institution's summer
term.
(9) Allocation
Formula. For the 2024-25 fiscal year and beyond, each institution will receive
a minimum base allocation of ninety (90) percent of disbursements for the prior
fiscal year or a proportional amount when funds are insufficient to make such
an allocation. From remaining funds, each institution will receive a
proportional amount based on the average number of full-time equivalent
disbursed students and total unduplicated number of otherwise eligible students
reported for the prior three (3) years.
Rulemaking Authority
1001.02(1),
(2)(n),
1009.895(7) FS.
Law Implemented 1009.895
FS.
New 9-21-21, Amended 9-20-22,
2-20-24.
