Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 28 - EDUCATION
Part IV - Student Financial Assistance-Higher Education Scholarship and Grant Programs
Chapter 21 - Miscellaneous Provisions and Exceptions
Section IV-2103 - Circumstances Warranting Exception to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirements
Universal Citation: LA Admin Code IV-2103
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Initial Enrollment Requirement. Initially apply and enroll as a first-time freshman as defined in §301, unless granted an exception for cause by the Louisiana Board of Regents (the board), in an eligible college or university defined in §301 Initial enrollment requirements specific to TOPS are defined at §703. A 4, for TOPS-Tech at §803. A and for Louisiana GO-Youth ChalleNGe Program at §1505
B. Continuous Enrollment Requirement. To maintain eligibility, all scholarship programs require recipients to continue to enroll as full-time students, as defined in §301, each consecutive semester or quarter, excluding summer sessions and intersession, at two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Recipients who cannot meet this requirement may be granted an exception for cause, as determined by the board.
C. Less Than Full-Time Attendance. The board will authorize awards under the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Teachers Awards, the TOPS-Tech Award, the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship and the Louisiana GO-Youth ChalleNGe Program, for less than full-time enrollment provided that the student meets all other eligibility criteria and at least one of the following:
1. requires less than full-time enrollment to
complete the undergraduate degree; or
2. is enrolled in a degree program that
defines full-time as less than 12 hours per semester or eight hours per
quarter; or
3. requires less than
full-time enrollment to complete requirements for a specified course of study
or clinical program.
a.
Course of
Study-for the purposes of this paragraph is a program:
i. established by the postsecondary
institution leading to an associate's degree; or
ii. with course work specified by school of
study at a postsecondary institution (e.g., business, architecture, mass
communications, art and design) required for admission to that school for
further studies to earn a baccalaureate degree.
b.
Clinical Program-for the
purposes of this Paragraph means student teaching, practicum courses, or clinic
based experiences required to earn a baccalaureate degree.
D. Procedure for Requesting Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement
1. The student should complete and submit an
application for an exception, with documentary evidence, to the office as soon
as possible after the occurrence of the event or circumstance that supports the
request. The deadline for filing the exception shall be prominently displayed
on the notice of cancellation. If the applicant for an exception is a dependent
student, a parent or court-ordered custodian of the dependent student may
submit the application for exception on behalf of the applicant.
a. Through the 2000-2001 academic year
(TOPS), the student must submit application for an exception no later than May
30 of the academic year the student requests reinstatement.
b. Commencing with the 2001-2002 academic
year (TOPS), the student must submit the application for exception no later
than six months after the date of the notice of cancellation, except as
follows:
i. A returning student must submit
the application for exception no later than six months after the date of the
notice of ineligibility due to failure to meet the continuing eligibility
requirements of
§705
ii. Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic
year, the deadline for a student who submits a request for exception based on
military service shall be six months after his discharge from continuous active
duty status.
2. If determined eligible for an exception,
the recipient will be reinstated if he or she enrolls in the first fall, winter
or spring term immediately following the exception ending date.
3. If determined ineligible by LOSFA for an
exception provided in
§2103.E 11.a.ii,
recipient may appeal in accordance with
§2109 of these rules.
4.
a.
Temporary Disability-Student
i. Definition.
The student/recipient is recovering from an accident, injury, illness or
required surgery.
ii. Certification
Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
(a). a completed exception request form, the
reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc.,
the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be
relevant to student's request; and
(b). a written statement from a qualified
professional if a medical disability certifying the existence of a temporary
disability, the dates of treatment, and opinions as to the impact of the
disability on the student's ability to attend school.
iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two
full academic years.
b.
Temporary Disability-Student/Recipient's Care of Immediate Family Member
i.
(a).
Definition. The student/recipient is providing continuous care to his/her
immediate family member due to an accident, illness, injury or required
surgery.
(b). An immediate family
member is his/her spouse, dependent, parent, stepparent, custodian, or
grandparent.
ii.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
(a). a completed exception request form, the
reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc.,
the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be
relevant to student's request; and
(b). a written statement from a qualified
professional of the existence of a temporary disability of the immediate family
member, and the beginning and ending dates of the doctor's care; and
(c). a statement from a family member or a
qualified professional confirming the care given by the student.
iii. Maximum length of
exception-up to a maximum of two consecutive semesters (three consecutive
quarters).
c. Temporary
Disability-Mental Health
i. Definition. The
student/recipient is receiving mental health care services.
ii. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
(a). a
completed exception request form, the reason for the disability, the necessity
of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other
information or documents that may be relevant to student's request;
and
(b). a written statement from a
qualified professional or from a clergyman certifying the existence of an issue
which requires mental health care, the dates of treatment, an opinion as to the
impact of the disability on the student's ability to attend school, and a
statement of when the disability is/was affecting student's ability to attend
school.
iii. Maximum
length of exception-up to two full academic years.
E. Qualifying Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement. A student who has been declared ineligible for TOPS, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Teacher, the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship or the Louisiana GO Youth Challenge Program because of failure to meet the initial or continuous enrollment requirements may request reinstatement in that program based on one or more of the following exceptions.
1. Parental Leave
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
pregnant or caring for a newborn or newly adopted child less than one year of
age.
b. Certification Requirements.
The student/recipient must submit:
i. a
completed exception request form; and
ii. a written statement from a doctor of
medicine who is legally authorized to practice certifying the date of diagnosis
of pregnancy and the anticipated delivery date or the actual birth date or a
copy of the hospital's certificate of live birth or a copy of the official
birth certificate or equivalent official document or written documentation from
the person or agency completing the adoption that confirms the adoption and
date of adoption; and
iii. if the
student requesting the exception is not the custodial parent of the child, the
student must provide documentation of adoption/custodianship as well as
documentation evidencing that the student was assisting in the care of the
child, which may include, but not be limited to, a letter from the custodial
parent confirming that care was provided by the student, evidence of child
support payments made, and/or evidence of bills paid by the requesting student
for the benefit of the child.
c. Maximum length of exception-up to the
equivalent of one academic year (college) per pregnancy.
2. Physical Rehabilitation Program
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
receiving rehabilitation in a program prescribed by a qualified medical
professional and administered by a qualified medical professional.
b. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed
exception request form including the reason for the rehabilitation, the
necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and
any other information or documents that may be relevant to students request;
and
ii. a written statement from a
qualified medical professional confirming the student/recipients
rehabilitation, and the beginning and ending dates of the
rehabilitation.
c.
Maximum length of exception-up to four consecutive semesters (six consecutive
quarters) per occurrence.
3. Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
receiving rehabilitation in a substance abuse program.
b. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed
exception request form, the reason for the rehabilitation, the necessity of
withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) involved, and any other
information or documents that may be relevant to students request;
and
ii. a written statement from a
qualified professional or from the director of a substance abuse rehabilitation
facility confirming the students rehabilitation and the beginning and ending
dates of the rehabilitation.
c. Maximum length of exception-up to two
consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters). This exception shall be
available to a student only one time.
4.
a.
Temporary Disability-Student
i. Definition.
The student/recipient is recovering from an accident, injury, illness or
required surgery
ii. Certification
Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
(a). a completed exception request form, the
reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc.,
the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be
relevant to students request; and
(b). a written statement from a qualified
professional if a medical disability or from a qualified professional or a
clergyman if a mental disability certifying the existence of a temporary
disability, the dates of treatment, and opinions as to the impact of the
disability on the student's ability to attend school.
iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two
full academic years.
b.
Temporary Disability-Student/Recipients Care of Immediate Family Member
i.
(a).
Definition. The student/recipient is providing continuous care to his/her
immediate family member due to an accident, illness, injury or required
surgery.
(b). An immediate family
member is his/her spouse, dependent, parent, stepparent, custodian, or
grandparent.
ii.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
(a). a completed exception request form,, the
reason for the disability, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc.,
the semester(s) involved, and any other information or documents that may be
relevant to students request; and
(b). a written statement from a qualified
professional of the existence of a temporary disability of the immediate family
member, and the beginning and ending dates of the doctor's care; and
(c). a statement from a family member or a
qualified professional confirming the care given by the student.
iii. Maximum length of
exception-up to a maximum of two consecutive semesters (three consecutive
quarters).
5. Permanent Disability
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
permanently disabled in a manner that prevents the student from attending
classes on a full-time basis.
b.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed exception request form, a
description of the disability, the reason for the disability, the reason(s) the
disability restricts class attendance to less than full-time; and
ii. a written statement from a qualified
professional stating the diagnosis of and prognosis for the disability, stating
that the disability is permanent, and opining why the disability restricts the
student/recipient from attending classes full-time.
c. Maximum length of exception-up to the
equivalent of eight full-time semesters of post-secondary education in
part-time semesters.
6.
Exceptional Educational Opportunity
a.
Definition. The student/recipient is enrolled in an internship, residency,
cooperative work, or work/study program or a similar program that is related to
the student's major or otherwise has an opportunity not specifically sponsored
by the school attended by the student that, in the opinion of the student's
academic dean or director of the students program of study, will enhance the
student's education. Participation in one of the programs does not qualify as
an exception to the initial enrollment requirement.
b. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed
exception request form; and
ii. a
written statement from the college/school official that the applicant is a
student at the school/college and that the program is offered or sponsored by
the college/school, or a statement from the dean of the college or the dean's
designee or from the Director of the students program of study that the program
is related to the student's major and will enhance the student's education. The
statements must include the dates of leave of absence, the semester(s)
involved, the beginning and ending dates of the program.
c. Maximum length of exception-up to four
semesters (six consecutive quarters) or required program of study.
7. Religious Commitment
a. Definition. The student/recipient is a
member of a religious group that requires the student to perform certain
activities or obligations which necessitate taking a leave of absence from
school.
b. Certification
Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed exception request form, the
necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of
days involved, and the length of the religious obligation; and
ii. a written statement from the religious
group's governing official evidencing the requirement necessitating the leave
of absence including dates of the required leave of absence.
c. Maximum length of exception-up
to five consecutive semesters (eight consecutive quarters).
8. Death of Immediate Family
Member
a. Definition. The student's spouse,
parent, stepparent, custodian, dependent, sister or brother, step sibling,
grandparent or step grandparent dies.
b. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed
exception request form; and
ii. a
copy of the death certificate or a doctor's or funeral director's verifying
statement or a copy of the obituary published in the local newspaper;
and
iii. if the name of the
deceased has a different last name than the student, a letter from a member of
the students family verifying the relationship between the student and the
deceased, provided that if the student provides an obituary which names the
student and specifies the relationship between the deceased and the student, a
letter from a member of the students family is not required.
c. Maximum length of exception-up
to one semester or two quarters per death.
9.
a.
Military Service-Student
i. Definition. The
student/recipient is in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or National
Guard and is called on active duty status or is performing emergency state
service with the National Guard or enlists or reenlists and enters on active
duty as a member of the regular United States Armed Forces.
ii. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
(a). a
completed exception request form, the dates of the required leave of absence,
necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of
days involved, and the length of duty (beginning and ending dates);
and
(b). a written certification
from the military including the dates and location of active duty; or
(c). a copy of the military orders or other
military documents confirming military service.
iii. Maximum length of exception-up to the
length of the required active-duty service period.
b. Military Service-Spouse
i. Definition. The student/recipients spouse
is in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard and is called
on active duty status or is performing emergency state service with the
National Guard or enlists or reenlists and enters on active duty as a member of
the regular United States Armed Forces.
ii. Certification Requirements. The
student/recipient must submit:
(a). a
completed exception request form, the dates of the required leave of absence,
necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of
days involved, and the length of duty (beginning and ending dates);
and
(b). a copy of the students
marriage license;
(c). a written
certification from the military including the dates and location of active duty
of the student/recipients spouse; or
(d). a copy of the military orders or other
military documents confirming the military service of the student/recipients
spouse.
iii. Maximum
length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters.
10. Transfer-Selective Enrollment
Program
a. Definition. A student/recipient
who completed his or her program requirements for transfer to a selective
enrollment program.
b.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
i. a completed exception request form; and
ii. a written statement from the
dean of the college or the dean's designee certifying that the
student/recipient has or will complete his or her course requirements for
transfer to a selective enrollment program and the timing of completion of
those course requirements.
c. Maximum length of exception-two
consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters.
11. Unavailability of Courses
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
unable to enroll full-time due to the advanced coursework required, the
necessity of earning credits in pre-requisites before moving on to the next
block of courses, and/or the unavailability of courses due to limited course
offerings.
b. Certification
Requirements. The student/recipient has earned credit for at least 75% of the
courses required to complete his degree, and he must submit:
i. a completed exception request form,
including college transcripts, a description of his major, the total hours
required to graduate, the structure of courses, and an explanation as to why he
is unable to enroll full time; and
ii. a letter from his academic counselor or
from his academic dean or director of his program of study explaining the
course structure and certifying that the student has earned credit for at least
75 percent of the courses required to complete his degree and that he was
unable to enroll full time due to this structure.
12. Natural Disaster
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
unable to enroll in school, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to
earn the required annual hours due to the fact that he or his family lives in a
region of the state of Louisiana that is declared a natural disaster by the
Governor of the state.
b.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:
i. A completed exception request
form;
ii. A written statement
detailing the natural disaster's impact on the student and/or the student's
immediate family (mother, father, custodian, siblings and/or spouse and
children), which prevented the student from meeting the continuation
requirements, including the length of the impact; and
iii. Documentation corroborating the
student's statement (examples: photographs of damage; insurance, FEMA, fire
and/or police reports; statements from public officials; statements from family
members or other persons with actual knowledge; receipts and invoices for work
done and materials purchased; a copy of a lease and statement from lessor
regarding the impact of the flood; etc.).
iii. Maximum length of exception-up to two
consecutive semesters (three consecutive quarters).
13. Exceptional Circumstances
a. Definition. The student/recipient has
exceptional circumstances, other than those listed in
§2103 .E 1-10, which are
beyond his immediate control and which necessitate full or partial withdrawal
from, or non-enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution.
i. The following situations are not
exceptional circumstances:
(a). financial
conditions related to a student's ability to meet his or her educational
expenses are not a justified reason for failure to meet the hours or continuous
enrollment requirement, because TOPS is a merit, rather than need-based award,
except that the students familys financial condition may be considered,
provided that the student provides documentation that he has been required to
obtain employment in order to supplement the familys income due to unexpected
circumstances which has adversely affected the familys finances;
(b). dropping a course, failing a course, or
withdrawing from school to protect the student's grade point average or because
of difficulty with a course or difficulty arranging tutoring;
(c). not being aware of or understanding the
requirements;
(d). assumption that
advanced standing, or correspondence course work credited outside the academic
year would be applied to the hours requirement;
(e). differing scholarship or award
requirements for other programs, such as NCAA full-time enrollment
requirements;
(f). voluntary
withdrawal from school to move out-of-state or pursue other interests or
activities;
(g). claims of receipt
of advice that is contrary to these rules, public information promulgated by
LOSFA, award letters, and the rights and responsibilities document that detail
the requirements for full-time continuous enrollment. This provision shall not
preclude an exception being granted when an academic counselor or academic dean
confirms, in writing, that the student acted as a direct result of
misinformation provided by the counselor, dean, or other college
official;
(h). failure to provide
or respond to a request for documentation within 30 days of the date of the
request, unless additional time is requested in writing, LOSFA grants the
request, and the requested documentation is provided within the additional time
granted;
(i). an involuntary drop,
suspension, or withdrawal from enrollment because of academics, scholastics, or
failure to attend classes or to comply with institutional
regulations;
(j). a suspension or
expulsion for misconduct;
(k). an
inability to register because of failure to satisfy financial
obligations.
ii. All
other situations will be assessed at the discretion of LOSFA and subject to
appeal to the board.
b.
Certification Requirement. Submit a completed exception request form including
a sworn affidavit from the student detailing the circumstances and including
the official college transcripts and documentation necessary to support the
request for reinstatement.
c.
Maximum length of exception-up to the number of semesters or quarters
determined to be supported by the request for exception and accompanying
documentation.
14. COVID-19
a. Definition. The student/recipient is
unable to enroll in school, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to
earn the required annual hours due to circumstances related to the COVID-19
pandemic as follows:
i. you struggle with
on-line instruction; or
ii. gull
time enrollment in on-line instruction is not conducive to your major/course of
study; or
iii. you do not have the
appropriate infrastructure, such as internet access, sufficient bandwidth for
the number of people attending school/working from home, etc., to attend
classes on-line; or
iv. your
parent(s) were unable to work, lost their employment, or worked reduced hours
due to mitigation measures implemented to prevent the spread of
COVID-19.
b.
Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit the following
documentation:
i. if requesting an exception
based on Section 14.a.i above, a letter from a parent and/or a letter from an
academic advisor or dean at your school stating that you struggle with on-line
enrollment; or
ii. if requesting an
exception based on Section 14.a ii. above, a letter from an academic advisor or
dean at your school that full time enrollment in on-line instruction is not
conducive to your major/course of study; or
iii. if requesting an exception based on
Section 14.a iii. above, a letter from a parent or other documentation that you
do not have the appropriate infrastructure at home to attend courses on-line;
or
iv. if requesting an exception
based on Section 14.a iv. above, a letter from your parent/parents as well as a
letter from their employer stating that the parent/parents were unable to work,
lost their employment, or worked reduced hours due to mitigation measures
implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
c. Length of Exception. Available for the
fall semester/quarter of 2020 through the summer semester/quarter of 2022.
F. Students who are granted an exception based on military service in accordance with Paragraph E.9 above and who desire to enroll as a part-time student in an eligible postsecondary institution while on active duty shall be eligible on request for TOPS payment for such enrollment. Any payment for part-time attendance under this Subsection shall count towards the student's maximum eligibility for up to the equivalent of eight full-time semesters of postsecondary education in part time and full time semesters.
G. Natural Disaster Exceptions
1. For the
purposes of this Subsection, displaced students are TOPS
recipients and students eligible for TOPS and:
a. on August 26, 2005:
i. were enrolled at one of the following
eligible college or university campuses:
(a).
University of New Orleans;
(b).
Dillard University;
(c). Delgado
Community College;
(d). Nunez
Community College;
(e). Louisiana
State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans;
(f). Southern University at New
Orleans;
(g). Loyola
University;
(h). New Orleans
Baptist Theological Seminary;
(i).
University of Holy Cross (formerly Our Lady of Holy Cross College);
(j). Tulane University;
(k). Xavier University;
(l). St. Josephs Seminary College;
or
(m). Louisiana Technical
College:
(i). Jefferson Campus;
(ii). Sidney N. Collier Campus;
(iii). Slidell Campus;
(iv). Sullivan Campus;
(v). West Jefferson Campus; or
ii. whose home of
record was one of the following Louisiana parishes:
(a). Jefferson;
(b). Lafourche;
(c). Orleans;
(d). Plaquemine;
(e). St. Bernard;
(f). St. Tammany;
(g). Tangipahoa; or
(h). Washington; or
b. on September
23, 2005:
i. were enrolled at one of the
following eligible college or university campuses:
(a). SOWELA Technical Community
College;
(b). Louisiana Technical
College:
(i). Gulf Area Campus;
(ii). Morgan Smith Campus;
(iii). Lamar Salter Campus;
(iv). Oakdale Campus; or
(v). Sabine Valley Campus; or
ii. whose home of record
was one of the following Louisiana parishes:
(a). Acadia;
(b). Allen;
(c). Beauregard;
(d). Calcasieu;
(e). Cameron;
(f). Iberia;
(g). Jefferson Davis;
(h). Lafayette;
(i). St. Mary;
(j). Terrebonne; or
(k). Vermilion.
2.
For the purposes of this Subsection, home of record is:
a. the domiciliary address of a dependent
student's parent or court-ordered custodian; or
b. the domiciliary address of an independent
student.
3. For the
purposes of this Subsection, natural disaster is limited to Hurricane Katrina
and/or Hurricane Rita.
4.
a. For the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS),
displaced students are not required to enroll as full-time students, to
maintain continuous enrollment or to earn at least 24 hours during the
2005-2006 academic year (TOPS).
b.
Displaced students may enroll on a part-time basis in an eligible college or
university without losing TOPS eligibility. Upon request by the student, the
eligible college or university may bill for these part-time students.
c. The terms of eligibility for a displaced
student whose part-time enrollment is paid by TOPS will be reduced by one full
semester (term) for each semester (term) (part- or full-time) paid.
d. Institutions must document the displaced
student's request for part-time payment of the award.
e. If a displaced student enrolls in an
eligible college or university during the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS) and
receives grades, those grades will be included in calculating the student's
cumulative grade point average.
5.
a. For
the 2005-2006 academic year (TOPS), students who are not displaced students,
but due to the effects of a natural disaster were unable to enroll for the
first time as full-time students by the deadline or to enroll as full-time
students or to maintain continuous enrollment or to earn at least 24 hours
during the academic year (TOPS), may submit a request for an exception in
accordance with
§2103 D, based on one of the
circumstances listed in
§2103 E, or in accordance with the
following procedures for the circumstances described in this Subsection.
i. The student should file the application
for exception as soon as it is known that the student will not meet one or more
of the continuing eligibility requirements to ensure the earliest reinstatement
of the award. The student must submit the application for exception no later
than six months after the date of the notice of cancellation. The deadline for
filing the exception shall be prominently displayed on the notice of
cancellation. If the applicant for an exception is a dependent student, a
parent or court-ordered custodian of the dependent student may submit the
application for exception on behalf of the applicant.
ii. If determined eligible for an exception,
the recipient will be reinstated if he or she enrolls in the first fall, winter
or spring semester or term immediately following the exception ending
date.
b. Natural
Disaster Exception (for other than displaced students)
i. Definition. The effects of a natural
disaster prevented the student/recipient from enrolling as a full-time student
or continuing enrollment or earning 24 hours during the 2005-2006 academic year
(TOPS).
ii. Certification
Requirements. The student/ recipient must submit:
(a). a completed exception request form; and
(b). a written statement detailing
the natural disaster's impact on the student and/or the student's immediate
family (mother, father, custodian, siblings and/or spouse and children), which
prevented the student from meeting the continuation requirements, including the
length of the impact; and
(c).
documentation corroborating the student's statement (examples: photographs of
damage; insurance, FEMA, fire and/or police reports; statements from public
officials; statements from family members or other persons with actual
knowledge; receipts and invoices for work done and materials
purchased).
iii. Maximum
length of exception-up to two consecutive semesters (three consecutive
quarters).
H. 2020 Natural Disaster Exceptions
1. For the purposes of this subsection,
displaced students are TOPS, Rockefeller State Wildlife
Scholarship, and GO Youth Challenge recipients and students eligible for TOPS
whose home of record on August 26, 2020, was located in, or who, on August 26,
2020, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Acadia, Allen,
Beauregard, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis,
LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St.
Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, or Winn Parish: or
b. a student whose home of record on October
8, 2020, was located in, or who, on October 8, 2020, was attending a
postsecondary institution located in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu,
Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin,
or Vermilion Parish.
c. a student
whose home of record on October 26, 2020, was located in, or who, on October
26, 2020, was attending a postsecondary institution located in Jefferson,
Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, or Terrebonne Parish.
2. For the purposes of this
Subsection, home of record is:
a. the domiciliary address of a dependent
student's parent or court-ordered custodian; or
b. the domiciliary address of an independent
student.
3. For the
2020-2021 academic year (TOPS), displaced students are not required to enroll
as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment, or to earn at least
24 hours during the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS).
4. Displaced students may enroll on a
part-time basis in an eligible college or university without losing TOPS
eligibility.
a. Upon request of the student,
the eligible college or university may bill for the TOPS award for these
parttime students.
b. The terms of
eligibility for a displaced student whose part-time enrollment is paid by TOPS
will be reduced by one full semester (term) for each semester (term)
paid.
c. Institutions must document
the displaced student's request for part-time payment of TOPS under these
circumstances.
d. Any grades earned
by a displaced student who enrolls part-time during the 2020-2021 academic year
(TOPS) will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade
point average.
5.
Displaced students who are Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship recipients
may enroll full-time or parttime in a college or university that does not offer
a course of study leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree in wildlife,
forestry or marine science.
a. Upon request of
the student, the eligible college or university may bill for the Rockefeller
State Wildlife Scholarship for these students.
b. The amount paid for any such semester of
enrollment in accordance with this Subsection shall reduce the student's total
eligibility for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship Program.
c. Institutions must document the displaced
student's request for payment in accordance with this Subsection.
d. Any grades earned by a displaced student
who enrolls in school during the 2020-2021 in accordance with this Subsection
will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point
average.
6. For the
2020-2021 academic year (TOPS), students who are not displaced
students, but who, due to the effects of Hurricane Laura were unable
to enroll for the first time as full time students by the applicable deadline,
to enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment in school,
or to earn 24 hours during the 2020-2021 academic year (TOPS) may submit a
request for exception in accordance with
§2103.D based on the
circumstances provided in
§2103.E 12.
I. 2021 Natural Disaster Exceptions
1. For the purposes of this
subsection, displaced students are TOPS, Rockefeller State
Wildlife Scholarship, and GO Youth Challenge recipients and students eligible
for TOPS whose home of record on August 27, 2021, was located in, or who, on
August 27, 2021, was attending a postsecondary institution located in
Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. Helena, St.
James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, or Terrebonne Parish.
2. For the purposes of this Subsection,
home of record is:
a. the
domiciliary address of a dependent student's parent or court-ordered custodian;
or
b. the domiciliary address of an
independent student.
3.
For the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS), displaced students are not required to
enroll as full-time students, to maintain continuous enrollment, or to earn at
least 24 hours during the 2021-2022 academic year (TOPS).
4. Displaced students who are Rockefeller
State Wildlife Scholarship recipients may enroll full-time or parttime in a
college or university that does not offer a course of study leading to an
undergraduate or graduate degree in wildlife, forestry or marine science.
a. Upon request of the student, the eligible
college or university may bill for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
for these students.
b. The amount
paid for any such semester of enrollment in accordance with this Subsection
shall reduce the student's total eligibility for the Rockefeller State Wildlife
Scholarship Program.
c.
Institutions must document the displaced student's request for payment in
accordance with this Subsection.
d.
Any grades earned by a displaced student who enrolls in school during the
2021-2022 in accordance with this Subsection will be included in the
calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average.
6. For the 2021-2022 academic year
(TOPS), students who are not displaced students, but who, due
to the effects of Hurricane Ida, were unable to enroll for the first time as
full time students by the applicable deadline, to enroll as full-time students,
to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn 24 hours during the
2021-2022 academic year (TOPS) may submit a request for exception in accordance
with §2103.D based on the
circumstances provided in
§2103.E
12.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:3021-3025, R.S. 17:5001 et seq., and R.S. 17:3050.1-3050.4.
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