2008-09
Access to Better Learning and Education Grant Program
Fact Sheet
Florida Statutes 1009.891
Program Description
The Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant Program provides tuition assistance to
Florida undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs at
eligible private Florida colleges or
universities. ABLE is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution
determines application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility.
What are the Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding?
The student will:
- Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status
are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial
aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless
satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
- Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.
- Enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per term, or the equivalent at an eligible Florida college or
university in a baccalaureate degree program.
- Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.
- Not be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.
How Does a Student Apply?
The student will meet the application procedures established by the participating institution. Applications may be
obtained at the financial aid offices of
eligible Florida colleges and universities.
How Does a Student Renew?
- A renewal applicant must have earned a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA)
of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and earned the equivalent of 12 credit hours for each term an award was received during
the academic year.
- Eligibility is determined at the end of the second semester or third quarter of each academic year. Credit hours
earned during the previous summer can be counted toward the total number of credit hours required.
- A student should consult his/her postsecondary institution for renewal requirements which are
established by the institution.
What if a Student Does Not Meet the Minimum GPA Required for Renewal?
- If a student does not meet the minimum institutional cumulative GPA, he/she may be granted a probationary award
for two semesters or three quarters.
- To be eligible for renewal the following year after probation, the student must
have earned the required credits and the institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
What if a Student Does Not Meet the Minimum Credit Hours Required for Renewal?
- A student who does not meet the annual minimum of 12 hours per semester (or equivalent) requirement for renewal
(for one or both semesters), may not receive funding the following academic year.
- To be eligible for funding in a subsequent year, the student must apply for restoration
and meet the general eligibility requirements for restoration and have earned an institutional
cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
How Does a Student Restore?
- A student may be eligible for restoration if he/she has earned an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
at the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year for which he/she was ineligible.
- The student may apply for restoration with the postsecondary institution after two
semesters or three quarters at the end of the spring term.
How Does a Student Reinstate?
A student who met the requirements for a renewal award, but did not receive an award
during a full year of eligibility and wishes to reestablish use of the grant, may apply for reinstatement with the postsecondary
institution in a subsequent year provided the student has earned an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0
scale as of the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year
preceding the year the award is sought.
What is the Award Process?
- The postsecondary institution will determine applicant eligibility.
- The annual award amount for the 2008-09 academic year is $1,182.
- The amount of the ABLE award plus all other scholarships and grants specifically designated for payment
of tuition and fees cannot exceed the total amount of tuition and fees charged by the institution. The college
or university will adjust the amount of the ABLE award to conform to this maximum.
How are Awards Disbursed?
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) forwards award funding to participating postsecondary
institutions. Each postsecondary institution distributes awards to eligible students.
How Long May a Student Receive Funding?
- A student is eligible to receive an award for a maximum of 9 semesters (14
quarters).
- Undergraduate students participating in college-preparatory instruction,
students requiring additional time to complete the college-level communication and
computation skills testing programs (CLAST), or students enrolled in a 5-year
undergraduate degree program are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of
10 semesters or 15 quarters.
- Unused terms may not be used for further course funding after a student earns
a baccalaureate degree.
How May a Student Appeal?
An applicant who believes financial aid has been wrongly denied has certain rights to appeal.
If aid is denied for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, an applicant may appeal
the denial to the institution by providing proof of illness or other emergency beyond the applicant's control. An institutional
academic progress appeal is to be filed in writing within 30 days of the denial letter or by the
date established by the institution's financial aid office, whichever is later.
How Does a Student Make Changes in Information?
An applicant must notify OSFA of any change in name, address, or institution attended. A student may update
information the following ways:
- By accessing and updating the student record on the OSFA Web site at
www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org,
using the assigned User ID and PIN:
- Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications,
- select Application Status & Award History, and then
- under Initial Student Update, select the appropriate option.
- By calling OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.
Transferring from one institution to another could affect an applicant’s award.
Use of an Applicant’s Social Security Number/Non-discrimination Statement
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires state agencies to inform applicants of the reasons for requesting their Social
Security numbers (SSN). The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requests an SSN on all applications for student
financial assistance in order to correctly identify applicants, match each applicant's financial aid record with the
student record at the postsecondary institution the applicant attends, and help coordinate state student aid programs
with federal student aid programs.
An applicant will not be denied financial assistance for failure to disclose the SSN. Without an SSN,
correct identification of an applicant's record cannot be assured and may result in an error or a delay in
the disbursement of an award.
Pursuant to Section 1001.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible
applicants without discriminating on the basis of ethnicity, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap. Minority
status will be considered when required by law as a condition of eligibility or selection.
For further information contact the financial aid office at
eligible participating postsecondary institutions or OSFA, State Scholarship and Grant Programs,
1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 70, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.
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