NEW!
2007-08
Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education
Student Assistance Grant Program
Fact Sheet

Florida Statutes 1009.505

Program Description
Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) Program is a need-based grant program available to Florida residents enrolled in certificate programs of 450 or more clock hours at participating community colleges or career centers operated by district school boards.

FSAG-CE is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, student eligibility, and award amounts.

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.
• Enroll for a minimum of 180 clock hours per term (or equivalent of 6 semester credits) at an eligible community college or eligible career center.
• Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.

How Does a Student Apply?
The student will demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error free by the deadline specified by the institution.

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 at least 180 clock hours (the equivalent of 6 credit hours) for undergraduate half-time study 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.  Clock hours earned during the previous summer can be counted toward the total number of clock hours required.
• A student should consult his/her postsecondary institution for renewal requirements established by the institution.
• Demonstrate financial need by completing an (error free) Free Application for Federal Student Aid each academic year by the deadline specified by the institution.

What if a Student Does Not Meet the Minimum GPA Required for Renewal?

• If a student does not meet the minimum 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 clock hours and an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

What if a Student Does Not Meet the Minimum Clock Hours Required for Renewal?

• A student who does not meet the annual minimum number of clock hours required for renewal 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 maintained/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 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.
• A 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 and award amount.
• The annual minimum and maximum award amount may vary each academic year.  For the 2007-08 academic year the minimum annual award amount is $200 and the maximum annual award amount is $1,808.

How are Awards Disbursed?
OSFA allocates funds to eligible postsecondary institutions.  Each postsecondary institution distributes awards to eligible students.

How Long May a Student Receive Funding?

• A student receiving the FSAG-CE is eligible to receive an award for a maximum of 110% of the number of clock hours required to complete a program in which enrolled.
• Unused hours may not be used for further course funding after a student earns a certificate.

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 in 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,
  • select Initial Student Update, and then the appropriate option.
• By calling OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

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 in the award amount or a delay in the disbursement of an award.

Pursuant to Section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of race, sex, 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 postsecondary institutions or OSFA, State Programs, Suite 70, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759.  Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.