2008-09
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 semester 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 FAFSA 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 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 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
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.
- 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
2008-09 academic year the minimum annual award amount is $200 and the maximum annual award amount is $1,916.
How are Awards Disbursed?
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (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 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 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 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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