2. Ozarks Technical Community College September 15, 2017
State/A+ Update
Ozarks Technical Community College
September 15, 2017

3. Agenda Legislative Recap Budget Outlook A+ Update MDHE Initiatives
Funding
Rule Changes Refresher
FAQs
Reminders
Resources
MDHE Initiatives
FAFSA Completion Project

4. Higher Education Legislation
Passed by GA and signed by Governor
SB 52 requires each public institution of higher education to develop and implement policies to advise students and staff on suicide prevention programs available on and off campus.

5. Higher Education Legislation
Not passed but of interest
HB 411/SB 188/SB 355 – State aid for “virtual” institutions
HB 744/ – Public institution degree authority
HB 593/HB 630 – Guns on campus
HB 599– Remove A+ “three year” requirement
HB 984 – Allan Purdy Work Study Program
SB 106 – Dual enrollment program and scholarship
Likely Issues For 2018
Virtual School State Aid
Degree Authority
Guns on campus

6. Budget Update

7. State Budget Update Overview FY 2017
27.7B total budget; 9.4B General Revenue
95% of GR from income and sales tax revenue
FY 2017
Actual revenue growth – 2.6%
Budget predicated on – 3.0% to 3.6%
Income tax collection – Up by 1.9%
Sales/use taxes – Up by 2.4%
Corporate taxes – Down by 1.7%

8. State Budget Update FY 2018 FY 2019
Appropriation bills signed, w/o vetoes
$251M in spending restrictions
Current revenue status (August 2017)
YTD – Up 6.5%
Last 3 months – Up 5.1%
FY 2019
Expect continued modest growth – 2% to 3.5%
130M to 150M tax rate reduction (SB 509)

9. A+ Update

10. A+ by the Numbers FY 18 Funding FY 18 Awards – Full funding continues
$37.6 M transfer; $39.5 M spending authority
No change from FY 2017
Minimal fund carry over
FY 18 Awards – Full funding continues
Usage
12,775 recipients in FY17
Average award - $2,660
Projecting continuing increase in recipients
13,375 projected for FY 2018 – approx. 4-5% increase
Moving forward with a $3.5 million increase for FY 2019 but budget process is in very early stages.

11. A+ Rule Changes Effective in 2016-2017
Completion requirement added
CGPA for initial students added
Definitions added/revised
A+ designated high school (approved by BOE)
Eligible program (must lead to a certificate/degree & be eligible for Title IV aid)
Federal sources of funding (excludes campus based aid)
MDHE disbursement/delivery policy added

12. A+ Rule Changes Effective in 2016-2017
High school eligibility criteria revised
U.S. citizenship/permanent residency required
Tutoring/mentoring must be completed pre-graduation,
6 month exception allowed
COMPASS references removed, MDHE flexibility in establishing Algebra I EOC alternatives added
Good citizenship
Maintained in grades 9-12
Can include participation in the Constitution Project of Missouri
All statutory criteria directly incorporated into rule, 80% enrollment guidance related to 3-year requirement added
Good citizenship note:
The good citizenship requirement is that students must: “Have maintained a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol while in grades 9-12.
School policy defines what it means to have a “record of good citizenship”.
The policy (along with all other A+ policies) must be provided to, and consistently applied, to all students. MDHE refers to school policy in these matters.

13. A+ Rule Changes Effective in 2016-2017
Up-to-date rule copy available on Secretary of State’s website:
6 CSR on page 24

14. A+ FAQs 3 Year Attendance Requirement Question: Answer:
What does it mean to attend an A+ designated high school for 3 years?
Answer:
Enrollment in an A+ designated high school, or a combination of A+ designated high schools, for at least 80% of instructional days within the 3 years immediately preceding graduation.
Periods when not enrolled (up to 20%) can be consecutive or intermittent.

15. A+ FAQs 3 Year Attendance Requirement (continued) Question: Answer:
Does the 80% enrollment replace the 95% attendance requirement?
Answer:
No. Students must have a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12 AND must be enrolled in at least 80% of the instructional days within the 3 years immediately preceding graduation.

16. A+ FAQs Question: Answer: 3 Year Attendance Requirement (continued)
Is a student who transferred from a newly designated private high school eligible since the transfer school hasn’t been designated for 3 years?
Answer:
Yes.
All of the schools the student attended in the three years immediately preceding graduation must be designated before the student graduates and the student must otherwise be eligible.
The newly designated school does NOT have to be designated at the time of transfer.
See DESE’s list of designated high schools:

17. A+ FAQs 3 Year Attendance Requirement (continued) Question: Answer:
Can MoVIP students meet the 3 year attendance requirement?
Answer:
Yes, if the student is enrolled in at least once course at, and graduates from, an A+ designated high school.

18. A+ FAQs Algebra I EOC Alternatives Question: Answer:
What are the alternatives for the 2018 high school seniors?
Answer:
The sliding ACT math/High School GPA scale
Alternatives for the current and prior year seniors are posted to MDHE’s website:
ACT Math Score
High School GPA
17 or greater
and
2.5 or greater 16
2.8 or greater 15
3.0 or greater

19. A+ FAQs Algebra I EOC Alternatives (continued) Question: Answer:
Can the Algebra I EOC requirement be waived for a student with an IEP?
Answer:
No, the requirement cannot be waived. Students with IEPs can use whatever accommodations are allowed in their IEP when taking the EOC and whatever accommodations are allowed by ACT when taking the ACT exam.

20. A+ FAQs Algebra I EOC Alternatives (continued) Question: Answer:
Is paying for the first semester of college out of pocket and achieving a 2.5 CGPA for that semester still an alternative to the Algebra I EOC?
Answer:
No. That early alternative is no longer an option. MDHE announces the alternatives each year, in the spring of students’ junior year.
(See

21. A+ FAQs Algebra I EOC Alternatives (continued) Question: Answer:
Does DESE’s invalidation of the Algebra I EOC exam for APR purposes affect A+ eligibility?
Answer:
No. DESE has invalidated the exam as a school performance measure. It is still a valid student performance measure. To be eligible for A+ students must continue to score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I EOC (or a higher level math EOC) or meet an alternative designated for their senior class.

22. A+ FAQs Algebra I EOC Alternatives (continued) Question: Answer:
Will the ACT continue to be used as an alternative to the Algebra I EOC now that state-paid census testing is no longer available and many students will have to pay out-of-pocket for the exam?
Answer:
MDHE currently plans to continue the math ACT score in the Algebra I EOC alternatives. It was implemented prior to the adoption of census testing.

23. A+ FAQs Newly Designated Schools Question: Answer:
Does MDHE have templates for policies/handbooks and agreements?
Answer:
No. MDHE does not have any A+ templates. However, more established A+ high schools in your area may be able to assist you as you develop you’re A+ materials.

24. A+ Reminders Why A+ does not equal two years of free college:
Pell must always be applied to tuition and fees before it can be applied to any other component of the cost of attendance.
Pell may reduce A+ award to zero
Only general fees (charged to all students) are covered
Fees specific to courses, programs, etc. are not covered
Reimbursement capped at the standard credit hour rate at State Technical College (or clock hour equivalent)
For = $166/credit hour or $4.50/clock hour
A+ will not pay for repeated courses, or coursework completed prior to HS graduation (dual credit, dual enrollment, AP, etc.).
A+ will pay not pay for withdrawn or dropped coursework if the completion requirement is met

25. A+ Reminders
The “good faith effort” (FAFSA) requirement is monitored by postsecondary institutions
High schools should encourage students to complete the FAFSA.
The A+ stamp can be affixed to the transcript if the FAFSA hasn’t been filed yet.
Students attending in summer need to check with their financial aid office to make sure the FAFSA filed is for the correct year.

26. A+ Resources
MDHE Website:
E-Distribution List Service:

27. A+ Contacts Designation Questions to DESE:
John Robertson, Supervisor, School Improvement
(573) or
Scholarship Questions to MDHE:
Connie Bestgen, Financial Aid Specialist
(800) , option 4; (573) , or
Amy Haller, Financial Aid Specialist
(573) or
Kelli Reed, Student Assistance Associate
(573) or

28. Other State Aid Programs

29. Bright Flight FY 18 Funding FY 18 Awards Usage
$21.7M transfer; $ 24.7M spending authority
$4M increase from FY 2017
FY 2017 supplemental - $1.5M
FY 18 Awards
Maintain $3,000 for top three percent; No award for second tier
6% increase in applicants
Usage
7,033 recipients in FY17
Projecting continuing increase in applicants

30. Access Missouri FY 18 Funding FY 18 Awards Usage
$66.9 M transfer; $ 76.5M spending authority
No change from FY 2017
FY 18 Awards
Reduced awards due to one-time funding in FY17
70% of maximum ($2,000/$910)
2% increase in applicants
Usage
44,483 recipients in FY17
Projecting continuing increase in applicants
13,375 projected for FY 2018 – approx. 4-5% increase
Moving forward with a $3.5 million increase for FY 2019 but budget process is in very early stages.

31. Other MDHE Programs Marguerite Ross-Barnett Memorial Scholarship
Public Service Office Survivor Program
Wartime Veterans Survivor Program
AP Incentive Grant
Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program
Kids Chance Program

32. MDHE Initiatives

33. MDHE Initiatives Journey to College
New Website (
Future Developments
Improved institution and degree search
Course transfer information
Improved state aid portal
Secure workspace
Apply Missouri
FAFSA Frenzy
Decision Day

34. MDHE Initiatives Math Pathways Project Multi-state Collaborative
Military Credit
To Advance Learning Outcomes
Course Transfer
Course Transfer Library
Common Transfer Curriculum
FAFSA Completion Project

35. FAFSA Completion Project
National Initiative
Goal: Increase the number of students who successfully complete a FAFSA
In Missouri
Student-specific report indicates if FAFSA is:
Complete
Missing signature
Has an error
Selected for verification
135 districts to date

36. FAFSA Completion Project (cont’d)
Participation is a 2 step process:
FAFSA Data Access Agreement between district superintendent & MDHE Commissioner
Individual registration for a user ID/password to access the student-specific report
Superintendent must have authorized the individual in the agreement
Must be district employee for now

37. Questions State Aid Questions General Questions
Connie Bestgen
Financial Aid Specialist
(800) , option 4
(573)
Amy Haller
(573)
Kelli Reed
Student Assistance Associate
(573)
P.O. Box 1469 Jefferson City Phone Fax: (573) Info. Center: (800)