Missouri Department of Higher Education - MASFAP

							Missouri Department of
   Higher Education
   State updates presented by
         Leroy Wade
                 Today’s Agenda
• Challenge Grant updates

• Content on dhe.mo.gov

• Report on state aid programs for 2008-09
    – FAMOUS enhancements


• Reauthorization updates
    – Entrance and exit counseling and materials




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                     Challenge Grant
• Sub-grant RFP and application materials
    –   Competitive grant
    –   MDHE contacts: Leroy Wade and Tim Hopkins
    –   Ready for distribution by end of December
    –   MDHE will distribute materials by:
         •   Posting on MASFAP-L
         •   Article in MDHE Digest
         •   MDHE e-distribution message to all subscribers
         •   Article in DESE counselor newsletter, Guidance Digest


• Who can submit a proposal?
    – Non-profit Missouri organizations with proven expertise in
      activities promoting postsecondary education


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                   Challenge Grant
• Proposals will be evaluated by a panel on:
    – Expected impact on target populations
    – Quality of the organization’s existing activities
    – Extent to which statutory guidelines are met
        • The benefits of postsecondary education & financing options
        • “At risk” populations served
        • Assistance with FAFSA completion

    – Note: Draft scoring rubric will be distributed with the RFP and
      application materials




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     Content Updates dhe.mo.gov
• Since May 2008:
    – 59 web pages have been updated
    – Updated speakers bureau topic list
       • 22 topics now on the list
       • As always, additional topics available upon request


• MDHE is continuing to work on updating Web site content;
  next priorities:
    – Missouri state aid content
    – Recent changes in federal regulations/laws




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              State Aid Programs
• Access Missouri
     – $47.8 M distributed to date ($96 M appropriated)
     – 39,655 students served
     – Preferred fall certification deadline 12/5/08


• Bright Flight
     – $7.96 M distributed to date
     – 7,961 students served




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               State Aid Programs
• Marguerite Ross-Barnett
     – $210,464 distributed
     – 153 students served
     – Payments on Hold

• Public Service Officer Survivor
     – Growing program

• Vietnam Veterans Survivor
     – Program winding down




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                State Aid Programs
• Missouri Teaching Fellows Program
     – Letter sent to interested students
     – Application materials in development


• Kid’s Chance Scholarship
     – Fall 2009 implementation
     – Proposed rule in development
     – HB 2191 - $1 million principal by 2018


• War Veteran’s Survivors Grant
     – Created by HB 1678 in 2008 legislative session
     – Fall 2009 implementation
     – Proposed rule in development


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           FAMOUS Enhancements
• Conversion to online platform

     – Improved messages

     – Additional certification functionality
         • Ability to certify for Access only, Bright Flight only, or both
         • Confirm Certify screen with export capability

     – Disbursement History to replace Transfer Payment Info screen

     – User info from security system to replace contact info




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              Proposed
     Administrative Rule Changes
• General clean up of all state aid administrative rules

• Generic institutional eligibility rule to cover all programs

• All rules to reference the institutional eligibility rule

• Addition of disability language to all rules

• To CBHE for approval 12/08 to be effective for fall 2009




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 2009 Missouri Legislative Session
• CBHE and MDHE legislative priorities
     – Bright Flight
     – Access Missouri




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               Publication Updates
• Materials distributed
     – Just under 200,000 pieces distributed 2007-08
     – YTD 2008-09, distributed 196,100 pieces


• New state aid electronic publication coming soon
     – In-depth information
     – Will be available via www.dhe.mo.gov
         • Printed copies may be requested


• Additions to online order form:
     – Common Manual CD added for order by Missouri institutions
     – Choices, October 2008 publication from Missouri Life magazine



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           Publications and HEOA
• Entrance and Exit Counseling Workbooks

   – HEOA changed the requirements regarding what must be
     covered during entrance and exit counseling

   – MDHE workbooks may still be ordered and used, however
     additional information may be needed to supplement




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             MDHE Exit Workbooks
• Exit counseling supplemental materials & information

   – Comparison of each repayment plan option
       • Average monthly payments
       • Differences of total interest
       • Differences in total amount repaid

   – Copy of USDE publication regarding loan forgiveness & discharge

   – Copy of USDE publication describing deferments & forbearances

   – How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively




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       MDHE Entrance Workbooks
• Entrance counseling supplemental materials &
  information
     – Effect of accepting the loan on eligibility for other aid

     – Interest accrual and capitalization
         • Unsubsidized Stafford or Grad PLUS
         • How to pay the interest while in school

     – Definition of half-time enrollment
         • Consequences of falling below half time
         • What to do if the student needs to withdraw or drop below
           half time

     – How borrowers can use NSLDS effectively


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     Federal Title IV Reauthorization
• Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

• Adverse credit definition change for PLUS loans

• Some dependent students MAY now qualify for
  unsubsidized Stafford Loans when the parent(s) refuse to
  complete the FAFSA
     – Dependent loan limits apply
     – MDHE system can guarantee these loans now




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              MDHE FDF Subsidy
• Subsidy available 2008-09 for:
     – All Stafford and PLUS loans
     – Missouri schools
     – Guarantee dates between 7/1/2008 and 6/30/2009


• MDHE total subsidies year-to-date of $2,749,781




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          MDHE Advisory Committees
• Joint meeting of school FAOs and lenders conducted in
  October
      – New members continue to be welcome
      – Contact your MDHE client rep or Julie Meyer, if interested


• High school counselor committee met September 29
      – 24 members
      – Committee mission and goals:
          • Identify critical needs of Missouri’s college-bound students that
            are not currently being met
          • Provide insight into teen viewpoints and popular culture trends
          • Identify needs of the secondary education community



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           MODEL Direct & ATOM
• MODEL Direct updates
     – MODEL Direct logo being replaced by MDHE logo
     – Product name is staying the same


• ATOM updates
     – ATOM logo being replaced by MDHE logo




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     Questions or comments?
           3515 Amazonas Drive
         Jefferson City, MO 651O9
               (8OO) 473-6757
                (573) 751-3940
             Fax (573) 751-6635
             info@dhe.mo.gov
             www.dhe.mo.gov




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