Summer 2006 Online Publication    

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PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
Issue Due Date
Fall
 9/15
Winter 12/01
Spring 04/15
Summer 06/30

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Melissa Rakes
Updates to DCTAG

Submitted by:  Kenneth L. Howard, Operations Manager, DC State Education Office

Changes affecting participating DCTAG Post Secondary Institutions

  1. Summer School – Effective School Year 2006-2007, summer school will no longer be eligible for payment from the DCTAG program. This decision is based on the fact that the DCTAG program is intended to provide tuition assistance in the form of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for the traditional school year, which operates from fall to spring.

  2. Mini-Terms – Effective School Year 2006-2007, “Mini-Terms” (typically between the fall and spring semesters) will no longer be eligible for payment from the DCTAG Program. This decision is based on the fact that the DCTAG program is intended to provide tuition assistance in the form of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for the traditional school year, which operates from fall to spring.

  3. Community Colleges – Effective School Year 2006-2007, the annual award for two-year public Community Colleges is reduced from $10,000 to $2,500. This decision is based on the recognition that two-year community colleges are not the equivalent of four-year institutions in terms of academic programs or tuition costs. In addition, this enhancement is necessary as a cost containment strategy in response to pressure received from the federal government.

  4. Award Disbursements – Effective School Year 2006-2007, the SEO will expedite the payment process through continued automation of the One-App system. Institutions will be offered the option of receiving DCTAG funds through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by mailed check. Under this enhanced process, the time to receive a paper check will be reduced from 30 business days to 14 business days; and for those receiving EFT payments, the time will be reduced to 7 business days. Additional information pertaining to the requirements associated with the EFT will be provided in a subsequent correspondence.

Changes affecting DCTAG student applicants

  1. FAFSA – Effective during the application period for School Year 2006-2007, first-time and returning applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This requirement is based upon a recommendation of the General Accounting Office (GAO) to improve program administration. The Student Aid Report will not be used for income verification.

  2. Participation limits – Effective during the application period for School Year 2006-2007, students receiving DCTAG funding will be subject to the following program participation limits:

    1. Time – First-time applicants attending four-year institutions must complete their course of study within six calendar years from the first semester of enrollment. Students attending two-year institutions must complete within four calendar years from the semester of enrollment. Students transferring from two-year to four-year schools will have their time prorated. Students enrolled during the 2005-2006 school year and re-applying to the program are exempt from this requirement.

    2. Lifetime Funds – As has been the case since the inception of the DCTAG program, students attending public four-year institutions may receive a lifetime maximum of $50,000 in funding, and students attending private four-year institutions in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as private Historically Black Colleges and Universities, may receive a lifetime maximum of $12,500 in funding. New for the 2006-2007 school year, first-time applicants attending public two-year community colleges may receive a lifetime maximum of $10,000 in funding. Students who transfer between school types will have their lifetime funds prorated accordingly.

    3. Student Age – New applicants must not have reached the age of 25 by June 30, 2006 in order to be eligible to receive funding. Students enrolled during the 2005-2006 school year and re-applying to the program are exempt from this requirement.
New Federal Grant
Programs Explained		 Message from the Chair