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Article 1. General Provisions of California Education Code >> Division 5. >> Title 3. >> Part 42. >> Chapter 1.7. >> Article 1.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the
Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program.
There is hereby established the
Ortiz-Pacheco-Poochigian-Vasconcellos Cal Grant Program, which may
also be referred to as the Cal Grant Program.
(a) As used in this section, "fund" means the College
Access Tax Credit Fund created by Sections 17053.86 and 17053.87 of
the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(b) Any moneys allocated to the commission from the fund for purposes of this section shall be in addition to, and are intended to supplement, other moneys appropriated for the Cal Grant Program. Upon the creation of the fund, and during its existence, the amount of the Cal Grant B access award as established in the annual Budget Act shall not be adjusted below the amount set forth in the Budget Act of 2012.
(c) (1) The moneys allocated to the commission pursuant to Sections 17053.86 and 17053.87 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall be available for the purpose of making awards to students in accordance with this section.
(2) To the extent feasible, the commission shall make annual disbursements from the moneys allocated to the commission to supplement awards made for access costs under Article 3 (commencing with Section 69435), Article 4 (commencing with Section 69436), and Article 5 (commencing with Section 69437). The amount of the supplemental award, when added to the amount of the award made for access costs established by the annual Budget Act, shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). An award under this section is payable only to the extent that moneys are available from the fund. The commission shall inform each recipient of an award under this section that the award is for one academic year only, is not an entitlement, and that future supplemental awards are subject to the availability of moneys in the fund.
(d) If, after making supplemental awards pursuant to subdivision (c), moneys remain in the fund, those moneys shall remain in the fund for allocation in future fiscal years.
(b) Any moneys allocated to the commission from the fund for purposes of this section shall be in addition to, and are intended to supplement, other moneys appropriated for the Cal Grant Program. Upon the creation of the fund, and during its existence, the amount of the Cal Grant B access award as established in the annual Budget Act shall not be adjusted below the amount set forth in the Budget Act of 2012.
(c) (1) The moneys allocated to the commission pursuant to Sections 17053.86 and 17053.87 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall be available for the purpose of making awards to students in accordance with this section.
(2) To the extent feasible, the commission shall make annual disbursements from the moneys allocated to the commission to supplement awards made for access costs under Article 3 (commencing with Section 69435), Article 4 (commencing with Section 69436), and Article 5 (commencing with Section 69437). The amount of the supplemental award, when added to the amount of the award made for access costs established by the annual Budget Act, shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). An award under this section is payable only to the extent that moneys are available from the fund. The commission shall inform each recipient of an award under this section that the award is for one academic year only, is not an entitlement, and that future supplemental awards are subject to the availability of moneys in the fund.
(d) If, after making supplemental awards pursuant to subdivision (c), moneys remain in the fund, those moneys shall remain in the fund for allocation in future fiscal years.
(a) Cal Grant Program awards shall be known as "Cal Grant A
Entitlement Awards," "Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards," "California
Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards," "Competitive Cal
Grant A and B Awards," "Cal Grant C Awards," and "Cal Grant T Awards."
(b) Maximum award amounts for students at independent institutions
and for Cal Grant C and T awards shall be identified in the annual
Budget Act. Maximum award amounts for Cal Grant A and B awards for
students attending public institutions shall be referenced in the
annual Budget Act.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), and subdivision (c) of Section 66021.2, commencing with the 2013-14 award year, the maximum tuition award amounts for Cal Grant A and B awards for students attending private for-profit and nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions shall be as follows:
(A) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for new recipients attending private for-profit postsecondary educational institutions.
(B) For the 2015-16 and 2016-17 award years, nine thousand eighty-four dollars ($9,084) for new recipients attending private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions. For the 2017-18 award year and each award year thereafter, eight thousand fifty-six dollars ($8,056) for new recipients attending private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions.
(2) The renewal award amount for a student whose initial award is subject to a maximum award amount specified in this subdivision shall be calculated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 69433.
(3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), new recipients attending private for-profit postsecondary educational institutions that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as of July 1, 2012, shall have the same maximum tuition award amounts as are set forth in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), and subdivision (c) of Section 66021.2, commencing with the 2013-14 award year, the maximum tuition award amounts for Cal Grant A and B awards for students attending private for-profit and nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions shall be as follows:
(A) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for new recipients attending private for-profit postsecondary educational institutions.
(B) For the 2015-16 and 2016-17 award years, nine thousand eighty-four dollars ($9,084) for new recipients attending private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions. For the 2017-18 award year and each award year thereafter, eight thousand fifty-six dollars ($8,056) for new recipients attending private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions.
(2) The renewal award amount for a student whose initial award is subject to a maximum award amount specified in this subdivision shall be calculated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 69433.
(3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), new recipients attending private for-profit postsecondary educational institutions that are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as of July 1, 2012, shall have the same maximum tuition award amounts as are set forth in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
The Budget required by the California Constitution to be
submitted by the Governor at each Regular Session of the Legislature
shall take into consideration the amount of federal grant funds for
student financial aid.
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(a) An "academic year" is July 1 to June 30, inclusive. The starting date of a session shall determine the academic year in which it is included.
(b) "Access costs" means living expenses and expenses for transportation, supplies, and books.
(c) "Award year" means one academic year, or the equivalent, of attendance at a qualifying institution.
(d) "College grade point average" and "community college grade point average" mean a grade point average calculated on the basis of all college work completed, except for nontransferable units and courses not counted in the computation for admission to a California public institution of higher education that grants a baccalaureate degree.
(e) "Commission" means the Student Aid Commission.
(f) "Enrollment status" means part- or full-time status.
(1) "Part time," for purposes of Cal Grant eligibility, means 6 to 11 semester units, inclusive, or the equivalent.
(2) "Full time," for purposes of Cal Grant eligibility, means 12 or more semester units or the equivalent.
(g) "Expected family contribution," with respect to an applicant, shall be determined using the federal methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 (as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070 et seq.)) and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the commission.
(h) "High school grade point average" means a grade point average calculated on a 4.0 scale, using all academic coursework, for the sophomore year, the summer following the sophomore year, the junior year, and the summer following the junior year, excluding physical education, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), and remedial courses, and computed pursuant to regulations of the commission. However, for high school graduates who apply after their senior year, "high school grade point average" includes senior year coursework.
(i) "Instructional program of not less than one academic year" means a program of study that results in the award of an associate or baccalaureate degree or certificate requiring at least 24 semester units or the equivalent, or that results in eligibility for transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate degree program.
(j) "Instructional program of not less than two academic years" means a program of study that results in the award of an associate or baccalaureate degree requiring at least 48 semester units or the equivalent, or that results in eligibility for transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate degree program.
(k) (1) "Maximum household income and asset levels" means the applicable household income and household asset levels for participants, including new applicants and renewing recipients, in the Cal Grant Program, as defined and adopted in regulations by the commission for the 2001-02 academic year, which shall be set pursuant to the following income and asset ceiling amounts:
(a) An "academic year" is July 1 to June 30, inclusive. The starting date of a session shall determine the academic year in which it is included.
(b) "Access costs" means living expenses and expenses for transportation, supplies, and books.
(c) "Award year" means one academic year, or the equivalent, of attendance at a qualifying institution.
(d) "College grade point average" and "community college grade point average" mean a grade point average calculated on the basis of all college work completed, except for nontransferable units and courses not counted in the computation for admission to a California public institution of higher education that grants a baccalaureate degree.
(e) "Commission" means the Student Aid Commission.
(f) "Enrollment status" means part- or full-time status.
(1) "Part time," for purposes of Cal Grant eligibility, means 6 to 11 semester units, inclusive, or the equivalent.
(2) "Full time," for purposes of Cal Grant eligibility, means 12 or more semester units or the equivalent.
(g) "Expected family contribution," with respect to an applicant, shall be determined using the federal methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 (as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070 et seq.)) and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the commission.
(h) "High school grade point average" means a grade point average calculated on a 4.0 scale, using all academic coursework, for the sophomore year, the summer following the sophomore year, the junior year, and the summer following the junior year, excluding physical education, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), and remedial courses, and computed pursuant to regulations of the commission. However, for high school graduates who apply after their senior year, "high school grade point average" includes senior year coursework.
(i) "Instructional program of not less than one academic year" means a program of study that results in the award of an associate or baccalaureate degree or certificate requiring at least 24 semester units or the equivalent, or that results in eligibility for transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate degree program.
(j) "Instructional program of not less than two academic years" means a program of study that results in the award of an associate or baccalaureate degree requiring at least 48 semester units or the equivalent, or that results in eligibility for transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate degree program.
(k) (1) "Maximum household income and asset levels" means the applicable household income and household asset levels for participants, including new applicants and renewing recipients, in the Cal Grant Program, as defined and adopted in regulations by the commission for the 2001-02 academic year, which shall be set pursuant to the following income and asset ceiling amounts:
CAL GRANT PROGRAM INCOME CEILINGS
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
| Cal Grant |
| A, |
| C, and T Cal Grant B |
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Dependent and Independent students with |
|dependents* |
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Family Size |
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Six or more $74,100 $40,700|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Five $68,700 $37,700|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Four $64,100 $33,700|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Three $59,000 $30,300|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Two $57,600 $26,900|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Independent |
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Single, no $23,500 $23,500|
|dependents |
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
|Married $26,900 $26,900|
+--------------------+--------------+--------------+
*Applies to independent students with dependents other than a
spouse.
CAL GRANT PROGRAM ASSET CEILINGS
+----------------------+-------------+-------------+
| Cal Grant |
| A, |
| C, and T Cal Grant B |
+----------------------+-------------+-------------+
|Dependent** $49,600 $49,600|
+----------------------+-------------+-------------+
|Independent $23,600 $23,600|
+----------------------+-------------+-------------+
**Applies to independent students with dependents other than a
spouse.
(2) The commission shall annually adjust the maximum household
income and asset levels based on the percentage change in the cost of
living within the meaning of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of
Section 8 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution. The
maximum household income and asset levels applicable to a renewing
recipient shall be the greater of the adjusted maximum household
income and asset levels or the maximum household income and asset
levels at the time of the renewing recipient's initial Cal Grant
award. For a recipient who was initially awarded a Cal Grant for an
academic year before the 2011-12 academic year, the maximum household
income and asset levels shall be the greater of the adjusted maximum
household income and asset levels or the 2010-11 academic year
maximum household income and asset levels. An applicant or renewal
recipient who qualifies to be considered under the simplified needs
test established by federal law for student assistance shall be
presumed to meet the asset level test under this section. Before
disbursing any Cal Grant funds, a qualifying institution shall be
obligated, under the terms of its institutional participation
agreement with the commission, to resolve any conflicts that may
exist in the data the institution possesses relating to that
individual.
(l) (1) "Qualifying institution" means an institution that complies with paragraphs (2) and (3) and is any of the following:
(A) A California private or independent postsecondary educational institution that participates in the Pell Grant Program and in at least two of the following federal student aid programs:
(i) Federal Work-Study Program.
(ii) Federal Stafford Loan Program.
(iii) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program.
(B) A nonprofit institution headquartered and operating in California that certifies to the commission that 10 percent of the institution's operating budget, as demonstrated in an audited financial statement, is expended for purposes of institutionally funded student financial aid in the form of grants, that demonstrates to the commission that it has the administrative capacity to administer the funds, that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and that meets any other state-required criteria adopted by regulation by the commission in consultation with the Department of Finance. A regionally accredited institution that was deemed qualified by the commission to participate in the Cal Grant Program for the 2000-01 academic year shall retain its eligibility as long as it maintains its existing accreditation status.
(C) A California public postsecondary educational institution.
(2) (A) The institution shall provide information on where to access California license examination passage rates for the most recent available year from graduates of its undergraduate programs leading to employment for which passage of a California licensing examination is required, if that data is electronically available through the Internet Web site of a California licensing or regulatory agency. For purposes of this paragraph, "provide" may exclusively include placement of an Internet Web site address labeled as an access point for the data on the passage rates of recent program graduates on the Internet Web site where enrollment information is also located, on an Internet Web site that provides centralized admissions information for postsecondary educational systems with multiple campuses, or on applications for enrollment or other program information distributed to prospective students.
(B) The institution shall be responsible for certifying to the commission compliance with the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(3) (A) The commission shall certify by November 1 of each year the institution's latest official three-year cohort default rate and graduation rate as most recently reported by the United States Department of Education. For purposes of this section, the graduation rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduate students who graduate in 150 percent or less of the expected time to complete degree requirements as most recently reported publicly in any format, including preliminary data records, by the United States Department of Education.
(B) For purposes of the 2011-12 academic year, an otherwise qualifying institution with a three-year cohort default rate reported by the United States Department of Education that is equal to or greater than 24.6 percent shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution.
(C) For purposes of the 2012-13 academic year, and every academic year thereafter, an otherwise qualifying institution with a three-year cohort default rate that is equal to or greater than 15.5 percent, as certified by the commission on October 1, 2011, and every year thereafter, shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution.
(D) (i) An otherwise qualifying institution that becomes ineligible under this paragraph for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards shall regain its eligibility for the academic year for which it satisfies the requirements established in subparagraph (B), (C), or (F), as applicable.
(ii) If the United States Department of Education corrects or revises an institution's three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate that originally failed to satisfy the requirements established in subparagraph (B), (C), or (F), as applicable, and the correction or revision results in the institution's three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate satisfying those requirements, that institution shall immediately regain its eligibility for the academic year to which the corrected or revised three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate would have been applied.
(E) An otherwise qualifying institution for which no three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate has been reported by the United States Department of Education shall be provisionally eligible to participate in the Cal Grant Program until a three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate has been reported for the institution by the United States Department of Education.
(F) For purposes of the 2012-13 academic year, and every academic year thereafter, an otherwise qualifying institution with a graduation rate of 30 percent or less, as certified by the commission pursuant to subparagraph (A), shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution, except as provided for in subparagraph (H).
(G) Notwithstanding any other law, the requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to institutions with 40 percent or less of undergraduate students borrowing federal student loans, using information reported to the United States Department of Education for the academic year two years before the academic year in which the commission is certifying the three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(H) Notwithstanding subparagraph (F), an otherwise qualifying institution that maintains a three-year cohort default rate that is less than 15.5 percent and a graduation rate above 20 percent for students taking 150 percent or less of the expected time to complete degree requirements, as certified by the commission pursuant to subparagraph (A), shall be eligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution through the 2016-17 academic year.
(I) The commission shall do all of the following:
(i) Notify initial Cal Grant recipients seeking to attend, or attending, an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards under subparagraph (C) or (F) that the institution is ineligible for initial Cal Grant awards for the academic year for which the student received an initial Cal Grant award.
(ii) Notify renewal Cal Grant recipients attending an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution under subparagraph (C) or (F) that the student's Cal Grant award will be reduced by 20 percent, or eliminated, as appropriate, if the student attends the ineligible institution in an academic year in which the institution is ineligible.
(iii) Provide initial and renewal Cal Grant recipients seeking to attend, or attending, an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution under subparagraph (C) or (F) with a complete list of all California postsecondary educational institutions at which the student would be eligible to receive an unreduced Cal Grant award.
(iv) (I) Establish an appeal process for an otherwise qualifying institution that fails to satisfy the three-year cohort default rate and graduation rate requirements in subparagraphs (C) and (F), respectively.
(II) The commission may grant an appeal for an academic year only if the commission has determined the institution has a cohort size of 20 individuals or less and the cohort is not representative of the overall institutional performance.
(m) "Satisfactory academic progress" means those criteria required by applicable federal standards published in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The commission may adopt regulations defining "satisfactory academic progress" in a manner that is consistent with those federal standards.
(l) (1) "Qualifying institution" means an institution that complies with paragraphs (2) and (3) and is any of the following:
(A) A California private or independent postsecondary educational institution that participates in the Pell Grant Program and in at least two of the following federal student aid programs:
(i) Federal Work-Study Program.
(ii) Federal Stafford Loan Program.
(iii) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program.
(B) A nonprofit institution headquartered and operating in California that certifies to the commission that 10 percent of the institution's operating budget, as demonstrated in an audited financial statement, is expended for purposes of institutionally funded student financial aid in the form of grants, that demonstrates to the commission that it has the administrative capacity to administer the funds, that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and that meets any other state-required criteria adopted by regulation by the commission in consultation with the Department of Finance. A regionally accredited institution that was deemed qualified by the commission to participate in the Cal Grant Program for the 2000-01 academic year shall retain its eligibility as long as it maintains its existing accreditation status.
(C) A California public postsecondary educational institution.
(2) (A) The institution shall provide information on where to access California license examination passage rates for the most recent available year from graduates of its undergraduate programs leading to employment for which passage of a California licensing examination is required, if that data is electronically available through the Internet Web site of a California licensing or regulatory agency. For purposes of this paragraph, "provide" may exclusively include placement of an Internet Web site address labeled as an access point for the data on the passage rates of recent program graduates on the Internet Web site where enrollment information is also located, on an Internet Web site that provides centralized admissions information for postsecondary educational systems with multiple campuses, or on applications for enrollment or other program information distributed to prospective students.
(B) The institution shall be responsible for certifying to the commission compliance with the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(3) (A) The commission shall certify by November 1 of each year the institution's latest official three-year cohort default rate and graduation rate as most recently reported by the United States Department of Education. For purposes of this section, the graduation rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduate students who graduate in 150 percent or less of the expected time to complete degree requirements as most recently reported publicly in any format, including preliminary data records, by the United States Department of Education.
(B) For purposes of the 2011-12 academic year, an otherwise qualifying institution with a three-year cohort default rate reported by the United States Department of Education that is equal to or greater than 24.6 percent shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution.
(C) For purposes of the 2012-13 academic year, and every academic year thereafter, an otherwise qualifying institution with a three-year cohort default rate that is equal to or greater than 15.5 percent, as certified by the commission on October 1, 2011, and every year thereafter, shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution.
(D) (i) An otherwise qualifying institution that becomes ineligible under this paragraph for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards shall regain its eligibility for the academic year for which it satisfies the requirements established in subparagraph (B), (C), or (F), as applicable.
(ii) If the United States Department of Education corrects or revises an institution's three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate that originally failed to satisfy the requirements established in subparagraph (B), (C), or (F), as applicable, and the correction or revision results in the institution's three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate satisfying those requirements, that institution shall immediately regain its eligibility for the academic year to which the corrected or revised three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate would have been applied.
(E) An otherwise qualifying institution for which no three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate has been reported by the United States Department of Education shall be provisionally eligible to participate in the Cal Grant Program until a three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate has been reported for the institution by the United States Department of Education.
(F) For purposes of the 2012-13 academic year, and every academic year thereafter, an otherwise qualifying institution with a graduation rate of 30 percent or less, as certified by the commission pursuant to subparagraph (A), shall be ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution, except as provided for in subparagraph (H).
(G) Notwithstanding any other law, the requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to institutions with 40 percent or less of undergraduate students borrowing federal student loans, using information reported to the United States Department of Education for the academic year two years before the academic year in which the commission is certifying the three-year cohort default rate or graduation rate pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(H) Notwithstanding subparagraph (F), an otherwise qualifying institution that maintains a three-year cohort default rate that is less than 15.5 percent and a graduation rate above 20 percent for students taking 150 percent or less of the expected time to complete degree requirements, as certified by the commission pursuant to subparagraph (A), shall be eligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution through the 2016-17 academic year.
(I) The commission shall do all of the following:
(i) Notify initial Cal Grant recipients seeking to attend, or attending, an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards under subparagraph (C) or (F) that the institution is ineligible for initial Cal Grant awards for the academic year for which the student received an initial Cal Grant award.
(ii) Notify renewal Cal Grant recipients attending an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution under subparagraph (C) or (F) that the student's Cal Grant award will be reduced by 20 percent, or eliminated, as appropriate, if the student attends the ineligible institution in an academic year in which the institution is ineligible.
(iii) Provide initial and renewal Cal Grant recipients seeking to attend, or attending, an institution that is ineligible for initial and renewal Cal Grant awards at the institution under subparagraph (C) or (F) with a complete list of all California postsecondary educational institutions at which the student would be eligible to receive an unreduced Cal Grant award.
(iv) (I) Establish an appeal process for an otherwise qualifying institution that fails to satisfy the three-year cohort default rate and graduation rate requirements in subparagraphs (C) and (F), respectively.
(II) The commission may grant an appeal for an academic year only if the commission has determined the institution has a cohort size of 20 individuals or less and the cohort is not representative of the overall institutional performance.
(m) "Satisfactory academic progress" means those criteria required by applicable federal standards published in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The commission may adopt regulations defining "satisfactory academic progress" in a manner that is consistent with those federal standards.
The commission may determine that an advance payment is
essential to ensure that funds provided pursuant to this chapter to
assist students to enroll in postsecondary education are available at
the time students enroll. Upon making that determination, the
commission may, on the basis of institutional academic calendars,
advance, per term to authorized postsecondary educational
institutions, the funds for eligible students who have indicated they
will attend those institutions, less an amount based on historical
claim enrollment attrition information. Each institution shall
disburse the funds in accordance with the provisions set forth in the
institutional agreement between the commission and the institution.
(a) A Cal Grant applicant shall submit a complete official
financial aid application pursuant to Section 69433 and applicable
regulations adopted by the commission. Each pupil enrolled in grade
12 in a California public school, including a charter school, other
than pupils who opt out as provided in subdivision (d), shall be
deemed to be a Cal Grant applicant.
(b) Financial need shall be determined to establish an applicant's initial eligibility for a Cal Grant award and a renewing recipient's continued eligibility using the federal financial need methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 and applicable regulations adopted by the commission, and as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.).
(1) "Expected family contribution," with respect to an applicant or renewing recipient, shall be determined using the federal methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 (as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.)) and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the commission.
(2) "Financial need" means the difference between the student's cost of attendance as determined by the commission and the expected family contribution. The calculation of financial need shall be consistent with Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.).
(3) (A) The minimum financial need required for receipt of an initial and renewal Cal Grant A or C award shall be no less than the maximum annual award value for the applicable institution, plus an additional one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) of financial need.
(B) The minimum financial need required for receipt of an initial and renewal Cal Grant B award shall be no less than seven hundred dollars ($700).
(c) (1) The commission shall require that a grade point average be submitted to it for all Cal Grant A and B applicants, except for those permitted to provide test scores in lieu of a grade point average.
(2) The commission shall require that a grade point average be submitted to it electronically on a standardized form for all grade 12 pupils at public schools, including charter schools, each academic year, except for pupils who have opted out as provided in subdivision (d). Social security numbers shall not be included in the information submitted to the commission. However, if the commission determines that a social security number is required to complete the application for financial aid, the school, school district, or charter school may obtain permission from the parent or guardian of the pupil, or the pupil, if he or she is 18 years of age, to submit the pupil's social security number to the commission.
(3) The commission shall require that each report of a grade point average include a certification, executed under penalty of perjury, by a school official, that the grade point average reported is accurately reported. The certification shall include a statement that it is subject to review by the commission or its designee.
(4) The commission shall adopt regulations that establish a grace period for receipt of the grade point average and any appropriate corrections, and that set forth the circumstances under which a student may submit a specified test score designated by the commission, by regulation, in lieu of submitting a qualifying grade point average.
(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that high schools and institutions of higher education certify the grade point averages of their students in time to meet the application deadlines imposed by this chapter.
(6) It is the intent of the Legislature that the commission make available to each high school and school district a report identifying all grade 12 pupils within the high school or school district, respectively, who have and have not completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the California Dream Act Application.
(d) (1) The school district or charter school shall, no later than October 15 of a pupil's grade 12 academic year, notify, in writing, each grade 12 pupil and, for a pupil under 18 years of age, his or her parent or guardian that, pursuant to subdivision (a), the pupil will be deemed a Cal Grant applicant unless the pupil opts out within a period of time specified in the notice, which shall not be less than 30 days. The required notice shall indicate when the school will first send grade point averages to the commission. The school district or charter school shall provide an opportunity for the pupil to opt out of being automatically deemed a Cal Grant applicant.
(2) Until a pupil turns 18 years of age, only a parent or guardian may opt the pupil out. Once a pupil turns 18 years of age, only the pupil may opt himself or herself out and, if prior to the conclusion of the notice period, the pupil may opt in over the prior decision of a parent or guardian to opt out.
(b) Financial need shall be determined to establish an applicant's initial eligibility for a Cal Grant award and a renewing recipient's continued eligibility using the federal financial need methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 and applicable regulations adopted by the commission, and as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.).
(1) "Expected family contribution," with respect to an applicant or renewing recipient, shall be determined using the federal methodology pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 69506 (as established by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.)) and applicable rules and regulations adopted by the commission.
(2) "Financial need" means the difference between the student's cost of attendance as determined by the commission and the expected family contribution. The calculation of financial need shall be consistent with Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq.).
(3) (A) The minimum financial need required for receipt of an initial and renewal Cal Grant A or C award shall be no less than the maximum annual award value for the applicable institution, plus an additional one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) of financial need.
(B) The minimum financial need required for receipt of an initial and renewal Cal Grant B award shall be no less than seven hundred dollars ($700).
(c) (1) The commission shall require that a grade point average be submitted to it for all Cal Grant A and B applicants, except for those permitted to provide test scores in lieu of a grade point average.
(2) The commission shall require that a grade point average be submitted to it electronically on a standardized form for all grade 12 pupils at public schools, including charter schools, each academic year, except for pupils who have opted out as provided in subdivision (d). Social security numbers shall not be included in the information submitted to the commission. However, if the commission determines that a social security number is required to complete the application for financial aid, the school, school district, or charter school may obtain permission from the parent or guardian of the pupil, or the pupil, if he or she is 18 years of age, to submit the pupil's social security number to the commission.
(3) The commission shall require that each report of a grade point average include a certification, executed under penalty of perjury, by a school official, that the grade point average reported is accurately reported. The certification shall include a statement that it is subject to review by the commission or its designee.
(4) The commission shall adopt regulations that establish a grace period for receipt of the grade point average and any appropriate corrections, and that set forth the circumstances under which a student may submit a specified test score designated by the commission, by regulation, in lieu of submitting a qualifying grade point average.
(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that high schools and institutions of higher education certify the grade point averages of their students in time to meet the application deadlines imposed by this chapter.
(6) It is the intent of the Legislature that the commission make available to each high school and school district a report identifying all grade 12 pupils within the high school or school district, respectively, who have and have not completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the California Dream Act Application.
(d) (1) The school district or charter school shall, no later than October 15 of a pupil's grade 12 academic year, notify, in writing, each grade 12 pupil and, for a pupil under 18 years of age, his or her parent or guardian that, pursuant to subdivision (a), the pupil will be deemed a Cal Grant applicant unless the pupil opts out within a period of time specified in the notice, which shall not be less than 30 days. The required notice shall indicate when the school will first send grade point averages to the commission. The school district or charter school shall provide an opportunity for the pupil to opt out of being automatically deemed a Cal Grant applicant.
(2) Until a pupil turns 18 years of age, only a parent or guardian may opt the pupil out. Once a pupil turns 18 years of age, only the pupil may opt himself or herself out and, if prior to the conclusion of the notice period, the pupil may opt in over the prior decision of a parent or guardian to opt out.
(a) The commission may require verification of high
school graduation or its equivalent to be electronically submitted
for all former grade 12 pupils who graduated from public schools,
including charter schools, in the prior academic year, except for
pupils who have opted out as provided in subdivision (d) of Section
69432.9.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that high schools or high school districts verify the graduation of their pupils in time to meet the deadlines imposed by subdivision (e) of Section 69433.9.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that high schools or high school districts verify the graduation of their pupils in time to meet the deadlines imposed by subdivision (e) of Section 69433.9.
(a) (1) A Cal Grant Program award shall be based upon the
financial need of the applicant, and shall not exceed the calculated
financial need for any individual applicant. The minimum level of
financial need of each applicant shall be determined by the
commission pursuant to Section 69432.9. The commission may provide
renewal awards.
(2) A student attending a nonpublic institution shall receive a renewal award for tuition or fees, or both, in an amount not to exceed the maximum allowable award amount that was in effect in the year in which the student first received a new award.
(b) A Cal Grant award authorized pursuant to this chapter shall be defined as a full-time equivalent grant. An award to a part-time student shall be a fraction of a full-time grant, as determined by the commission.
(c) (1) The commission shall prescribe the use of standardized student financial aid applications for California. These applications shall be simple in nature, and collect common data elements required by the federal government and those elements needed to meet the objectives of state-funded and institutional financial aid programs.
(2) The applications prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be utilized for the Cal Grant Program, all other programs funded by the state or a public institution of postsecondary education (except for the Financial Assistance Program of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges authorized by Chapter 1118 of the Statutes of 1987, for which a simplified application designed for that sole purpose may be used), and all federal programs administered by a public postsecondary education institution.
(3) Supplemental application information may be utilized if the information is essential to accomplishing the objectives of individual programs. All supplemental application information used for the purposes of commission-administered programs shall be subject to approval by the commission, and applications shall be identical for programs with similar objectives, as determined by the commission.
(4) Public postsecondary institutions are encouraged to use, but may decide whether to use, the standard applications for funds provided by private donors.
(5) The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest of students that all postsecondary education institutions in California participating in federal and state-funded financial aid programs accept the standard applications prescribed by the commission.
(d) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an individual public postsecondary institution from processing, with its own staff and fiscal resources, the standard financial aid applications specified in subdivision (c) for student aid programs for which it has legal responsibility.
(e) The commission may enter into contracts with a public agency or a private entity to improve the processing and distribution of grants, fellowships, and loans through the use of electronic networks and unified data bases.
(2) A student attending a nonpublic institution shall receive a renewal award for tuition or fees, or both, in an amount not to exceed the maximum allowable award amount that was in effect in the year in which the student first received a new award.
(b) A Cal Grant award authorized pursuant to this chapter shall be defined as a full-time equivalent grant. An award to a part-time student shall be a fraction of a full-time grant, as determined by the commission.
(c) (1) The commission shall prescribe the use of standardized student financial aid applications for California. These applications shall be simple in nature, and collect common data elements required by the federal government and those elements needed to meet the objectives of state-funded and institutional financial aid programs.
(2) The applications prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be utilized for the Cal Grant Program, all other programs funded by the state or a public institution of postsecondary education (except for the Financial Assistance Program of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges authorized by Chapter 1118 of the Statutes of 1987, for which a simplified application designed for that sole purpose may be used), and all federal programs administered by a public postsecondary education institution.
(3) Supplemental application information may be utilized if the information is essential to accomplishing the objectives of individual programs. All supplemental application information used for the purposes of commission-administered programs shall be subject to approval by the commission, and applications shall be identical for programs with similar objectives, as determined by the commission.
(4) Public postsecondary institutions are encouraged to use, but may decide whether to use, the standard applications for funds provided by private donors.
(5) The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interest of students that all postsecondary education institutions in California participating in federal and state-funded financial aid programs accept the standard applications prescribed by the commission.
(d) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an individual public postsecondary institution from processing, with its own staff and fiscal resources, the standard financial aid applications specified in subdivision (c) for student aid programs for which it has legal responsibility.
(e) The commission may enter into contracts with a public agency or a private entity to improve the processing and distribution of grants, fellowships, and loans through the use of electronic networks and unified data bases.
(a) As a condition for its voluntary participation in the
Cal Grant Program, each Cal Grant participating institution shall,
beginning in 2012, annually report to the commission, and as further
specified in the institutional participation agreement, both of the
following for its undergraduate programs:
(1) Enrollment, persistence, and graduation data for all students, including aggregate information on Cal Grant recipients.
(2) The job placement rate and salary and wage information for each program that is either designed or advertised to lead to a particular type of job or advertised or promoted with a claim regarding job placement.
(b) Commencing the year after the commission begins to receive reports pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission shall provide both of the following on its Internet Web site:
(1) The information submitted by a Cal Grant participating institution pursuant to subdivision (a), which shall be made available in a searchable database.
(2) Other information and links that are useful to students and parents who are in the process of selecting a college or university. This information may include, but not be limited to, local occupational profiles available through the Employment Development Department's Labor Market Information Data Library.
(1) Enrollment, persistence, and graduation data for all students, including aggregate information on Cal Grant recipients.
(2) The job placement rate and salary and wage information for each program that is either designed or advertised to lead to a particular type of job or advertised or promoted with a claim regarding job placement.
(b) Commencing the year after the commission begins to receive reports pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission shall provide both of the following on its Internet Web site:
(1) The information submitted by a Cal Grant participating institution pursuant to subdivision (a), which shall be made available in a searchable database.
(2) Other information and links that are useful to students and parents who are in the process of selecting a college or university. This information may include, but not be limited to, local occupational profiles available through the Employment Development Department's Labor Market Information Data Library.
(a) Only a resident of California, as determined by the
commission pursuant to Part 41 (commencing with Section 68000), is
eligible for an initial Cal Grant award. The recipient shall remain
eligible for award renewal only if he or she is a California
resident, in attendance, and making satisfactory academic progress at
a qualifying institution, as determined by the commission.
(b) A part-time student shall not be discriminated against in the selection of Cal Grant Program award recipients, and an award to a part-time student shall be approximately proportional to the time the student spends in the instructional program, as determined by the commission. A first-time Cal Grant Program award recipient who is a part-time student shall be eligible for a full-time renewal award if he or she becomes a full-time student.
(c) Cal Grant Program awards shall be awarded without regard to race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or age.
(d) An applicant shall not receive more than one type of Cal Grant Program award concurrently. An applicant shall not:
(1) Receive one or a combination of Cal Grant Program awards in excess of the amount equivalent to the award level for a total of four years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program, except as provided in Section 69433.6.
(2) Have obtained a baccalaureate degree before receiving a Cal Grant Program award.
(e) A Cal Grant Program award, except as provided in Section 69440, may only be used for educational expenses of a program of study leading directly to an undergraduate degree or certificate, or for expenses of undergraduate coursework in a program of study leading directly to a first professional degree, but for which no baccalaureate degree is awarded.
(f) The commission shall, for students who accelerate college attendance, increase the amount of award proportional to the period of additional attendance resulting from attendance in classes that fulfill requirements or electives for graduation during summer terms, sessions, or quarters. In the aggregate, the total amount a student may receive in a four-year period may not be increased as a result of accelerating his or her progress to a degree by attending summer terms, sessions, or quarters.
(g) The commission shall notify Cal Grant award recipients of the availability of funding for the summer term, session, or quarter through prominent notice in financial aid award letters, materials, guides, electronic information, and other means that may include, but not necessarily be limited to, surveys, newspaper articles, or attachments to communications from the commission and any other published documents.
(h) The commission may require, by the adoption of rules and regulations, the production of reports, accounting, documents, or other necessary statements from the award recipient and the college or university of attendance pertaining to the use or application of the award.
(i) A Cal Grant Program award may be utilized only at a qualifying institution.
(j) A recipient who initially qualified for both a Cal Grant A award and a Cal Grant B award, and received a Cal Grant B award, may be awarded a renewal Cal Grant A award if that recipient subsequently became ineligible for a renewal Cal Grant B award and meets the applicable Cal Grant A financial need and income and asset criteria.
(b) A part-time student shall not be discriminated against in the selection of Cal Grant Program award recipients, and an award to a part-time student shall be approximately proportional to the time the student spends in the instructional program, as determined by the commission. A first-time Cal Grant Program award recipient who is a part-time student shall be eligible for a full-time renewal award if he or she becomes a full-time student.
(c) Cal Grant Program awards shall be awarded without regard to race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or age.
(d) An applicant shall not receive more than one type of Cal Grant Program award concurrently. An applicant shall not:
(1) Receive one or a combination of Cal Grant Program awards in excess of the amount equivalent to the award level for a total of four years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program, except as provided in Section 69433.6.
(2) Have obtained a baccalaureate degree before receiving a Cal Grant Program award.
(e) A Cal Grant Program award, except as provided in Section 69440, may only be used for educational expenses of a program of study leading directly to an undergraduate degree or certificate, or for expenses of undergraduate coursework in a program of study leading directly to a first professional degree, but for which no baccalaureate degree is awarded.
(f) The commission shall, for students who accelerate college attendance, increase the amount of award proportional to the period of additional attendance resulting from attendance in classes that fulfill requirements or electives for graduation during summer terms, sessions, or quarters. In the aggregate, the total amount a student may receive in a four-year period may not be increased as a result of accelerating his or her progress to a degree by attending summer terms, sessions, or quarters.
(g) The commission shall notify Cal Grant award recipients of the availability of funding for the summer term, session, or quarter through prominent notice in financial aid award letters, materials, guides, electronic information, and other means that may include, but not necessarily be limited to, surveys, newspaper articles, or attachments to communications from the commission and any other published documents.
(h) The commission may require, by the adoption of rules and regulations, the production of reports, accounting, documents, or other necessary statements from the award recipient and the college or university of attendance pertaining to the use or application of the award.
(i) A Cal Grant Program award may be utilized only at a qualifying institution.
(j) A recipient who initially qualified for both a Cal Grant A award and a Cal Grant B award, and received a Cal Grant B award, may be awarded a renewal Cal Grant A award if that recipient subsequently became ineligible for a renewal Cal Grant B award and meets the applicable Cal Grant A financial need and income and asset criteria.
(a) Cal Grant A awards and Cal Grant B awards may be
renewed for a total of the equivalent of four years of full-time
attendance in an undergraduate program provided that minimum
financial need as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of
Section 69432.9 continues to exist. Commencing with the 2001-02
academic year, the total number of years of eligibility for grants
pursuant to this section shall be based on the student's educational
level in his or her course of study as designated by the institution
of attendance when the recipient initially receives payment for a
grant.
(b) (1) Commencing with the 2014-15 academic year, a recipient who was determined to be ineligible for a renewal award in the 2012-13 or 2013-14 academic year because he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student's remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.
(2) Commencing with the 2015-16 academic year, a recipient who is determined to be ineligible for a renewal award because, during the immediately preceding academic year, he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student's remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.
(c) For a student enrolled in an institutionally prescribed five-year undergraduate program, Cal Grant A awards and Cal Grant B awards may be renewed for a total of five years of full-time attendance, provided that minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.
(d) (1) A Cal Grant Program award recipient who has completed a baccalaureate degree, and who has been admitted to and is enrolled in a program of professional teacher preparation at an institution approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is eligible for, but not entitled to, renewal of a Cal Grant Program award for an additional year of full-time attendance, if minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.
(2) Payment for an additional year is limited to only those courses required for an initial teaching authorization. An award made under this subdivision may not be used for other courses.
(3) A student's Cal Grant Program renewal eligibility shall not have lapsed more than 15 months before the payment of an award for purposes of this subdivision.
(b) (1) Commencing with the 2014-15 academic year, a recipient who was determined to be ineligible for a renewal award in the 2012-13 or 2013-14 academic year because he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student's remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.
(2) Commencing with the 2015-16 academic year, a recipient who is determined to be ineligible for a renewal award because, during the immediately preceding academic year, he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student's remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.
(c) For a student enrolled in an institutionally prescribed five-year undergraduate program, Cal Grant A awards and Cal Grant B awards may be renewed for a total of five years of full-time attendance, provided that minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.
(d) (1) A Cal Grant Program award recipient who has completed a baccalaureate degree, and who has been admitted to and is enrolled in a program of professional teacher preparation at an institution approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is eligible for, but not entitled to, renewal of a Cal Grant Program award for an additional year of full-time attendance, if minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.
(2) Payment for an additional year is limited to only those courses required for an initial teaching authorization. An award made under this subdivision may not be used for other courses.
(3) A student's Cal Grant Program renewal eligibility shall not have lapsed more than 15 months before the payment of an award for purposes of this subdivision.
The commission shall adopt regulations necessary to
implement this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the commission may adopt emergency regulations pursuant to Section
11346.1 of the Government Code in order to ensure that the program
enacted by this chapter may function in its first academic year.
An award under this chapter does not guarantee admission
to an institution of higher education or admission to a specific
campus or program.
To be eligible to receive a Cal Grant award under this
chapter, a student shall be all of the following:
(a) A citizen of the United States, or an eligible noncitizen, as defined for purposes of financial aid programs under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq., as from time to time amended).
(b) In compliance with all applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
(c) Not incarcerated.
(d) Not in default on any student loan within the meaning of Section 69507.5.
(e) (1) For purposes of Article 2 (commencing with Section 69434), Article 3 (commencing with Section 69435), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 69436), except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 69436, at the time of high school graduation or its equivalent, be a resident of California.
(2) A student who does not meet the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent in the academic year immediately preceding the award year, but who meets the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent by December 31 of the academic year immediately following the date of application, satisfies any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent for the purposes of this chapter as of the first day of the academic term immediately following the term in which the requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent are met.
(3) No student shall receive an award for a term that begins prior to satisfying any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent.
(a) A citizen of the United States, or an eligible noncitizen, as defined for purposes of financial aid programs under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq., as from time to time amended).
(b) In compliance with all applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
(c) Not incarcerated.
(d) Not in default on any student loan within the meaning of Section 69507.5.
(e) (1) For purposes of Article 2 (commencing with Section 69434), Article 3 (commencing with Section 69435), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 69436), except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 69436, at the time of high school graduation or its equivalent, be a resident of California.
(2) A student who does not meet the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent in the academic year immediately preceding the award year, but who meets the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent by December 31 of the academic year immediately following the date of application, satisfies any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent for the purposes of this chapter as of the first day of the academic term immediately following the term in which the requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent are met.
(3) No student shall receive an award for a term that begins prior to satisfying any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent.
