[nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy

Christine Boone Christine_Boone at comcast.net
Wed Jul 14 14:11:47 UTC 2010


Elizabeth, 

You mention that the DELEG financial  needs form is still a part of the
proposed college policy.  Is that the same thing as the FASFA, which is the
general federal form that all students are required to complete if they are
seeking financial aid? or is it something different?  
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:02 AM
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy


Hello List,
 
I have been told that the July 1 draft of the college policy could not be
found on the Michigan Commission for the Blind website. Therefore, I have
attached it to this message for anyone who is interested in reading it. I
received this attachment from a message I received today, and have not been
able to check to make sure that it reads the same as the attachment that was
sent out on July 1, 2010.
 
There have been several emails about the timeline issue which are summarized
in the message that appears below. If you would like me to forward the
emails where the discussion took place, I would be more than happy to pass
them along for anyone who might be interested in reading them. Also, the
deadline for submitting comments on the July 1 draft has been extended to
July 19, 2010 as indicated in the message that appears below.
 
I have briefly looked over the newly revised policy, but have yet to really
comment on it. I know the DELEG financial needs form is still a part of the
policy, and in my opinion, that is the only major difference between this
policy and the policy they are currently using. I know that it was explained
during the work group meeting that this form is not a means test, and the
language of the policy has changed a bit about financial participation, but
I still see this form as a way to implement a means test for college
students. I am deeply opposed to the use of this new form, and I cannot
support any policy that includes this form as part of the policy. 
 
I believe that covers everything for the moment, but if you have any further
questions or comments, they are always appreciated. I forgot how busy
convention can be, so I apologize for the delay in getting back into the
swing of things here in Michigan. 
 
Elizabeth
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
From: geri.taeckens at isahealthfund.org
Subject: Modification for colege policy for July 19
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:51:55 -0400
 
Hi to all!  Important modifications.
 
First, the deadline for responding on the July 1 policy draft attached here
has been extended to Monday, July 19.  All comments must be in by noon on
that day so I can get the final draft out for editing to get to the board.
 
Second: I will recommend to the board on 8-27, that  the final draft be
accepted for 1 year, with a plan to review it after data is collected on key
factors in this policy.
 
Third, Virginia from MSU office for disabled students has brought to our
attention some very pertinent mandates by the federal government regarding
timelines.  I did send you what she wrote and have modified policy A
essential elements number 4 and 5 for your review.  I personally feel much
better aligning these 2 statements with something tangible.
 
Fourth, There has been concern voiced by a few folks about the statement in
policy B, regarding non-accredited colleges.  Some feel this option should
not be available to MCB consumers.  Unless anyone has a good reason why
non-accredited colleges should be sponsored by MCB, I recommend we delete
that segment from the policy. 
 
 I have placed examples of how these 3 segments might be written.
 
  Policy A.
 
4)     The timeline for completing a post-secondary training or college
program is established by the training or educational institution and
federal mandates related to financial aid.  Financial aid recipients must
complete their degree program within 150% of the educational institutions
expected time for completion. Example, a student working on a 4-year degree
would be eligible for financial aid for 12 semesters or 6 years.  A student
working on a 2-year associate's degree would be eligible for a maximum of 3
years (6 semesters.  MCB students are encouraged to complete their training
or degree based on these timelines.  Students with additional disabilities,
medical issues, family situations, job duties, and or who are
non-traditional students are encouraged to engage their counselor in
developing a timeline for completion suitable for their needs; keeping in
mind that the educational institution will require  a student to complete an
application for appeal/extension with the college's financial aid office.
Requests/appeals are carefully reviewed prior to a student receiving an
extension and if the extension is granted, the extension is closely
monitored to assure the student is making progress. Go to www.ED.gov for
complete details on college-university timeline mandates.
 
5)     If a student's attendance at training is interrupted for a period of
time and classes cannot be attended for one of the reasons referenced in
Policy A - 4, the period of time the student is absent does not count
against the identified timeline according to MCB and the educational
institution.  A written, dated, request, including the reasons for this
break in attendance shall be submitted to the MCB counselor.  It is
important to note however, that the timeline for students receiving
financial aid still applies as described in policy A-4, requiring a student
to complete a 4 year degree in a total of 12 semesters, with a maximum of 18
semesters, unless an appeal has been granted. MCB Students and counselors
should also be aware that some programs require a continuum of attendance
such as degrees that include rapid advancements like computer sciences,
medicine, and education.  A break in such programs could require a student
to take additional classes to fulfill new requisites. 
 
 Policy B.  Accreditation
 
MCB cooperates with colleges, universities, and other degree-granting
institutions, including correspondence, home-study and vocational training
programs that are accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education.  
 
 Note... Delete this next section.
 
Exceptions may be made where accreditation is pending or conditional and the
course of study is sufficiently unique to justify use of the institution.
Students and their MCB counselor should discuss the risks and benefits of
attending a non-accredited training program or university as it could
negatively impact a student's ultimate vocational goal.

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