[nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy

[Mary Ann Rojek]

Don't give up.  We know what is right and we must persist.

Mary Ann
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:53 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy



Hello Mary Ann,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I have already presented these 
arguments to the Commission Board, and they seem to be rather adamant about 
keeping the new DELEG financial needs form as part of the new policy. I know 
Fred presented a no harm clause to the student if the financial aid office 
fails to follow through with the completion of this form during the last 
phone conference, but I do not see this clause included in the most recent 
draft of the policy. At times it feels like I’m just beating my head up 
against a brick wall. But I don’t know, perhaps enduring persistence is the 
key here.

Elizabeth

 > From: brightsmile1953 at comcast.net
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy
>
> Excellent points Elizabeth
>
> Not everyone who is interested in the college policy was able to attend 
> the
> meeting when this form was discussed.
> If the commission is truly sincere about improving relationships with
> constituents and providing quality services, your points will be taken
> seriously and feedback will be provided in a timely manner. Let's see if
> this is the case..
>
> Mary Ann
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 4:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy
>
>
>
> Hello Christine,
>
> Thanks for your question. The DELEG financial needs form is a separate 
> form
> that students will be required to fill out in addition to filling out the
> FASFA. It is a form that is already being used by Michigan Rehabilitation
> Services which uses a means test for providing services to college 
> students.
> In my opinion, it appears as though the Michigan Commission for the Blind 
> is
> looking to move in the same direction without being upfront and honest 
> about
> it. I understand other people may have a different opinion about it, but
> this is my opinion.
>
> You will find a copy of this DELEG financial needs form attached to this
> message. If it is approved as part of the new policy, students will be
> required to sign a release form which would permit the Michigan Commission
> for the Blind to send the DELEG financial needs form to the financial aid
> office of the college or university. Once financial aid office fills out
> their portion of this form, they send it back to the Michigan Commission 
> for
> the Blind who then shares this information with the student.
>
> The problems I see with this new DELEG financial needs form is that it 
> would
> create a means test for providing services to college students. It was
> explained during the work group meeting that this form would not create a
> means test, but I simply do not trust what they said. Other arguments I 
> have
> used against the use of this new financial needs form is the undue burden 
> it
> places on the financial aid office to process the paper form. Many 
> colleges
> and universities are posting most of this information online, and the
> Michigan Commission for the Blind could receive this information in a more
> timely manner if they would work with the student to access this 
> information
> through their online account.
>
> Additionally, with the increase of student enrollment, especially at the
> community college level, there is no guarantee that the financial aid 
> office
> would complete and return this form in time for students to receive 
> services
> from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. In essence, there is a
> possibility that a student could receive a delay in the services they
> receive from the Michigan Commission for the Blind if the financial aid
> office does not complete and return the financial needs form on time. Why
> should the student suffer from a delay in services if they were not the
> person responsible for completing and returning this form? If the 
> counselors
> are advocating the importance of the relationship between the college
> student and their counselor with the Michigan Commission for the Blind, 
> then
> why would they want to involve a third party that would hold the potential
> of getting in the way of this relationship? If the client counselor
> relationship is as important as they claim it to be, then would it not be
> better for the counselor to work with the student to obtain this 
> information
> if it is needed at all? And if the students are already filling out the
> FASFA form, then why is a second form needed for something other than
> implementing a means test?
>
> I am by no means an expert on this issue, so if others see things
> differently, then I would like to hear your opinion. The trust I once had 
> in
> the Commission Board member who was appointed to work on this issue has
> slowly eroded over tim., And as long as this financial needs form is a 
> part
> of the policy, I cannot trust that the Michigan Commission for the Blind 
> has
> the best interests of college students in mind when passing such a policy.
>
> Respectfully,
> Elizabeth
>
> > From: Christine_Boone at comcast.net
> > To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> > Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:11:47 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Update on College Policy
> >
> > 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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> >
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