Government Relations
UM Legislative Update Newsletter
December 16, 2005
State Student Financial Aid Task Force issues recommendations to Coordinating Board
A committee of financial aid experts from across the state has completed its report to the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education, calling for a number of changes in how state financial aid is administered. The committee was formed in response to calls from legislators, parents, students and the public for a simplified array of programs and to ensure that state dollars provide the most benefit for students.
Dan Peterson, who administers the state’s financial aid programs for the Department of Higher Education, chaired the panel that included financial aid directors from public and private, two- and four-year institutions across the state. The University of Missouri was represented by Joe Camille, director of financial aid at MU.
The recommendations, which were approved by the CBHE at its Dec. 8 meeting in Jefferson City, call for nine changes in the state’s higher education programs, including:
- Creating one need-based program that combines the Gallagher and Missouri College Guarantee programs and updates the model used to distribute the funds based on federal methodology calculating need.
- Calling for an increase in core general revenue appropriations in FY08 for merit and need-based aid with a priority placed on need-based aid.
- Eliminating the high school academic criteria and extracurricular activity from student eligibility requirements for the College Guarantee program.
- Changing the definition of “part time student” for the Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship Program to specifically define a half-time and three-quarter time student.
- Limiting student eligibility to eight semesters for all of the state student financial assistance programs that require full-time enrollment. Cost savings from this change would remain in student financial assistance programs.
- Requiring a 2.5 GPA to be eligible as a renewal student for the Gallagher, Bright Flight and Barnett Scholarship programs for consistency.
- Looking for ways to have postsecondary institutions report graduation data on students who receive financial aid from state programs.
- Partnering with other state agencies that administer aid programs to use the new Financial Assistance for Missouri Undergraduate Students system that is run by the Department of Higher Education.
- Initiating a discussion with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding the A+ program.
The CBHE approved a motion to continue the work of the task force to complete remaining tasks, including a model for distribution of need-based assistance and review of the A+ program.
Read the full version of the recommendations as presented to CBHE.
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