La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § IV-1209

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IV-1209 - Responsibilities of Eligible Louisiana Institutions [Formerly Section 1211]

A. Initial Eligibility

a. Eligible Louisiana institutions must determine whether the student meets the criterion in Subparagraph a of the definition of Louisiana resident in §1203

b. If this criterion is not met, the student may request that LOSFA make a determination of residency under Subparagraph e of the definition of Louisiana resident in §1203

2. Eligible Louisiana institutions must determine whether a student meets the initial eligibility criteria enumerated in §1205

B. Continuing Eligibility. Eligible Louisiana institutions must determine whether a student meets the continuing eligibility criteria enumerated in §1207 on the same schedule as eligibility for a Pell Grant or a financial need grant is determined at the institution, but at least once annually.

C. Packaging Policy

1. Eligible Louisiana institutions must establish and use a policy on GO Grant packaging that provides:

a. procedures for compliance with these rules and the guidance established by the board and published by LOSFA for determining the award amount;

b. record retention to comply with Subsection I of this Section;

c. the basis used to establish any award amount that is less than the maximum award amount allowed;

d. procedures for distribution of GO Grant funds that ensure the grant is provided to students with the most financial need;

e. priority for students who are 25 or over;

f. awards amounts for less than full-time students; and

g. procedures for identification of transfer students and ensuring transfer students receive awards on the same basis as home students.

2. Eligible Louisiana institutions must revise the institutions GO Grant packaging policy as necessary to reflect changes to the GO Grant Program rules or guidance issued by the board.

D. Award Amount. Eligible Louisiana institutions must establish the award amounts for each individual student based on the institutions financial aid packaging policy. The amount awarded must comply with the requirements and limitations established in these rules and the guidance published by LOSFA.

E. Submission of Payment Requests. Each semester, quarter or term, eligible Louisiana institutions shall submit a payment request to LOSFA for students enrolled at the institution who have been determined eligible for a Louisiana GO Grant as follows:

1. for each student eligible for a Louisiana GO Grant who is enrolled at the end of the fourteenth class day for semester schools, or the ninth class day for quarter and term schools, or for any qualifying summer sessions, at the end of the last day to drop and receive a full refund for the full summer session;

2. the payment request shall include the:

a. Social Security number;

b. college code;

c. term;

d. date;

e. hours attempted;

f. award amount; and

g. amount requested for each student;

3. for students who are enrolled in more than one eligible Louisiana institution, the home school (school paying the Pell Grant or a financial need grant) is responsible for submitting a payment request for the Go Grant based on the total hours enrolled at all institutions.

F. Over Payments

1. No institution shall submit a payment request for GO Grant funds which would result in a student receiving an annual total of more than is authorized in §1201. C

2. Eligible Louisiana institutions certify by submitting a payment request for a GO Grant that the institution will reimburse LOSFA:

a. for the total amount of any award that is disbursed to ineligible students; and

b. for any amount of an award that is in excess of the maximum annual award or in excess of the maximum lifetime award (if one is established).

G. Excess Award. In the event an excess award occurs during the fall semester or quarter or the winter quarter due to receipt of additional gift aid, the school shall reduce the award amount for the spring accordingly. In the event an excess award occurs during the spring semester or quarter due to receipt of additional gift aid, the school shall document the reason for the excess award.

H. Over Award. In the event the student's total aid exceeds his financial need or the cost of attendance, any federal loan aid included in the total aid package shall be reduced, then institutional and other aid in accordance with institutional practice, then the Louisiana GO Grant, then a TOPS Award, if applicable, shall be reduced by the amount of any remaining over award.

I. Records Retention. Records pertaining to Louisiana GO Grant Awards are subject to audit as required by the board and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Eligible Louisiana institutions shall maintain all records for a minimum of three years from creation. All such records shall be made available upon request by the board and/or the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

J. Each eligible Louisiana institution shall provide a copy of its GO Grant packaging policy as required by §1209. C to LOSFA, when requested.

K. Audits. Eligible Louisiana institutions that participate in the Louisiana GO Grant Program grant LOSFA and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor the right to inspect records and perform on-site audits of each institution's administration of the program for the purpose of determining the institution's compliance with state law and applicable rules and regulations.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § IV-1209

Promulgated by the Student Financial Assistance Commission, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 33:2617 (December 2007), amended LR 34:239 (February 2008), LR 35:2349 (November 2009), LR 36:2853 (December 2010), LR 39:2236 (August 2013), Amended by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 44538 (3/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:3021-3023 and R.S. 17:3046 et seq.