| (a) To the extent funds are available, students may
receive continuation awards if they meet the satisfactory academic
progress requirements outlined in this section.
(b) To qualify for an award in a subsequent year, each
recipient of the Top 10 Percent Scholarship shall meet the following
academic progress requirements as of the end of his or her most recent
academic year. Exceptions to these requirements can only be made in
keeping with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section:
(1) complete at least 75 percent of the hours attempted
in his or her most recent twelve-month academic year, as determined
by institutional policies;
(2) complete at least 30 semester credit hours in his
or her most recent twelve-month academic year; and
(3) maintain an overall grade-point average of at least
3.25 on a four-point scale or its equivalent for all coursework completed
at his or her current institution of higher education (or maintain
a 3.00 on a four-point scale at the end of the sophomore and junior
years if holding a declared major in a shortage area at the end of
those years). A recipient who does not meet the academic progress
requirements of his or her institution may not receive an award until
the institution has determined that the student has raised his or
her academic performance and program requirements have been met.
(c) A grant recipient who is below program grade-point
average requirements as of the end of a spring or summer term may
appeal his or her grade-point average calculation if he or she has
taken courses previously at one or more different institutions. In
the case of such an appeal, the current institution (if presented
with transcripts from the previous institutions) shall calculate an
overall grade-point average, counting all classes and grade points
previously earned. If the resulting grade-point average exceeds the
program's academic progress requirement, a student may receive an
award in the following fall term.
(d) A student's eligibility for a Top 10 Percent Scholarship
ends four years from the start of the semester or term in which the
student received his or her initial award unless he or she has been
granted a hardship extension by the institution in accordance with
subsection (e) of this section, or has completed a bachelor's degree,
whichever occurs first.
(e) In the event of a hardship or for other good cause,
the Program Officer at an eligible institution may allow an otherwise
eligible person to receive a Top 10 Percent Scholarship award while
the student's grade-point average, completion rate, and/or number
of completed hours fall below the satisfactory academic progress requirements
of subsection (b) of this section. Such conditions may include, but
are not limited to:
(1) a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating
condition that may affect the student's academic performance;
(2) an indication that the student is responsible for
the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the student's
provision of care may affect his or her academic performance; or
(3) the requirement of fewer than twelve hours to complete
one's degree plan.
(f) The Program Officer may grant an extension of the
four-year limit found in subsection (d) of this section in the event
of hardship, but no student may receive more than four awards. Documentation
justifying the extension must be kept as a part of the student's record.
The institution must identify each student granted an extension and
the length of the extension so that Board staff can appropriately
monitor each student's period of eligibility.
(g) Each institution shall adopt a hardship policy
under this section and have the policy available in writing in the
financial aid office for public review upon request.
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