From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Mon Feb 2 09:51:41 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 15:51:41 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [swasfaaL] Mid-Level Training In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I'm pleased to announce that SWASFAA's Mid-Level Training event now has a date! Please read below for more information. I will have many more details to pass along soon, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SwasfaaL [mailto:swasfaal-bounces at swasfaa.org] On Behalf Of swasfaal at swasfaa.org Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 9:50 AM To: swasfaal at swasfaa.org Subject: [swasfaaL] Mid-Level Training Subject: Mid-Level Training List: swasfaaL Date: February 2, 2015 From: Mendy Schmerer mendy-schmerer at ouhsc.edu ------------------------- After a several year absence, the Mid-Level Committee has been recreated and is looking to provide a superb training event for mid-level financial aid administrations in the SWASFAA region. On April 28th, 29th, and 30th, we will hold Mid-Level training in Arlington, Texas. While registration is not yet available, and the final agenda is being polished now by the committee, consider this your "save the date" to be there. The registration fee will only be $125 and attendance will be capped at 25. To take advantage of this training opportunity, your institution's membership must be current. You can find membership renewal details at http://www.swasfaa.org/docs/forms/memApp.html. We will present 6-7 topics from the NASFAA CORE materials. For more information about the credentials, please visit http://www.nasfaa.org/mkt/training/university/States___Regions_-_NASFAA_U_Benefits_for_You_and_Your_Members.aspx. Each topic can lead to a credential, if you successfully test for it once you return to your office. Ordinarily, the tests cost $99 each, but if you attend a training event in which the topic is presented by a credential instructor, the $99 is waived for that test. Committee members are currently working to obtain as many credentials as possible in order to maximize the benefit to the attendees. For more information, you can also read my blog post at http://swasfaa.org/b/. More details to come very, very soon! Thank you, Mendy Schmerer Mid-Level Training Committee Chair -------------- next part -------------- An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: ATT00001.txt URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Tue Feb 3 15:51:33 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 21:51:33 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [swasfaaL] Verification Webinar In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: This reads like the afternoon edition of the SWASFAA News! See below for details about SWASFAA's webinar on verification and best practices on February 24th. Thanks! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SwasfaaL [mailto:swasfaal-bounces at swasfaa.org] On Behalf Of swasfaal at swasfaa.org Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 3:36 PM To: swasfaal at swasfaa.org Subject: [swasfaaL] Verification Webinar Subject: Verification Webinar List: swasfaaL Date: February 3, 2015 From: Denise Welch dwelch at panola.edu ------------------------- Extra! Extra! Read all about it Verification????????????????????????? Ever wonder about............Odd Tax Filing situations and how to handle them????? Ever wonder about............Conflicting information and what that really means???????? Ever wonder about............Exactly how to explain the verification process to parents???? Please join us for these topic discussions on February 24, 2015 at 10:00 am (CST) for a one-hour webinar sponsored by SWASFAA. The webinar is free to all SWASFAA members. To sign up please email dwelch at panola.edu -------------- next part -------------- An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: ATT00001.txt URL: From myrna.cross at wosc.edu Fri Feb 6 08:50:21 2015 From: myrna.cross at wosc.edu (myrna cross) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 08:50:21 -0600 Subject: [Oasfaa] IPEDS and tuition assistance Message-ID: Good Morning!! I wanted to see how other schools are coding Tuition Assistance on the IPEDS. The call center told me yesterday not to include military TA anywhere else on the report now because they are asking for the information by itself. The lady I spoke to also acted like I shouldn't have reported it last year because she said it's VA. I gave her the names of two different people at IPEDS that I had emailed and called last year about TA and the final decision was that it was Estimated Financial Assistance and not Veteran's Benefits and should be included. They did give conflicting answers at first. I guess I'll leave them out on the rest of the report as EFA this year but just wanted to know if any of you are reporting them differently. Thanks and have a GOOD WEEKEND!!! *Myrna Cross* *Director, Financial Aid* *Western Oklahoma State College* *2801 N. Main* *Altus, OK 73521* *580-477-7712* *580-477-7716 fax* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Pamela-Jordan at ouhsc.edu Fri Feb 6 08:54:51 2015 From: Pamela-Jordan at ouhsc.edu (Jordan, Pamela G. (HSC)) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 14:54:51 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] IPEDS and tuition assistance In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I counted any tuition assistance from VA under that new section only. From: oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net [mailto:oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of myrna cross Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 8:50 AM To: oasfaa at lists.onenet.net Subject: [Oasfaa] IPEDS and tuition assistance Good Morning!! I wanted to see how other schools are coding Tuition Assistance on the IPEDS. The call center told me yesterday not to include military TA anywhere else on the report now because they are asking for the information by itself. The lady I spoke to also acted like I shouldn't have reported it last year because she said it's VA. I gave her the names of two different people at IPEDS that I had emailed and called last year about TA and the final decision was that it was Estimated Financial Assistance and not Veteran's Benefits and should be included. They did give conflicting answers at first. I guess I'll leave them out on the rest of the report as EFA this year but just wanted to know if any of you are reporting them differently. Thanks and have a GOOD WEEKEND!!! Myrna Cross Director, Financial Aid Western Oklahoma State College 2801 N. Main Altus, OK 73521 580-477-7712 580-477-7716 fax -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bfair at osrhe.edu Fri Feb 6 19:32:36 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2015 01:32:36 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] =?windows-1252?q?FW=3A_Legislative_Update_=96_February_6?= =?windows-1252?q?=2C_2015?= In-Reply-To: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB4941A@Drake.osrhe.edu> References: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB4941A@Drake.osrhe.edu> Message-ID: Below is the first legislative update for the session. There are still some bills to be added to the list. We will get more information out to you shortly. Bryce Fair ____________________________________________________ Sent: Friday, February 06, 2015 4:17 PM Date: Friday, February 6, 2015 Subject: Legislative Update ? February 6, 2015 The update below reflects the current status of major legislation concerning Higher Education during the week of February 2, 2015 ? February 6, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Hollye Hunt at hhunt at osrhe.edu or 405.225.9424. Legislative Report February 6, 2015 Appropriations and Budget HB 1174// Representative Earl Sears// The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education appropriations shell bill. SB 332 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation repeals the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act. OKPromise HB 2180 // Representative Jeff Hickman // The legislation requires that OKPromise students enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year. The legislation also extends the application eligibility to the end of a high school student?s 11th grade year. SB 137 // Senator Corey Brooks // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop an appeals process for students who have been denied participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The legislation also eliminates disability compensation in determining financial qualification for the program. SB 177 // Senator Jim Halligan // The legislation increases the income eligibility for the OKPromise scholarship to $55,000 adjusted gross income. SB 504 // Senator Clark Jolley // The legislation allows the OKPromise scholarship to be used to attend a nonprofit university that offers online, competency-based degree programs and is accredited. Weapons on Campus/ Campus Security SB 557 // Senator Ralph Shortey // The legislation allows any full-time, part-time or adjunct faculty member of a public college, public university or technology center who is in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a weapon on campus. The faculty member must provide proper notification to the college, university or technology center of the intent to carry licensed weapon on campus. SB 461 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows individuals with a valid handgun license to carry a concealed weapon onto public college or university property or a public technology center property. Additionally, under no circumstances shall consent to carry a concealed handgun by a citizen with a valid handgun license on any public college, public university or public technology center school property be denied by the public college or public university president or public technology center school administrator unless evidence is shown that the licensee has previously been involved in a violent incident that showed deliberate or reckless disregard for the health or safety of faculty, other students or any other person. The legislation also allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. SB 212 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires the board of regents for every institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to provide notice to the public utilizing a public method that sets out the firearm policy relevant to that campus and the procedure for requesting permission to carry on the college, university or technology center campus. SB 553 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires all public institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education that have established a campus police department to enter into mutual aid agreements with county sheriff departments to investigate cases of sexual assault or violent crimes. The campus police officers shall notify county sheriff departments with which the institution of higher education has entered into a mutual aid agreement upon observing, receiving a report or otherwise gaining knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime. Upon receiving such notification or report, the county sheriff department shall, with the assistance of the campus police, conduct the investigation of the sexual assault or violent crime. Additionally, all employees of institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education who observe, receive information or have knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime involving a student shall notify the county sheriff department serving the area in which the institution is located. HB 1143 // Representative George Faught // The legislation allows a citizen in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed handgun into or upon any public college, public university, or public technology center school property. HB 1265 // Representative Ken Walker // The legislation allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. Scholarships HB 1733 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Community College Scholarship Trust Fund. The scholarship will cover a student?s tuition and fees at a two year institution. To be eligible the student must be admitted and enroll at an 2-year institution after graduating from high school or getting a GED before they are 19, fill out the FAFSA, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and be involved in community service. The scholarship is funded by reallocating lottery monies. The legislation would require twenty percent (20%) of our current lottery funding be diverted to the trust fund. The scholarship would be less all other gift aid a student may receive. HB 2040 // Representative George Young // The legislation encourages the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to use appropriations in order to support entrepreneurship with special emphasis upon providing such support to minority communities in the state. Endowed Chairs HB 1732 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation expands and allows funds from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund to be used for expenses incurred by any institution governed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to endow chairs relating to research, treatment and prevention of cancer. Academic HB 2081 // Representative Jason Nelson // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities, which shall be offered by institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. SB 589 // Senator Stephanie Bice // A private educational institution accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or a national or regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education shall annually publish on its website a report concerning the cost of its programs and the transferability of its courses. The report shall contain the following information: 1.) the estimated cost of tuition and fees for each semester; and 2.) the transferability of courses to other private educational institutions and institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Task Force/ Advisory Committees HB 1021 // Representative George Faught // The legislation extends the P-20 Data Council composition and its functions until July 1, 2022. HB 2043 // Representative George Young // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of the Center. SB 288 // Senator Anastasia Pittman // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of such Center. Telecommunications SB 550 // Senator Anthony Sykes // The legislation places the judicial branch under the State Chief Information Officer and OMES. Accreditation HB 1971 // Representative David Brumbaugh // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. SB 245 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. Shell Bills HB 1704 // Representative Lee Denney // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. HB 2113 // Representative Lewis Moore // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. State Ballot Questions HJR 1009 // Representative Dan Fisher // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. SJR 20 // Senator AJ Griffin // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. Retirement SB 405 // Senator Marty Quinn // The legislation allows an institution to contract with a retired employee for a teaching position or a research position for more than 6 semester hours or the equivalent. Other SB 441 // Senator John Sparks // The legislation creates a cause of action against a third party who engages or conspires with another to engage in conduct in violation of the rules of the governing authority that causes the educational institution to incur sanctions by the governing authority or other economic penalties or losses. HB 1058 // Representative Dennis Casey // The legislation authorizes institutions within the State System of Higher Education to process federal tax withholding without claim forms. SB 612 // Senator Dan Newberry // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. HB 1859 // Representative Harold Wright // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Mon Feb 9 09:33:24 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2015 15:33:24 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [swasfaaL] Get to Know President-Elect Janell Valdez! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I've had the pleasure of getting to know Janell over the last several months, and I know that SWASFAA is in good hands when Andrew's term is over. If you aren't subscribed to the SWASFAA blog yet, I highly recommend it. The SWASFAA Board is committed to communicating with members more than we've ever done in the past. Thanks, and have a great Monday! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SwasfaaL [mailto:swasfaal-bounces at swasfaa.org] On Behalf Of swasfaal at swasfaa.org Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 2:19 PM To: swasfaal at swasfaa.org Subject: [swasfaaL] Get to Know President-Elect Janell Valdez! Subject: Get to Know President-Elect Janell Valdez! List: swasfaaL Date: February 5, 2015 From: Erika Cox erika.cox at utsa.edu ------------------------- Greetings, The SWASFAA blog has recently been updated with an interview of our President-Elect Janell Valdez. This interview is part of a larger series designed to get to know SWASFAA leadership better and strengthen our connections. View the article online http://swasfaa.org/b/peopleinthenews/janell/ and register to subscribe to our blog today! Erika Cox Chair, Electronic Initiatives The University of Texas at San Antonio Director of Enrollment Services 210-458-4859 ------------------------------------------- REPLY: To reply to the person sending this message, use the email address in the 'From' section of message above. Messages replied back to this list will be discarded. POST/MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION: To post a message to this list go to http://www.swasfaa.org. Select 'Listserv' in the 'Member Services' section and follow the instructions for posting or managing your subscription. You will be asked for your SWASFAA username and password. QUESTIONS: Contact support at swasfaa.org ------------------------------------------- From bfair at osrhe.edu Fri Feb 13 16:15:07 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 22:15:07 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] =?windows-1252?q?FW=3A_Legislative_Update_=96_February_1?= =?windows-1252?q?3=2C_2015?= In-Reply-To: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB4E2C1@Drake.osrhe.edu> References: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB4E2C1@Drake.osrhe.edu> Message-ID: Below is the state legislative update for this week. To find the text of a bill and information about any action on the bill, go to http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx and type in the bill number. I?ve added a little commentary in [italics] to the description of a couple of Oklahoma?s Promise bills. Let me know if you have questions. Bryce Fair Bryce Fair Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships and Grants Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education P.O. Box 108850 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850 Email: bfair at osrhe.edu Phone: 405-225-9162 Fax: 405-225-9230 The update below reflects the current status of major legislation concerning Higher Education during the week of February 9, 2015 ? February 13, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Hollye Hunt at hhunt at osrhe.edu or 405.225.9424. Legislative Report February 13, 2015 Appropriations and Budget HB 1174// Representative Earl Sears// The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education appropriations shell bill. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee. SB 332 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation repeals the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. OKPromise HB 2180 // Representative Jeff Hickman // The legislation requires that OKPromise students enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year. The legislation also extends the application eligibility to the end of a high school student?s 11th grade year. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee. SB 137 // Senator Corey Brooks // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop an appeals process for students who have been denied participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The legislation also eliminates disability compensation in determining financial qualification for the program. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and will be heard in committee on February 16, 2015. SB 177 // Senator Jim Halligan // The legislation increases the income eligibility for the OKPromise scholarship to $55,000 adjusted gross income. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015. [Changing the statutory definition of ?income? from ?taxable and nontaxable income? to ?adjusted gross income? would dramatically simplify the application process in the 8th-10th grade. Increasing the income limit from $50,000 to $55,000 would expand the eligible pool of students about 5%. The number of students enrolling in the program and receiving the scholarship in college have been declining in the past few years, due in large part to the lack of adjustment in the income limit, which has not changed since 2000. You can find this data in our most recent annual report for Oklahoma?s Promise at http://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/pdf/okp-report-13-14.pdf.] SB 504 // Senator Clark Jolley // The legislation allows the OKPromise scholarship to be used to attend a nonprofit university that offers online, competency-based degree programs and is accredited. [This would allow the scholarship to be used at institutions like Western Governors University.] UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015. HB 1848 // Representative Scott Inman // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. The contact person for OHLAP is responsible for identifying students who are in the permanent custody of DHS and providing those names to the State Regents. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on February 9, 2015. HB 1672 // Representative Kouplen // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 9, 2015. Weapons on Campus/Campus Security SB 557 // Senator Ralph Shortey // The legislation allows any full-time, part-time or adjunct faculty member of a public college, public university or technology center who is in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a weapon on campus. The faculty member must provide proper notification to the college, university or technology center of the intent to carry licensed weapon on campus. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 461 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows individuals with a valid handgun license to carry a concealed weapon onto public college or university property or a public technology center property. Additionally, under no circumstances shall consent to carry a concealed handgun by a citizen with a valid handgun license on any public college, public university or public technology center school property be denied by the public college or public university president or public technology center school administrator unless evidence is shown that the licensee has previously been involved in a violent incident that showed deliberate or reckless disregard for the health or safety of faculty, other students or any other person. The legislation also allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 212 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires the board of regents for every institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to provide notice to the public utilizing a public method that sets out the firearm policy relevant to that campus and the procedure for requesting permission to carry on the college, university or technology center campus. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 553 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires all public institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education that have established a campus police department to enter into mutual aid agreements with county sheriff departments to investigate cases of sexual assault or violent crimes. The campus police officers shall notify county sheriff departments with which the institution of higher education has entered into a mutual aid agreement upon observing, receiving a report or otherwise gaining knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime. Upon receiving such notification or report, the county sheriff department shall, with the assistance of the campus police, conduct the investigation of the sexual assault or violent crime. Additionally, all employees of institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education who observe, receive information or have knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime involving a student shall notify the county sheriff department serving the area in which the institution is located. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. HB 1143 // Representative George Faught // The legislation allows a citizen in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed handgun into or upon any public college, public university, or public technology center school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee. HB 1265 // Representative Ken Walker // The legislation allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee. Scholarships HB 1733 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Community College Scholarship Trust Fund. The scholarship will cover a student?s tuition and fees at a two year institution. To be eligible the student must be admitted and enroll at an 2-year institution after graduating from high school or getting a GED before they are 19, fill out the FAFSA, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and be involved in community service. The scholarship is funded by reallocating lottery monies. The legislation would require twenty percent (20%) of our current lottery funding be diverted to the trust fund. The scholarship would be less all other gift aid a student may receive. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and will be heard in committee on February 16, 2015. HB 2040 // Representative George Young // The legislation encourages the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to use appropriations in order to support entrepreneurship with special emphasis upon providing such support to minority communities in the state. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee. SB 404 // Senator John Ford // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Career Promise Act. A student may receive a scholarship for tuition and fees in certain critical industry certifications designated by the Department of Commerce. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and will be heard in committee on February 16, 2015. HB 1533 // Representative Todd Thomsen// The legislation creates the Oklahoma Higher Education Scholarship Program for middle income students. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. Endowed Chairs HB 1732 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation expands and allows funds from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund to be used for expenses incurred by any institution governed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to endow chairs relating to research, treatment and prevention of cancer. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health and will be heard in committee on February 16, 2015. Academic SB 414 // Senator Rick Brinkley // The legislation lists the independent, not-for-profit institutions that are eligible for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. HB 2081 // Representative Jason Nelson // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities, which shall be offered by institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee. SB 589 // Senator Stephanie Bice // A private educational institution accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or a national or regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education shall annually publish on its website a report concerning the cost of its programs and the transferability of its courses. The report shall contain the following information: 1.) the estimated cost of tuition and fees for each semester; and 2.) the transferability of courses to other private educational institutions and institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Task Force/ Advisory Committees HB 1021 // Representative George Faught // The legislation extends the P-20 Data Council composition and its functions until July 1, 2022. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Administrative Rules Committee. HB 2043 // Representative George Young // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of the Center. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. SB 288 // Senator Anastasia Pittman // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of such Center. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Telecommunications SB 550 // Senator Anthony Sykes // The legislation places the judicial branch under the State Chief Information Officer and OMES. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Accreditation HB 1971 // Representative David Brumbaugh // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee. SB 245 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Shell Bills HB 1704 // Representative Lee Denney // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. HB 2113 // Representative Lewis Moore // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. State Ballot Questions HJR 1009 // Representative Dan Fisher // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. SJR 20 // Senator AJ Griffin // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Retirement SB 405 // Senator Marty Quinn // The legislation allows an institution to contract with a retired employee for a teaching position or a research position for more than 6 semester hours or the equivalent. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Pensions Committee. Other SB 441 // Senator John Sparks // The legislation creates a cause of action against a third party who engages or conspires with another to engage in conduct in violation of the rules of the governing authority that causes the educational institution to incur sanctions by the governing authority or other economic penalties or losses. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1058 // Representative Dennis Casey // The legislation authorizes institutions within the State System of Higher Education to process federal tax withholding without claim forms. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 11, 2015. SB 612 // Senator Dan Newberry // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. HB 1859 // Representative Harold Wright // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to Economic Development, Commerce and Real Estate Committee. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Tue Feb 17 11:31:43 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:31:43 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] SWASFAA update Message-ID: With my duties as Oklahoma's Delegate-At-Large to SWASFAA, I want to continue to update the OASFAA membership regarding SWASFAA activities. I tend to be a little slow in doing it, but I do feel it is important. Too often, OASFAA and SWASFAA members don't get an opportunity to see just how active and involved your state and regional associations are. They are more than just their annual conferences! If you ever want to know more (about either), I'm happy to share! That being said, your SWASFAA update: The SWASFAA Board met in Arlington, Texas on January 26th and 27th. Andrew Hammontree, SWASFAA President, will begin to ramp up his travel schedule very soon. In March, he will travel to Washington, DC to participate in NASFAA's Advocacy Pipeline and to Portland, Oregon for a NASFAA Board meeting. In April, he will be at the NMASFAA conference and his favorite conference of all, with his favorite people of all, OASFAA, in Tulsa. (Don't worry, registration details will come out about that very soon in a separate announcement.) His goal is to provide an entire series of webinars this year. The first one will be held Tuesday, February 24th at 10AM on best practices of verification. A panel of presenters will focus on odd tax filing situations, conflicting information, and how to explain the verification process to parents. If you are interested in listening in, please email Denise Welch, dwelch at panola.edu, to register. This is free to all SWASFAA members. Mid-Level Training will occur on April 28th, 29th, and 30th in Arlington, Texas. Topics covered will include Federal Methodology, Verification, Cost of Attendance, Professional Judgment and SAP, Packaging, Direct Loans, and R2T4. The committee's goal is to be credentialed in each topic. This will allow the participants to return to their offices with a voucher that enables them to take their own credential tests in these topics free of charge. Registration is limited to paid SWASFAA members and registration will be $125 per person, with the hotel rate being $109. Registration should be available very soon, so look out for details on that. Not only will the materials be presented to prepare the participants to test for the credential, but there will be quite a bit of discussion regarding best practices. To keep the conversations productive, there will be a cap on enrollment of only 25 attendees. If you are interested, get registered as soon as you see the registration details become available so you don't miss out. I am happy to chair this committee, so if you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to ask. The Conference and Boot Camp committees will be meeting at the Sandia Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, site of the November conference and boot camp, on March 31st and April 1st. The Local Arrangements Chair lives in Albuquerque and is very passionate about all the things that her city has to offer. Our Conference Committee always puts together a solid line up of sessions and speakers, and after listening to all of Joni's ideas for the fun stuff (not to say the financial aid stuff isn't fun, right?), I am very excited about November's activities! Lisa Hopper, Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, will soon be soliciting candidates for President-Elect, Secretary, and the Oklahoma Delegate-At-Large. My term as Delegate will be ending in December, and it will become someone else's turn on the SWASFAA Board. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving you all on the Board and cannot encourage you enough to consider serving as well. I would love to share my experiences and opinions, so if you have any questions at all about this position, please don't hesitate to ask me. The process to investigate venues for the 2016 annual conference and boot camp has begun, and the conference rotation will bring SWASFAA back to Oklahoma! I have provided the Site Selection chair with a list of several venues to assister her with recommendations to take to the Board. The Board will meet again in Arlington on April 27th and 28th. Again, thank you for allowing me to serve, and I look forward to fulfilling my duties this year. If you have any questions about SWASFAA activities, or questions or concerns I can take to the Board, please do not hesitate to ask. Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817 (p) (405) 271-5446 (f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ [FB-f-Logo__blue_29] Become our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 1364 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From bfair at osrhe.edu Wed Feb 18 10:34:14 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 16:34:14 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] Bill requiring 30 college credit hours for OKPromise students to be heard in committee today Message-ID: FYI - HB 2180 by Rep. Jeffrey Hickman is scheduled to be heard this afternoon in the House Committee on Higher Education and Career Technology (see attached meeting notice). As originally introduced, HB2180 would require all OKPromise college students to, "enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year" to maintain eligibility for the scholarship (see the text of the introduced version at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20INT/hB/HB2180%20INT.PDF ) Yesterday, a new version of the bill was filed by Rep. Hickman. This version is called a committee substitute and is expected to be considered at the meeting this afternoon in place of the introduced version. In this version, all OKPromise college students enrolled at four-year institutions would be required to "complete a minimum of thirty (30) earned credit hours per academic year" unless the student meets at least one of eight specified exceptions. The exceptions would be required to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the president or highest academic officer of the institution. The 30-hour requirement would not apply to students enrolled exclusively at a two-year institution. You can find the text of this committee amendment/substitute at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/House/HB2180%20FULLPCS1%20JEFF%20HICKMAN-KB.PDF . Both versions of the bill would also expand the application period for the program from grades 8-10 to grades 8-11. Bryce Fair Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships and Grants Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education P.O. Box 108850 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850 Email: bfair at osrhe.edu Phone: 405-225-9162 Fax: 405-225-9230 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 02-18-15-meeting notice-Hse HiEd&CareerTech.doc Type: application/msword Size: 62976 bytes Desc: 02-18-15-meeting notice-Hse HiEd&CareerTech.doc URL: From Lori-Frazee at ouhsc.edu Thu Feb 19 10:05:15 2015 From: Lori-Frazee at ouhsc.edu (Frazee, Lori M. (HSC)) Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:05:15 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] OASFAA 2015 Spring Conference Message-ID: <3E3515BC9093EA40BF46590647E16FE33B7C673D@CORVETTE.hsc.net.ou.edu> Hello OASFAA, The OASFAA 2015 Spring Conference, "Betting On The Future" will be April 8th, 9th and 10th at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa, OK. Room reservations for the Hard Rock Hotel are now open. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-760-6700 or by logging on to the direct URL https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_login.cfm?hotelID=13572. The OASFAA conference code is OASF2015 or tell them you are with Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The conference room rate is $83 per night. The cut-off date for all guest room reservations is March 16, 2015. The Spring Conference service project this year will be The Little Lighthouse. The Little Lighthouse is a nonprofit organization in Tulsa that helps families of children with special needs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and other unique needs, with education and therapy. We are preparing a variety of gift baskets again this year, that you will have the opportunity to win. More information to come! I have attached the link to the OASFAA Membership Application for your convenience. http://oasfaaok.org/sites/default/files/files/OASFAA%20Membership%20Application%2014-15_fill.pdf. You can submit your OASFAA 14-15 Membership Application and payment to Susan Prater, Treasurer to Student Financial Services, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034 . Look for an email soon about conference registration. Conference pricing is listed below. Registration for members: $150.00 Registration for non-members: $200.00 Registration for exhibitors: $225.00 Wednesday only registration: $ 50.00 Thursday only registration: $100.00 Friday only registration: $ 50.00 Anyone who wishes to attend the conference for more than one day must pay the full registration fee of $150.00 ($200.00 for non-members). A $25 late fee will be assessed to the cost of registration after April 1st. The OASFAA Conference Committee is putting together an informative and fun conference this year. A tentative agenda will be published soon. We look forward to seeing you at the Hard Rock in April! If you have any questions please let me know! Thank you, Lori Frazee Financial Aid Counselor Office of Student Financial Aid OU Health Sciences Center 1106 Stonewall, Room 301 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 (405) 271-2118 Phone (405) 271-5446 Fax lori-frazee at ouhsc.edu [FB-f-Logo__blue_29] Become our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 1364 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Thu Feb 19 11:04:36 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:04:36 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [swasfaaL] SWASFAA Blog In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: In case I don't forward enough SWASFAA emails already... Have a great day, everyone! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SwasfaaL [mailto:swasfaal-bounces at swasfaa.org] On Behalf Of swasfaal at swasfaa.org Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 9:49 AM To: swasfaal at swasfaa.org Subject: [swasfaaL] SWASFAA Blog Subject: SWASFAA Blog List: swasfaaL Date: February 19, 2015 From: Erika Cox erika.cox at utsa.edu ------------------------- Greetings SWASFAA members, One of the reasons I value being a SWASFAA member is the opportunity it gives me to connect with others in our region. The industry is often fraught with change and it's important that we are strong in our connections so we can learn from others. One way to get to know each other is through our SWASFAA Blog www.swasfaa.org/b. If you haven't already registered for it, do so today! There's a great article on our President-Elect Janell Valdez and more are on the way. If you have questions about our blog, please feel free to email me. Erika Cox Chair, Electronic Initiatives Director of Enrollment Services The University of Texas at San Antonio 210-458-4859 ------------------------------------------- REPLY: To reply to the person sending this message, use the email address in the 'From' section of message above. Messages replied back to this list will be discarded. POST/MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION: To post a message to this list go to http://www.swasfaa.org. Select 'Listserv' in the 'Member Services' section and follow the instructions for posting or managing your subscription. You will be asked for your SWASFAA username and password. QUESTIONS: Contact support at swasfaa.org ------------------------------------------- From bfair at osrhe.edu Thu Feb 19 16:55:41 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 22:55:41 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] Update -- Bill requiring 30 college credit hours for OKPromise students Message-ID: Following is an update on HB2180 which was heard yesterday in the House Committee on Higher Education and Career Technology. ? The bill passed the committee by a vote of 7 yes, 0 no. You can listen to an audio recording of the committee discussion of the bill at http://okhouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=82&clip_id=1593 [click on HB2180 and you will have to wait about 1 minute, or fast forward to the 10:35 mark in the audio, to get to the discussion]. ? You can see how the committee members voted at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2015-16%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB2180_VOTES.HTM. ? Attached is a draft analysis that we provided to the Legislature that shows the credit hour enrollment patterns of OKPromise students in 2013-14 by type of institution. It also provides two scenarios of possible cost impacts if students took 30 credit hours (the current version of the bill exempts two-year colleges from the requirement). ? I?ve received the following questions related to the bill and have provided some preliminary answers. o Would the changes apply to only new incoming college freshmen or to all OKPromise college students? Response: As the bill is currently drafted, it does not appear to have a ?grandfathering? provision that would limit the requirement to only incoming college freshmen. Based on the current text of the bill, it appears that the requirement would become effective for all OKPromise college students in the 2015-16 academic year and thereafter. o If a student doesn?t meet the 30-hour requirement, do they lose OKPromise eligibility permanently or can they re-establish eligibility? [Example: A freshman student does not complete 30 earned hours their first year and does not qualify for one of the exceptions. Are they out permanently?] Response: The bill does not appear to specifically address this issue. The text of the bill simply states, ?To retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolled, the student shall:?complete a minimum of thirty (30) earned credit hours per academic year, unless the student meets one or more of the following exceptions?.? The bill does not provide specific language authorizing the student to re-establish eligibility if the student fails to meet the 30-hour requirement. We have asked this question of legislative staff working on the bill. At this time, my interpretation is that without specific authorization for a process for to re-establish eligibility, once the student fails to meet the 30-hour requirement, the disqualification could be permanent. This could be an issue that is clarified as the bill continues through the legislative process. ? Comparison to credit hour requirements of other State Regents? programs: o Academic Scholars Program (National Merit Scholars, Top ? of 1% on ACT, Institutional Nominees) ? must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester and complete at least 24 credit hours for the academic year. o Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship (Public Regional Universities, minimum 30 ACT) - must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester and complete at least 24 credit hours for the academic year (same as Academic Scholars). o Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (Private/independent, nonprofit, accredited universities in Oklahoma) ? must enroll in at least 12 hours per fall and spring semester; no completion requirement. Bryce Fair From: oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net [mailto:oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of Fair, Bryce Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:36 AM To: oasfaa at lists.onenet.net Subject: [Oasfaa] Bill requiring 30 college credit hours for OKPromise students to be heard in committee today FYI ? HB 2180 by Rep. Jeffrey Hickman is scheduled to be heard this afternoon in the House Committee on Higher Education and Career Technology (see attached meeting notice). As originally introduced, HB2180 would require all OKPromise college students to, ?enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year? to maintain eligibility for the scholarship (see the text of the introduced version at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20INT/hB/HB2180%20INT.PDF ) Yesterday, a new version of the bill was filed by Rep. Hickman. This version is called a committee substitute and is expected to be considered at the meeting this afternoon in place of the introduced version. In this version, all OKPromise college students enrolled at four-year institutions would be required to ?complete a minimum of thirty (30) earned credit hours per academic year? unless the student meets at least one of eight specified exceptions. The exceptions would be required to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the president or highest academic officer of the institution. The 30-hour requirement would not apply to students enrolled exclusively at a two-year institution. You can find the text of this committee amendment/substitute at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/House/HB2180%20FULLPCS1%20JEFF%20HICKMAN-KB.PDF . Both versions of the bill would also expand the application period for the program from grades 8-10 to grades 8-11. Bryce Fair Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships and Grants Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education P.O. Box 108850 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850 Email: bfair at osrhe.edu Phone: 405-225-9162 Fax: 405-225-9230 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Device.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 17733 bytes Desc: Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Device.pdf URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Fri Feb 20 16:05:19 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:05:19 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [SWASFAA Team Chatter] Verification Webinar and Mid-Level Training In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Don't you love it when Andrew posts a new blog?? What a great, and entertaining, way to end the week. Sorry to hear about your plumbing woes though, Andrew! I'll have more details about the agenda and registration for our Mid-Level event very, very soon. I promise! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SWASFAA Team Chatter [mailto:blog at swasfaa.org] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 3:12 PM To: Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC) Subject: [SWASFAA Team Chatter] Verification Webinar and Mid-Level Training SWASFAA Team Chatter has posted a new item, 'Verification Webinar and Mid-Level Training' I hope everyone is surviving the weather?s bipolar tendencies. Last Saturday I spent most of my afternoon outside, enjoying the warm weather; and on Sunday night I woke up to the sound of rolling thunder (or the second coming of Jesus?it was hard to tell at first). The next morning my neighborhood had turned into an ice-skating rink. I wonder if Mother Nature had a bad Valentine?s Day? I get temperamental, too, whenever I start dating someone. Speaking of dates, mark your calendars for the Verification Webinar on February 24th and for Mid-Level Training on April 28th-30th. (Let?s pause for a moment to reflect on how ridiculously bad that segue was.) One of my goals for 2015 is to offer training opportunities throughout the year for the SWASFAA members. Time and money are limited resources for all of us, so we will offer some of the training through webinars. The webinars are free to SWASFAA members. All you have to do is make sure your institution?s membership is current and stay tuned to the SWASFAA listserv (and this blog) for additional information. The first webinar is next Tuesday, February 24th, at 10:00 a.m. CST. We will focus on verification, i.e., odd tax filing situations, conflicting information, and how to talk to families about the verification process. If you are interested in participating in the webinar and you have not signed up, please contact Denise Welch at dwelch at panola.edu. Yesterday she told me that 90 people had already contacted her about participating, which is pretty exciting ? and terrifying if you?re a worrier like I am and wake up in the middle of the night thinking about technical challenges and program reviews and Gainful Employment reporting and the slab leak that cost $2200 to fix, which doesn?t include the cost of patching the six holes the plumbers cut in my walls!!! Deep breaths. Happy thoughts. It?s going to be okay. I have running water again. That?s worth a lot. The next training opportunity is Mid-Level Training. Mendy Schmerer wrote a great blog article about this a couple of weeks ago, previewing what you can expect from this event. I won?t rehash everything she wrote, but if you need a refresher, you can scroll back a couple of articles in the blog. We?ll be publishing lots of information about Mid-Level Training in the coming weeks. I want to reiterate what a great opportunity this is for people who want to take their professional development to the next level. The trainers are working to get credentialed so that the participants will qualify to take the NASFAA credential exams for free after the training. Registration will be $125, but this will quickly pay for itself if you take more than two credential exams, which are normally $99 apiece. The more exams you take, the more you save. (And really, can you put a price on this kind of knowledge? Hahaha! I know?) Seriously, it was important to the board that we keep the registration cost as low as possible because we know schools have limited budgets. All the registration proceeds will go toward the administrative expenses of putting on the event. The training will be held in Arlington, TX, near the DFW airport. By offering the training in a central location, we hope?to keep travel costs at a minimum. As soon as registration goes live, we will post the details on the SWASFAA listserv. We have lots more planned in the months to come, and we?ll be using this blog (and the listserv) to let you know what?s in store. In the meantime, make sure your institution?s membership is current so you?ll be eligible to participate in all the training events for the year. The mission of SWASFAA is to enhance the professional development of the financial aid administrator, and the board takes this very seriously?but no one said we can?t have fun while doing it. I hope you?ll find a lot of value in your SWASFAA membership. The relationships you build with your colleagues are friendships that will last a lifetime. And believe me, you?ll need these friends at some point, even if it?s just to complain about the outrageous cost of plumbers.? (Don't get me started!) You may view the latest post at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__swasfaa.org_b_general_trainings_&d=AwIDaQ&c=qRnFByZajCb3ogDwk-HidsbrxD-31vTsTBEIa6TCCEk&r=-Lnq0C7sCiFyP0whbJJ3dxf5JnVjhYZXejVPgZDRGLk&m=PEuDkWnX4qUnCsjlLdwh5HQY2a0gWXZ8v7FcB6Pejww&s=jovhk6QN7Brcqpvrx9mhC7a24XMOEv6DTBzh81igsKo&e= You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted. From bfair at osrhe.edu Fri Feb 20 16:10:18 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:10:18 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] =?windows-1252?q?FW=3A_State_Legislative_Update_=96_Febr?= =?windows-1252?q?uary_20=2C_2015?= Message-ID: FYI ? Below is this week?s update on state legislation related to higher education. Next Thursday, Feb. 26, is the deadline for bills to be passed out of committee in their house of origin. Thursday, March 12, will be the deadline for bills that have passed out of committee to be heard on the floor in their house of origin. Bryce Fair Subject: Legislative Update ? February 20, 2015 The update below reflects the current status of major legislation concerning Higher Education during the week of February 16, 2015 ? February 20, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Hollye Hunt at hhunt at osrhe.edu or 405.225.9424. Legislative Report February 20, 2015 Appropriations and Budget HB 1174// Representative Earl Sears// The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education appropriations shell bill. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee. SB 332 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation repeals the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. OKPromise HB 2180 // Representative Jeff Hickman // The legislation requires that OKPromise students enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year. The legislation also extends the application eligibility to the end of a high school student?s 11th grade year. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. SB 137 // Senator Corey Brooks // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop an appeals process for students who have been denied participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The legislation also eliminates disability compensation in determining financial qualification for the program. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 16, 2015 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 177 // Senator Jim Halligan // The legislation increases the income eligibility for the OKPromise scholarship to $55,000 adjusted gross income. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 504 // Senator Clark Jolley // The legislation allows the OKPromise scholarship to be used to attend a nonprofit university that offers online, competency-based degree programs and is accredited. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015 and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 18, 2015. HB 1848 // Representative Scott Inman // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. The contact person for OHLAP is responsible for identifying students who are in the permanent custody of DHS and providing those names to the State Regents. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on February 9, 2015. HB 1672 // Representative Kouplen // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 9, 2015. Weapons on Campus/Campus Security SB 557 // Senator Ralph Shortey // The legislation allows any full-time, part-time or adjunct faculty member of a public college, public university or technology center who is in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a weapon on campus. The faculty member must provide proper notification to the college, university or technology center of the intent to carry licensed weapon on campus. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 461 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows individuals with a valid handgun license to carry a concealed weapon onto public college or university property or a public technology center property. Additionally, under no circumstances shall consent to carry a concealed handgun by a citizen with a valid handgun license on any public college, public university or public technology center school property be denied by the public college or public university president or public technology center school administrator unless evidence is shown that the licensee has previously been involved in a violent incident that showed deliberate or reckless disregard for the health or safety of faculty, other students or any other person. The legislation also allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 212 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires the board of regents for every institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to provide notice to the public utilizing a public method that sets out the firearm policy relevant to that campus and the procedure for requesting permission to carry on the college, university or technology center campus. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. SB 553 // Senator AJ Griffin // The legislation requires all public institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education that have established a campus police department to enter into mutual aid agreements with county sheriff departments to investigate cases of sexual assault or violent crimes. The campus police officers shall notify county sheriff departments with which the institution of higher education has entered into a mutual aid agreement upon observing, receiving a report or otherwise gaining knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime. Upon receiving such notification or report, the county sheriff department shall, with the assistance of the campus police, conduct the investigation of the sexual assault or violent crime. Additionally, all employees of institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education who observe, receive information or have knowledge of a sexual assault or violent crime involving a student shall notify the county sheriff department serving the area in which the institution is located. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee. HB 1143 // Representative George Faught // The legislation allows a citizen in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed handgun into or upon any public college, public university, or public technology center school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee. HB 1265 // Representative Ken Walker // The legislation allows an individual who has been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon onto a private college, private university or private career technology center property provided a policy has been adopted by the governing entity of the private university, private college or private vocational-technical school that authorizes the carrying and possession of a weapon on private university, private college or private vocational-technical school property. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee. HB 1730 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation prohibits a public officer or employees of the public officer from using public monies for the advocacy or promotion of gun control. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee. SB 582 // Senator Anthony Sykes // The legislation prohibits a public officer or employees of the public officer from using public monies for the advocacy or promotion of gun control. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary. Scholarships HB 1733 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Community College Scholarship Trust Fund. The scholarship will cover a student?s tuition and fees at a two year institution. To be eligible the student must be admitted and enroll at an 2-year institution after graduating from high school or getting a GED before they are 19, fill out the FAFSA, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and be involved in community service. The scholarship is funded by reallocating lottery monies. The legislation would require twenty percent (20%) of our current lottery funding be diverted to the trust fund. The scholarship would be less all other gift aid a student may receive. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on February 16, 2015. HB 2040 // Representative George Young // The legislation encourages the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to use appropriations in order to support entrepreneurship with special emphasis upon providing such support to minority communities in the state. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. SB 404 // Senator John Ford // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Career Promise Act. A student may receive a scholarship for tuition and fees in certain critical industry certifications designated by the Department of Commerce. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 16, 2015 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB 1533 // Representative Todd Thomsen// The legislation creates the Oklahoma Higher Education Scholarship Program for middle income students. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. Endowed Chairs HB 1732 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation expands and allows funds from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund to be used for expenses incurred by any institution governed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to endow chairs relating to research, treatment and prevention of cancer. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health on February 16, 2015. Academic HCR 1002 // Representative Dan Fisher // The concurrent resolution urges the College Board to change the Advanced Placement United States History course framework and examination. The resolution also directs the State Board of Education not to award grants or expend certain money for any Advanced Placement United States History course or examination until certain conditions are met. UPATE: The House Concurrent Resolution was introduced on February 2, 2015. HB 1380 // Representative Dan Fisher // The legislation directs the State Department of Education to identify and adopt a U.S. History program and corresponding test to offer in lieu of the AP U.S. History course and test by the 2015-2016 school year. The measure specifies numerous foundational and historical documents that must be included in any U.S. History course offered in schools. Additionally, the State Board of Education is prohibited from awarding any grants to school districts, or making any expenditure of state funds as authorized, for equipment, instructional materials, course development, professional development or training, examination awards or examination scholarship for the AP U.S. History course until the course reverts back to the framework and examination in place prior to the 2014-2015 school year. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Common Education Committee on February 16, 2015. SB 650 // Senator Josh Brecheen // The legislation prohibits state funds from being used to support AP U.S. History courses. The bill specifies numerous foundational and historical documents that must be included in any U.S. History course offered in schools. Additionally, the State Board of Education is prohibited from awarding any grants to school districts, or making any expenditure of state funds as authorized, for equipment, instructional materials, course development, professional development or training, examination awards or examination scholarship for the AP U.S. History course. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 414 // Senator Rick Brinkley // The legislation lists the independent, not-for-profit institutions that are eligible for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB 2081 // Representative Jason Nelson // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities, which shall be offered by institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. SB 589 // Senator Stephanie Bice // A private educational institution accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or a national or regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education shall annually publish on its website a report concerning the cost of its programs and the transferability of its courses. The report shall contain the following information: 1.) the estimated cost of tuition and fees for each semester; and 2.) the transferability of courses to other private educational institutions and institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Task Force/ Advisory Committees HB 1021 // Representative George Faught // The legislation extends the P-20 Data Council composition and its functions until July 1, 2022. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Administrative Rules Committee. HB 2043 // Representative George Young // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of the Center. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. SB 288 // Senator Anastasia Pittman // The legislation creates a Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee which shall have oversight over implementation of the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center and shall advise the operation of such Center. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. Telecommunications SB 550 // Senator Anthony Sykes // The legislation places the judicial branch under the State Chief Information Officer and OMES. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. Accreditation HB 1971 // Representative David Brumbaugh // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee. SB 254 // Senator Nathan Dahm // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. Shell Bills HB 1704 // Representative Lee Denney // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. HB 2113 // Representative Lewis Moore // The legislation is a shell bill relating to higher education. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. State Ballot Questions HJR 1009 // Representative Dan Fisher // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Rules Committee on February 18, 2015. SJR 20 // Senator AJ Griffin // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Retirement SB 405 // Senator Marty Quinn // The legislation allows an institution to contract with a retired employee for a teaching position or a research position for more than 6 semester hours or the equivalent. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Pensions Committee on February 16, 2015. Other SB 441 // Senator John Sparks // The legislation creates a cause of action against a third party who engages or conspires with another to engage in conduct in violation of the rules of the governing authority that causes the educational institution to incur sanctions by the governing authority or other economic penalties or losses. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1058 // Representative Dennis Casey // The legislation authorizes institutions within the State System of Higher Education to process federal tax withholding without claim forms. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on February 19, 2015 by a vote of 92-0. SB 612 // Senator Dan Newberry // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on February 19, 2015. HB 1859 // Representative Harold Wright // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Economic Development, Commerce and Real Estate Committee February 19, 2015. HB 1737 // Representative Lewis Moore // The legislation prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from acting upon any federal request not expressly provided for the in U.S. Constitution; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions, or their contractors, from requesting any type of federal assistance or funding without approval of the legislature; requires state agencies and political subdivisions, or their contractors, currently receiving federal funding to deposit the money with the State Treasurer?s office and report it to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House State and Federal Relations Committee on February 18, 2015. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Dustin.Davidson at mntc.edu Mon Feb 23 15:36:26 2015 From: Dustin.Davidson at mntc.edu (Dustin Davidson) Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 21:36:26 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] OASFAA Retirees Message-ID: <03B052C537F478408ACCF2CCE0110829015B4E2CB3@S-SP-EXCHMB1.mntc.edu> Hello OASFAA In preparation for our upcoming conference, I would like to ask if you all would let me know if you are or if you know of someone in our association that is retiring this year or has retired this year. We would like to recognize our retirees at the conference and present them with a gift. If you can please notify me of anyone that you know of, even if you think someone else will tell me, by March 6 I would really appreciate it. Thank you Dustin Davidson OASFAA President Dustin Davidson Financial Aid Coordinator [MNTC_NEW_300] p: 405-364-5763 ext 7209 f: 405-366-2864 dustin.davidson at mntc.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 7168 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From cpacheco at ou.edu Mon Feb 23 20:50:17 2015 From: cpacheco at ou.edu (Pacheco, Caryn L.) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:50:17 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: Verification Webinar In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1E1F49ABBD3E6B44B42C49D4FF7FDA6A01CC7F4E40@IT-AIRSTORM.sooner.net.ou.edu> Just a FYI that the SWASFAA Verification Webinar scheduled for 2/24/15 will be postponed due to inclement weather. Please see the message below Caryn From: Denise Welch [mailto:dwelch at panola.edu] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 8:32 PM To: Denise Welch Cc: Andrew Hammontree Subject: Verification Webinar Hello: Due to inclement weather, a great deal of our schools are closed or have delays tomorrow. With that in mind, we are going to re-schedule our webinar. We are so excited for the response. Once we have a new date and time, I will email each of you. Thank you again for your response and look forward to bring you this webinar. -- Denise Welch Director of Financial Aid Panola College 903.693.2039 903.693.1122 fax [http://www.panola.edu/images/2014-great-college.jpg] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From imagee at osrhe.edu Tue Feb 24 13:20:38 2015 From: imagee at osrhe.edu (Magee, Irala) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 19:20:38 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] OTAG Reminder Message-ID: This is a reminder that Monday, March 2nd is the date by which all institutions participating in the OTAG program must have submitted their initial spring semester award claim. While March 2nd is NOT the final deadline for submitting spring OTAG award claims, we do request cooperation from all institutions in finalizing their spring award claims as soon as possible. If you need a pre-populated OTAG Award Claim Form, please send e-mail to reports at otag.org . For all schools that have not submitted a spring claim, pre-populated claims will be placed on O-SAFE today for your convenience. If you need a blank OTAG Award Claim Form template, you can go to http://www.okhighered.org/admin-fac/FinAidResources/otag.shtml to retrieve one. Also, remember that the spring award FAFSA filing deadline was extended to April 5, 2014 for spring-only awards. We appreciate your assistance in delivering OTAG funds to Oklahoma's students, and we appreciate your cooperation in finalizing your spring OTAG award claims and disbursements as expeditiously as possible. Please contact our office if you have questions or need assistance with the OTAG award claim process. Irala K. Magee Director of Scholarship and Grant Administration Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education P.O. Box 108850 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850 (405) 225-9378 Fax (405) 225-9392 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: OTAG Compare 1314_1415_02242015.xls Type: application/vnd.ms-excel Size: 44032 bytes Desc: OTAG Compare 1314_1415_02242015.xls URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Wed Feb 25 09:45:49 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:45:49 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [swasfaaL] Verification Webinar In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Did you miss the first opportunity to participate in the verification webinar? Well, lucky for you it was rescheduled for next Tuesday! If you would like to register, email Denise Welch, dwelch at panola.edu, and she will get the log in information to you. Thanks! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SwasfaaL [mailto:swasfaal-bounces at swasfaa.org] On Behalf Of swasfaal at swasfaa.org Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 9:43 AM To: swasfaal at swasfaa.org Subject: [swasfaaL] Verification Webinar Subject: Verification Webinar List: swasfaaL Date: February 25, 2015 From: Denise Welch dwelch at panola.edu ------------------------- Our Verification Webinar will be re-scheduled for Tuesday March 3,2015 at 10:00. For all that had registered for the webinar this week, you should receive an email about the date change. If you would like to sign up for the webinar scheduled on Tuesday March 3, 2015, please email me. Thank you for being patient with our weather issues. ------------------------------------------- REPLY: To reply to the person sending this message, use the email address in the 'From' section of message above. Messages replied back to this list will be discarded. POST/MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION: To post a message to this list go to http://www.swasfaa.org. Select 'Listserv' in the 'Member Services' section and follow the instructions for posting or managing your subscription. You will be asked for your SWASFAA username and password. QUESTIONS: Contact support at swasfaa.org ------------------------------------------- From karen.jeffers at tulsacc.edu Wed Feb 25 11:22:20 2015 From: karen.jeffers at tulsacc.edu (Karen Jeffers) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 17:22:20 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] Death of a student Message-ID: Greetings OASFAA, We have an interesting situation regarding a student death and a request from the servicer to return funds. The student passed away in August 2013, several days before disbursed FSA funds to the student account with a subsequent refund of the TIV credit balance for the Fall 2013 semester. At the end of that term, we processed an R2T4 and returned the institution's portion of unearned aid because the student didn't have any earned hours. Fast forward to February 2015 and we receive notification of the death, a year and a half later. At the time of disbursement, based on the information we had the student was eligible for the disbursement. Additionally, we processed a R2T4 and returned funds appropriately. Interestingly, somehow the credit balance refund was cashed posthumous, so technically we don't have any unclaimed funds laying around. Here is my question, since we now know the student passed away prior to disbursement, should we return all of the funds that were disbursed or would it be acceptable for the institution to only return the credit balance that was refunded to the student? Thanks in advance for any insight you have. Karen [cid:image001.jpg at 01D050EA.A1CFE4B0] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 11762 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From kkelnar at ocap.org Wed Feb 25 17:48:32 2015 From: kkelnar at ocap.org (Kelnar, Kelli) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 23:48:32 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] 2015 OASFAA Conference Message-ID: [cid:image002.jpg at 01D05123.44ED1E00]Good Afternoon, The OASFAA 2015 Spring Conference, "Betting On The Future" will be held April 8-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa. Room reservations for the Hard Rock are now open and can be made by calling 1.800.760.6700 or by logging on to https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_login.cfm?hotelID=13572. The OASFAA conference code is OASF2015 or you may indicate you're with the Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The conference room rate is $83 per night, or $139 for suites, and the deadline for all guest room reservations will be March 16. The OASFAA Conference service project this year will be The Little Lighthouse. The Little Lighthouse is a nonprofit organization in Tulsa that helps families with education and therapy for children with special needs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other unique disabilities. Gift baskets will be used to help raise money. All associate members are encouraged to participate in the service project, if possible. More information to come. I have attached the link to the OASFAA Membership Application for your convenience http://oasfaaok.org/sites/default/files/files/OASFAA%20Membership%20Application%2014-15_fill.pdf. You may submit your OASFAA 2015 Membership Application and payment to Susan Prater, OASFAA Treasurer, at the following address: University of Central Oklahoma Susan Prater, Director Student Financial Services 100 N. University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 Conference pricing is listed below. [cid:image004.jpg at 01D05123.44ED1E00] Registration for Associate Members Exhibitor Fee Electricity Wednesday Only Registration Thursday Only Registration Friday Only Registration A $25 late fee will be assessed to the cost of registration after April 1.. Watch for another email soon regarding conference registration. Look forward to seeing you at the Hard Rock in April! Kelli Kelnar OASFAA Corporate Chair 405-234-4313 kkelnar at ocap.org [cid:image005.png at 01D05108.F9E22500] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 249477 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 1638 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.png Type: image/png Size: 19659 bytes Desc: image005.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 11602 bytes Desc: image002.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3596 bytes Desc: image004.jpg URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Thu Feb 26 09:18:18 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:18:18 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] Tax credits information Message-ID: Since this content is not limited to NASFAA members, I thought I would pass it along in case anyone missed it. http://www.nasfaa.org/students/Tax_Breaks_for_Higher_Education.aspx Thanks, and everyone stay warm! Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817 (p) (405) 271-5446 (f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ [FB-f-Logo__blue_29] Become our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 1364 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu Thu Feb 26 12:03:35 2015 From: Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu (Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 18:03:35 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] FW: [SWASFAA Team Chatter] Mid-Level Training registration In-Reply-To: <39f8c2cb12f69d31cd6c2ea3903efa86@swasfaa.org> References: <39f8c2cb12f69d31cd6c2ea3903efa86@swasfaa.org> Message-ID: Surely by now you've signed up for the SWASFAA blog, haven't you? :) Mendy Schmerer, M.Ed. Assistant Director Office of Student Financial Aid University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 1106 N. Stonewall, Rm 301 Oklahoma City, OK? 73117 (405) 271-2118, x 48817?(p) (405) 271-5446?(f) Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/ ?Become our fan on Facebook:? www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -----Original Message----- From: SWASFAA Team Chatter [mailto:blog at swasfaa.org] Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:51 AM To: Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC) Subject: [SWASFAA Team Chatter] Mid-Level Training registration SWASFAA Team Chatter has posted a new item, 'Mid-Level Training registration' Greetings, my cold and winter-weary friends!? I'd recently?put a reminder on my calendar to check into swim lessons for my girls for this summer.? The stark contrast between my longing to sit by the pool, basking in the sun, and the bitter cold reality of what waits for us outside at the end of the today's workday is astounding, not to mention the snow and sleet that is?marching?this way.? I suppose this artic blast helps prepare those of us who are fortunate enough to travel to Washington, DC this weekend for NASFAA's Leadership and Legislative Conference and Expo.? Still, while we are praying we travel safely and are wearing about 17 layers of clothes, we are thankful for the opportunity to go. And speaking of opportunities (I learned the art of a good segue from Andrew, if you'd like to see his previous post), let's get to the real reason for this post:? Mid-Level Training!? Registration is now open and available.? If you would like more details about the event, and the registration information, please visit the SWASFAA Training page. As a reminder, the Mid-Level Training Committee, comprised of me, Mendy Schmerer (OK), Brent Small (NM), Erika Cox (TX), Lisa Hopper (AR), and Katraya Williams (LA), is working diligently to provide?mid-level financial aid administrators?the best possibility training opportunity.? We will be presenting a packed agenda of NASFAA CORE topics, providing attendees the opportunity to test for NASFAA credentials. Our agenda will consist of: Tuesday, April 28:? Federal Methodology and Verification Wednesday, April 29:? Cost of Attendance, Professional Judgment, Packaging and Notification of Awards, and Direct Loans* Thursday, April 30:? Return of Title IV Funds* and Satisfactory Academic Progress We are going to be very intentional with the agenda in leaving time for discussion about best practices and lessons learned, not only from the committee but from the participants as well.? Knowledge is absorbed best when there are practical applications involved, and our goal is for our attendees to leave with a head crammed full of new knowledge, new ideas to take back to the office, and the ability to pass the credential exam with flying colors! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me at 405/271-2118 or at mendy-schmerer at ouhsc.edu. Thanks, Mendy * denotes the topics that will be presented by credentialed instructors; as this changes, new updates will occur via this blog and the SWASFAA listserv. You may view the latest post at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__swasfaa.org_b_associationnews_midlevel_&d=AwIDaQ&c=qRnFByZajCb3ogDwk-HidsbrxD-31vTsTBEIa6TCCEk&r=-Lnq0C7sCiFyP0whbJJ3dxf5JnVjhYZXejVPgZDRGLk&m=cYGDy14LjUcd8p5R632HNxoEppnmzMOw4EKYliebAMM&s=Z2tx9f4DQEYsX22mdlGtvstEvjjgyQOZ3oIal_8OmKE&e= You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted. From Lori-Frazee at ouhsc.edu Fri Feb 27 14:36:43 2015 From: Lori-Frazee at ouhsc.edu (Frazee, Lori M. (HSC)) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 20:36:43 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] OASFAA 2015 Spring Conference - Registration is now available Message-ID: <3E3515BC9093EA40BF46590647E16FE33B7C8FAA@CORVETTE.hsc.net.ou.edu> Hello OASFAA, The OASFAA 2015 Spring Conference, "Betting On The Future" will be April 8th, 9th and 10th at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tulsa, OK. Room reservations for the Hard Rock Hotel are now open. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-760-6700 or by logging on to the direct URL https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_login.cfm?hotelID=13572. The OASFAA conference code is OASF2015 or tell them you are with Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The conference room rate is $83 per night ($139 for a suite). The cut-off date for all guest room reservations is March 16, 2015. The Spring Conference service project this year will be The Little Lighthouse. The Little Lighthouse is a nonprofit organization in Tulsa that helps families of children with special needs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and other unique needs, with education and therapy. We are preparing a variety of gift baskets again this year, that you will have the opportunity to win. More information to come! I have attached the link to the OASFAA Membership Application for your convenience. http://oasfaaok.org/sites/default/files/files/OASFAA%20Membership%20Application%2014-15_fill.pdf. You can submit your OASFAA 14-15 Membership Application and payment to Susan Prater, Treasurer to Student Financial Services, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034 . Conference registration is NOW available at http://oasfaaok.org/conferences. Conference pricing is listed below. Registration for members (Institutional & Associate): $150.00 Registration for non-members (Institutional & Associate): $200.00 Exhibitors fee: $225.00 Wednesday only registration: $ 50.00 Thursday only registration: $100.00 Friday only registration: $ 50.00 Anyone who wishes to attend the conference for more than one day must pay the full registration fee of $150.00 ($200.00 for non-members). A $25 late fee will be assessed to the cost of registration after April 1st. The OASFAA Conference Committee is putting together an informative and fun conference this year! A tentative agenda is available here. We look forward to seeing you at the Hard Rock in April! If you have any questions please let me know! Thank you, Lori Frazee Financial Aid Counselor Office of Student Financial Aid OU Health Sciences Center 1106 Stonewall, Room 301 Oklahoma City, OK 73117 (405) 271-2118 Phone (405) 271-5446 Fax lori-frazee at ouhsc.edu [FB-f-Logo__blue_29] Become our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 1364 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From bfair at osrhe.edu Fri Feb 27 16:06:17 2015 From: bfair at osrhe.edu (Fair, Bryce) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2015 22:06:17 +0000 Subject: [Oasfaa] =?windows-1252?q?FW=3A_Legislative_Update_=96_February_2?= =?windows-1252?q?7=2C_2015?= In-Reply-To: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB6498B@Drake.osrhe.edu> References: <04A8951A98F471429444BFBA57D49B2C5EB6498B@Drake.osrhe.edu> Message-ID: Below is the state legislative update for this week. Yesterday, February 26, was the deadline for bills to pass of committee in their house of origin. Bills that did not make it out of committee have been removed from the list. As you will see, all the bills related to OKPromise are still alive. HB 1733, which would have created the Oklahoma Community College Scholarship, passed out of an appropriations subcommittee in the House but did not get heard in the full House Appropriations Committee and thus is dead for the session (it has been removed from the list). SB 404, the Oklahoma Career Promise Act, shown in the Scholarships section, remains alive. For detailed information on any bill go to http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx and type in the number of the bill. Bryce Fair Date: Friday, February 27, 2015 Subject: Legislative Update ? February 27, 2015 The update below reflects the current status of major legislation concerning Higher Education during the week of February 23, 2015 ? February 27, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Hollye Hunt at hhunt at osrhe.edu or 405.225.9424. Legislative Report February 27, 2015 Appropriations and Budget HB 1174// Representative Earl Sears// The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education appropriations shell bill. UPDATE: The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee. OKPromise HB 2180 // Representative Jeff Hickman // The legislation requires that OKPromise students enroll in a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year. The legislation also extends the application eligibility to the end of a high school student?s 11th grade year. [The most current version requires students enrolled at four-year colleges to complete at least 30 hours per year unless the student meets one of eight specified exceptions.] UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. SB 137 // Senator Corey Brooks // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop an appeals process for students who have been denied participation in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The legislation also eliminates disability compensation in determining financial qualification for the program. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 16, 2015 and passed out the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 25, 2015. SB 177 // Senator Jim Halligan // The legislation increases the income eligibility for the OKPromise scholarship to $55,000 adjusted gross income. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015 and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 25, 2015. SB 504 // Senator Clark Jolley // The legislation allows the OKPromise scholarship to be used to attend a nonprofit university that offers online, competency-based degree programs and is accredited. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 9, 2015 and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 18, 2015. HB 1848 // Representative Scott Inman // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. The contact person for OHLAP is responsible for identifying students who are in the permanent custody of DHS and providing those names to the State Regents. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on February 9, 2015. HB 1672 // Representative Kouplen // The legislation expands eligibility for the OKPromise program to include students in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The student is exempt from meeting all other high school eligibility criteria. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 9, 2015. Weapons on Campus/Campus Security No pending legislation. Scholarships HB 2040 // Representative George Young // The legislation encourages the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to use appropriations in order to support entrepreneurship with special emphasis upon providing such support to minority communities in the state. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. SB 404 // Senator John Ford // The legislation creates the Oklahoma Career Promise Act. A student may receive a scholarship for tuition and fees in certain critical industry certifications designated by the Department of Commerce. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 16, 2015 and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 25, 2015. Endowed Chairs HB 1732 // Representative Sean Roberts // The legislation expands and allows funds from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund to be used for expenses incurred by any institution governed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to endow chairs relating to research, treatment and prevention of cancer. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health on February 16, 2015. Academic HCR 1002 // Representative Dan Fisher // The concurrent resolution urges the College Board to change the Advanced Placement United States History course framework and examination. The resolution also directs the State Board of Education not to award grants or expend certain money for any Advanced Placement United States History course or examination until certain conditions are met. UPATE: The House Concurrent Resolution was introduced on February 2, 2015. HB 1380 // Representative Dan Fisher // The legislation directs the State Department of Education to identify and adopt a U.S. History program and corresponding test to offer in lieu of the AP U.S. History course and test by the 2015-2016 school year. The measure specifies numerous foundational and historical documents that must be included in any U.S. History course offered in schools. Additionally, the State Board of Education is prohibited from awarding any grants to school districts, or making any expenditure of state funds as authorized, for equipment, instructional materials, course development, professional development or training, examination awards or examination scholarship for the AP U.S. History course until the course reverts back to the framework and examination in place prior to the 2014-2015 school year. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Common Education Committee on February 16, 2015. SB 414 // Senator Rick Brinkley // The legislation lists the independent, not-for-profit institutions that are eligible for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 23, 2015 and passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 25, 2015. HB 2081 // Representative Jason Nelson // The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities, which shall be offered by institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 18, 2015. Task Force/ Advisory Committees No pending legislation. Telecommunications No pending legislation. Accreditation HB 1971 // Representative David Brumbaugh // The legislation allows an exemption for religious institutions to offer degrees not approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The degree must be used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or be offered by an institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall include a religious modifier. The religious modifier must be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications. UPDATE: The bill was heard in House Higher Education and Career Technology Committee on February 25, 2015 and Representative Brumbaugh laid the bill over. Shell Bills No pending legislation. State Ballot Questions HJR 1009 // Representative Dan Fisher // The ballot question would affirm the second amendment as a fundamental right. Regulations by the state on the right to keep and bear arms would be subject to strict scrutiny. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House Rules Committee on February 18, 2015. Retirement SB 405 // Senator Marty Quinn // The legislation allows an institution to contract with a retired employee for a teaching position or a research position for more than 6 semester hours or the equivalent. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Pensions Committee on February 16, 2015. Other HB 1058 // Representative Dennis Casey // The legislation authorizes institutions within the State System of Higher Education to process federal tax withholding without claim forms. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on February 19, 2015 by a vote of 92-0. SB 612 // Senator Dan Newberry // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on February 19, 2015. HB 1859 // Representative Harold Wright // The legislation modifies membership to the Governor?s Council for Workforce and Economic Development. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Economic Development, Commerce and Real Estate Committee February 19, 2015. HB 1737 // Representative Lewis Moore // The legislation prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from acting upon any federal request not expressly provided for the in U.S. Constitution; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions, or their contractors, from requesting any type of federal assistance or funding without approval of the legislature; requires state agencies and political subdivisions, or their contractors, currently receiving federal funding to deposit the money with the State Treasurer?s office and report it to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House State and Federal Relations Committee on February 18, 2015. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: