Title 34—Education--Volume 1
PART 692—LEVERAGING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
§ 692.1   What is the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership?
The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program assists States in providing grants and work-study assistance to eligible students who attend institutions of higher education and have substantial financial need. The work-study assistance is provided through campus-based community service work learning study programs, hereinafter referred to as community service-learning job programs.
§ 692.2   Who is eligible to participate in the LEAP Program?
(a) State participation. A State that meets the requirements in §§ 692.20 and 692.21 is eligible to receive payments under the LEAP program.
(b) Student participation. A student must meet the requirements of § 692.40 to be eligible to receive assistance from a State under the LEAP program.
§ 692.3   What regulations apply to the LEAP Program?
The following regulations apply to the LEAP Program:
(a) The regulations in this part 692.
(b) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:
(1) 34 CFR 75.60-75.62 (Ineligibility of Certain Individuals to Receive Assistance).
(2) 34 CFR part 76 (State-Administered Programs).
(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions That Apply to Department Regulations).
(4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities).
(5) [Reserved]
(6) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
(7) 34 CFR part 84 (Governmentwide Requirements For Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)).
(8) 34 CFR part 86 (Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention).
(c) The Student Assistance General Provisions in 34 CFR part 668.
(d)(1) 2 CFR part 180 (OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)), as adopted at 2 CFR part 3485; and
(2) 2 CFR part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), as adopted at 2 CFR part 3474.
§ 692.4   What definitions apply to the LEAP Program?
The following definitions apply to the regulations in this part:
(a) The definitions of the following terms under 34 CFR part 600:
Postsecondary vocational institution (§ 600.6).
Public or private nonprofit institution of higher education (§ 600.4).
Secretary (§ 600.2).
State (§ 600.2).
(b) The definitions of the following terms under 34 CFR part 668:
Academic year (§ 668.2).
Enrolled (§ 668.2).
HEA (§ 668.2).
Institution (§ 668.1(b)).
(c) The definitions of the following terms also apply to the LEAP Program:
Full-time student means a student carrying a full-time academic workload—other than by correspondence—as measured by both of the following:
(1) Coursework or other required activities, as determined by the institution that the student attends or by the State.
(2) The tuition and fees normally charged for full-time study by that institution.
Nonprofit has the same meaning under this part as the same term defined in 34 CFR 77.1 of EDGAR.
§ 692.10   How does the Secretary allot funds to the States?
(a)(1) The Secretary allots to each State participating in the LEAP program an amount which bears the same ratio to the Federal LEAP funds appropriated as the number of students in that State who are “deemed eligible” to participate in the State's LEAP program bears to the total number of students in all States who are “deemed eligible” to participate in the LEAP program, except that no State may receive less than it received in fiscal year 1979 for the programs under this part.
(2) For the programs under this part, if the Federal funds appropriated for a fiscal year are not sufficient to allot to each State the amount of Federal funds it received in fiscal year 1979, the Secretary allots to each State an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of Federal funds appropriated as the amount of Federal funds that State received in fiscal year 1979 bears to the amount of Federal funds all States received in fiscal year 1979.
(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Secretary determines the number of students “deemed eligible” to participate in a State's LEAP Program by dividing the amount of that State's LEAP expenditures, including both its Federal allotment and the State funds matching the allotment, by the average grant award per student of all participating States. The Secretary determines the “average grant award per student” by dividing the total number of student recipients for all States into the total amount of LEAP expenditures for all States, including both the Federal allotments and the State funds matching those allotments. In making this determination, the Secretary uses the most current available data reported by each State.
§ 692.11   For what purposes may a State use its payments under the LEAP Program?
A State may use the funds it receives under the LEAP Program only to make grants to students and to pay wages or salaries to students in community service-learning jobs.
§ 692.20   What must a State do to receive an allotment under this program?
(a) For each fiscal year that it wishes to participate, a State shall submit an application that contains information that shows that its Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program meets the requirements of § 692.21.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the State must submit its application through the State agency designated to administer its Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program as of July 1, 1985.
(2) If the Governor of the State so designates, and notifies the Secretary in writing, the State may submit its application under paragraph (a) of this section through an agency that did not administer its Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program as of July 1, 1985.
§ 692.21   What requirements must be met by a State program?
To receive a payment under the LEAP Program for any fiscal year, a State must have a program that—
(a) Is administered by a single State agency;
(b) Provides assistance only to students who meet the eligibility requirements in § 692.40;
(c) Provides that assistance under this program to a full-time student will not be more than the lesser of $12,500 or the student's cost of attendance under section 472 of the HEA for each academic year;
(d) Provides for the selection of students to receive assistance on the basis of substantial financial need determined annually by the State on the basis of standards that the State establishes and the Secretary approves;
See § 692.41.
(e) Provides that no student or parent shall be charged a fee that is payable to an organization other than the State for the purpose of collecting data to make a determination of financial need in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section;
(f) Provides that all public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education and all postsecondary vocational institutions in the State are eligible to participate unless that participation is in violation of—
(1) The constitution of the State; or
(2) A State statute that was enacted before October 1, 1978;
(g) Provides that, if a State awards grants to independent students or to students who are less-than-full-time students enrolled in an institution, a reasonable portion of the State's allocation must be awarded to those students;
(h) Provides that—
(1) The State will pay an amount for grants and work-study jobs under this part for each fiscal year that is not less than the payment to the State under this part for that fiscal year; and
(2) The amount that the State expends during a fiscal year for grants and work-study jobs under the LEAP Program represents an additional amount for grants and work-study jobs for students attending institutions over the amount expended by the State for those activities during the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which the State first received funds under the LEAP Program;
(i) Provides for State expenditures under the State program of an amount that is not less than—
(1) The average annual aggregate expenditures for the preceding three fiscal years; or
(2) The average annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student for those years;
(j) Provides that, to the extent practicable, the proportion of the funds awarded to independent students in the LEAP Program shall be the same proportion of funds awarded to independent students as is in the State program or programs of which the State's LEAP Program is a part;
(k) Notifies eligible students that the grants are—
(1) Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grants; and
(2) Funded by the Federal Government, the State, and, where applicable, other contributing partners; and
(l) Provides for reports to the Secretary that are necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under the LEAP Program.
§ 692.30   How does a State administer its community service-learning job program?
(a)(1) Each year, a State may use up to 20 percent of its allotment for a community service-learning job program that satisfies the conditions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) A student who receives assistance under this section must receive compensation for work and not a grant.
(b)(1) The community service-learning job program must be administered by institutions in the State.
(2) Each student employed under the program must be employed in work in the public interest by an institution itself or by a Federal, State, or local public agency or a private nonprofit organization under an arrangement between the institution and the agency or organization.
(c) Each community service-learning job must—
(1) Provide community service as described in paragraph (d) of this section;
(2) Provide participating students community service-learning opportunities related to their educational or vocational programs or goals;
(3) Not result in the displacement of employed workers or impair existing contracts for services;
(4) Be governed by conditions of employment that are considered appropriate and reasonable, based on such factors as type of work performed, geographical region, and proficiency of the employee;
(5) Not involve the construction, operation, or maintenance of so much of any facility as is used or is to be used for sectarian instruction or as a place for religious worship; and
(6) Not pay any wage to a student that is less than the current Federal minimum wage as mandated by section 6(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
(d) For the purpose of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, “community service” means direct service, planning, or applied research that is—
(1) Identified by an institution through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations; and
(2) Designed to improve the quality of life for residents of the community served, particularly low-income residents, in such fields as health care, child care, education, literacy training, welfare, social services, public safety, crime prevention and control, transportation, recreation, housing and neighborhood improvement, rural development, and community improvement.
(e) For the purpose of paragraph (d)(2) of this section, “low-income residents” means—
(1) Residents whose taxable family income for the year before the year in which they are scheduled to receive assistance under the LEAP Program did not exceed 150 percent of the amount equal to the poverty level determined by using criteria of poverty established by the United States Census Bureau; or
(2) Residents who are considered low-income residents by the State.
§ 692.40   What are the requirements for student eligibility?
To be eligible for assistance, a student must—
(a) Meet the relevant eligibility requirements contained in 34 CFR 668.32; and
(b) Have substantial financial need as determined annually in accordance with the State's criteria approved by the Secretary.
§ 692.41   What standards may a State use to determine substantial financial need?
(a) A State determines whether a student has substantial financial need on the basis of criteria it establishes that are approved by the Secretary. A State may define substantial financial need in terms of family income, expected family contribution, and relative need as measured by the difference between the student's cost of attendance and the resources available to meet that cost. To determine substantial need, the State may use—
(1) A system for determining a student's financial need under part F of title IV of the HEA;
(2) The State's own needs analysis system if approved by the Secretary; or
(3) A combination of these systems, if approved by the Secretary.
(b) The Secretary generally approves a need-analysis system under paragraph (a) (2) or (3) of this section only if the need-analysis system applies the term “independent student” as defined under section 480(d) of the HEA. However, for good cause shown, the Secretary may approve, on a case-by-case basis, a State's need analysis system that uses a definition for “independent student” that varies from that term as defined in section 480(d) of the HEA.
§ 692.50   What is the Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program?
The Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) Program assists States in providing grants, scholarships, and community service work-study assistance to eligible students who attend institutions of higher education and demonstrate financial need.
§ 692.51   What other regulations apply to the SLEAP Program?
The regulations listed in § 692.3 also apply to the SLEAP Program.
§ 692.52   What definitions apply to the SLEAP Program?
The definitions listed in § 692.4 apply to the SLEAP Program.
§ 692.53   What requirements must a State satisfy to receive SLEAP Program funds?
To receive SLEAP Program funds for any fiscal year, a State must—
(a) Participate in the LEAP Program;
(b) Meet the requirements in § 692.60; and
(c) Have a program that satisfies the requirements in § 692.21(a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), (j), and (k).
§ 692.54   What eligibility requirements must a student satisfy to participate in the SLEAP Program?
To receive assistance under the SLEAP Program, a student must meet the eligibility requirements contained in § 692.40.
§ 692.60   What must a State do to receive an allotment under the SLEAP Program?
To receive an allotment under the SLEAP Program, a State must—
(a) Submit an application in accordance with the provisions in § 692.20;
(b) Identify the activities in § 692.71 for which it plans to use the SLEAP Federal and non-Federal funds;
(c) Ensure that the non-Federal funds used as matching funds represent dollars that are in excess of the total dollars that a State spent for need-based grants, scholarships, and work-study assistance for fiscal year 1999, including the State funds reported as part of its LEAP Program;
(d) Provide an assurance that for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year for which the State is requesting Federal funds, the amount the State expended from non-Federal sources per student, or the aggregate amount the State expended, for all the authorized activities in § 692.71 will be no less than the amount the State expended from non-Federal sources per student, or in the aggregate, for those activities for the second fiscal year prior to the fiscal year for which the State is requesting Federal funds; and
(e) Ensure that the Federal share will not exceed one-third of the total funds expended under the SLEAP Program.
§ 692.70   How does the Secretary allot funds to the States?
For fiscal year 2010-2011, the Secretary allots to each eligible State that applies for SLEAP funds an amount in accordance with the provisions in § 692.10 prior to calculating allotments for States applying for GAP funds under subpart C of this part.
§ 692.71   What activities may be funded under the SLEAP Program?
A State may use the funds it receives under the SLEAP Program for one or more of the following activities:
(a) Supplement LEAP grant awards to eligible students who demonstrate financial need by—
(1) Increasing the LEAP grant award amounts for students; or
(2) Increasing the number of students receiving LEAP grant awards.
(b) Supplement LEAP community service work-study awards to eligible students who demonstrate financial need by—
(1) Increasing the LEAP community service work-study award amounts for students; or
(2) Increasing the number of students receiving LEAP community service work-study awards.
(c) Award scholarships to eligible students who demonstrate financial need and who—
(1) Demonstrate merit or academic achievement; or
(2) Wish to enter a program of study leading to a career in—
(i) Information technology;
(ii) Mathematics, computer science, or engineering;
(iii) Teaching; or
(iv) Other fields determined by the State to be critical to the State's workforce needs.
§ 692.72   May a State use the funds it receives under the SLEAP Program to pay administrative costs?
A State may not use any of the funds it receives under the SLEAP Program to pay any administrative costs.
§ 692.80   How does a State administer its community service work-study program?
When administering its community service work-study program, a State must follow the provisions in § 692.30, other than the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of that section.
§ 692.90   What is the Grants for Access and Persistence Program?
The Grants for Access and Persistence (GAP) Program assists States in establishing partnerships to provide eligible students with LEAP Grants under GAP to attend institutions of higher education and to encourage increased participation in early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs.
§ 692.91   What other regulations apply to the GAP Program?
The regulations listed in § 692.3 also apply to the GAP Program.
§ 692.92   What definitions apply to the GAP Program?
The definitions listed in § 692.4 also apply to the GAP Program.
§ 692.93   Who is eligible to participate in the GAP Program?
(a) States. States that meet the requirements in §§ 692.94 and 692.100 are eligible to receive payments under the GAP Program.
(b) Degree-granting institutions of higher education. Degree-granting institutions of higher education that meet the requirements in § 692.101 are eligible to participate in a partnership under the GAP Program.
(c) Early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs. Early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs that meet the requirements in § 692.101 are eligible to participate in a partnership under the GAP Program.
(d) Philanthropic organizations or private corporations. Philanthropic organizations or private corporations that meet the requirements in § 692.101 are eligible to participate in a partnership under the GAP Program.
(e) Students. Students who meet the requirements of § 692.120 are eligible to receive assistance or services from a partnership under the GAP Program.
§ 692.94   What requirements must a State satisfy, as the administrator of a partnership, to receive GAP Program funds?
To receive GAP Program funds for any fiscal year—
(a) A State must—
(1) Participate in the LEAP Program;
(2) Establish a State partnership with—
(i) At least—
(A) One public degree-granting institution of higher education that is located in the State; and
(B) One private degree-granting institution of higher education, if at least one exists in the State that may be eligible to participate in the State's LEAP Program under subpart A of this part;
(ii) New or existing early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs located in the State; and
(iii) At least one philanthropic organization located in, or that provides funding in, the State, or private corporation located in, or that does business in, the State;
(3) Meet the requirements in § 692.100; and
(4) Have a program under this subpart that satisfies the requirements in § 692.21(a), (e), (f), (g), and (j).
(b) A State may provide an early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach program under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.
§ 692.100   What requirements must a State meet to receive an allotment under this program?
For a State to receive an allotment under the GAP Program, the State agency that administers the State's LEAP Program under subpart A of this part must—
(a) Submit an application on behalf of a partnership in accordance with the provisions in § 692.20 at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require including—
(1) A description of—
(i) The State's plan for using the Federal funds allotted under this subpart and the non-Federal matching funds; and
(ii) The methods by which matching funds will be paid;
(2) An assurance that the State will provide matching funds in accordance with § 692.113;
(3) An assurance that the State will use Federal GAP funds to supplement, and not supplant, Federal and State funds available for carrying out the activities under Title IV of the HEA;
(4) An assurance that early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs exist within the State or that there is a plan to make these programs widely available;
(5) A description of the organizational structure that the State has in place to administer the program, including a description of how the State will compile information on degree completion of students receiving grants under this subpart;
(6) A description of the steps the State will take to ensure, to the extent practicable, that students who receive a LEAP Grant under GAP persist to degree completion;
(7) An assurance that the State has a method in place, such as acceptance of the automatic zero expected family contribution under section 479(c) of the HEA, to identify eligible students and award LEAP Grants under GAP to such students;
(8) An assurance that the State will provide notification to eligible students that grants under this subpart are LEAP Grants and are funded by the Federal Government and the State, and, where applicable, other contributing partners.
(b) Serve as the primary administrative unit for the partnership;
(c) Provide or coordinate non-Federal share funds, and coordinate activities among partners;
(d) Encourage each institution of higher education in the State that participates in the State's LEAP Program under subpart A of this part to participate in the partnership;
(e) Make determinations and early notifications of assistance;
(f) Ensure that the non-Federal funds used as matching funds represent dollars that are in excess of the total dollars that a State spent for need-based grants, scholarships, and work-study assistance for fiscal year 1999, including the State funds reported for the programs under this part;
(g) Provide an assurance that, for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year for which the State is requesting Federal funds, the amount the State expended from non-Federal sources per student, or the aggregate amount the State expended, for all the authorized activities in § 692.111 will be no less than the amount the State expended from non-Federal sources per student, or in the aggregate, for those activities for the second fiscal year prior to the fiscal year for which the State is requesting Federal funds; and
(h) Provide for reports to the Secretary that are necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under the GAP Program.
§ 692.101   What requirements must be met by a State partnership?
(a) State. A State that is receiving an allotment under this subpart must meet the requirements under §§ 692.94 and 692.100.
(b) Degree-granting institution of higher education. A degree-granting institution of higher education that is in a partnership under this subpart—
(1) Must participate in the State's LEAP Program under subpart A of this part;
(2) Must recruit and admit participating eligible students and provide additional institutional grant aid to participating students as agreed to with the State agency;
(3) Must provide support services to students who receive LEAP Grants under GAP and are enrolled at the institution;
(4) Must assist the State in the identification of eligible students and the dissemination of early notifications of assistance as agreed to with the State agency; and
(5) May provide funding or services for early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs.
(c) Early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach program. An early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach program that is in a partnership under this subpart shall provide direct services, support, and information to participating students.
(d) Philanthropic organization or private corporation. A philanthropic organization or private corporation in a partnership under this subpart shall provide non-Federal funds for LEAP Grants under GAP for participating students or provide funds or support for early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs.
§ 692.110   How does the Secretary allot funds to the States?
(a)(1) The Secretary allots to each State participating in the GAP Program an amount of the funds available for the GAP Program based on the ratio used to allot the State's Federal LEAP funds under § 692.10(a).
(2) If a State meets the requirements of § 692.113(b) for a fiscal year, the number of students under § 692.10(a) for the State is increased to 125 percent in determining the ratio in paragraph (a) of this section for that fiscal year.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1) and (2) of this section—
(i) If the Federal GAP funds available from the appropriation for a fiscal year are sufficient to allot to each State that participated in the prior year the same amount of Federal GAP funds allotted in the prior fiscal year, but are not sufficient both to allot the same amount of Federal GAP funds allotted in the prior fiscal year to these States and also to allot additional funds to additional States in accordance with the ratio used to allot the States' Federal LEAP funds under § 692.10(a), the Secretary allots—
(A) To each State that participated in the prior year, the amount the State received in the prior year; and
(B) To each State that did not participate in the prior year, an amount of Federal GAP funds available to States based on the ratio used to allot the State's Federal LEAP funds under § 692.10(a); and
(ii) If the Federal GAP funds available from the appropriation for a fiscal year are not sufficient to allot to each State that participated in the prior year at least the amount of Federal GAP funds allotted in the prior fiscal year, the Secretary allots to each State an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of Federal GAP funds available as the amount of Federal GAP funds allotted to each State in the prior fiscal year bears to the amount of Federal GAP funds allotted to all States in the prior fiscal year.
(4) For fiscal year 2011, the prior fiscal year allotment to a State for purposes of paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall include any fiscal year 2010 allotment made to that State under subpart B of this part.
(b) The Secretary allots funds available for reallotment in a fiscal year in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section used to calculate initial allotments for the fiscal year.
(c) Any funds made available for the program under this subpart but not expended may be allotted or reallotted for the program under subpart A of this part.
§ 692.111   For what purposes may a State use its payment under the GAP Program?
(a) Establishment of a partnership. Each State receiving an allotment under this subpart shall use the funds to establish a partnership to award grants to eligible students in order to increase the amount of financial assistance students receive under this subpart for undergraduate education expenses.
(b) Amount of LEAP Grants under GAP. (1) The amount of a LEAP Grant under GAP by a State to an eligible student shall be not less than—
(i) The average undergraduate in-State tuition and mandatory fees for full-time students at the public institutions of higher education in the State where the student resides that are the same type of institution that the student attends (four-year degree-granting, two-year degree-granting, or non-degree-granting); minus
(ii) Other Federal and State aid the student receives.
(2) The Secretary determines the average undergraduate in-State tuition and mandatory fees for full-time students at public institutions in a State weighted by enrollment using the most recent data reported by institutions in the State to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) administered by the National Center for Educational Statistics.
(c) Institutional participation. (1) A State receiving an allotment under this subpart may restrict the use of LEAP Grants under GAP only to students attending institutions of higher education that are participating in the partnership.
(2) If a State provides LEAP Grants under subpart A of this part to students attending institutions of higher education located in another State, LEAP Grants under GAP may be used at institutions of higher education located in another State.
(d) Early notification to potentially eligible students. (1) Each State receiving an allotment under this subpart shall annually notify potentially eligible students in grades 7 through 12 in the State, and their families, of their potential eligibility for student financial assistance, including a LEAP Grant under GAP, to attend a LEAP-participating institution of higher education.
(2) The notice shall include—
(i) Information about early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs available to the student;
(ii) Information that a student's eligibility for a LEAP Grant under GAP is enhanced through participation in an early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach program;
(iii) An explanation that student and family eligibility for, and participation in, other Federal means-tested programs may indicate eligibility for a LEAP Grant under GAP and other student aid programs;
(iv) A nonbinding estimate of the total amount of financial aid that an eligible student with a similar income level may expect to receive, including an estimate of the amount of a LEAP Grant under GAP and an estimate of the amount of grants, loans, and all other available types of aid from the major Federal and State financial aid programs;
(v) An explanation that in order to be eligible for a LEAP Grant under GAP, at a minimum, a student shall—
(A) Meet the eligibility requirements under § 692.120; and
(B) Enroll at a LEAP-participating institution of higher education in the State of the student's residence or an out-of-state institution if the State elects to make LEAP Grants under GAP for attendance at out-of-State institutions in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
(vi) Any additional requirements that the State may require for receipt of a LEAP Grant under GAP in accordance with § 692.120(a)(4); and
(vii) An explanation that a student is required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine his or her eligibility for Federal and State financial assistance and may include a provision that eligibility for an award is subject to change based on—
(A) A determination of the student's financial eligibility at the time of the student's enrollment at a LEAP-participating institution of higher education or an out-of-State institution in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
(B) Annual Federal and State spending for higher education; and
(C) Other aid received by the student at the time of the student's enrollment at the institution of higher education.
(e) Award notification. (1) Once a student, including a student who has received early notification under paragraph (d) of this section, applies for admission to an institution that is a partner in the partnership of the State of the student's residence, files a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and any related State form, and is determined eligible by the State, the State shall—
(i) Issue the student a preliminary award certificate for a LEAP Grant under GAP with estimated award amounts; and
(ii) Inform the student that the payment of the grant is subject to certification of enrollment and eligibility by the institution.
(2) If a student enrolls in an institution that is not a partner in the partnership of the student's State of residence but the State has not restricted eligibility to students enrolling in partner institutions, including, if applicable, out-of-State institutions, the State shall, to the extent practicable, follow the procedures of paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
§ 692.112   May a State use the funds it receives from the GAP Program to pay administrative costs?
(a) A State that receives an allotment under this subpart may reserve not more than two percent of the funds made available annually for State administrative functions required for administering the partnership and other program activities.
(b) A State must use not less than ninety-eight (98) percent of an allotment under this subpart to make LEAP Grants under GAP.
§ 692.113   What are the matching requirements for the GAP Program?
(a) The matching funds of a partnership—
(1) Shall be funds used for making LEAP Grants to eligible students under this subpart;
(2) May be—
(i) Cash; or
(ii) A noncash, in-kind contribution that—
(A) Is fairly evaluated;
(B) Has monetary value, such as a tuition waiver or provision of room and board, or transportation;
(C) Helps a student meet the cost of attendance at an institution of higher education; and
(D) Is considered to be estimated financial assistance under 34 CFR 673.5(c); and
(3) May be funds from the State, institutions of higher education, or philanthropic organizations or private corporations that are used to make LEAP Grants under GAP.
(b) The non-Federal match of the Federal allotment shall be—
(1) Forty-three percent of the expenditures under this subpart if a State applies for a GAP allotment in partnership with—
(i) Any number of degree-granting institutions of higher education in the State whose combined full-time enrollment represents less than a majority of all students attending institutions of higher education in the State as determined by the Secretary using the most recently available data from IPEDS; and
(ii) One or both of the following—
(A) Philanthropic organizations that are located in, or that provide funding in, the State; or
(B) Private corporations that are located in, or that do business in, the State; and
(2) Thirty-three and thirty-four one-hundredths percent of the expenditures under this subpart if a State applies for a GAP allotment in partnership with—
(i) Any number of degree-granting institutions of higher education in the State whose combined full-time enrollment represents a majority of all students attending institutions of higher education in the State as determined by the Secretary using the most recently available data from IPEDS; and
(ii) One or both of the following—
(A) Philanthropic organizations that are located in, or that provide funding in, the State; or
(B) Private corporations that are located in, or that do business in, the State.
(c) Nothing in this part shall be interpreted as limiting a State or other member of a partnership from expending funds to support the activities of a partnership under this subpart that are in addition to the funds matching the Federal allotment.
§ 692.120   What are the requirements for student eligibility?
(a) Eligibility. A student is eligible to receive a LEAP Grant under GAP if the student—
(1) Meets the relevant eligibility requirements contained in 34 CFR 668.32;
(2) Has graduated from secondary school or, for a home-schooled student, has completed a secondary education;
(3)(i) Has received, or is receiving, a LEAP Grant under GAP for each year the student remains eligible for assistance under this subpart; or
(ii) Meets at least two of the following criteria—
(A) As designated by the State, either has an EFC equal to zero, as determined under part F of the HEA, or a comparable alternative based on the State's approved criteria for the LEAP Program under subpart A of this part;
(B) Qualifies for the State's maximum undergraduate award for LEAP Grants under subpart A of this part in the award year in which the student is receiving an additional LEAP Grant under GAP; or
(C) Is participating in, or has participated in, a Federal, State, institutional, or community early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach program, as determined by the State agency administering the programs under this part; and
(4) Any additional requirements that the State may require for receipt of a LEAP Grant under GAP.
(b) Priority. In awarding LEAP Grants under GAP, a State shall give priority to students meeting all the criteria in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section.
(c) Duration of eligibility. (1) A student may receive a LEAP Grant under GAP if the student continues to demonstrate that he or she is financially eligible by meeting the provisions of paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(A) or (B) of this section.
(2) A State may impose reasonable time limits to degree completion.
§ 692.130   How does a participating institution request a waiver of program requirements?
(a) The Secretary may grant, upon the request of an institution participating in a partnership that meets the requirements of § 692.113(b)(2), a waiver for the institution from statutory or regulatory requirements that inhibit the ability of the institution to successfully and efficiently participate in the activities of the partnership.
(b) An institution must submit a request for a waiver through the State agency administering the partnership.
(c) The State agency must forward to the Secretary, in a timely manner, the request made by the institution and may include any additional information or recommendations that it deems appropriate for the Secretary's consideration.