Virginia Administrative Code › Title 8 - EDUCATION › Agency 40 - STATE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR VIRGINIA › Chapter 71 - VIRGINIA TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM REGULATIONS › Section 8VAC40-71-70 - Administration of awards for students enrolled in online or distance learning programs

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A.
				Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the following meanings in
				this section unless context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Distance learning program" means a program of study with
				  degree completion requirements that are unique to students intending to receive
				  instruction primarily or solely through distance learning. Distance learning
				  programs occasionally require an on-campus or other in-person course. If an
				  institution does not differentiate between the two modes of degree
				  requirements, "distance learning program" refers to any term in which the
				  student is enrolled entirely in distance learning courses.
"Distance learning student" means any student placed into a
				  distance learning program. Students enrolling into a course that is required by
				  their distance learning program of study to be on-campus or in-person are still
				  considered a distance learning student.
"Enrolled exclusively" means the student's participation in a
				  distance learning program by declaring the intent to complete a degree through
				  this mode of delivery. A place-based student taking online courses as a
				  supplement to their education is not "enrolled exclusively" in a distance
				  learning or online education program.
"Online education" or "distance learning" means an option for
				  earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, Internet,
				  (telecommunication) satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or
				  other means. "Online education" or "distance learning" includes online
				  education and does not include instruction that is covered under the definition
				  of "place-based instruction".
"Place-based instruction" means instruction that the
				  institution has determined to be delivered at a specific physical location
				  under the control of the institution. "Place-based instruction" includes
				  instruction that takes place in a standard in-class setting though remote
				  participation may be available and on-campus residential learning, satellite
				  locations specified by the institution, internships, and residencies.
"Place-based student" means a student pursuing a degree
				  predominantly by place-based instruction. "Place-based student" includes
				  students whose course selections in a given term include, though not
				  exclusively, distance learning courses.
"VTAG-eligible" means a student who is eligible to receive a
				  VTAG award as long as all VTAG criteria are met, subject to VTAG application
				  deadlines and available funding.
B. Exempt distance learning students.
1. Exempt distance learning students are
				returning students who were enrolled as a distance learning student in
				2019-2020 at a VTAG-eligible institution. These students are exempt from the
				requirement that VTAG awards for distance program be limited to up to
				$2,000.
2. Exempt students may
				receive a VTAG award of up to the 2019-2020 award amounts as long as the
				student is VTAG-eligible.
a. Exempt
				undergraduate students may receive a VTAG award at the 2019-2020 maximum annual
				award amount for undergraduate students, which was $3,400, split into $1,700
				awards each for fall and spring terms.
b. Exempt graduate students may receive a
				VTAG award at the 2019-2020 maximum annual award amount for graduate students,
				which was $1,700, split into $850 awards each for fall and spring
				terms.
c. If funding levels are
				insufficient to provide full awards for all priority VTAG-eligible students,
				these award levels may be reduced at the same rate of reduction used for all
				other priority VTAG awards for the same term.
3. Exempt distance learning students remain
				eligible for the 2019-2020 award levels under the following conditions:
a. The student maintains enrollment in each
				successive fiscal year, unless granted an exception for cause by SCHEV.
(1) To maintains enrollment, the student must
				enroll into at least one course in any term per fiscal year
				(fall/winter/spring, if applicable) at a VTAG-eligible institution, whether as
				a continuing student or as a transfer student.
(a) Students maintaining enrollment retain
				current and future eligibility at the 2019-2020 award levels as long as the
				student is VTAG-eligible.
(b)
				Non-enrollment in a summer term does not disqualify the student.
(2) Students failing to maintain
				continuous enrollment due to circumstances beyond their control may appeal to
				SCHEV. SCHEV authorizes the institutions to grant exceptions for breaks in
				enrollment specifically due to a military-related move or a verified
				health-related circumstance.
b. The student is eligible until current
				degree completion.
(1) Eligibility at the
				2019-2020 award levels continues until completion of the degree level at which
				the student was last enrolled in 2019-2020.
(a) If the student's 2019-2020 enrollment
				includes multiple degree levels, eligibility tracks with the last degree level
				officially recognized in 2019-2020.
(b) Eligibility at the 2019-2020 award levels
				is not impacted by a change in major as long as the student remains enrolled
				within the same degree level.
(2) Eligibility at the 2019-2020 award levels
				does not extend to a subsequent second degree at the same level, even if
				continuous enrollment is maintained.
(3) Eligibility at the 2019-2020 award levels
				does not extend to an advanced degree, even if continuous enrollment is
				maintained.
c. The
				student is eligible until current degree program eligibility limits have
				otherwise expired.
(1) Students pursuing an
				associate degree in 2019-2020 may receive a maximum lifetime total of two years
				of VTAG toward an associate degree, regardless of whether the degree program
				has been completed after two years.
(2) Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree
				in 2019-2020 may receive a maximum lifetime total of four years of VTAG toward
				an undergraduate degree (associate and baccalaureate combined), regardless of
				whether the degree program has been completed after four years.
(3) Students pursuing a graduate degree in
				health professions in 2019-2020 may receive a maximum lifetime total of four
				years of VTAG toward a graduate or professional level degree, regardless of
				whether the degree program has been completed after four years.
(4) Such usage restrictions are lifetime
				cumulative receipt of VTAG regardless of mode of learning or award
				differentials.
d.
				Students are disqualified from retaining future eligibility at the 2019-2020
				award levels once any one or more of the disqualifiers in this section
				occurs.
e. Such students enrolled
				in 2019-2020 retain eligibility for the 2019-2020 award amounts regardless of
				whether VTAG was actually received. As long as the student meets the
				requirements in this section, the student does not lose future eligibility at
				the 2019-2020 award level if VTAG is removed:
(1) Due to less than full-time enrollment;
				or
(2) To avoid a financial aid
				over award.
4.
				Exempt distance learning students transitioning to a place-based or residential
				degree program.
a. Nothing in the restriction
				prohibits such student from receiving VTAG at the prevailing rate for
				place-based students upon transitioning to place-based instruction.
b. Exempt students moving from distance
				learning to place-based instruction and then back to distance learning retain
				eligibility at the 2019-2020 award rate as long as the eligibility requirements
				listed in this section continue to be met.
5. Exempt distance learning students failing
				to meet the eligibility criteria listed in this section.
a. If moving to place-based instruction are
				eligible at the prevailing place-based award amount.
b. If remain enrolled in distance learning
				are eligible at the reduced distance learning award amount.