A Plus Program

A Plus Overview

Coordinator: Mrs. Carmen Coose

Phone: 417-232-4513 X109

E-Mail: ccoose@lockwood.k12.mo.us

A+ Program Overview

Graduates of designated A+ schools who successfully complete the requirements of the program may be eligible to receive two years of state-paid tuition to attend any Missouri public community college or technical school.

Rationale

The A+ Program benefits students, school districts and communities. The primary goal of the Missouri DESE A+ Program is to ensure that all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are well prepared to pursue advanced education and employment. Participating Missouri high schools are encouraged to do the following:

Reduce the dropout rate
Raise academic expectations by eliminating general-track courses
Provide career pathways for all students
Work closely with business and higher-education leaders to better prepare students for their lives after graduation.

Benefits

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the program are eligible to receive two years of paid tuition at any Missouri public community college or technical school. Participants are under no obligation to use the A+ tuition incentive. The tuition incentive is earned by each individual and is not transferable to any other student. Financial need is not a factor in determining student eligibility for the A+ tuition incentive. Participants will have up to four years (from the date of high school graduation) to access the A+ tuition incentive.

Student Eligibility Requirements for the A+ Program

The A+ tuition benefit may be made available on the condition that a student meets or exceed the following requirements:

Sign the A+ Participation Agreement by the end of the first semester of the senior year.
Attend Lockwood R-I High School or another A+ designated school for 3 consecutive years prior to high school graduation.
Graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher.
Graduate with a 95% attendance average over a four-year period.
Perform a total of 50 hours of approved, district-supervised, unpaid tutoring.
Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs/alcohol.
File a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) upon enrollment to college.
Register for selective services, if applicable.

Maintaining Eligibility

To maintain eligibility, each participating student must during the four year period of incentive availability:

1. Have enrolled and attend on a full-time basis a Missouri public community college or vocational or technical school; and
2. Maintain a grade point average of two and five-tenths (2.5) points or higher on a four (4)-point scale;

The tuition incentives will be made available, subject to legislative appropriation, only after the student has made a documented good faith effort to first secure all available federal postsecondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment; and

The tuition incentives will only be made available to reimburse the unpaid balance of the cost of tuition, general fees and up to fifty percent (50%) of the book cost subject to legislative appropriation after the federal postsecondary student financial assistance funds have been applied to these costs;

1. If changes must be made to the above incentives due to legislative appropriation, DESE will endeavor to reimburse

i. first, the full amount of tuition

ii. second, the general fees

iii. third, up to fifty percent (50%) of the book cost

All individuals required to register under the United States Military Selective Service Act must show proof of registration to be eligible for state-supported scholarships, programs for financial assistance, for postsecondary education or loans insured by any state agency. This student eligibility requirement is authorized pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. 105.1210, 105.1213, and 105.1216 (2000).

Alignment to Missouri Show-Me Standards

Students in Missouri public schools will:

acquire the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze and apply information and ideas.
acquire the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively within and beyond the classroom.
acquire the knowledge and skills to recognize and solve problems.
acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as responsible members of society.

A+ Program Enrollment

Participation in the A+ program is voluntary. Students may participate in the program by completing and returning the A+ Participation Agreement Form.Students should try to begin their participation in the A+ program at the beginning of their freshman year. Enrolling in the program early allows students and parents to focus on the goals of the program.

Students may still enroll in the A+ program as seniors as long as all criteria can still be met, but they must register by the end of the 1^st semester.

Accessing Tuition Benefits after High School Graduation

1. Graduating A+ participants must complete and submit the Request for A+ Tuition Benefits form before the day of graduation.

2. The A+ coordinator will verify the status of each A+ participant and certify each A+ participant who is eligible for A+ tuition benefits.

3. A+ participants will be notified in writing as to approval or denial of their eligibility to receive A+ tuition benefits. If a participant is denied eligibility, the participant will be provided with the reason for the denial.

4. The names and social security numbers of the A+ graduates eligible for tuition benefits will be forwarded to the appropriate local and state agencies.

5. A+ eligible graduates must inform the post-secondary institution to which they have made application of their intent to use the tuition benefits. The institution will prepare the necessary paperwork and bill the State of Missouri.