Chapter 27A. Higher Education Financial Assistance.

§ 38–2731. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Academic year” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 481 of the Higher Education Act [20 U.S.C. § 1088].

(2) “DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program” means the college financial assistance program administered by the State Education Office pursuant to Subpart 4 of Part A of Title IV of the Higher Education Act [20 U.S.C. § 1070c et seq.].

(3) “Eligible institution” means an institution that:

(A) Is an institution of higher education, either public or private, with its principal campus in the District of Columbia; and

(B) Is eligible to receive Student Aid Program funds under Title IV of the Higher Education Act [20 U.S.C. § 1070 et seq.].

(4) “Eligible student” means a District resident who meets the eligibility criteria for the DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program administered by the State Education Office.

(5) “Higher Education Act” means the Higher Education Act of 1965, approved November 8, 1965 [(79 Stat. 1219; 20 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.)].

(6) “Institution of higher education” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 101 of the Higher Education Act [20 U.S.C. § 1001].

(7) “Qualified higher education expenses” means:

(A) Tuition, fees, and the cost of books, supplies, and equipment required for the enrollment or attendance of a qualified beneficiary at an eligible institution;

(B) The costs of room and board of a qualified beneficiary incurred while attending an eligible institution; provided, that the amount of room and board shall not exceed the minimum room and board allowance determined in calculating costs of attendance for federal financial aid programs under section 472 of the Higher Education Act [20 U.S.C. § 1087ll], or any subsequent legislation and implementing regulations; and

(Mar. 2, 2007, D.C. Law 16-192, § 4022, 53 DCR 6899; Mar. 25, 2009, D.C. Law 17-353, § 137, 56 DCR 1117.)

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 17-353 validated a previously made technical correction in par. (2).

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4022 of Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-477, August 8, 2006, 53 DCR 7068).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4022 of Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-499, October 23, 2006, 53 DCR 8845).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4022 of Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-1, January 16, 2007, 54 DCR 1165).

Short Title

Short title: Section 4021 of D.C. Law 16-192 provided that subtitle C of title IV of the act may be cited as the “Higher Education Financial Aid Assistance Act of 2006”.

References in Text

Section 481 of the Higher Education Act, referred to in par. (1), is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1088.

Subpart 4 of part A of Title IV of the Higher Education Act, referred to in par. (2), is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1070c et seq.

Title IV of the Higher Education Act, referred to in par. (3)(B), is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1070 et seq.

Section 101 of the Higher Education Act, referred to in par. (6), is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1001.

Section 472 of the Higher Education Act, referred to in par. (7)(B), is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1088.

§ 38–2732. DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program.

The State Education Office shall administer the DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program.

§ 38–2733. Grant awards for DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program.

(a) From local funds appropriated annually for the DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program, the State Education Office shall make available grant awards to pay for qualified higher education expenses for no fewer than 800 eligible students attending eligible institutions. If fewer than 800 eligible students from eligible institutions apply, the funds may be used to grant awards to eligible students attending eligible institutions of higher education outside of the District of Columbia.

(b) An eligible student attending an eligible institution shall have paid on the student’s behalf under this section:

(A) Not more than $5,000 for any one academic year; and

(B) A total of not more than $25,000 over 5 years.

(c) Payments under this section shall be prorated for eligible students who attend an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis.

§ 38–2734. Annual reports.

(a) The Mayor shall report to the Council annually regarding:

(1) The number of eligible students attending each eligible institution and the amount of the grant awards paid to those institutions on behalf of eligible students;

(2) The extent, if any, to which a ratable reduction was made in the amount of higher education assistance payments made on behalf of eligible students; and

(3) The progress made by eligible students each year in obtaining recognized academic credentials.

(b) The State Education Office shall annually make available the following information, to be solicited by the State Education Office and collected from participating institutions:

(1) The enrollment status and graduation rates of students on whose behalf funding from this program has been paid to eligible institutions; and

(2) The enrollment status and graduation rates of students on whose behalf funding has been paid from the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program, established by Chapter 27 of this title.