(1) Eligibility criteria. To be eligible to receive a tuition reimbursement grant for special training in exceptional student education, the applicant shall:

Terms Used In Florida Regulations 6A-20.025

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
    (a) Hold a full-time contract to teach in a district school system, a state operated or a state supported program, or an agency or organization under contract with the Department.
    (b) Hold a valid Florida educator’s certificate that does not reflect an exceptional student education coverage or endorsement which is appropriate for the assignment.
    (c) Complete specialization course(s) needed for certification in the area in which he or she is assigned to teach with a minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
    (d) Submit completed Form FFAA-2, Florida Financial Aid Application for Teachers, Form CPSI-1, Postsecondary Institution Certification, and Form CEMP-1, Employment Certification, as incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 6A-20.012 These forms may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.
    (2) Review agency. Pending review of the application by the Department of Education, the applicant shall receive notification of award eligibility.
    (3) Reimbursement. Eligible applicants may receive tuition reimbursement not to exceed nine (9) semester hours, or the equivalent quarter hours, per term. Reimbursement shall be at a rate consistent with that established for programs authorized by Florida Statutes § 240.4064 No special fees charged by the universities or colleges shall be included in the payment to a recipient nor shall payments be made if tuition has been paid, waived or assumed, in full, through other sources. For each fiscal year, grants are awarded to the extent of funds appropriated for this program. Awards may be prorated if funds are not available to make full awards.
    (4) Fiscal agency. The Office of Student Financial Assistance, Department of Education, upon receipt of eligible applicants, shall provide for payment of eligible applicants to the extent of funds appropriated for the program.
Rulemaking Authority Florida Statutes § 229.053(1), 240.405(4) FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 240.405. History-New 4-13-87, Amended 3-6-94, 10-15-02.