1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this regulation is to provide the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and award process for the Mental Health Services Scholarship Program pursuant to 14 Del.C. §3439(a).
2.0 Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:
"Award" means a scholarship awarded under the Mental Health Services Scholarship Program.
"Delaware Higher Education Office" or "DHEO" means the Department of Education's office which administers specific programs related to higher education, including, but not limited to, student financial assistance programs.
"Free Application for Federal Student Aid" or "FAFSA" means the data supplied in connection with the federal government's application for federal financial aid which DHEO uses to determine an applicant's eligibility for an award.
"Full-time student" means a graduate student enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
"High need field" means 1 of the specific fields identified as an area of need in Delaware by the committee established pursuant to 14 Del.C. §3416(b).
"Student Account Access Site" means the webpage on the DHEO's website where students can access scholarship opportunities.
3.0 Eligibility
3.1 In order to be eligible for an award under the Mental Health Services Scholarship Program, an applicant shall meet the requirements of subsections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.
3.1.1 The applicant shall be enrolled as a full-time student in a master's degree program in a Delaware postsecondary institution that will lead to certification as a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker in a Delaware public school.
3.1.2 The applicant shall meet the definition of residency as defined in 14 Del.C. §3402(f).
4.0 Application Requirements
4.1 The application acceptance and submission period for the Mental Health Services Scholarship Program shall be posted on the DHEO's website by December 1 of each calendar year.
4.1.1 Applications shall not be accepted outside of the posted application acceptance period under any circumstances.
4.1.2 Incomplete applications shall not be accepted or processed.
4.2 In order for an application to be considered complete, an applicant shall fulfill all of the requirements in subsections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2.
4.2.1 The applicant shall complete an online application through the Student Account Access Site by the last date of the application acceptance period.
4.2.1.1 Applicants may update their enrollment information on the Student Account Access Site through the last date of the application acceptance period.
4.2.1.2 A first time applicant must establish an account and provide the applicant's valid email address and permanent mailing address before being permitted to submit the information required in subsection 4.2 of this regulation.
4.2.2 The applicant shall complete the FAFSA for the school year in which the scholarship is sought by the application deadline.
5.0 Awards
5.1 DHEO determines the number and amount of awards to be given annually. The number and amount of awards each year will vary and is based on and subject to the General Assembly appropriating funds for the Mental Health Services Scholarship Program.
5.2 To determine an applicant's financial need for the purpose of the Mental Health Services Scholarship, DHEO will consider the applicant's EFC; the expense of attending the applicant's college or university; and the applicant's eligibility for Pell grants and other federal, state, or private grant assistance. For the purpose of this regulation, EFC means the Expected Family Contribution, which is the number that is calculated using the financial information an applicant provides on the applicant's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the applicant's eligibility for federal student aid.
5.3 An award shall be used for, and not in excess of, tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, books, and other direct and indirect educational expenses.
5.4 An award is renewable for up to 1 year.
5.5 To be eligible to renew an award, a student shall update the student's enrollment information on the Student Account Access Site; continue to be enrolled in a master's degree program in a Delaware postsecondary institution that will lead to certification as a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker in a Delaware public school; maintain satisfactory academic progress by successfully completing coursework according to the standards of the college or university in which the student is enrolled; and continue to be eligible receive financial aid.
5.6 A student shall not receive more than 2 annual awards.
6.0 Award Payment
6.1 Award payments shall be disbursed directly to the student's college or university only.
6.2 If a student withdraws from school or otherwise does not qualify for full payment at the end of the add/drop period for a semester, DHEO will apply the refund policies set forth in 14 Del.C. §3402(k). For the purpose of this regulation, semester means a half-year term in a school or college, typically lasting 15 to 18 weeks.
26 DE Reg. 1060 (06/01/23)
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