The CCC Chancellor's Office has released the 2017-2018 Approved BOG Fee Waiver Application (paper version) and there are required text and data field changes. These must be prioritized and developed for release early in 2017.
Proposed Solution
Identify change requirements
Prioritize development work
Implement changes
Plan release
Requirements Summary
#
Title
Importance
1
Update BASIC BOG Application database information
HIGH
2
New data field added to the Residency section on the Application year page for Homeless Youth AB 801.
Data Element Name: determined_homeless Format: Yes/No Length: 1 Onscreen Text:
"Has the Financial Aid Office verified that you have been without a residence in the last 24 months (homeless)? Yes No
Additional text: "If you have been homeless but not verified, check “Yes” and contact the collegeFinancial Aid Office."
Validation: (See Technical Change Specifications below).
3
Update Method B Income Table for 2017-2018 Maximum Income Levels and baseline_income increment
HIGH
4
Update all variable date fields throughout application (specified below)
HIGH
Add new data field (determined_homeless) to the BOG data in the Report Center (see REPORT Jira)
5
Update Specs (Revise 2016-2017 BOG Specification document with new 2017-2018 changes and release PILOT version for testing)
HIGH5
Technical Change Specifications
Update BASIC BOG Application database information for 2017-2018
Update
Update
Update
Update
Update
Update
Update
New data field added to the Residency section on the Application year page for Homeless Youth AB 801.
New data element name: determined_homeless
Format:
Length:
Online Text:
Error Validation:
Update Method B Income Table for 2017-2018 Maximum Income Levels and baseline_income increment
Using the logic from 2013-2014 (confirm with Tyler), add the 2017-2018 Method B Income Table maximum income levels for family size 1 - 8.
Using the same logic, allow calculation using the new 2017-2018 baseline_income for "Additional Family Members"
Ensure this table is ONLY used for the 2017-2018 Application
Update all variable date fields throughout application (specified below)
Change the following variable date fields to 2015:
Update Specs
Top
California Community Colleges 2016-172017-18 Board of Governors Fee Waiver Application
This is an application to have your ENROLLMENT FEES WAIVED. If you need money to help with books, supplies, food, rent, transportation and other costs, please complete a FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) or the California Dream Application (for eligible AB540 students) immediately. The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.gov and the Dream Application is available athttps://dream.csac.ca.gov/.. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
IMPLEMENTATION OF Assembly Bill 1899: Victims of Trafficking, Domestic Violence and other Serious Crimes
AB 1899, chaptered in September of 2012, provides for a non-resident enrollment fee exemption for “Victims of trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes”. In addition, the legislation allows these students to apply for and, if eligible, receive financial aid from programs administered by public postsecondary institutions or the state of California. Finally, the legislation provides that enrollment fees shall be waived for these students who apply for and are eligible to receive Board of Governor enrollment fee waivers.
This FEE WAIVERapplication is for California residents, eligible AB540 students,and eligible AB 1899 students, and homeless youth under age 25, as determined by the Admissions or Registrar’sFinancial Aid Office.If you have not had your California residency or eligibility status determined by the Admissions or the Registrar, please see one of those offices to obtain the valid determination. Fee waiver eligibility cannot be determined until your status has been verified.
Has the Admissions or Registrar's Office determined that you are a California resident?? q Yes q No
If no, has the Admissions or Registrar's Office determined that you are eligible for a non-resident tuition exemption as an AB540 student? q Yes q No
If no, has the Admissions or Registrar's Office determined that you are eligible for a non-resident tuition exemption granted as a result of you residing in the United States with a “T” or “U” visa (immigration status under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii), or Section1101 (a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii), of Title 8 of the United States Code)? qYes qNo
Section 1101 (a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii), of Title 8 of the United States Code)? qYes qNo
Has the Financial Aid Office verified that you have been without a residence in the last 24 months (homeless)?
If you have been homeless, check “Yes” and contact the Financial Aid Office to present verification. qYes qNo
Below is taken directly from the NEW 2017-2018 Application:
The questions below will determine whether you are considered a Dependent student or Independent student for fee waiver eligibility and whether parental information is needed. If you answer “Yes” to ANY of the questions 1-10 below, you will be considered an INDEPENDENT student. If you answer “No” to all questions, you will be considered a Dependent student thereby reporting parental information and should continue with Question 11.
1.Were you born before January 1, 1994? qYes qNo
2.As of today, are you married or in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP)? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced or have not filed a termination notice to dissolve partnership. qYes qNo
3.Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training?
qYes qNo
4.Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018, or other dependents who live with you (other than your children or spouse/RDP) who receive more than half of their support from you, now
and through June 30, 2018qYes qNo
5.At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court? qYes qNo
6.Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
qYes qNo
7.Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
qYes qNo
8.At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless qYes qNo
9.At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
qYes qNo
10.At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
qYes qNo
•If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions 1 - 10, you are considered an INDEPENDENT student for enrollment fee waiver purposes and must provide income and household information about yourself (and your spouse or RDP if applicable). Skip to Question #13.
•If you answered "No" to all questions 1 - 10, complete the following questions:
11.If your parent(s) or his/her RDP filed a 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return, were you, or claimed on their 2015 tax return as an exemption by either or both of your parents? q Did Not FileqYes qNo
12.Do you live with one or both of your parent(s) and/or his/her RDP? qYes qNo
•If you answered "No" to questions 1 - 10 and "Yes" to either question 11 or 12, you must provide income and household information about your PARENT(S)/RDP. Please answer questions for a DEPENDENT student in the sections that follow.
•If you answered "No" or "Parent(s) will not file" to question 11, and "No" to question 12, you are a dependent student for allstudent aid except this enrollment fee waiver. You may answer questions as an INDEPENDENT student on the rest of this application, but please try to get your PARENT information and file a FAFSA so you may be considered for other student aid. You cannot get other student aid without your parent(s’) information.
METHOD A ENROLLMENT FEE WAIVER
13.Are you (the student ONLY) currently receiving monthly cash assistance for yourself or any dependents from:
14.If you are a dependent student, are your parent(s)/RDP receiving monthly cash assistance from TANF/CalWORKs or SSI/SSP as a primary source of income?qYes qNo
If you answered "Yes" to question 13 or 14 you are eligible for an ENROLLMENT FEE WAIVER. Sign the Certification at the end of this form. You are required to show current proof of benefits. Submit application and documentation to the financial aid office.
3) Variable dates and text changes to the Dependency Status section.
Dependency Status
As of today, are you married or in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP)?
(Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced or have not filed a termination notice to dissolve partnership.)
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training?
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between 07/01/2016 and 06/30/2017, or other dependents who live with you (other than your children and spouse/RDP) who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through 06/30/2017?
Change To:
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018, or other dependents who live with you (other than your children or spouse/RDP) who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2018?
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
At any time on or after 01/01/2015, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless
At any time on or after 01/01/2015, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? Yes No
Change To: At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after 01/01/2015, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? Yes No
Change To: At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Note
Developers: Ensure logic remains in place for the following:
**If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions 1 - 19, you are considered an INDEPENDENT student for enrollment fee waiver purposes and must provide income and household information about yourself (and your spouse or RDP if applicable). Do not display and don't require the next two questions (9 and 10).
**If you answered "No" to all questions 1 - 9, display and required the following questions:
If your parent(s) filed or will file a 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return, were you, or will you be claimed on their tax return as an exemption by either or both of your parents? (Yes, No, Parent(s) won't file = dropdown menu)
Change Text and update Response Option Text: If your parent(s) or his/her RDP filed a 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return, were you claimed on their 2015 tax return as an exemption by either or both of your parents? Update response options to: Yes - No -Parent(s) did not file
Do you live with one or both of your parent(s)? Yes No
Change To: Do you live with one or both of your parent(s) and/or his/her RDP?Yes No
Breakdown of Text and Variable Date Changes
Section
Data Element
Type
Change to Online Text
Change to Date Variable
Error Validation
Logic Change
Residency Section
determined_homeless
NEW Yes/No
"Has the Financial Aid Office verified that you have been without a residence in the last 24 months (homeless)? If you have been homeless, check “Yes” and contact the Financial Aid Office to present verification."
Required user response; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not the Financial Aid Office has verified that you have been without a residence in the last 24 months. If you have been homeless, check “Yes” and contact the Financial Aid Office to present verification.
Dependency Status
dependents
EDIT
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018, or other dependents who live with you (other than your children or spouse/RDP) who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2018?
Yes
NOTE - TYLER - Please confirm this client side validation is correct and doesn't need to be changed: Required user response; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not you have dependents living with you."
homeless_youth_school
EDIT
At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
Yes
Required user response; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not, at any time on or after July 1, 2016, your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless."
homeless_youth_hud
EDIT
At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
Yes
Required user response; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not, at any time on or after July 1, 2016, the director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless."
homeless_youth_other
EDIT
At any time on or after July 1, 2016, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Yes
Required user response; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not, at any time on or after July 1, 2016, the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless."
dependent_on_parent_taxes
EDIT
If your parent(s) or his/her RDP filed a 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return, were you claimed on their 2015 tax return as an exemption by either or both of your parents?
NO
Required user response when included on application; else error message, "You must select Yes, No, or Did Not File to specify whether or not you were claimed as an exemption."
Change response options to:
Blank/null [internal default]
2 - Parent(s) did not file
1 - Yes
0 - No
living_with_parents
EDIT
Do you live with one or both of your parent(s) and/or his/her RDP? {drop-down menu}
Required user response when included on application; else error message, "You must select Yes or No to specify whether or not you live with one or both of your parents, and/or his/her RDP."
Method B Eligibility
dep_number_household
EDIT
How many persons are in your parent(s)' household? (Include yourself, your parent(s), and anyone who lives with your parent(s) and receives more than 50% of their support from your parents, now and through June 30, 2018. {textbox}
Continue to use <end date>
ind_number_household
EDIT
How many persons are in your household? (Include yourself, your spouse, and anyone who lives with you and receives more than 50% of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2018 {textbox}
Continue to use <end date>
dep_gross_income
a. Adjusted Gross Income (If 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return was filed, enter the amount from Form 1040, Line 37; Form 1040A, Line 21; or Form 1040EZ, Line 4.) $ {textbox}.00
Change <tax year> and use 2015
ind_gross_income
EDIT
a. Adjusted Gross Income (If 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return was filed, enter the amount from Form 1040, Line 37; 1040A, Line 21; 1040EZ, Line 4). $ {textbox}.00
Change <tax year> and use 2015
Method B Enrollment Fee
LABELS
All labels in the "Method B Enrollment Fee "Section should continue to refer to "20152015 Income Information"
Keep all labels referring to "2015"
dep_other_income
b. All Other Income (Include ALL money received in 2015 that is not included in line (a) above (such as Disability, child support, military living allowance, Workman’s Compensation, untaxed pensions.)
Keep onscreen label reference "2015"
ind_other_income
b. All Other Income (Include ALL money received in 2015 that is not included in line (a) above (such as Disability, child support, military living allowance, Workman’s Compensation, untaxed pensions.)
Keep onscreen label reference "2015"
dep_total_income
Total income for 2015 (Sum of a. + b.): $ {textbox}.00
Keep onscreen label reference "2015"
ind_total_income
Total income for 2015 (Sum of a. + b.): $ {textbox}.00
Keep onscreen label reference "2015"
Text box under Method B Calculation Table
Add the sentence in blue to the message text
The Financial Aid Office will review your income and let you know if you qualify for an ENROLLMENT FEE WAIVER under Method B. Submit application and documentation to the financial aid office.
If you do not qualify using Method A or Method B, you should file a FAFSA (for U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens) or the California Dream Application (for undocumented AB 540 students). The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.gov and the Dream Application is available at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
No other change
Consent/Certification Page
I hereby swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that all information on this form is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. If asked by an authorized official, I agree to provide proof of this information, which may include a copy of my and my spouse/registered domestic partner and/or my parent's/registered domestic partner’s 2015 U.S. Income Tax Return(s). I also realize that any false statement or failure to give proof when asked may be cause for the denial, reduction, withdrawal, and/or repayment of my waiver. I authorize release of information regarding this application between the college, the college district, and the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges
This is from the current BOG (2016-2017) application.
Application Year
Marital Status
Marital Status
The California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act extends new rights, benefits, responsibilities and obligations to individuals in domestic partnerships registered with the California Secretary of State under Section 297 of the Family Code. If you are in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP), or legal same sex marriage, you will be treated as an Independent married student to determine eligibility for this Fee Waiver and will need to provide income and household information for your domestic partner. If you are a dependent student and your parent is in a Registered Domestic Partnership, or legal same sex marriage, you will be treated the same as a student with married parents and income and household information will be required for the parent's domestic partner. (These new provisions apply to state student financial aid only, not to federal student financial aid.)
Are you or your parent in a Registered Domestic Partnership with the California Secretary of State under Section 297 of the Family Code?
(Answer "Yes" if you or your parent are separated from a Registered Domestic Partner but have NOT FILED a Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership with the California Secretary of State's Office.)
Yes No
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CALIFORNIA DOMESTIC PARTNER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT
The California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act extends rights, benefits, responsibilities and obligations to individuals in domestic partnerships registered with the California Secretary of State under Section 297 of the Family Code. If you are in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP), or legal same sex marriage, you will be treated as an Independent married student for Enrollment Fee Waiver eligibility and will need to provide income and household information for your domestic partner. If you are a dependent student and your parent is in a Registered Domestic Partnership, or legal same sex marriage, you will be treated the same as a student with married parents and income and household information will be required for the parent’s domestic partner.
Note: These provisions apply to state student financial aid ONLY, and not to federal student financial aid.
Are you or your parent in a Registered Domestic Partnership with the California Secretary of State under Section 297 of the Family
Code? (Answer “Yes” if you or your parent are separated from a Registered Domestic Partner but have NOT FILED a Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership with the California Secretary of State’s Office.)q Yes q No
If you answered “Yes” to the question above, treat the Registered Domestic Partner as a spouse. You are required to include your domestic partner’s income and household information or your parent’s domestic partner’s income and household information in Questions 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
Student Marital Status
q Single q Married q Divorced q Separated q Widowed q Registered Domestic Partnership
Special Eligibilities
Special Classifications
Do you have certification from the California Department of Veterans Affairs that you are eligible for a dependent's fee waiver? Yes No
Do you have certification from the National Guard Adjutant General that you are eligible for a dependent's fee waiver? Yes No
Are you eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient? Yes No
Are you eligible as a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack? Yes No
Are you eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty?
Eligibility Methods
Method A Enrollment Fee
Are you (the student only) currently receiving monthly cash assistance for yourself or any dependents from:
Yes No Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) / CalWorks?
Yes No Supplemental Security Income (SSI) / State Supplementary Payment (SSP)?
Yes No General assistance?
Changes to Data Download File
Changes to Logic
Top
Notes & Background Information
Emails from Bryan Dickerson and Tim Bonnel (CCCCO)
Expand
<Bryan D. September 28, 2016 >>
Patricia,
I cannot have the Fee waiver application completed today. Last week, AB 801 was signed into law and will require some input from the field before a fee waiver application can be finalized. I am sorry I did could not provide you with this information earlier as analysis on the final AB 801 wording had not taken place.
We did decide on another issue that involved how to resolve the conflict that would have occurred between using the 2015 year income data that will be collected on the 2017-18 FAFSA with the 2016 income data that would be collected on the 2017-18 BOG Fee Waiver application. Since we cannot change the FAFSA, the BOGFW application will also use 2015 income data.
The chaptering of AB 801 on September 21 added a new fee waiver eligibility category for homeless youth. This new category presents difficulties because the wording of the BOGFW application must be vetted with college Financial Aid Offices as well as Admission and Records offices. Specifically, we need to know how will a student would indicate on the application that they are homeless and then, to which college office should they be referred to present documentation of their homeless status? Getting this wrong would create turmoil at the colleges.
We are consulting with financial aid offices on AB 801, but sufficient consultation may take a few weeks.
Have you received any input from Admissions offices? To appropriately advise homeless students, we need instructions on which college office the students should work with. This affects how the application wording will read.
We should have a call with you on this. Can I set up a call with you and also include people on this end to get their input?
The change that has to get on to the BOG Fee Waiver application is one that inquires on a student’s homeless status. Homeless students under age 25 will be eligible to receive a BOG Fee Waiver.
We did decide on another issue that involved how to resolve the conflict that would have occurred between using the 2015 year income data that will be collected on the 2017-18 FAFSA with the 2016 income data that would be collected on the 2017-18 BOG Fee Waiver application. Since we cannot change the FAFSA, the BOGFW application will also use 2015 income data.
The chaptering of AB 801 on September 21 added a new fee waiver eligibility category for homeless youth. This new category presents difficulties because the wording of the BOGFW application must be vetted with college Financial Aid Offices as well as Admission and Records offices. Specifically, we need to know how will a student would indicate on the application that they are homeless and then, to which college office should they be referred to present documentation of their homeless status? Getting this wrong would create turmoil at the colleges.
We are consulting with financial aid offices on AB 801, but sufficient consultation may take a few weeks.
Have you received any input from Admissions offices? To appropriately advise homeless students, we need instructions on which college office the students should work with. This affects how the application wording will read.
<< October 31 - Bryan D. >>
Patty,
Attached is the 2017-18 Board of Governors Fee Waiver Application. We consider this as final.
A few more things:
1. Tim Bonnel is available to join your meeting if you can provide him with a timeframe of +/- 20 to 30 minutes of when he would need to participate.
2. A student’s homeless status must by verified to receive the fee waiver. The campus financial aid office is one of the parties that can collect homeless status verification documents from the student. Verification criteria for homeless students is consistent with the standards used in the McKinney-Vento Act. This standard is also used for federal financial aid.
3. Another difference on the BOG Fee waiver application is that for 2017-18 eligibility determinations the student and parent’s 2015 year income will be required. This is a change implemented to bring the application in line with the change in income base year to be used from now on for federal financial aid.
Supporting Documentation
Below is additional documentation (i.e., CCCCO legal opinions, residency and/or education code citations, legislation citations, supplemental information, etc.) to be referenced in support of this change request.