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Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation
Education Grant Policies and Procedures
Purpose
The Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation has created an education grant fund at the First Financial Bank Trust to hold certain funds to provide educational grants to individuals for educational purposes, hereinafter referred to as the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation Education Grant Fund. This education grant Policies and Procedures has been prepared to ensure that the educational grants meet the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of section 4945(g) of the Internal Revenue Code and are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.
Compliance With Section 4945(g)
All educational grants shall meet the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of Section 4945(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1 Paragraph (1) of Section 4945(g) permits grants that are education grants or fellowships. An education grant or fellowship grant is defined as a grant to a degree candidate for tuition, fees, and other expenses. These grants are to be used for study at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and has an organized body of students in attendance at the place where the educational activities are held.
2 Paragraph (2) of Section 4945(g) permits grants that are prizes or awards made primarily in recognition of religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary, or civic achievement. If the recipient is chosen from the general public, he or she must be selected without any action on his or her part to enter a contest or proceeding, and the recipient must not be required to provide services as a consequence of receiving the award.
3 Paragraph (3) permits grants to achieve a specific objective, produce a report or other similar product, or improve or enhance a literary, artistic, musical, scientific or other similar capacity, skill, or talent of the grantee. This is the broadest category and covers, for example, awards to artists to create works of art, and some education grants that do not fit under paragraph (1).
Objective and Nondiscriminatory Selection Process
All educational grants shall be awarded using an objective and nondiscriminatory selection process in advance of making awards. Notwithstanding any previous discriminatory selection criteria that may have existed prior to the adoption of this policy or the amendment of laws and regulations from time to time that can change the process for administrating the selection process of such educational grants.
Eligibility
The group from which grantees are selected will be chosen as follows: It is the desire of the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation to provide graduates of Blackwell High School, in Blackwell Texas, with an education grant to attend vocational school, college or university of the student’s choosing. Said grants will be available for this and all future graduating classes of Blackwell High School and will be paid and renewable as further defined in this policy. The criteria used to select grant recipients shall be related to the purpose of the grant, and may include (but are not limited to) the following:
● Completion of a course of study sufficient to produce a graduation diploma from Blackwell High School and provide transcripts to substantiate said completion.
● Acceptance to attend any nationally accredited vocational institution, junior college, or four-year college or university.
Education Grant Award amount determination for current graduation seniors
From this fund, educational grant awards will be made available to current graduating seniors based upon the number of complete years (as defined by BCISD, which is completion of at least one semester during the first school year, then completion of both semesters of a school year, thereafter) of successful attendance of a student in the BCISD to attend post secondary education. BCEF will review the number of applicants from current students as well as past students to determine the amount available for educational grants and BCEF may adjust the amount available for educational grants, based on many factors, including the number of applicants, the amount of PILOT proceeds, investment returns of the fund, etc. Below is the proposed matrix of awards for four years of college for current 2011 graduates and future graduates, unless changed by the BCEF:
Years of Amount of total
Attendance Educational Grant award
1 $3,500
2 $7,000
3 $10,500
4 $14,000
5 $17,500
6 $21,000
7 $24,500
8 $28,000
9 $31,500
10 $35,000
11 $38,500
12 $42,000
Education grant should be paid out pro-rata, based on equal payments which are concurrent with the recipient’s post secondary educational plans, over four years to a school or program. For example: a student attending a four year college, who attended BCISD for 10 years, could receive $4,375 each long semester in four years totaling $35,000 in education grant awards. Such education grant payouts should occur in four years, but not more than five years, or occur longer than 10 long semesters. Any requests to vary said pay-out must be submitted BCEF for approval. A prospective recipient of this grant must not have been out of school or college for more than two years to be eligible for this educational grant. A student, who is attending a vocational or technical school for less than four years, is eligible to receive the pro-rata amount of this four year award. A student who has served in a branch of the military will be allowed to receive this education grant, after completion of service with the military.
Students will only qualify for funds for successive years prior to graduation. For example, if a student attended BCISD schools from first through third grade, moved to another district, then returned to BCISD for grades 9-12, the student would only be eligible for funds for grades 9-12. To receive “credit” for a year, the student must have been enrolled in the district for 90% of the days class was offered. Any year where the student does not achieve enrollment at 90% will be considered a break in enrollment.
Education Grant Award amount determination for past graduates
The Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation desires to award education grants for past graduates of Blackwell High School, who graduated from 2005 through 2010. These educational grant awards will be based upon the number of complete years (as defined by BCISD, which is completion of at least one semester during a school year) of successful attendance of a student in the BCISD and is currently attending or desires to attain post secondary education. BCEF will review the number of applicants from these past students to determine the amount available for educational grants and BCEF may adjust the amount available for educational grants, based on many factors, including the number of applicants, the amount of PILOT proceeds, investment returns of the fund, etc. Below is the proposed matrix of awards for prior graduates, unless changed by the BCEF:
Years of Amount of total
Attendance Education Grant award
In BCISD Class of 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
1 $ 2,250 $ 1,500 $ 750 $ 450 $ 300
2 $ 4,500 $ 3,000 $ 1,500 $ 900 $ 600
3 $ 6,750 $ 4,500 $ 2,250 $ 1,350 $ 900
4 $ 9,000 $ 6,000 $ 3,000 $ 1,800 $ 1,200
5 $ 11,250 $ 7,500 $ 3,750 $ 2,250 $ 1,500
6 $ 13,500 $ 9,000 $ 4,500 $ 2,700 $ 1,800
7 $ 15,750 $ 10,500 $ 5,250 $ 3,150 $ 2,100
8 $ 18,000 $ 12,000 $ 6,000 $ 3,600 $ 2,400
9 $ 20,250 $ 13,500 $ 6,750 $ 4,050 $ 2,700
10 $ 22,500 $ 15,000 $ 7,500 $ 4,500 $ 3,000
11 $ 24,750 $ 16,500 $ 8,250 $ 4,950 $ 3,300
12 $ 27,000 $ 18,000 $ 9,000 $ 5,400 $ 3,600
Education grant grants should be paid out pro-rata, based on equal payments which are concurrent with the recipient’s post secondary educational plans. For example: a student who graduated in 2008, attending a four year college, who attended BCISD for 10 years, could receive $750 each long semester in three years totaling $7,500 in education grant awards. Such education grant payouts should occur in no more than four years, or occur longer than 8 long semesters. Any requests to vary said pay-out must be submitted to BCEF for approval. A prospective recipient of this grant must not have been out of school or college for more than two years to be eligible for this educational grant. A student, who is attending a vocational or technical school for less than four years, is eligible to receive the pro-rata amount of this award. A student who has served in a branch of the military will be allowed to receive this education grant, after completion of service with the military. Educational grants for these aforementioned classes (2006-2010) are for undergraduate studies, only.
Transfer Students
The intent of this fund is to provide education grants to students residing in the BCISD. A transfer student is defined as a student who does not reside in the BCISD and as such, will not be eligible for this education grant without attending BCISD for a minimum of 2 years.
Supervision of Grants
It is the policy of BCEF to only make education grants payable to the educational institution after the Foundation has obtained documentation indicating the recipient meets all award payment criteria and that the grant funds will be used only to defray the grant recipient’s educational expenses, including tuition and required fees, books as well as room and board expenses.
Maintenance of Records
BCEF will maintain records with respect to all education grant grants made to grant recipients. Such records will include all information BCEF secures to evaluate the qualification of potential grant recipients; identification of the grant recipients (including any relationship of any grant recipient to the employees, officers, board of directors or a member of the BCEF); specifics of the amount and purpose of each such grant; and any follow-up information the Foundation obtains on the grant recipient’s use of the grant funds.
Investigation and Recovery of Diverted Grant Money
If the Foundation obtains information that indicates that any portion of grant funds are not being used in furtherance of the purpose of the grant, the Foundation will investigate the recipient’s use of such funds. While conducting its investigation, the Foundation will withhold further payments to the recipient until any delinquent reports have been submitted. If the Foundation determines that any part of a grant has been used for improper purposes, the Foundation will take all reasonable and appropriate steps to recover the grant funds.
Awarding of grants
The goal of the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation is to award the entire grant over the course of study, but not to “over award” said grant. Some students may have other education grants or federal grants that may lessen the need of this grant in earlier years, however more if this education grant is needed in later years. BCEF will work with the recipient and their college to coordinate payment of education grant funds, to maximize the affect of this education grant award over the student’s college tenure. The student will be able to access the total amount of the educational grant, during their post-secondary education for approved education expenses, until the student completes their under-graduate degree or a master’s degree, or until the educational grant is exhausted, whichever occurs first. (master’s degree expenses are not eligible for graduates of BCISD prior to 2011).
Grant Renewals
A grant that satisfied the requirements of these procedures when originally made may be renewed if:
● All reports and grades due at the time of the renewal decision have been furnished to BCEF and the student is maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA average (on a 4.0 GPA scale)
● BCEF has no information indicating that the original grant is being used for any purpose other than that for which the original grant was made
Grant Probation
A recipient of an educational grant, who withdraws from the post-secondary school, or is unable to achieve minimum grades for renewals, and has failed to receive a grant renewal, will be given probation for one long semester to allow the student the opportunity to raise their grade point average or re-enroll, if student had withdrawn. Said probation period will not exceed one long semester. A recipient who has withdrawn from school will have no more than two years to re-enroll in post-secondary school, to be considered for reinstatement of any remaining unpaid portion of their previously awarded education grant.
Exceptions
Considerations for exceptions to this policy for illness, family situations, early graduation or employment issues, will be considered on a case by case basis by the BCEF.
Changes to these Policies
The BCEF may find future circumstances which require changes to these policies and procedures. Any change must be approved by the BCEF.
¬¬¬Outstanding funds
Any funds owed to BCISD or any of its classes or school-sponsored activities shall be deducted from the award amount and paid to the district.
Education Grant Policies and Procedures
Purpose
The Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation has created an education grant fund at the First Financial Bank Trust to hold certain funds to provide educational grants to individuals for educational purposes, hereinafter referred to as the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation Education Grant Fund. This education grant Policies and Procedures has been prepared to ensure that the educational grants meet the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of section 4945(g) of the Internal Revenue Code and are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.
Compliance With Section 4945(g)
All educational grants shall meet the requirements of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of Section 4945(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1 Paragraph (1) of Section 4945(g) permits grants that are education grants or fellowships. An education grant or fellowship grant is defined as a grant to a degree candidate for tuition, fees, and other expenses. These grants are to be used for study at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and has an organized body of students in attendance at the place where the educational activities are held.
2 Paragraph (2) of Section 4945(g) permits grants that are prizes or awards made primarily in recognition of religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary, or civic achievement. If the recipient is chosen from the general public, he or she must be selected without any action on his or her part to enter a contest or proceeding, and the recipient must not be required to provide services as a consequence of receiving the award.
3 Paragraph (3) permits grants to achieve a specific objective, produce a report or other similar product, or improve or enhance a literary, artistic, musical, scientific or other similar capacity, skill, or talent of the grantee. This is the broadest category and covers, for example, awards to artists to create works of art, and some education grants that do not fit under paragraph (1).
Objective and Nondiscriminatory Selection Process
All educational grants shall be awarded using an objective and nondiscriminatory selection process in advance of making awards. Notwithstanding any previous discriminatory selection criteria that may have existed prior to the adoption of this policy or the amendment of laws and regulations from time to time that can change the process for administrating the selection process of such educational grants.
Eligibility
The group from which grantees are selected will be chosen as follows: It is the desire of the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation to provide graduates of Blackwell High School, in Blackwell Texas, with an education grant to attend vocational school, college or university of the student’s choosing. Said grants will be available for this and all future graduating classes of Blackwell High School and will be paid and renewable as further defined in this policy. The criteria used to select grant recipients shall be related to the purpose of the grant, and may include (but are not limited to) the following:
● Completion of a course of study sufficient to produce a graduation diploma from Blackwell High School and provide transcripts to substantiate said completion.
● Acceptance to attend any nationally accredited vocational institution, junior college, or four-year college or university.
Education Grant Award amount determination for current graduation seniors
From this fund, educational grant awards will be made available to current graduating seniors based upon the number of complete years (as defined by BCISD, which is completion of at least one semester during the first school year, then completion of both semesters of a school year, thereafter) of successful attendance of a student in the BCISD to attend post secondary education. BCEF will review the number of applicants from current students as well as past students to determine the amount available for educational grants and BCEF may adjust the amount available for educational grants, based on many factors, including the number of applicants, the amount of PILOT proceeds, investment returns of the fund, etc. Below is the proposed matrix of awards for four years of college for current 2011 graduates and future graduates, unless changed by the BCEF:
Years of Amount of total
Attendance Educational Grant award
1 $3,500
2 $7,000
3 $10,500
4 $14,000
5 $17,500
6 $21,000
7 $24,500
8 $28,000
9 $31,500
10 $35,000
11 $38,500
12 $42,000
Education grant should be paid out pro-rata, based on equal payments which are concurrent with the recipient’s post secondary educational plans, over four years to a school or program. For example: a student attending a four year college, who attended BCISD for 10 years, could receive $4,375 each long semester in four years totaling $35,000 in education grant awards. Such education grant payouts should occur in four years, but not more than five years, or occur longer than 10 long semesters. Any requests to vary said pay-out must be submitted BCEF for approval. A prospective recipient of this grant must not have been out of school or college for more than two years to be eligible for this educational grant. A student, who is attending a vocational or technical school for less than four years, is eligible to receive the pro-rata amount of this four year award. A student who has served in a branch of the military will be allowed to receive this education grant, after completion of service with the military.
Students will only qualify for funds for successive years prior to graduation. For example, if a student attended BCISD schools from first through third grade, moved to another district, then returned to BCISD for grades 9-12, the student would only be eligible for funds for grades 9-12. To receive “credit” for a year, the student must have been enrolled in the district for 90% of the days class was offered. Any year where the student does not achieve enrollment at 90% will be considered a break in enrollment.
Education Grant Award amount determination for past graduates
The Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation desires to award education grants for past graduates of Blackwell High School, who graduated from 2005 through 2010. These educational grant awards will be based upon the number of complete years (as defined by BCISD, which is completion of at least one semester during a school year) of successful attendance of a student in the BCISD and is currently attending or desires to attain post secondary education. BCEF will review the number of applicants from these past students to determine the amount available for educational grants and BCEF may adjust the amount available for educational grants, based on many factors, including the number of applicants, the amount of PILOT proceeds, investment returns of the fund, etc. Below is the proposed matrix of awards for prior graduates, unless changed by the BCEF:
Years of Amount of total
Attendance Education Grant award
In BCISD Class of 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
1 $ 2,250 $ 1,500 $ 750 $ 450 $ 300
2 $ 4,500 $ 3,000 $ 1,500 $ 900 $ 600
3 $ 6,750 $ 4,500 $ 2,250 $ 1,350 $ 900
4 $ 9,000 $ 6,000 $ 3,000 $ 1,800 $ 1,200
5 $ 11,250 $ 7,500 $ 3,750 $ 2,250 $ 1,500
6 $ 13,500 $ 9,000 $ 4,500 $ 2,700 $ 1,800
7 $ 15,750 $ 10,500 $ 5,250 $ 3,150 $ 2,100
8 $ 18,000 $ 12,000 $ 6,000 $ 3,600 $ 2,400
9 $ 20,250 $ 13,500 $ 6,750 $ 4,050 $ 2,700
10 $ 22,500 $ 15,000 $ 7,500 $ 4,500 $ 3,000
11 $ 24,750 $ 16,500 $ 8,250 $ 4,950 $ 3,300
12 $ 27,000 $ 18,000 $ 9,000 $ 5,400 $ 3,600
Education grant grants should be paid out pro-rata, based on equal payments which are concurrent with the recipient’s post secondary educational plans. For example: a student who graduated in 2008, attending a four year college, who attended BCISD for 10 years, could receive $750 each long semester in three years totaling $7,500 in education grant awards. Such education grant payouts should occur in no more than four years, or occur longer than 8 long semesters. Any requests to vary said pay-out must be submitted to BCEF for approval. A prospective recipient of this grant must not have been out of school or college for more than two years to be eligible for this educational grant. A student, who is attending a vocational or technical school for less than four years, is eligible to receive the pro-rata amount of this award. A student who has served in a branch of the military will be allowed to receive this education grant, after completion of service with the military. Educational grants for these aforementioned classes (2006-2010) are for undergraduate studies, only.
Transfer Students
The intent of this fund is to provide education grants to students residing in the BCISD. A transfer student is defined as a student who does not reside in the BCISD and as such, will not be eligible for this education grant without attending BCISD for a minimum of 2 years.
Supervision of Grants
It is the policy of BCEF to only make education grants payable to the educational institution after the Foundation has obtained documentation indicating the recipient meets all award payment criteria and that the grant funds will be used only to defray the grant recipient’s educational expenses, including tuition and required fees, books as well as room and board expenses.
Maintenance of Records
BCEF will maintain records with respect to all education grant grants made to grant recipients. Such records will include all information BCEF secures to evaluate the qualification of potential grant recipients; identification of the grant recipients (including any relationship of any grant recipient to the employees, officers, board of directors or a member of the BCEF); specifics of the amount and purpose of each such grant; and any follow-up information the Foundation obtains on the grant recipient’s use of the grant funds.
Investigation and Recovery of Diverted Grant Money
If the Foundation obtains information that indicates that any portion of grant funds are not being used in furtherance of the purpose of the grant, the Foundation will investigate the recipient’s use of such funds. While conducting its investigation, the Foundation will withhold further payments to the recipient until any delinquent reports have been submitted. If the Foundation determines that any part of a grant has been used for improper purposes, the Foundation will take all reasonable and appropriate steps to recover the grant funds.
Awarding of grants
The goal of the Blackwell Consolidated Education Foundation is to award the entire grant over the course of study, but not to “over award” said grant. Some students may have other education grants or federal grants that may lessen the need of this grant in earlier years, however more if this education grant is needed in later years. BCEF will work with the recipient and their college to coordinate payment of education grant funds, to maximize the affect of this education grant award over the student’s college tenure. The student will be able to access the total amount of the educational grant, during their post-secondary education for approved education expenses, until the student completes their under-graduate degree or a master’s degree, or until the educational grant is exhausted, whichever occurs first. (master’s degree expenses are not eligible for graduates of BCISD prior to 2011).
Grant Renewals
A grant that satisfied the requirements of these procedures when originally made may be renewed if:
● All reports and grades due at the time of the renewal decision have been furnished to BCEF and the student is maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA average (on a 4.0 GPA scale)
● BCEF has no information indicating that the original grant is being used for any purpose other than that for which the original grant was made
Grant Probation
A recipient of an educational grant, who withdraws from the post-secondary school, or is unable to achieve minimum grades for renewals, and has failed to receive a grant renewal, will be given probation for one long semester to allow the student the opportunity to raise their grade point average or re-enroll, if student had withdrawn. Said probation period will not exceed one long semester. A recipient who has withdrawn from school will have no more than two years to re-enroll in post-secondary school, to be considered for reinstatement of any remaining unpaid portion of their previously awarded education grant.
Exceptions
Considerations for exceptions to this policy for illness, family situations, early graduation or employment issues, will be considered on a case by case basis by the BCEF.
Changes to these Policies
The BCEF may find future circumstances which require changes to these policies and procedures. Any change must be approved by the BCEF.
¬¬¬Outstanding funds
Any funds owed to BCISD or any of its classes or school-sponsored activities shall be deducted from the award amount and paid to the district.