FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
1. What
does signing the "A+ Participation Agreement" mean?
By signing and submitting the A+ contract, students and
their parents/guardians are simply indicating an
interest in the students’ participation in the A+
Financial Incentive Program and indicating that they
understand the requirements that qualify the students
for that program.
2. Does
signing this agreement restrict a student’s choices?
Signing the agreement does not in any way restrict a
student’s educational choices while in high school or
upon graduation. The A+ Schools program is actually
designed to provide greater opportunities for students.
3. What
happens when a student signs a participation agreement?
When an agreement has been signed by all parties and
returned, the parents/guardians receive a copy and then
a file is established for the student and will be
located in the A+ coordinator’s office. The file will
contain all pertinent information relative to the
student’s eligibility for A+ incentive funds.
4. Does
signing a participation agreement guarantee that a
student will receive the tuition reimbursement?
There are at least three factors that will impact the
availability of tuition reimbursement to a particular
student. First, the high school from which the student
graduates must meet and maintain all the requirements
for A+ Schools designation. Second, state funding must
be available. As with any state program, the A+ Schools
Program is subject to the political process of
developing and adopting a budget. Third, the student
must meet all the criteria outlined in the A+ Schools
Program and the participation agreement which the
student signed.
5. What
if a student signs a participation agreement and then
decides to attend a four-year college/university?
There are no repercussions for signing an A+
participation agreement and completing the student
eligibility requirements of the program. Signing the A+
contract in no way restricts a student’s post high
school career or educational opportunities.
Many
students will develop plans to attend a four-year
institution of higher education following high school.
The A+ incentive funds provided through the A+ Schools
Program, however, can not be applied to costs associated
with a four-year college or university. Qualifying
students may choose to attend, for example, a community
college for two years and then transfer to a four-year
college or university. As the costs of higher education
continue to rise, more and more students are beginning
their college careers in this manner.
If an
A+ eligible student withdraws from the four-year
institution with at least a 2.5 GPA, he/she can still
enroll at any Missouri public community college or
vocational/technical school and be eligible for the A+
incentive funding as long as it is within the four-year
eligibility timeframe.
6. How
will the student’s college or vo-tech school know he/she
will be using A+ funds to help finance his/her
education?
Following graduation, the A+ coordinator will submit an
eligibility list to the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE). A similar list will be sent
to area community colleges and vo-tech schools. When the
high school receives a request for the student’s
transcript, the transcript will also be stamped with the
A+ seal.
In
addition, it would simplify matters if the student would
inform the college of his/her A+ eligibility when he/she
registers for classes.
7. How can I find out more information about the A+
program at my child's school?
Contact the A+ Coordinator at the high school at
273-4274.
