34 C.F.R. Subpart F—How Does a Scholar Receive Scholarship Payments?
Title 34 - Education
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the SEA shall disburse $1,500 for each year of study for a maximum of four years of study to each scholar who— (1) Is selected in accordance with the criteria established under §654.41; and (2) Meets the requirements for continuing eligibility under §654.51. (b)(1) The SEA shall ensure that the total amount of financial aid awarded to a scholar for a year of study does not exceed the total cost of attendance. (2) The SEA shall ensure that loans are reduced prior to reducing a scholarship awarded under this program. (c) The SEA shall ensure that the selection process is completed, and the awards made, prior to the end of each secondary school academic year. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d–38) (a) A scholar continues to be eligible for scholarship funds as long as the scholar continues to— (1) Meet the eligibility requirements in §654.40(b), (e), and (f); (2) Be enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher education except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Maintain satisfactory progress as determined by the institution of higher education the scholar is attending, in accordance with the criteria established in 34 CFR 668.14(e) of the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations. (b) In order to be eligible for scholarship funds, a scholar must be enrolled full time for the first year of study. If after the first year of study, the SEA determines that unusual circumstances justify waiver of the full-time attendance requirement, the scholar may enroll part time and continue to receive a scholarship payment. The SEA shall prorate the payment according to the scholar's enrollment status for the academic period during which he or she continues to be enrolled on a part-time basis but remains otherwise eligible for the award. For example, if a scholar for whom the full-time enrollment requirement is waived by the SEA is enrolled as a half-time student for one semester, he or she is eligible to receive one-quarter of his or her scholarship during that semester. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d–33, 1070d–36) (a)(1) An SEA may permit a scholar to postpone or interrupt his or her enrollment at an institution of higher education without forfeiting his or her scholarship for up to 12 months, beginning on the date the scholar otherwise would have enrolled in the institution after the SEA awarded his or her scholarship or the date the scholar interrupts enrollment. (2) A scholar who postpones or interrupts his or her enrollment at an institution of higher education in accordance with standards established by the SEA is not eligible to receive scholarship funds during the period of postponement or interruption, but is eligible to receive scholarship payments on enrollment or re-enrollment at an institution of higher education. (3) A scholar's periods of postponement or interruption, taken in accordance with standards established by the SEA and not in excess of 12 months, are not considered periods of suspension for the purposes of calculating the 12 months provided for suspension prior to termination under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, if an SEA finds that a scholar fails to meet the requirements of §654.51 within an award year, it shall suspend the scholar's eligibility to receive scholarship funds until the scholar is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the SEA that he or she meets these requirements. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, a scholar's eligibility for a scholarship is terminated when the total of his or her suspension periods exceeds 12 months. (3) In exceptional circumstances, the SEA may extend the 12-month suspension period without terminating a scholar's eligibility under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, in accordance with standards established by the SEA. (c) A scholar who receives an award for a period for which the SEA subsequently determines the scholar was ineligible under the requirements in §654.40 or 654.51 shall repay to the SEA the total amount of the scholarship funds received for the period during which he or she was ineligible. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d–35, 1070d–36 to 1070d–38)
Title 34: Education
PART 654—ROBERT C. BYRD HONORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Subpart F—How Does a Scholar Receive Scholarship Payments?
§ 654.50 How does an SEA disburse scholarship funds?
§ 654.51 What are the continuing eligibility criteria?
§ 654.52 What are the consequences of a scholar's failure to meet the eligibility criteria?
