Modify Regulations on Certificates of Achievement for Greater Access to Federal Financial Aid

Spring
2016
Resolution Number
09.05
 
Contact
Assigned to
5C
Category
Curriculum
Status
Assigned

Whereas, Title 5 §55070(a) defines a Certificate of Achievement as “Any sequence of courses consisting of 18 or more semester units or 27 or more quarter units of degree-applicable credit coursework,” and these certificates must be submitted to the Chancellor’s Office for approval and are included on a student’s transcript upon completion;

Whereas, Any state-approved educational program that consists of 16 or more semester units or 24 quarter units is eligible for federal financial aid;

Whereas, Colleges are not required to seek Chancellor’s Office approval for certificate programs that are less than 18 semester units or 27 quarter units; and

Whereas, Local decisions to not seek Chancellor’s Office approval for certificates that are 16 or more semester units and less than 18 semester or at least 24 quarter units and less than 27 quarter units effectively block access to federal financial aid for students who complete such certificate programs; 

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with the Chancellor’s Office to modify Title 5 §55070(a) to require all certificate programs consisting of 16 or more semester units or 24 or more quarter units be submitted to the Chancellor’s Office for approval in order to maximize student access to federal financial aid; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge local senates to review and consider for submission to the Chancellor’s Office any existing local certificates that are 16 or more semester units and less than 18 units or at least 24 quarter units and less than 27 quarter units to more immediately expand student access to federal financial aid.

MSC