A+ Scholarship Program
A+ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
For information on Missouri's A+ Scholarship program, including a list of participating community colleges/technical schools, please click here.
Please click here to watch a short video about the A+ Program.
Please click here to sign up for after school tutoring and to receive an A+ School Agreement.
To apply for the A+ Program, please complete the application and citizenship policy below and return them to Dr. Keller, Assistant Principal and A+ Coordinator for CJHS.
A+ Resources
A+ Application
Schools Agreement
Carl Junction High School
A part of the A+ Schools program is the student financial incentive for eligible students who attend a Missouri public community college, vocational/technical school, and certain participating four-year institutions. Dependent upon State funding, this incentive provides an appropriation after the federal postsecondary student financial assistance funds have been applied. To be eligible, each student must meet the following requirements before graduation:
1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
2. Enter into a written agreement with your high school before graduation;
3. Attend a designated A+ high school for 3 consecutive years immediately before graduation;
4. Graduate with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
5. Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12;
6. Perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which up to 25% may include job shadowing;
7. Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol;
8. Beginning with the high school senior class of 2015, have achieved a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end-of-course exam or a higher-level DESE-approved end-of-course exam in the field of mathematics. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements except the end-of-course exam requirement, you may establish eligibility by achieving a qualifying score of 17 on the mathematics component of the ACT test;
9. Register with the selective service (males only); www.sss.gov/
10. Have signed the Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activity Student Drug Testing Policy yearly.
Further, to maintain eligibility after graduation, each participating student must, during the four-year period of incentive availability:
1. Enroll and attend on a full-time basis a Missouri public community college, vocational/technical school, and certain participating four-year institutions; and
2. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Student's Name: _____________________________ and Carl Junction High School enter into this written A+ Schools student financial incentive agreement.
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________________ate
* The tuition incentive will be made available only after the student has made a documented good faith effort to first secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment. The tuition incentive will be made available to reimburse only the unpaid balance of the cost of tuition, books, and fees.
A+ Citizenship Policy
CITIZENSHIP POLICY
A+ Program Financial Incentive
Carl Junction High School
In order to qualify for tuition reimbursement under the A+ Schools program, a student must maintain a good citizenship record. The following guidelines for good citizenship have been established:
The student must have no incidents of drug or alcohol use/abuse. (Results in automatic removal from the A+ Schools Program)
Students must adhere to a code of behavior (discipline code) that will demonstrate respect for authority, faculty, school, property, and their fellow students.
Instances of OSS (out-of-school suspension) are serious in nature. If a student has a violation resulting in OSS, the A+ Discipline Committee will decide whether the student will be allowed to continue participation in A+ tutoring or if the student will be removed from the program. Students who remain in the tutoring program will be placed on probation for 90 school days from the date of the offense. A second OSS offense will result in automatic removal from the A+ program.
Students who have accumulated a total of five (5) days ISS (except for tardies) during the school year may be placed on probation for a period of 90 school days from the date of the most recent offense.
If a student is placed on probation or released from the program, a letter will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian(s) informing them of the student’s status.
If removed from the A+ program, the student will have the right to appeal within ten school days upon notification, based on the guidelines of the already established due-process procedures.
NOTE: The student must meet all the requirements of the A+ Program in order to be eligible for the financial incentive.
I understand the consequences for violation of the above rules.______________________________ ______________________________
Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Date Date
High School FAQ
High School Question & Answers
Enrolling in the A+ Program:
Q) When does a student sign up for the A+ program?
A) There is no specific date requirement for signing a Carl Junction High School A+ Agreement Form. The agreement can be signed at any time as long as the student has sufficient time to complete the eligibility requirements prior to graduation.
Qualifying for the Program:
Q) How does a student qualify for participation in the A+ program?
A) 1. The student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign an A+ participation agreement.
2. Attend a designated A+ high school for two years prior to graduation.
3. Graduate with at least a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
4. Graduate with a 95% attendance average over a four-year period.
5. Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which up to 25% may include job shadowing.
6. Maintain a record of good citizenship, including the avoidance of the unlawful use of alcohol and drugs, as defined by the local school district’s policy.
7. Make a documented good faith effort to apply for non-payback financial aid by completing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Parents of seniors are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after January 1st FAFSA may be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov by the April 1st deadline.
8. Male students must register under the United States Military Selective Service Act and show proof of such registration. www.sss.gov
9. All students must sign an extra/co-curricular drug testing policy.
10. Beginning with the high school senior class of 2015, have achieved a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end of course exam or a higher level DESE approved end-of-course exam in the field of mathematics. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements except the end of course exam requirement, you may establish eligibility by achieving a qualifying score of 17 on the mathematics component of the ACT test;
Eligibility:
Q) If a student who is eligible for A+ incentive funds graduates at the end of the first semester of the senior year, may the student access the A+ financial incentive in the semester immediately following?
A) Yes, as long as the student has met all other program eligibility requirements.
Q) Do seniors have to meet all A+ requirements before graduation?
A) Yes.
Q) Are data for three or four years used when determining a student’s eligibility for A+ school financial incentives?
A) If a student graduates in 3 ½ years, the school should use 3 ½ years of data for purposes of determining students eligibility. In all other instances, four years of data must be used.
Q) If a student is not a U.S. citizen, but meets all other program requirements, shall the student’s name be placed on the eligibility list?
A) Yes.
Q) Can a student, enrolled in classes for dual credit, be reimbursed through the A+ program for the post-secondary credit?
A) Yes. More information is available under “A+ Dual Credit Scholarship.”
Two-Year Attendance at a Designated High School:
Q) If a student enrolls in an A+ designated high school after the beginning of the 11th grade year, is he/she eligible to participate in the A+ program?
A) The A+ program requires that a student must attend a designated A+ high school for two years prior to graduation.
Q) Are students eligible for A+ incentive funds when they transfer from one high school to another?
A) Yes, if both schools are designated at the time of the transfer.
Q) May an A+ student who participates in a foreign exchange program during high school be allowed to waive the requirement that calls for the A+ students to complete two years in an A+ high school prior to graduation?
A) No.
Q) Are students who attend CJU eligible to participate in A+?
A) Yes.
A+ Participation Agreements:
Q) What is an A+ participation agreement?
A) An A+ participation agreement is a document signed by the students and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) indicating an interest in the program. Once all parties have signed the agreement, it is retained on file by the A+ coordinator. The file documents all pertinent information regarding the student’s eligibility for A+ financial incentives.
Q) Does signing an A+ agreement restrict a student’s post-secondary choices?
A) Signing this agreement does not restrict post-secondary options available to a student while in high school or upon graduation from high school.
Q) Does signing the participation agreement guarantee that a student will receive the financial incentive?
A) No. There are at least three factors that determine whether a particular student is eligible to receive the A+ financial incentive:
1. The high school from which the student graduates must meet and maintain all the requirements for A+ Schools designation.
2. The student must meet all the requirements of the A+ program.
3. State funding must be available.
Grade Point Average (GPA):
Q) Does a student qualify for A+ incentive funding if his/her high school GPA upon graduation is 2.45 (on a 4.0 scale)?
A) No, the A+ program does not permit the rounding up of the GPA.
Q) What is the policy with regard to the grade point averages figured for weighted classes and/or point scales other than 4.0?
A) For the purpose of the A+ program, a student’s GPA must be 2.5 or better, figured on a 4.0 scale. It is, therefore, the designated high school’s responsibility to convert any recorded grades that include weighted classes and/or GPA calculated on a different scale to 4.0
Attendance:
Q) To maintain the A+ Schools 95% attendance requirement, can students use after-school hours to make up time for absences from school?
A) No.
Q) How is the 95% attendance rate calculated for eligibility purposes?
A) The attendance rate is calculated over a 4-year period.
Q) Does a “504 Plan” override the 95% attendance requirement for the A+ Schools Program?
A) Not automatically – absences related to the disability or disabilities specified in a student’s 504 plan should be carefully reviewed by district officials.
Q) What is the policy for students who may become injured in an accident or sustain a long-term illness, either of which precludes the student from meeting the required 95% attendance rate?
A) When students are absent for an extended period due to an accident or illness beyond his/her control, it will be the responsibility of the school to make an “Application for Homebound Instruction” for the student. If a student can be counted toward ADA, homebound instruction may be counted toward the 95% attendance rate.
Citizenship:
Q) For the purpose of the A+ program, what is meant by good citizenship and the avoidance of unlawful drugs?
A) Qualities of “good citizenship” are defined by the high school’s A+ policy. Refer to the A+ Participation Citizenship Policy Form.
Tutoring:
Q) What are the guidelines for tutoring?
A) 1. Tutoring should be academic in nature and be supervised by district staff.
2. Tutoring may be for students who are older, younger, or the same age as the student.
3. Tutoring may be performed Monday through Thursday after school for grades K – 12, or during the summer school session.
4. Tutoring must equal 50 hours. (or a minimum of 37.5 individual tutoring hours & 12.5 hours of job shadowing)
5. Tutoring must take place on school grounds/facilities.
A+ tutoring assignments and oversight reside with the A+ designated high school. The A+ high school shall develop procedures to insure appropriate documentation and supervision of all A+ tutoring. At the discretion of the A+ high school, tutoring arrangements may be made between the high school and a sending school. Tutoring shall be unpaid.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
Q) What is the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA)?
A) According to the A+ law, eligible students must make “a good faith effort to first secure all available federal sources of funding” that do not require repayment before accessing A+ funds. This is accomplished by completing the FAFSA. Once the student completes the FAFSA form, it is submitted to the Department of Higher Education.
Q) What is the Department of Higher Education’s deadline for submitting the FAFSA?
A) The Department of Higher Education’s deadline is April 1.
Q) Is the A+ high school required to monitor the submission of the FAFSA?
A) A+ high schools should inform students and parents interested in the A+ program of the FAFSA requirement. A+ school personnel are encouraged but not required to monitor the submission of the FAFSA as well as other criteria to insure students receive post-secondary tuition reimbursement considerations.
Q) What are the consequences if a student fails to complete the FAFSA?
A) A student failing to file the FAFSA prior to graduation from high school jeopardizes his/her access to A+ funding. The failure to timely submit the FAFSA should not automatically result in the student being declared A+ ineligible by the high school. If all other A+ requirements have been met, the student is an eligible A+ graduate and his/her transcript should indicate such. However, if the FAFSA filing is not filed, the student should be made aware that A+ financial incentives will not be paid on their behalf.
Selective Service:
Q) How is registration for the Selective Service verified?
A) You may verify a student’s Selective Service registration at the following website: http://www.sss.gov
Q) Is there a specific cut-off date for verifying Selective Service registration, or does the high school simply go by whether or not the male is 18 on or before graduation?
A) If the student’s birthday falls after graduation, it will be the responsibility of the post-secondary institution to verify this through the FAFSA process.
Post-Secondary FAQ
General Questions:
Q) Are there four-year institutions that honor A+ financial incentive?
A) No. A+ funds may be used only at public community colleges and/or career-technical schools located in Missouri.
Q) There are several four-year institutions that are offering “A+ scholarships. Are they the same as the A+ financial incentive?
A) No.
Q) If a student does not meet the A+ scholarship requirement for proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end-of-course exam, are they ineligible for the scholarship?
A) Beginning in 2015, if you don't meet the Algebra I end-of-course requirement, you may regain eligibility by completing your first semester at a participating institution with a minimum of 12 hours and a 2.5 grade point average
Eligibility:
General Questions:
Q) What evidence is provided by an A+ high school to a community college or career-technical school to indicate a student is eligible to receive A+ financial incentives?
A) Designated A+ high schools receive an embossing seal to be used on eligible students’ transcripts. The high school’s A+ Coordinator also signs and dates the eligible student’s transcripts after graduation.
Q) What must a student do to remain A+ eligible at a community college or career-technical school?
A) A student must be enrolled full-time in a program of study and maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students must also apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) each year they are eligible.
Q) If a student has met all of the requirements to receive a post-secondary degree but does not apply for graduation, is he/she still eligible to receive A+ financial incentives to pursue another degree?
A) No. A student who has met the requirements for a post-secondary degree using A+ financial incentive shall be notified that his/her eligibility has been exhausted.
Q) If a student’s four-year eligibility has expired and he/she has not completed six terms/semesters, is the student still eligible to receive A+ financial incentives?
A) No. A+ financial incentive must be used within four years of high school graduation.
Q) Is there or is there going to be an extension of the benefit period for students who are called to Active Duty immediately after high school?
A) A student called to Active Duty (National Guard and/or Reserve) immediately after high school should have his/her eligibility extended for the length of time spent on Active Duty status. The student is responsible for providing the post-secondary institution with appropriate documentation (a copy of the student soldier’s DD214). For additional information go to: http://go.missouri.gov/press/press032403.htm.
Full-time enrollment requirement:
Q) Do A+ eligible students have to be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program of study to receive A+ financial incentives?
A) Yes.
Q) If a student who is enrolled in a program of study that requires an internship or clinical experience that prohibits full-time enrollment as defined by the institution, still eligible to receive A+ financial incentive?
A) A student enrolled in a program of study that requires, as part of the program, the successful completion of an internship or clinical experience remains eligible for A+ incentive funds for this portion of the program.
Q) Do developmental courses taken at a community college during the student’s first year of enrollment count toward meeting the full-time enrollment requirement?
A) It is the responsibility of the community college in which the student enrolls to determine whether or not the student’s program equates to a full-time load as prescribed.
Grade Point Average (GPA):
Q) If a student has a GPA of 2.5 for the fall semester but a cumulative GPA of 2.27, would this student be eligible to receive A+ financial incentives?
A) No, the cumulative GPA is used to determine A+ eligibility. The student would not be eligible until the overall GPA is 2.5 or higher.
Non-Repaying Federal Financial Assistance & Scholarships
Q) May a student receive scholarships without jeopardizing his/her A+ financial incentive?
A) Yes, if the (local) scholarship has restrictions, those must be honored (i.e., tuition only). If there are no restrictions on local scholarships, those funds may be used for non-A+ eligible expenses such as books, tuition surcharges, and other fees.
Q) Is a student required to annually submit a federal financial aid application before A+ incentive funds are available to the student for tuition and general fees?
A) Yes.
Enrollment:
Q) If a student elects to attend a four-year institution after high school graduation and then transfers back to a community college or a career-technical school, is the student still eligible to receive A+ financial incentive funds?
A) Yes. A student transferring from a four-year institution into a two-year institution must transfer with a 2.5 GPA and enroll on a full-time basis in a program of study.
Q) May a student enrolled at a four-year institution or community college take courses and use A+ financial incentives at another community college during the summer term for the purpose of accelerating the degree program at the four-year institution or community college?
A) No.
Q) May a student simultaneously attend two eligible post-secondary institutions and receive A+ financial incentives?
A) Yes, however, both institutions must be A+ eligible. The institution granting the certificate or degree would claim the student for reimbursement purposes.
Program of Study:
Q) What is the program of study?
A) A program of study is a certificate or degree plan that is offered by the college or career-technical school.
Q) May an A+ eligible student who enrolls in a one-year LPN program transfer into an RN program?
A) Yes, provided that the RN program is at an A+ eligible institution.
Student Accommodations:
Q) Are students with disabilities eligible for A+ incentive funds?
A) Yes, provided they meet the requirements of the A+ program.
Reimbursement:
Q) What expenses are covered by the A+ program for eligible students attending a public community college or career-technical school?
A) Financial incentives are available to eligible students through the A+ Schools Program cover the cost of tuition that are assessed to all full-time students. The A+ program will reimburse eligible A+ expenses at the rates submitted by the post-secondary institution to the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) or the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. Tuition surcharges are not eligible A+ reimbursements. General tuition or fee increases made during the fiscal year will be considered only if state funds are sufficient to reimburse such requests.
Q) May a student who is repeating a class receive A+ benefits for that course?
A) No. The student must pay the cost of tuition and any associated fees for any course that is repeated.
Q) Is Title IV federal non-repayable aid (FAFSA) be applied to tuition and fees before other expenses?
A) Yes. Under the current MDHE rule, PELL must be applied to A+ eligible costs (tuition and fees) before A+ is billed.
Q) May a student switch majors and utilize A+ financial incentives?
A) Yes.
Q) What are the procedures for reimbursing out-of-state tuition if the student resides outside of Missouri, but is A+ eligible and attends a Missouri community college?
A) A+ students must be graduates of an eligible Missouri A+ designated high school. A+ will reimburse only at in-state tuition rates. If the eligible A+ student moves out of Missouri, but attends a Missouri public community college or a career-technical school, any difference in tuition will be the responsibility of the student.
Q) If a student only needs 11 hours to receive his/her degree, will A+ pay for the additional hours over the degree?
A) No, A+ will pay for 11 hours during that semester. Any other courses or hours within a course that exceed 11 hours will be taken at the student’s expense.
Q) What is the maximum number of hours a student can take in a semester?
A) There is no maximum number of hours a student may elect to take in a semester. However, students who take 24 or more hours during a term will be charged with using two semesters of eligibility; 36 or more will count as three semesters toward the six terms/semesters eligible for reimbursement.