Section 512IAC4-1-3.1. Determination of eligibility

  1. (a) The department shall establish and make available all necessary forms and procedures for applying for a choice scholarship.

  (b) The eligible school is responsible for determining whether an applicant meets eligibility guidelines to qualify for a choice scholarship.

  (c) To be eligible for a choice scholarship, the applicant must satisfy all of the requirements of IC 20-51-1-4.3.

  (d) If the eligible school determines that an applicant is eligible to receive a choice scholarship, the eligible school must complete the application for the student and submit the application through the department's choice application portal for processing. The application process begins once the eligible school submits the applicant's choice scholarship application.

  (e) An eligible school may not refuse to assist an applicant with making application for a choice scholarship unless the eligible school would otherwise not accept the student for enrollment for other reasons not related to the choice scholarship program.

  (f) A choice scholarship application must be complete and contain all required information before an eligibility determination can be made.

  (g) If an applicant for a choice scholarship is deemed eligible and the application approved, the applicant will receive notice of the approval from the eligible school via the department's application portal. The notice will also include the estimated amount of the eligible choice scholarship student's choice scholarship.

  (h) If an applicant for a choice scholarship is deemed ineligible and the application denied, the applicant will receive notice of the denial from the eligible school via the department's application portal. The notice will include:

(1) the reason for the determination of ineligibility; and

(2) the process by which the applicant may appeal the determination of ineligibility if the denial occurs.

  (i) The eligible school shall provide, within five (5) business days, to the parent or guardian of the applicant a copy of the choice scholarship application and all correspondence received from the department's application portal.

  (j) Nothing in this section will prevent an applicant from reapplying for a choice scholarship at any eligible school so long as the application is submitted within the application window established by the department.

  (k) The eligible school shall keep and maintain a copy of any correspondence from the department in the eligible choice scholarship student's school record in accordance with section 8 of this rule.

  (l) A choice scholarship is valid for the school year for which it is awarded.

  (m) A choice scholarship is valid for only the school at which the eligible choice scholarship student made application and is nontransferable. (Department of Education; 512 IAC 4-1-3.1; filed Jan 21, 2016, 1:32 p.m.: 20160217-IR-512140509FRA)