§5042. Maintaining eligibility; TOPS-Tech

To maintain continued state payment of any amount pursuant to a TOPS-Tech Award once enrolled in an institution, a student shall meet all of the following:

(1) Make steady academic progress as defined by the administering agency toward completion of the requirements of the program in which enrolled, earning not less than the minimum number of hours of credit required for full-time standing or the required number of hours needed to complete the program's requirements. If at any time a student fails to maintain the cumulative grade point average required for continuation in the program or as of the end of any term during the school year fails to make steady academic progress as defined by the administering agency, the student shall become ineligible for further payments. Payments may be reinstated upon attainment of the grade point average required for continuation of the original award and the standards for steady academic progress as defined by the administering agency, provided that the student has maintained other continuation requirements and the period of ineligibility did not persist for more than one year from the date of loss of eligibility. If this one-year period is interrupted due to a student's active duty service in the United States Armed Forces, the one-year period shall be extended for a length of time equal to the student's active duty service, not to exceed four years, unless the student reenlists in the United States Armed Forces and maintains continuous active duty, in which case the period shall be extended for a length of time equal to the student's active duty service; or unless the student is granted an exception for cause by the administering agency.

(2) Maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student unless granted an exception for cause by the administering agency.

(3) Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 calculated on a 4.00 scale.

(4) Have no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations and, if the student has been in the United States Armed Forces and has separated from such service, has received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions.

Acts 2015, No. 227, §1; Acts 2017, No. 44, §1, eff. June 3, 2017.