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<div>The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:</div>
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<div>Sarah Drinkwater, Ph.D.</div>
<div>Assistant Superintendent</div>
<div>Office of Learning/Student Services</div>
<div>______________________________________________ </div>
<div>May 24, 2014</div>
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<div><b>Correction to Executive Numbered Memorandum 008-2013-14 - Modified and Extended Diplomas – Clarification Regarding Federal Financial Aid</b></div>
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<div><b>To:</b> Superintendents, Principals, and Counselors<br>
<b>From:</b> Sarah Drinkwater, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Learning <br>
<b>RE:</b> Modified and Extended Diplomas – Clarification Regarding Federal Financial Aid</div>
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<div><b>Summary</b></div>
<div>Oregon has received further clarification from the U.S. Department of Education regarding requirements for federal financial aid eligibility. Oregon students who receive a modified diploma are now eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Oregon students
who receive an extended diploma are <u>not</u> eligible to apply for federal financial aid. </div>
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<div><b>Background </b></div>
<div>In 2009, Oregon received guidance from the U.S. Department of Education indicating students who earned Oregon’s Modified and Extended Diplomas were not eligible for federal financial aid. However, recent guidance from and discussions with the US Department
of Education have clarified the eligibility requirements. A student must receive ‘the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma’, and the Oregon Department of Education has determined that Oregon’s Modified Diploma meets this requirement. </div>
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<div><b>Confirmation of Modified Diploma Eligibility</b></div>
<div>The Modified Diploma denotes successful completion of required courses and specific achievement on state assessments. Oregon students who receive a Modified Diploma are now eligible to apply for federal financial aid. This extends to students who may
have received a Modified Diploma in past years. Whether it is <i>prudent</i> for an eligible student to seek federal financial aid is a determination that should be made on a case-by-case basis by a student and his or her family in consultation with a financial
aid advisor. Factors that should be taken into consideration include the amount of borrowing involved, if any, and the student’s expected ability to repay. Approximately 750 students receive a modified diploma each year.</div>
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<div><b>Change for Extended Diploma Eligibility</b></div>
<div>Previously we had announced that students who received an Extended Diploma would also be eligible for federal financial aid. As described above, a diploma must be ‘the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma’ or ‘substantially similar’ in order
for a student to be eligible to apply for federal financial aid. With this specific clarification, the Oregon Department of Education has determined that the Extended Diploma does not meet this requirement. The Extended Diploma requires the completion of
only 12 credits, and the student can be exempted from the essential skills requirement. Students who receive an Extended Diplomas are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Approximately 50 students receive an Extended Diploma each year. </div>
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<div>School administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors should share this corrected information with students who are pursuing Modified and Extended Diplomas and their families. A Modified Diploma or an Extended Diploma does not guarantee admittance
to a post-secondary institution. </div>
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<div>If you have questions about this guidance or about the Modified or Extended Diplomas, please contact Sally Simich at <a href="mailto:Sally.Simich@state.or.us"><font color="blue"><u>Sally.Simich@state.or.us</u></font></a> or 503-947-5639.</div>
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<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><b><i>Ruby Sandberg, Executive Assistant </i></b></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:9pt;"><i>Oregon Department of Education</i></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:9pt;"><i>Office of Learning l Student Services </i></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:9pt;"><i>503-947-5738 l FAX: 503-378-5156 l </i><a href="mailto:ruby.sandberg@state.or.us"><font color="blue"><i><u>ruby.sandberg@state.or.us</u></i></font></a></span></font></div>
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<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:9pt;"><i>The Oregon Department of Education is an equal opportunity agency and employer.</i></span></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" size="2"><span style="font-size:9pt;"><i>Messages to and from this email address may be made available to the public under Oregon law.</i></span></font></div>
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