Once the rules are adopted, SHEFA will require graduate and advanced degree students to enroll in nine instead of 12 credits.
In Dec. 2008 the previous SHEFA board agreed that 12 credits should be considered full time for graduate and advanced degree students, but the then-chair of the awards committee recommended to make it nine credits, Hofschneider said.
The proposed reduction was not immediately pushed through by the current SHEFA board because the administrator had yet to clarify whether the amendment was published in the Commonwealth Registrar.
Earlier, Hofschneider reported to the SHEFA board that there were more than 20 students in the spring term 2011 who are pursuing master’s and advanced degrees but were taking less than 12 credits, which was not in conformity with SHEFA rules and regulations.
He said the proposed amendment must be published for 30 days in the Commonwealth Registrar before they can be adopted.
The board must also respond to public comments regarding the proposed new rules.
He said they will become effective and enforceable 10 days after a notice of adoption is given.
During a recent SHEFA board meeting, Hofschneider reported about the resolution passed by the Youth Congress urging SHEFA and the Finance secretary to timely disburse financial assistance checks to eligible recipients.
