CHAPTER 16
WASHINGTON, D.C., INTERNSHIP GRANT
283—16.1(82GA,HF2679) Washington, D.C., internship grant.
	16.1(1) The Washington, D.C., internship grant is a state-supported and state-administered grant to a national nonprofit organization to be used to assist Iowa students in financing the costs of internship programs in Washington, D.C.
	16.1(2) Definitions. As used in this chapter:
“Internship”  means a placement in Washington, D.C., for which the recipient receives college credit that is directly applied to the recipient’s transcript at the Iowa college or university in which the recipient is enrolled.
“National nonprofit organization” or “organization” means the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars located at 1333 16th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-2205.
283—16.2(82GA,HF2679) Awarding of grant.
	16.2(1) At the beginning of each fiscal year, the college student aid commission shall enter into a statewide affiliation agreement with, and award funding to, the national nonprofit organization as provided by 2008 Iowa Acts, House File 2679. All Iowa students shall be given an equal opportunity to apply for funding under the internship program.
	16.2(2) Restrictions. The following restrictions on the funding apply:
	a. 	One hundred percent of the funding must go directly to students in the form of academic scholarships.
	b. 	All awards must be reported to the college student aid commission by June 30 for each fiscal year in which funding is distributed. Information must be reported in a format prescribed by the commission, and information about each recipient shall, at a minimum, include:
	(1)	Student-specific information including name and address;
	(2)	Iowa college or university at which the student is enrolled;
	(3)	Amount of award provided to the student; and
	(4)	Name of the organization to which the student is assigned.
	c. 	Up to 50 percent of the funding shall be dedicated to students participating in the two-to-one federal and state matching agricultural biofuels from biomass internship pilot program if the program is funded by the U.S. Congress.
283—16.3(82GA,HF2679) Student eligibility.
	16.3(1) Applicants must:
	a. 	Be residents of the state of Iowa;
	b. 	Be enrolled in Iowa-accredited higher education institutions, as defined in Iowa Code section 261.92, subsection 1; and
	c. 	Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
	16.3(2) Applicants must complete and file annual applications for the internship program by the deadline established by the national nonprofit organization. If funds remain available after the application deadline, the organization will continue to accept applications. To ensure equal access to the application process, the application and information about the grant will be provided on the commission’s Web site.
	16.3(3) Applicants must begin their first internship positions in Washington, D.C., on or after July 1, 2008.
283—16.4(82GA,HF2679) Awarding of funds.
	16.4(1) Selection criteria. All applications received on or before the published deadline will be considered for funding. In the event that all applications for the program cannot be funded with the available appropriations, criteria for selection of recipients will be prioritized under standards established by the national nonprofit organization.
	16.4(2) Award amount. The maximum annual award to an eligible intern shall be $2,000.
	16.4(3) Extent of assistance. Recipients may receive grant assistance for no more than one semester.
	16.4(4) Disbursement of funds. The national nonprofit organization will disburse funds to recipients in accordance with the established payment schedule developed by the organization.
283—16.5(82GA,HF2679) Restrictions. An applicant who is in default on a Federal Stafford Loan, SLS Loan, Perkins/National Direct/National Defense Student Loan, Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), or Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) or who owes a repayment on any Title IV grant assistance or state award shall be ineligible for internship benefits. Eligibility for state aid may be reinstated upon payment in full of the delinquent obligation or by commission ruling on the basis of adequate extenuating evidence presented in appeal under the procedures set forth in 283—Chapters 4 and 5.
These rules are intended to implement 2008 Iowa Acts, House File 2679.
[Filed emergency 8/1/08—published 8/27/08, effective 8/1/08]