Ohio Department of Higher Education Aspire Student Eligibility

Updated July 2024

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Ohio Department of Higher Education

Aspire Student Eligibility Policy

SFY2025

Introduction

As defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, Adult Education and

Family Literacy Act, “adult education” includes services or instruction below the postsecondary level

for students who (A) have attained sixteen years of age; (B) are not enrolled or required to be enrolled

in secondary school under state law; and (C) (i) lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to

enable them to function effectively in society; (ii) do not have a secondary school diploma or its

recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or (iii) are unable to

speak, read, or write the English language.

In Ohio, the goals of local Aspire programs are to:

1. Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for

employment and self-sufficiency;

2. Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills

that –

(A) are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their

children, and;

(B) lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their

family;

3. Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to

postsecondary education and training.

4. Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in

improving their –

(A)

reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; and

(B)

math skills; and

(C)

acquiring an understanding of the American System of Government,

individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Need for the Student Eligibility Policy

The Ohio Department of Higher Education is responsible for ensuring that federal and state Aspire

funds are distributed in accordance with state and federal law. Inquiries from local Aspire program

providers regarding eligibility of sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year old individuals, those who are

home-schooled or court-ordered, as well as those with other special circumstances, have supported

the need to continue review and update the Aspire Eligibility Policy in relation to current state and

federal law.

The following information and guidelines are offered in order to assist local program staff and others to

determine the eligibility or ineligibility of individuals in the Ohio Department of Higher Education funded

Aspire programs.

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General Requirements

As defined by the WIOA, “adult education” includes services or instruction below the postsecondary

level for individuals who:

(A) Have attained sixteen years of age;

(B) Are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under state law; and

(i) is basic skills deficient;

(ii) does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not

achieved an equivalent level of education; or

(iii) is an English language learner

Services and instruction will be provided to individuals who:

(A) Can communicate a goal for participation;

(B) Make progress toward an academic goal as evidenced by progress on standardized

test scores; and

New for SFY 2025: To be eligible for Aspire services in Ohio, including Distance Education, students

must live or work in Ohio. Many eligible adult learners in Ohio would benefit from Aspire services.

Local programs need to follow policy to ensure they are serving students most in need, who meet the

mission of the grant.

Individuals who spend a majority of the calendar year out of the state/country are not eligible to

partake in Aspire services. All students must live or work in Ohio to be eligible for Aspire services.

All participants must complete required forms and orientation and adhere to the Aspire eligibility policy.

The only people who may attend class are students who have met the eligibility requirements and for

whom the program has documentation completed in the data management system, including student

identification and emergency contacts. Aspire programs cannot be responsible for individuals who are

not enrolled in their programs, including children, drivers, spouses, guests, or friends. Exclusions to

this include: those providing physical or educational assistance to students with disabilities; legally

required attendants; and parents/guardians of minor children. Parents/guardians of minor children

may not be present in class once the student has completed the orientation process.

Academic Requirements

If the student scores at the highest scale score for the National Reporting System (NRS) level 6

completion in all subject areas at placement, the participant is not eligible for Aspire services.

This requirement includes students with or without a high school credential or equivalent.

Aspire course work, including ESOL, cannot include the academic subjects for which the student

is enrolled in college or technical programs/courses and paying tuition.

The State Aspire office will offer more guidance on co-enrollment and update the co-enrollment

supplemental policy piece.

Sixteen, Seventeen, and Eighteen year old Requirements:

Services and instruction may be provided to individuals sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen years who

meet the General Requirements above. Additionally, in order to satisfy General Requirement (B), the

student must:

(A) Provide documentation of official withdrawal from school on official school letterhead

signed by superintendent or designee, or

(B) Provide written evidence of a high school diploma.

Documentation of official withdrawal or a copy of the diploma must be verified prior to enrollment and

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must be kept on file with other required student records (i.e., standardized assessment and other test

records). Please contact your ODHE program manager to verify if a potential participant is

exempt from any of the above requirements.

Pursuant to federal law, services and instruction may not be provided to Limited English Proficient

students who are in the United States with F-1 visas. These individuals may not enroll in publicly

funded adult education programs. Thus, during orientation and intake, individuals who disclose that

they have this type of visa should be informed that they are ineligible for Aspire services.

English Language learners cannot partake in our services if they are spending a majority of the

calendar year out of state.

WIOA does not require that individuals demonstrate that they are legal residents of the United States

as a condition of enrollment in Aspire programs. Thus, it is not necessary or appropriate for individuals

to present passports, visas, work permits or social security cards to prove legal status in order to

enroll. Individuals from other countries need only to satisfy the same requirements as others with the

exception listed in this section.

In cases where waiting lists exist, priority will be given to persons who intend to remain permanently in

the United States or its territories.

Eligibility of Adults With Disabilities

The Ohio Aspire Program requires that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities

and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status,

disability or sexual orientation. It does not discriminate in admission to its programs, services or

activities; in access to them; in treatment of individuals with disabilities; or in any aspect of operations.

In order to provide the best possible services, Aspire programs identify individual differences through

appropriate screenings and assessment, then find and implement the appropriate adaptations,

accommodations, and instructional strategies to help students progress. Definitions and policies are

contained in the Accessibility Policy and the eGuide.

Additional Clarifications

Are home-schooled students eligible for Aspire?

Students who are educated at home are ineligible for Aspire programs. Under Ohio law,

homeschooled students are merely excused from school attendance, for the remainder of the school

year at most, and the excuse becomes void and subject to revocation if proper home instruction

ceases to occur. Further, the WIOA states that it should not be construed to affect home schools, or to

compel a parent engaged in home schooling to participate in an English literacy program, family

literacy services, or adult education. School districts should not withdraw students as “home schooled”

so that they can enroll in Aspire programs. Home-schooled students are only those who are truly

instructed at home.

Are court-ordered sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year olds eligible for Aspire services?

Court-ordered sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen year olds (except under Exemption 2) are only

eligible for Aspire services if they meet eligibility requirements. Being court-ordered does not

supersede federal requirements for Aspire eligibility.

Limited English Proficient Students - English for Speakers of Other

Languages (ESOL) Services Requirements

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Do community schools/charter schools have the same status as other local educational

agencies? Yes. References to “school” or “school district” in the policy apply to charter schools.

Exemptions

1. Amish students aged 16, 17, 18 are legally exempt from compulsory education

beyond the 8

grade. To attend Aspire they must provide two items: A letter from

the bishop or other religious leader confirming completion of the 8

grade (a

certificate of completion of the 8

grade will also suffice); and a letter of permission

from the potential participant’s legal guardian giving consent to participate in Aspire.

2. Eighteen-year-olds in an adult correctional facility are considered exempt from

compulsory education.

When in doubt about student eligibility, please contact the Aspire State office at

[email protected]

To learn more about High School Equivalence (HSE) Test Eligibility, please reach out to

the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The Aspire state office at the Ohio

Department of Higher Education does not oversee the Adult Diploma program, the 22+

program, nor HSE testing options.

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohio-Options-for-Adult-Diploma/HSE

Please refer to the co-enrollment FAQ to learn more about co-enrollment scenarios and

policies specific to students leveraging the Aspire program and the ADP and 22+ Ohio

Options Programs.