Title 5, section 54200 requires a maintenance allowance to be paid by community college districts for certain students that reside in a territory not included within any district. To assist in the fulfillment of this requirement, we are providing guidelines relevant to student eligibility. Districts are subsequently reimbursed through the apportionment process for the amount paid to the students. The reimbursement of maintenance allowance paid to students is shown annually on Exhibit D at the Recalculation Apportionment in February.

In order to be eligible for the maintenance allowance, a student must meet all the following criteria: 

  1. Reside in one of the following territories: 
    1. Modoc County
    2. Eastern Sierra Unified School District (USD) in Mono County. Students residing in the Mammoth USD, which is also in Mono County, are not eligible for the maintenance allowance because that district is annexed to the Kern Community College District.
    3. In the upper-right hand corner of Siskiyou County within the Tulelake Basin Joint USD. Although the Tulelake Basin Joint USD is mostly physically located within Siskiyou County, it is considered as part of the Modoc County USD. Thus, certification forms for these eligible Tulelake Basin Joint USD students must be forwarded to the Modoc County Office of Education.
  2. Reside more than 60 miles from the nearest community college attendance center.
  3. Be under 21 years of age or under 25 years of age and honorably discharged or otherwise returning from active or inactive military service with the armed services of the United States. 
  4. Be enrolled for at least 12 units per term throughout the period of eligibility.
  5. If a student combines enrollment at two districts to satisfy the full time enrollment requirement, the claim for reimbursement and payment to the student shall be made by the district where the student is enrolled for the higher number of credit units. If the student is enrolled for an equal number of credit hours at each district, the claim for reimbursement and payment to the student shall be made by the district that is located closer to the student’s home address. The district that submits the claim for reimbursement and makes payment to the student is responsible for verifying all the claimed credit units that serve as the basis for payment. Credit classes offered through distance education that meet the requirements of Title 5, Section 55200 et seq. may be included in establishing fulltime enrollment so long as a portion of the credit units taken at each community college district to satisfy the requirements of this section are not taken through distance education.
The period of eligibility includes each calendar day during which the eligible student is enrolled full time in credit classes. Such period includes Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and “Spring Break,” but excludes breaks between terms when the students are not enrolled. 
The Chancellor’s Office will calculate the applicable daily rate and notify you as soon as we have all the necessary information. The daily rate may be increased by the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchase of Goods and Services, if circumstances warrant. A proration will be made if the total claims exceed $100,000, the maximum amount available for this purpose. After the calculation is made and notification made to districts of the daily rate, no additional claims will be accepted.
 

Community college districts should take the necessary action by the established deadlines.

By July 15:
During the fiscal year, request the superintendent of schools of the county of residence to preliminarily determine eligibility of students as they apply for the allowance.

By August 1:
Complete the CCFS-355 form by listing eligible students and their respective eligible days for the just completed fiscal year. Submit it to the superintendent of schools of the county of residence for the official verification and signature.

By August 15:
Submit the completed and signed electronic copy of the CCFS-355 form to the Chancellor’s Office at attendanceacct@cccco.edu.

By September 30: 
District must pay eligible student prior to September 30, per T5. The reimbursement of Maintenance Allowance paid to students will be included on Exhibit D of the Recalculation in February.

By October 15: 
Districts must complete and sign the certification of payment. The signed electronic copy should be submitted to the attendanceacct@cccco.edu inbox. 

For additional information, please contact fiscalstandards@cccco.edu.