1400 Child Protection Accountability Commission

1401 Regulations Governing the Ivyane D.F. Davis Scholarship

1.0 Legal Basis and Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to provide eligibility criteria, application requirements, and award process for the Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Fund under14Del.C.§3463.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, have the following meaning:

"Award" means a scholarship awarded under the Ivyane D.F. Davis Scholarship Fund.

"DSCYF custody"means legal custody of a child that is granted to DSCYF by the Delaware Family Court under Title 13, Chapter 25 of the Delaware Code.

"Institution of higher education" meansa person, as defined in1Del.C.§302, that offers postsecondary courses, postsecondary programs of courses, or postsecondary programs that lead to a certificate or degree.

"Office" means the Office of the Child Advocate as established under Title 29, Chapter 90A of the Delaware Code.

"Panel"means the Interview and Award Panel, comprising the Unit Director, the Unit Coordinator, and the Independent Living Program Manager from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families.

"Scholarship" means the Ivyane D.F. Davis Scholarship Fund established under14Del.C.§3463.

"Trade school"means an educational institution privately owned and operated for profit or nonprofit by an owner, partnership, or corporation, offering business or trade and industrial courses for which tuition may or may not be charged, and which may include those courses usually associated with business training schools, trade schools, specialized skill training schools, or institutes.

"Unit" means the Services for Youth Advancement Unit within the Office designated to administer the scholarship.

3.0 Eligibility

1. 3.1 An applicant is eligible for an award if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

   1. 3.1.1 The applicant was, at any time, in DSCYF custody.
   2. 3.1.2 The applicant is accepted at or attending an institution of higher education or trade school, or is registering for a preparatory course for a standard admission test required by an institution of higher education or trade school.

4.0 Eligible Expenses

1. 4.1 An award may be used for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and other supplies required for a specific course or trade.

2. 4.2 An award may be used for indirect expenses that support academic or vocational success at the discretion of the Panel. Indirect expenses include the following:

   1. 4.2.1 Childcare.
   2. 4.2.2 Clothing.
   3. 4.2.3 Well-being items related to school.
   4. 4.2.4 Court fees.
   5. 4.2.5 Internships and other school-related experiences.
   6. 4.2.6 Accommodations related to a disability.
   7. 4.2.7 School and dorm supplies, including computing devices.
   8. 4.2.8 Groceries.
   9. 4.2.9 Transportation.
   10. 4.2.10 Off-campus housing.

5.0 Application and Interview Process

1. 5.1 A scholarship application must be completed and submitted through the Office's website.
2. 5.2 Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis.
3. 5.3 An applicant who meets eligibility criteria must participate in a virtual interview with the Panel.

6.0 Awards

1. 6.1 The Panel has discretion to determine award recipients based on the following criteria:

   1. 6.1.1 Documentation of financial need, including any other funding received.
   2. 6.1.2 Interview presentation.
   3. 6.1.3 Academic or vocational performance.
   4. 6.1.4 Total number of applicants and available funds.
2. 6.2 There is no fixed award amount. The Panel determines a recipient’s award amount based on available funds and the financial needs of the recipient.

7.0 Award Payment

1. 7.1 Award payments will be disbursed according to the recipient’s need and as determined by the Panel.

   1. 7.1.1 Scholarship funds used for tuition, fees, room, or board will be disbursed directly to the recipient’s institution of higher education or trade school.
   2. 7.1.2 Scholarship funds used for supplies or indirect costs may be disbursed to the award recipient, the contracted Independent Living provider who supports the recipient, or a vendor.
2. 7.2 Independent Living workers and award recipients who receive award payments directly are required to document expenditures according to the policy of the Office.

8.0 Award Renewal, Adjustment, and Reallocation

1. 8.1 To renew an award, a recipient must do both of the following:

   1. 8.1.1 Make satisfactory academic or vocational progress.
   2. 8.1.2 Submit a new application and participate in a virtual interview with the Panel.
2. 8.2 An adjustment to an award may be made at any time if the recipient’s enrollment status or financial need changes.
3. 8.3 If an award recipient withdraws from the institution of higher education or trade school, or is not making satisfactory academic or vocational progress, the recipient’s award may be reallocated to another approved applicant.

9.0 Suspension or Termination of Award

1. 9.1 The Office may suspend or terminate an individual's award for any of the following reasons:

   1. 9.1.1 Failure to provide required documentation.
   2. 9.1.2 Providing fraudulent or misleading documentation, or other acts that demonstrate dishonesty.
   3. 9.1.3 For other good cause shown.

19 DE Reg. 186 (09/01/15)

29 DE Reg. 596 (01/01/26)