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Cost Sharing Information for Schools

02/13/2024

On June 14, 2021, the MTDA Governing Board exercised its authority granted by MCA 20-7-1202 to begin cost-sharing with districts. The legislature continues to provide an appropriation to MTDA at the level established in 2015. 

This decision, which was not taken lightly, was made to continue to offer a wide variety of supplemental courses to all Montana students while maintaining our commitment to deliver highly responsive customer service and support to students, parents, and school communities.

MTDA course cost-sharing fee for the  2024-2025 school year:

  • $123 per semester enrollment for original credit 
  • $61.50 per quarter enrollment for FlexCAP

This fee represents only a small portion of the overall cost of each student enrollment in MTDA courses. 

As you navigate this new model, we are sharing a few resources for your reference:

Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost-share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2023-24 school year. NOTE: Cost alone should not be a deciding factor for enrollment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost-sharing amount?

Original Credit: $123 per semester course enrollment.

Example: Sally Student is enrolled in Oceanography and Mythology for the semester. The school district will be billed for $246 ($123 x 2 courses) for that student enrollment.

FlexCAP: $61.50 per quarter course enrollment

All FlexCAP courses are broken down into quarter lengths (identified as Part 1 & 2) to give schools maximum flexibility. All FlexCAP enrollments will begin with Part 1 of the semester-based course.

Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost-share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2024-25 school year.

Can MTDA cost-sharing fees be paid by parents?

MCA 20-7-1202 provides the following guidance:

“Funding — rulemaking authority. (2) A school district is prohibited from charging a fee to a student who enrolls in a class provided by the Montana digital academy that the school district requires for graduation.” https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0070/part_0120/section_0020/0200-0070-0120-0020.html

MTDA is not in a position to interpret 20-7-1202 to clarify specific circumstances where you can or cannot hand a cost to a third party. We would suggest bringing in your school’s legal counsel, or alternatively, if your district is a member of the Montana School Board Association, they are prepared for your call to discuss specifics regarding this issue.

Can MTDA accept personal checks?

MTDA respectfully requests payment from the district for the entirety of an invoice. We are unable to accept personal checks.

Does MTDA have a cost estimate based on our past enrollment?

Yes, please email support@montanadigitalacademy.org requesting a cost estimate using your district’s previous enrollment data.

How can I enroll a student?

MTDA requires districts to identify “Site Facilitators” to enroll students in the program. These “Site Facilitators” are authorized by the district to incur cost-sharing fees associated with enrolling students on behalf of the district. MTDA maintains a list of authorized site facilitators approved by the district. MTDA requires either the district superintendent or school principal to designate authorized staff responsible for enrolling students.

MTDA will annually contact the district with the current authorized Site Facilitators for review. 

To facilitate smooth student enrollment, districts are encouraged to contact MTDA to change or review their approved Site Facilitator List by emailing support@montanadigitalacademy.org

Can other staff have access to the system without enrolling authority?

Yes, MTDA provides the role of “Local Support” to be able to view current enrollments, check grades, and monitor communications. The Local Support role does not have the ability to enroll students in MTDA courses.

How is billing handled?

Original Credit: 

During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment. 

Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.

For Fall 2024, courses begin January 22nd.  Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, February 12th without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (September 24th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator. 

If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Fall 2024 – February 24th).

FlexCAP: 

During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment.  Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.

FlexCAP 2024-25 School Year

Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week after enrollment, the $61.50 per quarter course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.

Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator. 

If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students who do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.

Does MTDA accept credit card payments?

Currently, MTDA requires a PO number for enrollment only. Credit card payments are not supported at this time.

What are the enrollment periods?

HS and MS Original Credit : 

Fall 2024:

Original Credit, Dual Credit, and Middle School will open on March 4th, 2024. The initial course request deadline is August 28th, 2024. The late enrollment deadline is September 6th, 2024.

FlexCAP: 

FlexCAP is an open enrollment program and is open for the school year 24-25. (Summer Session is included in the FlexCAP 24-25 term, please refer to the briefing document on the Schools page for more information).

How are drops going to be handled?

MTDA will maintain its standard drop periods.  

Original Credit and Middle School: 

For Fall 2024, courses begin September 3rd.  Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, February 12th without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (September 24th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator. 

If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Fall 2024 – September 24th).

FlexCAP: 

2024-25 School Year

Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week after enrollment, the $61.50 per quarter course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.

If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students who do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.

What is the maximum number of courses a student can be enrolled in?

School Year Terms

Students can be enrolled in a maximum of 6 Original Credit and/or FlexCAP courses per semester. Note: If using FlexCAP for a student to recover credit, MTDA recommends enrolling in one course at a time.

Will MTDA take enrollments directly from students or parents?

No, MTDA will continue the enrollment process through a student’s local public school, as defined in law. Any direct calls MTDA receives from students or parents inquiring about enrollment will be referred back to the student’s local public school. 

What courses will MTDA be offering for Fall 2024?

Please refer to our course catalog.

What available funds can I use to support my school’s use of MTDA?

ESSER funds can likely help support many implementation scenarios for all of MTDA’s formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs. To assist with reporting, contact Jeff Kirksey, OPI ESSER Program Manager, at jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov

Title IV-A funds (part of the ESEA/ESSA Consolidated Grant application for schools) can likely support many implementation scenarios for all MTDA formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs.  For assistance and/or more information, contact Tammy Lysons, OPI Title IV A, Student Support & Academic Enrichment Program Manager, at Tamara.Lysons@mt.gov or 406-431-2309.

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