The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Allowable tuition.” The portion of tuition charged to a school entity that is eligible for grant funding under this article, which funding does not exceed:

“Concurrent course.” A postsecondary course that meets the requirements under section 1605-B¹ and that is included in a concurrent enrollment agreement. The term includes an early college high school program, a gateway to college program or a middle college high school program.

“Concurrent enrollment agreement.” The written agreement between a school entity and each eligible postsecondary institution establishing and detailing a concurrent enrollment program.

“Concurrent enrollment program.” A program administered and developed by a school entity and an eligible postsecondary institution that allows students to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses and to receive both secondary and postsecondary credit for that coursework. The term includes an early college high school program, a gateway to college program or a middle college high school program.

“Concurrent student.” A student who is enrolled in a school district, a charter school, an area career and technical school, a nonpublic school, a private school or a home education program under section 1327.1² and who takes a concurrent course through a concurrent enrollment program.

“Department.” The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“Early college high school program.” A concurrent enrollment program established under section 1611-B(a)³ that consists of a structured sequence of secondary and postsecondary coursework offered over a five-year to six-year period, the successful completion of which yields both a high school diploma and postsecondary credits equivalent to an associate of arts degree or credits sufficient to enter a bachelor of arts program as a junior.

“Eligible postsecondary institution.” A nonprofit two-year or four-year public or private college or university or an eligible private licensed school approved to operate in this Commonwealth.

“Eligible private licensed school.” A private licensed school as defined in the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L. 1585, No. 174),⁴ known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, that is authorized to confer the degree of Associate in Specialized Technology or Associate in Specialized Business.

“Gateway to college program.” A concurrent enrollment program established under section 1611-B(a) that offers eligible participants the opportunity to enroll in postsecondary coursework that is aligned to State academic standards, the successful completion of which yields both a high school diploma and the accumulation of postsecondary credits.

“Household.” An individual living alone or with the following: spouse, parent and their unemancipated minor children; other unemancipated minor children who are related by blood or marriage; or other adults or unemancipated minor children living in the household who are dependent upon the individual.

“Household income.” All money or property received of whatever nature and from whatever source derived. The term does not include the following:

“Low-income concurrent student.” A concurrent student who is a member of a household with an annual household income less than or equal to 150% of the Federal income poverty guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Middle college high school program.” A concurrent enrollment program established under section 1611-B(a) that offers secondary and postsecondary coursework on the campus of an eligible postsecondary institution, the successful completion of which yields both a high school diploma and the accumulation of postsecondary credits.

“School entity.” A school district or an area career and technical school.

“Total approved cost.” The sum of the costs for allowable tuition, books and fees for any concurrent course and the cost of transportation to and from an eligible postsecondary institution where such transportation is provided by a school entity, as set forth in a concurrent enrollment agreement as required under section 1613-B(b).⁵