Student Financial Assistance

C.R.S. tit. 23, art. 3.3

in effect

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-101 Definitions

23-3.3-101. Definitions. As used in this article 3.3, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Commission" means the Colorado commission on higher education. (1.5) "Cost of attendance at a nonpublic institution of higher education" means: (a) Allowances specified by the commission for room and board and miscellaneous expenses, which shall be the same for nonpublic institutions of higher education as for a representative group of comparable state institutions, as determined by the commission; and (b) An allowance for tuition and fees equal to the lesser of: (I) The actual tuition and fees charged by the nonpublic institution of higher education; or (II) One hundred percent of the combination of actual in-state tuition and fees charged by a representative group of comparable state institutions plus the general fund moneys allocated to support such comparable state institutions. (2) "In-state student" means a student at an institution of higher education who meets the criteria established by article 7 of this title for classification as an in-state student at a state institution of higher education, but "in-state student" does not include a member of the armed forces of the United States or his dependents who are eligible to obtain in-state tuition status upon moving to Colorado on a permanent change-of-station basis until such individual meets the one-year domicile requirement of section 23-7-102 (5). (3) "Institution" means an educational institution operating in this state that meets all of the following: (a) Admits as regular students persons having a certification of graduation from a school providing secondary education or comparable qualifications and persons for enrollment in courses which they reasonably may be expected to complete successfully; (b) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association and, in the case of private occupational schools, holds a regular certificate in accordance with the provisions of article 64 of this title 23; (c) (I) Provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's degree; (II) Provides not less than a two-year program which is acceptable for full credit towards such a degree; or (III) Provides not less than a six-month program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; (d) Is not a branch program of an institution of higher education whose principal campus and facilities are located outside this state. (3.5) "Nonpublic institution of higher education" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 23-3.7-102 (3). (3.7) "Professional degree in theology" means a certificate signifying a person's graduation from a degree program that is: (a) Devotional in nature or designed to induce religious faith; and (b) Offered by an institution as preparation for a career in the clergy. (4) "State institution" means an institution supported in whole or in part by general fund moneys. (5) "Undergraduate" refers to any program leading toward a bachelor's degree or associate degree or any nondegree program providing training for employment in a recognized occupation.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-102 Assistance program authorized - procedure - audits

23-3.3-102. Assistance program authorized - procedure - audits. (1) The general assembly hereby authorizes the commission to establish a program of financial assistance, to be operated during any school sessions, including summer sessions for students attending institutions. (2) The commission shall determine, by guideline, the institutions eligible for participation in the program and shall annually determine the amount allocated to each institution. (3) Each state institution shall administer a financial assistance program according to policies and procedures established by the governing board of the institution. Each private institution of higher education, as defined in section 23-18-102 (9), that participates in the program of financial assistance established pursuant to this section shall administer a financial assistance program according to policies and procedures established by the governing board of the institution. Each participating nonpublic institution that is not a private institution of higher education shall administer a financial assistance program according to policies and procedures established by the commission. Each institution shall fund its assistance program using state moneys allocated to the institution and institutional moneys. (3.5) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, each participating institution shall adopt policies and procedures to allow a person who meets the following criteria to qualify for financial assistance through the financial assistance programs established pursuant to this article: (a) The person qualifies as an in-state student; and (b) The person is enrolled at an institution that participates in the programs of financial assistance established pursuant to this article; and (c) The person is enrolled in an approved program of preparation, as defined in section 22-60.5-102 (8), C.R.S., for principals. (4) Program disbursements shall be handled by the institution subject to audit and review. (5) Upon commencement of participation in the program, no participating institution shall decrease the amount of its own funds spent for student aid below the amount so spent prior to participation in the program. (6) In determining the amount allocated to each institution that is not a state institution or a nonpublic institution of higher education, the commission shall consider only that portion of financial need which would have existed were the institution's tuition no greater than the highest in-state tuition rate charged by a comparable state institution. In determining the amount allocated to each nonpublic institution of higher education, the commission shall base its determination upon the cost of attendance at a nonpublic institution of higher education. (7) Each annual budget request submitted by the commission shall provide information on the proposed distribution of moneys among the programs developed under this article. Subsequent to final appropriation, the commission shall provide to the joint budget committee an allocation proposal specifically identifying the distributions among programs for the coming year. Expenditures in any program shall not exceed the allocation for that program by more than ten percent of such allocation, and the total appropriation for all student aid programs shall not be exceeded. The commission may require such reports from institutions as are necessary to fulfill the reporting requirements of this subsection (7) and to perform other administrative tasks. or the coming year. Expenditures in any program shall not exceed the allocation for that program by more than ten percent of such allocation, and the total appropriation for all student aid programs shall not be exceeded. The commission may require such reports from institutions as are necessary to fulfill the reporting requirements of this subsection (7) and to perform other administrative tasks. (8) The state auditor or his or her designee shall audit, in accordance with state statute and federal guidelines, the program at any participating institution every other year to review residency determinations, needs analyses, awards, payment procedures, and such other practices as may be necessary to ensure that the program is being properly administered, but the audit shall be limited to the administration of the program at the participating institution. The state auditor may accept an audit of the program from an institution that is not a state institution from such institution's independent auditor. The cost of conducting audits of the program at an institution that is not a state institution shall be borne by such institution. (9) Repealed.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-103 Annual appropriations - repeal

23-3.3-103. Annual appropriations - repeal. (1) The annual appropriations for student financial assistance under this article shall increase by at least the same percentage as the aggregate percentage increase of all general fund appropriations to institutions of higher education. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or impair the authority of the Colorado commission on higher education under section 23-1-105. (1.5) An appropriation that is less than two million dollars made to an institution of higher education in an act that is not the general appropriation act nor a supplemental appropriation act is exempt from the provisions of subsection (1) of this section. (2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article shall not apply to said appropriations for the 2010-11 fiscal year. (3) and (4) Repealed. (5) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations made to the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund created in section 23-31-301 (8.5)(a) or the healthy forests and vibrant communities fund created in section 23-31-313 (10). (6) Repealed. (7) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article do not apply to appropriations made pursuant to sections 23-18-308 (1)(f) and 23-60-202.7 to the state board for community colleges and occupational education to provide services to maximize concurrent enrollment across the community college system. (8) Repealed. (9) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations for the 2021-22 fiscal year for increases in funding for the institutions of higher education that restore aggregate general fund appropriations to a level at or below the level of such appropriations for the 2019-20 fiscal year. (b) For the 2021-22 fiscal year, subsection (1) of this section is calculated based on 2020-21 fiscal year financial aid appropriations enacted during the 2020 regular legislative session and does not include any supplemental appropriation for financial aid enacted during the 2021 legislative session. (c) This subsection (9) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025. (10) Repealed. (11) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made pursuant to sections 23-18-308 (1)(i) and 23-20-142 for the educator well-being and mental health program. (b) This subsection (11) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026. (12) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations made for the timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation industries workforce development program pursuant to section 23-31-320. (13) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations made for the expansion of forestry and wildfire mitigation degree and certificate programs pursuant to section 23-1-142. health, and wildfire mitigation industries workforce development program pursuant to section 23-31-320. (13) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations made for the expansion of forestry and wildfire mitigation degree and certificate programs pursuant to section 23-1-142. (b) This subsection (13) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027. (14) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations made for the recruitment of wildland fire prevention and mitigation educators program pursuant to section 23-81-102. (15) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made pursuant to section 23-60-1201 for the in-demand short-term credentials program. (b) This subsection (15) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027. (16) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance pursuant to this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made pursuant to part 11 of article 21 of this title 23 for the Colorado multidisciplinary health-care provider access training program. (17) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made for the purpose of the Colorado food systems advisory council pursuant to part 11 of article 31 of this title 23. (b) This subsection (17) is repealed , effective September 1, 2026. (18) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made pursuant to section 23-31-319 to fund improvements to the Colorado state forest service seedling tree nursery. (b) This subsection (18) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026. (19) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance under this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made for the purpose of conducting a Republican river groundwater economic impact study pursuant to section 23-31-804. (b) This subsection (19) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027. (20) Repealed. (21) (a) Subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance pursuant to this article 3.3 does not apply to increased appropriations from the general fund for the 2024-25 or 2025-26 state fiscal years made pursuant to section 23-18-304 that result from the phase-out of increased reimbursements and payments pursuant to the federal "Families First Coronavirus Response Act", Pub.L. 116-127. (b) This subsection (21) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026. (22) (a) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student financial assistance pursuant to this article 3.3 do not apply to appropriations made for allocation to public institutions of higher education to support eligible students described in section 23-3.3-1006. (b) This subsection (22) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-104 Assistance to professional theology students prohibited

23-3.3-104. Assistance to professional theology students prohibited. (1) The policies and procedures established by the commission pursuant to section 23-3.3-102 (3) shall include: (a) A prohibition against the awarding of any financial assistance pursuant to this article to a student who is pursuing a professional degree in theology; except that the prohibition described in this section shall not apply to financial assistance that is awarded to a student from a federal program, including but not limited to Title IV of the federal "Higher Education Act of 1965", 20 U.S.C. sec. 1070, as amended; and (b) A requirement that an institution or nonpublic institution of higher education that seeks to award financial assistance to a student pursuant to this article certify that the student is not pursuing a professional degree in theology.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-105 Free application for federal student assistance - working group - report - legislative declaration - definition - repeal

23-3.3-105. Free application for federal student assistance - working group - report - legislative declaration - definition - repeal. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-106 Technology to support FAFSA and CASFA - definitions

23-3.3-106. Technology to support FAFSA and CASFA - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "CASFA" means the Colorado application for state financial aid. (b) "Department" means the department of higher education. (c) "FAFSA" means the free application for federal student aid. (d) "Local education provider" means a school district, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22, a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22, or a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates one or more public schools. (2) (a) The department shall use technology to assist in increasing the number of students who complete the FAFSA and CASFA forms. On or before September 15, 2023, the department shall develop a tool kit and training outlining web tools and resources for use by higher education administrators, middle and high schools, and nonprofit organizations that support the completion of FAFSA and CASFA forms. The tool kit must include free resources, including: (I) Net price calculators and information about how to use calculators to outline resources available based on financial need; (II) Supports for populations of students who have accommodations as outlined by the FAFSA or youth who may be considered independent according to federal department of education policies, including: (A) Youth who have deceased parents, are currently or previously were in foster care, or are a ward of the court; (B) Emancipated minors; (C) Youth under a legal guardianship; and (D) Youth who are homeless, self-supporting, or at risk of homelessness; (III) Information for students who are the first in their family to attend college and how to navigate financial aid resources and application processes; and (IV) Public information available through state or federal entities. (b) The information in the tool kit must be: (I) Offered in multiple languages; and (II) Updated annually for educators and nonprofit organizations to support students and families in developing individual career and education plans pursuant to sections 22-32-109 (1)(oo) and 22-30.5-525 and career-connected strategies, such as work-based learning in support of financial literacy education and completion of the financial aid forms. (c) The department should consider avoiding duplication of efforts by leveraging existing resources in creating the tool kit. (3) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), on or before October 15, 2023, and on or before October 15 each year thereafter, the department shall submit to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, a report concerning: (a) The steps that the department has made to improve the tool kit; (b) Any recommendations for legislative changes necessary to improve FAFSA and CASFA completion rates; (c) Subject to data availability and data privacy requirements, data indicating the FAFSA and CASFA completion rates by high school and school district and, where available, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, first-generation status, and Pell grant eligibility for: (I) Adults by county; and (II) High schools and school districts; and changes necessary to improve FAFSA and CASFA completion rates; (c) Subject to data availability and data privacy requirements, data indicating the FAFSA and CASFA completion rates by high school and school district and, where available, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, first-generation status, and Pell grant eligibility for: (I) Adults by county; and (II) High schools and school districts; and (d) Other information as determined by the department or partner agencies, including, but not limited to, the Colorado department of education, Colorado workforce development council, Colorado department of labor and employment, or office of economic development and international trade in support of Colorado's economic and job needs. (4) (a) The department shall make improvements to its web-based financial aid completion tool to support schools and school districts across Colorado in determining which students have competed financial aid forms by: (I) Updating and modernizing the completion tool with federal and state financial aid information; and (II) Displaying the information for FAFSA and CASFA completion and verification status on a local level to show how many students in a high school have completed an application form and make the information accessible by school or district administrators in alignment with state data privacy regulations and requirements. (b) Financial information shall not be shared in this tool. The tool may only be used to show application completion, partial completion, and verification status. (5) The department shall support college access activities by: (a) Providing career advising aligned with Colorado's critical industry shortage areas; (b) Providing information about degree programs in alignment with in-demand, high-wage jobs; (c) Providing information about the application and financial aid processes associated with accessing postsecondary education; (d) Supporting students and families in completing financial aid applications; and (e) Providing information associated with return-on-investment and financial literacy education in relation to additional education beyond high school, including: (I) Degree programs; (II) Credentials; (III) Apprenticeships; (IV) Work-based learning; and (V) Scholarships, grants, and other financial tools to support postsecondary education. (6) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate six hundred eighty thousand dollars from the general fund to the department for the purposes of this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year: (a) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund; (b) May be used by the department in subsequent state fiscal years without further appropriation; and (c) Shall not be used for any other purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-107 Improvements to CASFA - definitions - repeal

23-3.3-107. Improvements to CASFA - definitions - repeal. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "CASFA" means the Colorado application for state financial aid. (b) "Department" means the department of higher education. (c) "FAFSA" means the free application for federal student aid. (2) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall make the following improvements to the CASFA: (a) Improve the accessibility and ease of use in completing the CASFA forms; (b) Improve the form and application by conducting focus groups and consulting organizations serving CASFA-eligible students and families, including streamlining to mirror modernizations in the FAFSA application; (c) Assessing the existing functionality of the CASFA process, web tool, and application; (d) Identifying and improving website functionality; and (e) Providing the department of education with support for students and families on an ongoing capacity. (3) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate three hundred twenty thousand dollars from the general fund to the department for the purposes of this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year: (a) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund; (b) May be used by the department in subsequent state fiscal years without further appropriation; and (c) Shall not be used for any other purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section. (4) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-201 Definitions

23-3.3-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Dependent" means: (a) Any natural child born or conceived before the period of time either of said child's parents served as a prisoner of war, was declared a person missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter; (b) Any child lawfully adopted, or for which formal adoption procedures were commenced, prior to the time either of said child's adoptive parents served as a prisoner of war, was declared a person missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter; or (c) Any child in the legal custody of or whose parent has parental responsibilities with respect to such child or for which proceedings for custody or the allocation of parental responsibilities were initiated by either of said child's parents prior to the time such parent served as a prisoner of war, was declared missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-202 Program funding

23-3.3-202. Program funding. Out of any money provided for the financial assistance program authorized by section 23-3.3-102, the commission shall first provide tuition assistance to individuals who qualify under the provisions of this part 2.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-203 Veterans with service after August 5, 1964

23-3.3-203. Veterans with service after August 5, 1964. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-204 Dependents of prisoners of war and military personnel missing in action

23-3.3-204. Dependents of prisoners of war and military personnel missing in action. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "prisoner of war" or "person missing in action" means any person who was a resident of the state of Colorado at the time such person entered the United States armed forces and who, while serving in said United States armed forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war or a person missing in action, as established by the secretary of defense of the United States. (2) Any dependent of a prisoner of war or a person missing in action, upon being accepted for enrollment into any institution, shall be permitted to pursue studies leading toward a bachelor's degree or a certificate of completion, free of tuition, for so long as said dependent achieves and maintains standards as set by the institution for its students generally, but said benefits shall not be extended beyond twelve academic quarters or eight academic semesters, as the case may be. Such dependents pursuing studies at an institution that is not a state institution shall be eligible for assistance not to exceed the average cost of undergraduate instruction calculated for a full-time equivalent student at a comparable state institution for the previous year. The institution or the commission shall provide tuition assistance to such qualified students from appropriated student financial assistance funds. (3) Any person qualifying as a dependent under this section shall not be deprived of the benefits provided by this section because of the return of a parent or the reported death of a parent. (4) (a) A qualified dependent may receive benefits pursuant to this section prior to receiving federal educational benefits available to dependents pursuant to the federal "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act", 34 U.S.C. sec. 10281 et seq. (b) The benefit provided pursuant to this section must be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of any federal educational benefits provided to the dependent.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-205 Dependents of deceased or permanently disabled National Guardsman, law enforcement officer, or firefighter

23-3.3-205. Dependents of deceased or permanently disabled National Guardsman, law enforcement officer, or firefighter. (1) (a) Any dependent of a person who died or was permanently disabled while on state active duty, federalized active duty, or authorized training duty as a Colorado National Guardsman or any dependent of any person who has been permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter or any dependent of a person, including a volunteer, who died or was permanently disabled while engaged in backcountry search and rescue activities, as defined in section 33-1-102 (1.3), upon being accepted for enrollment into any state institution, shall be permitted to pursue studies leading toward his or her first bachelor's degree or certificate of completion, free of tuition and free of room and board charges of the institution, for so long as said dependent achieves and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above based upon a 4.0 scale, but said benefits shall not be extended beyond six years from the date of enrollment. Such dependents pursuing studies at a nonpublic institution of higher education within the state of Colorado shall be eligible for assistance not to exceed the average cost of undergraduate instruction calculated for a full-time equivalent student at a comparable state institution for the previous year, and the average cost of room and board calculated for a full-time equivalent student at all state institutions for the previous year. Such dependents pursuing studies at an out-of-state institution of higher education shall be eligible for assistance not to exceed the average cost of undergraduate instruction calculated for a full-time equivalent student at a comparable state institution for the previous year. The commission shall provide tuition and, if appropriate, room and board assistance to such qualified students from appropriated student financial assistance funds. (b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 1719, § 1, effective June 1, 2000.) (1.5) Repealed. (2) (a) A qualified dependent may receive benefits pursuant to this section prior to receiving federal educational benefits available to dependents pursuant to the federal "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act", 34 U.S.C. sec. 10281 et seq. (b) The benefit provided pursuant to this section must be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of any federal educational benefits provided to the dependent. (3) (a) An individual who was permanently disabled while on state active duty, federalized active duty, or authorized training duty as a Colorado National Guardsman is permanently disabled for the purpose of determining eligibility of dependents to qualify for educational benefits if such individual is ineligible for retention as a member of the National Guard and is unable to engage in any substantial full-time gainful activity by reason of medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months and exists at the time the dependent seeks entry into an institution. (b) An individual who has been permanently disabled while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter is permanently disabled for the purpose of determining eligibility of dependents to qualify for educational benefits if such individual is, as a result of the disability, unable to perform in the position to which he or she was regularly assigned at the time he or she became disabled. ce, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter is permanently disabled for the purpose of determining eligibility of dependents to qualify for educational benefits if such individual is, as a result of the disability, unable to perform in the position to which he or she was regularly assigned at the time he or she became disabled. (c) An individual who has been permanently disabled while engaged in backcountry search and rescue activities, as defined in section 33-1-102 (1.3), is permanently disabled for the purpose of determining eligibility of dependents to qualify for educational benefits if the individual is, as a result of the disability, unable to perform in the position to which the individual was regularly assigned at the time the individual became disabled, or, if the individual was engaged in backcountry search and rescue activities as a volunteer, is unable to engage in any substantial full-time gainful activity by reason of medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months and exists at the time the dependent seeks entry into an institution.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-301 Student loan matching program - funding

23-3.3-301. Student loan matching program - funding. Out of any moneys provided for the financial assistance program authorized by section 23-3.3-102 and remaining after meeting the requirements of part 2 of this article, the commission shall provide the matching funds required for federal allocations to institutions for student loan programs.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-401 Work-study program established - requirements

23-3.3-401. Work-study program established - requirements. (1) The commission shall use a portion of any moneys remaining after meeting the requirements of parts 2 and 3 of this article to provide a work-study program of employment of qualifying students in good standing with the institution in which they are enrolled in positions that are directly under the control of the institution in which the student is enrolled or in positions with nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, or for-profit organizations with which the institution may execute student employment contracts. (2) Any in-state student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institution as an undergraduate may qualify for participation in the work-study program established pursuant to this section. (3) Funds appropriated to the commission may also be used by the commission in conjunction with and to supplement funds for current job opportunities or to supplement or match funds made available through any other public or private program for financial assistance. A sum not to exceed thirty percent of the funds allocated by the commission for the work-study program may be used to provide funding on a basis other than financial need. A sum of not less than seventy percent of such money shall be used for students demonstrating financial need.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-501 Scholarship and grant program - funding

23-3.3-501. Scholarship and grant program - funding. The commission shall use a portion of any moneys remaining after meeting the requirements of parts 2 and 3 of this article to provide other programs of financial assistance based upon financial need, merit, talent, or other criteria established by the commission for students enrolled at institutions.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-600.1 Short title

23-3.3-600.1. Short title. This part 6 shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado Educational Exchange Program".

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-601 Educational exchange program

23-3.3-601. Educational exchange program. (1) The commission is directed to establish an educational exchange program consistent with the national student exchange program. The commission shall identify those circumstances under which the waiving of the nonresident differential in tuition rates, on a reciprocal basis with other states or foreign countries, would enhance the educational experience for Colorado residents enrolled in state institutions. In relation thereto, the commission shall: (a) Consult with the governing bodies and departments of state institutions in order to identify those classes and numbers of Colorado residents enrolled in said institutions whose educational experience would be enhanced by participation in said program; and (b) Negotiate with the appropriate representatives of other states or foreign countries with the objective of establishing reciprocal agreements for waiving the nonresidential tuition differential for Colorado residents enrolled in state institutions who wish to enroll in the institutions of higher education in other states or foreign countries in exchange for the waiver of the nonresidential tuition differential for residents of said other states or foreign countries wishing to enroll in state institutions. The number of resident students participating in the educational exchange program shall be matched by an equal number of nonresident students enrolling at Colorado institutions of higher education. (2) Repealed. (3) No student may be a recipient or participant in the educational exchange program for more than one year. (4) Residents of other states or foreign countries attending state institutions pursuant to said educational exchange program shall not be counted as nonresident students. Notwithstanding their presence in the state, such students shall not be permitted to apply the time spent in the educational exchange program toward satisfaction of residency requirements for tuition purposes. (5) As used in this part 6, "Colorado resident" means a person who is classified, for tuition purposes, as an in-state student.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-701 Colorado nursing scholarship program

23-3.3-701. Colorado nursing scholarship program. (1) The general assembly hereby authorizes the commission to establish a nursing scholarship program. Such program shall be administered in accordance with policies and procedures established by the commission. The general assembly may appropriate annually an amount for the support of such program. (2) The commission shall determine, by guideline, the institutions of higher education eligible for participation in the scholarship program. (3) It is the intent of the general assembly that, under the policies and procedures established by the commission under subsection (1) of this section for awarding nursing scholarships, preference be given to individuals who shall work in federal qualifying health clinics and underserved areas with nursing shortages throughout the state. (4) and (5) Repealed.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-901 Teach Colorado grant initiative created - award of grants - legislative declaration

23-3.3-901. Teach Colorado grant initiative created - award of grants - legislative declaration. (1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that one of the most important components of a high-quality education is a good teacher. In Colorado, there is a shortage of public school teachers employed in high-need areas such as mathematics, science, special education, English language acquisition, and world languages. Strengthening Colorado's pipeline of licensed teachers in high-need areas will help to provide every student in every public school with the teacher he or she needs to thrive and will contribute to raising the standard of living in Colorado. (b) Therefore, the general assembly determines that it is in the best interest of Colorado's students to encourage institutions of higher education to create scholarships for students in approved teacher preparation programs who excel in high-need content areas and who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to teaching as a career. (2) As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Approved educator preparation program" means an approved educator preparation program as defined in section 22-60.5-121 (1)(b). (b) "BOCES" means a board of cooperative services as defined in section 22-5-103 (2), C.R.S. (c) "Department" means the department of higher education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-114, C.R.S. (d) "Institution of higher education" means a public institution of higher education operating in this state that is supported in whole or in part by general fund moneys. (e) "School district" means a school district in Colorado organized and existing pursuant to law. "School district" does not include a local college district. (3) (a) There is hereby created in the department the teach Colorado grant initiative to provide moneys for use in reducing the financial barriers to entering the teaching profession, supporting high-ability students who have demonstrated a commitment to the teaching profession, and attracting high-ability students in high-need content areas into the teaching profession. The commission shall adopt guidelines pursuant to which an institution of higher education may submit an application for a grant from the teach Colorado grant initiative to use in funding scholarships to assist persons in entering the teaching profession. At a minimum, an institution's application shall include a description of the scholarships, including student eligibility, identification of the high-need content areas or other high-need areas that will be addressed through the award of scholarships, expectations that will be imposed on the recipients, and the amount of scholarship money to be awarded to each recipient. (b) In administering the teach Colorado grant initiative, the department shall annually collaborate with the department of education to determine the high-need content areas, which may include, but need not be limited to, mathematics, science, special education, English language acquisition, and world languages. The department shall annually publicize to the institutions of higher education the content areas that are considered to be high-need areas. (c) In designing a scholarship, an institution of higher education that is seeking funding from the teach Colorado grant initiative may include students who are seeking a baccalaureate degree and have enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program, students who demonstrate excellence in a high-need content area and are considering enrolling in an approved teacher preparation program, and students who have completed a baccalaureate degree or higher and have enrolled or are considering enrolling in an approved teacher preparation program. Scholarship moneys shall not be paid on behalf of a student until the student has enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program. ellence in a high-need content area and are considering enrolling in an approved teacher preparation program, and students who have completed a baccalaureate degree or higher and have enrolled or are considering enrolling in an approved teacher preparation program. Scholarship moneys shall not be paid on behalf of a student until the student has enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program. (d) The commission shall adopt such additional guidelines as may be necessary for administration of the teach Colorado grant initiative, including but not limited to the application process, criteria for awarding grants in addition to those specified in subsection (4) of this section, and the amount of grants to be awarded. (4) In awarding grants through the teach Colorado grant initiative, the department shall give special consideration to scholarships that: (a) Are designed to create a partnership between two institutions of higher education, one of which does not have an approved educator preparation program but has students who have demonstrated academic excellence in one or more high-need content areas and have expressed an interest in entering the teaching profession; (b) Are designed to create a partnership between the institution of higher education and one or more school districts or BOCES that have a shortage of teachers in high-need content areas; (c) Are designed to meet the needs of rural or high-poverty schools, school districts, or BOCES, as identified by the department of education; (d) Are designed to assist honorably discharged veterans and discharged LGBT veterans, as defined in section 28-5-100.3, of the armed forces in entering the teaching profession; or (e) Require each scholarship recipient to commit to completing his or her student teaching in a rural or high-poverty school, school district, or BOCES, as identified by the department of education. (5) The amount of a scholarship awarded to an individual student by an institution of higher education pursuant to a teach Colorado grant shall not exceed the amount of in-state tuition charged by the institution for thirty semester hours of credit. (6) On or before February 1, 2009, and on or before February 1 each year thereafter, the commission shall report to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, concerning the number of institutions of higher education receiving teach Colorado grants pursuant to this section, the amount of the grants awarded, the number of students receiving scholarships through grants awarded pursuant to this section, and a general summary of the scholarships funded through grants awarded pursuant to this section. (7) In addition to any general funds appropriated by the general assembly to the department for the implementation of the teach Colorado grant initiative, the department is authorized to seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations from private and public sources for the implementation of the teach Colorado grant initiative.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1001 Legislative declaration - repeal

23-3.3-1001. Legislative declaration - repeal. (1) The general assembly hereby declares that the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative created in this part 10 is intended to: (a) Award scholarships or grants based upon a rigor-based method that emphasizes student commitment to academic achievement and successful placement in the workforce and ensuring that participating students and institutions be held accountable through measurable outcomes; and (b) Develop the connections and community partnerships necessary to ensure that every Colorado student has the support needed to enter a postsecondary opportunity, persist and succeed, and enter his or her desired position in the workforce. (2) It is the intent of the general assembly to match nonprofit and private financial contributions to the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative with annual contributions from the general fund so that a sustainable corpus is created to fund scholarship awards in future years. Whenever practicable, the annual match should be in an amount that is significant enough to attract continued investment by community partners. (3) (a) The general assembly further declares that: (I) The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the lives of students and their families, the operations of the public institutions of higher education in Colorado, and the state's workforce and economy; (II) While the pandemic has affected the entire state, it has disproportionately impacted low-income families and communities of color, exacerbating systemic economic inequities; (III) The crisis has had a disproportionate impact on front-line workers, those who earn low wages, and those who lack a postsecondary credential or degree; and (IV) An equitable economic recovery from the pandemic depends on having robust pathways for workers to obtain new skills, earn higher wages, and be prepared for the in-demand careers of the future. (b) The general assembly therefore finds that it is an appropriate, necessary, and lawful use of the money received through the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021", Pub.L. 117-2, to appropriate a portion of said money to the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative to address the significant decline in enrollment in the public institutions of higher education, high rates of job loss, and continuing unemployment and the overall disruption to the workforce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in significant economic harm to individuals and businesses, by quickly and effectively providing support for students to return to the public institutions of higher education to complete their postsecondary credentials and help to rebuild and revitalize the workforce of Colorado and by assisting students to complete the free application for federal student aid and the Colorado application for state financial aid. (c) It is the intent of the general assembly that institutions use the allocations distributed pursuant to section 23-3.3-1006 to provide direct and indirect support to students to re-enroll and complete postsecondary credentials. It is further the general assembly's intent that the institutions provide this direct and indirect student support through programs that incentivize students to return and complete degree and credential programs, assist students in navigating their options for how to return and complete degrees and credentials efficiently, address equity gaps in higher education and the workforce, provide training for industry-recognized certificates and skill development for traditional and non-traditional students and members of the workforce, support workforce development for significantly impacted job sectors, and support and improve overall student success in completing postsecondary credentials and entering the workforce. (d) This subsection (3) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1002 Definitions

23-3.3-1002. Definitions. As used in this part 10, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Board" means the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative advisory board created in section 23-3.3-1004. (1.5) "Cost of attendance" means the student's cost of attending an institution of higher education that is determined by the institution of higher education based on federal and commission policy, and includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and other allowable expenses. (2) "Department" means the department of higher education created pursuant to section 24-1-114, C.R.S. (3) "Director" means the director of the initiative. (4) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Colorado commission on higher education. (4.3) "Expected family contribution" means the amount of money that a student's family is expected to contribute to the student's cost of attendance at an institution of higher education. (4.7) "Financial assistance" means money awarded to a student based on the student's cost of attendance at the institution of higher education. (5) "Fund" means the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative fund created in section 23-3.3-1005. (6) "Initiative" means the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative created in section 23-3.3-1003. (7) "Nonprofit organization" means a tax-exempt charitable or social welfare organization operating under section 501 (c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) of title 26 of the United States Code, the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended. (8) "Precollegiate organization" means a state- or federally funded program offering postsecondary workforce-ready options to Colorado students. (9) Repealed. (10) "Work-based learning" has the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-601 (15).

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1003 Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative - created

23-3.3-1003. Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative - created. There is created the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative within the department. The executive director or the executive director's designee shall appoint the director of the initiative who shall administer the initiative in accordance with rules promulgated by the board pursuant to section 23-3.3-1004 (4).

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1004 Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative advisory board - created - duties - rules - repeal

23-3.3-1004. Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative advisory board - created - duties - rules - repeal. (1) (a) There is created the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative advisory board, which consists of fifteen members appointed as follows: (I) Seven persons to be appointed jointly by the executive director of the department of labor and employment or his or her designee and the executive director of the department of higher education or his or her designee, including: (A) One person representing the four-year research institutions of higher education in the state; (B) One person representing a four-year postsecondary institution in the state; (C) One person representing the community colleges and area technical colleges of the state; (D) One person representing workforce centers; (E) One person representing economic development corporations; (F) One person who is a current or former participant of the initiative for a two-year public institution of higher education; and (G) One person who is a current or former participant of the initiative for a four-year public institution of higher education; and (II) Four persons from the state work force development council created in section 24-46.3-101, to be appointed by the executive director of the department of labor and employment or his or her designee; and (III) Four persons, either commissioners of the Colorado commission on higher education created in section 23-1-102, members of the advisory committee to the Colorado commission on higher education created in section 23-1-103, or any combination thereof, to be appointed by the executive director of the department of higher education or his or her designee. (b) (I) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(a) of this section, members of the board serving as of May 7, 2021, who were appointed by the governor continue to serve at the pleasure of the governor until the end of their term. (II) Except for the members described in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section, the appointing authorities described in subsection (1)(a) of this section shall make their initial appointments to the board by August 1, 2021. (III) This subsection (1)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025. (2) The members of the board shall elect presiding officers for the board, including a chair and vice-chair, from among the board members appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, which presiding officers shall serve terms of two years. Board members may reelect a presiding officer. (3) Each member of the board serves at the pleasure of the member's appointing authority for a term of four years. The appointing authority may reappoint the member for an additional term or terms. Members of the board must receive seventy-five dollars per diem for attendance at official meetings plus reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business; except that a member shall not receive the per diem allowance provided for in this subsection (3) if the member receives a salary from the state for a full-time position with the state. (4) The board shall meet at least four times each year and shall carry out the following duties: official meetings plus reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business; except that a member shall not receive the per diem allowance provided for in this subsection (3) if the member receives a salary from the state for a full-time position with the state. (4) The board shall meet at least four times each year and shall carry out the following duties: (a) Promulgate rules for administration of the initiative, including but not limited to the following: (I) Criteria for eligibility of state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions of higher education to participate in the initiative; (II) Criteria for eligibility of students to apply for and receive grants from the initiative, which criteria shall include consideration of an applicant student's: (A) Courses of study; (B) Commitment to academic achievement; (C) Work experience; (D) Community involvement; and (E) Extracurricular activities; (III) Rules establishing permissible uses of grant and scholarship money from the initiative, which rules must stipulate that: (A) A portion of the money in the fund in any fiscal year may be awarded to state agencies and nonprofit organizations to assist such agencies and organizations with ensuring that student-success, precollegiate, postsecondary student support services are available to students who are classified as Colorado residents for tuition purposes; increasing the capacity for student support services at postsecondary institutions; and developing connections between local employers, public schools, precollegiate organizations, and postsecondary institutions; (B) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2020.) (C) Any money appropriated to the fund that is not used for the purposes described in subsection (4)(a)(III)(A) of this section, to pay the direct and indirect costs of administering the initiative as described in section 23-3.3-1005 (4), or as otherwise provided in sections 23-3.3-1006 and 23-3.3-1007, must be used to build a financial corpus capable of providing financial assistance to eligible Colorado students in Colorado who will attend eligible institutions of higher education within the state. Financial assistance provided pursuant to this subsection (4)(a)(III)(C) may take the form of direct awards, matching incentives to create or increase the number of other scholarships, loans, or any combination thereof. (D) To the extent practicable, grants of financial assistance must be awarded to students representing rural and urban areas of the state and to students attending area technical colleges, community colleges, four-year institutions of higher education, and research institutions; (E) To the extent practicable, financial assistance must be evenly distributed between students with an expected family contribution of less than one hundred percent of the annual federal PELL grant award and students with an expected family contribution between one hundred percent and two hundred fifty percent of the annual federal PELL grant award; and (F) To the extent practicable, grant and scholarship money may be used for work-based learning; (IV) Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the initiative in improving higher education outcomes in the state, which criteria must include, but need not be limited to: (A) Reductions in remediation rates and associated costs; (B) Increases in graduation rates; (C) Reductions in average time required to earn a degree; (D) Increases in student retention rates; (E) Reductions in disparities between the academic achievements of certain student populations based on demographic, geographic, and economic indicators; (F) Adoption of best practices for student support services; (G) Fulfillment of local workforce needs; (H) Reductions in student loan debt; (I) Improvements in tuition affordability; and n a degree; (D) Increases in student retention rates; (E) Reductions in disparities between the academic achievements of certain student populations based on demographic, geographic, and economic indicators; (F) Adoption of best practices for student support services; (G) Fulfillment of local workforce needs; (H) Reductions in student loan debt; (I) Improvements in tuition affordability; and (J) Improvements in students' access to federal grant programs and other federal sources of support for postsecondary students; (b) Identify and consider the feasibility of potential funding sources for the initiative, including but not limited to: (I) The implementation of an income tax credit for taxpayers of the state who elect to make a contribution to the fund; and (II) Any fundraising for the initiative that may result from a memorandum of understanding executed between the board and a nonprofit organization, as described in subsection (5) of this section; and (c) Prepare and submit an annual report concerning the initiative to the director. The director shall post the annual report on the department's website or appropriate online location, and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I) to the contrary, shall send the annual report to the members of the education committees of the house of representatives and of the senate, or any successor committees. (5) The board may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a nonprofit organization for the purpose of raising moneys for the initiative.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1005 Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative fund - created - rules - repeal

23-3.3-1005. Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative fund - created - rules - repeal. (1) There is created in the state treasury the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative fund, which consists of: (a) Any moneys appropriated to the fund by the general assembly; (b) Any moneys transferred to the fund from any other fund; and (c) Any moneys received by the department as gifts, grants, or donations pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. (2) The moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the department for the purposes described in this part 10. All interest derived from the deposit and investment of moneys in the fund must remain in the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered moneys remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year must remain in the fund and not be transferred or credited to the general fund or another fund. (3) The department is authorized to accept any gifts, grants, or donations from any private or public source on behalf of the state for the purposes described in this part 10. The department shall transmit all such gifts, grants, and donations to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the fund. (4) The department is authorized to spend from the fund an amount of money equal to not more than seven and one-half percent of the total expenditures from the fund for the prior fiscal year to pay the direct and indirect costs of administering the initiative in any fiscal year; except that the general assembly may authorize additional spending for administrative costs in any fiscal year through a footnote in the annual general appropriation act. (5) The board may promulgate rules for the administration of the fund. (6) (a) For the 2021-22 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate money from the workers, employers, and workforce centers cash fund, created in section 24-75-231, to the fund for the purposes described in section 23-3.3-1006. In addition to the amounts described in subsections (4) and (7) of this section, the department is authorized to spend up to five percent of the appropriated amount to pay the direct and indirect costs of administering the distribution of the amount described in this subsection (6) as provided in section 23-3.3-1006. (b) This subsection (6) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026. (7) (a) For the 2021-22 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate from the workers, employers, and workforce centers cash fund, created in section 24-75-231, to the fund one million five hundred thousand dollars for the purposes described in section 23-3.3-1007. In addition to the amounts described in subsections (4) and (6) of this section, the department is authorized to spend from the appropriated amount up to one hundred thousand dollars annually for the costs incurred in implementing section 23-3.3-1007, which costs may include providing technical assistance, collecting and sharing best practices, and providing an evaluation of the student aid applications completion grant program in the annual report prepared pursuant to section 23-3.3-1004 (4)(c). (b) This subsection (7) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026. (8) (a) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, the state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money appropriated to the fund pursuant to subsections (6)(a) and (7)(a) of this section to the state emergency reserve cash fund created in section 24-77-104 (6)(a) in accordance with section 24-75-226 (4)(c)(II). (b) This subsection (8) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1006 Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative - federal money - institutional allocations - purposes - reporting - rules - definitions - repeal

23-3.3-1006. Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative - federal money - institutional allocations - purposes - reporting - rules - definitions - repeal. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Eligible student" means an undergraduate, in-state student who: (I) Earned some postsecondary credits from a public or private higher education institution but did not complete a credential requiring thirty credits or more before deciding not to enroll for two or more consecutive semesters; or (II) Was admitted to a public institution of higher education as a first-time student for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 academic year but did not enroll at any institution for the 2020-21 academic year. (a.5) "Ongoing program participant" means an eligible student who participated in the program during the 2021-22, 2022-23, or 2023-24 state fiscal year who did not complete the student's academic program, or who was recruited to participate in the program during the 2023-24 state fiscal year, who an institution expects to participate in the program in the 2024-25 state fiscal year and, as applicable, an eligible student who participated in the program during the 2024-25 state fiscal year who an institution expects to participate in the program in the 2025-26 state fiscal year. (b) "Public institution of higher education" or "institution" means a state institution of higher education identified in section 23-18-102 (10)(a), a local district college, or an area technical college. (b.5) "Program" means the program to allocate money to institutions to support eligible students that is created in this section and is commonly known as "Finish What You Started". (c) "Student assistance plan" or "plan" means the proposal that a public institution of higher education develops as part of its application to the initiative to describe how the institution will spend the amount allocated to the institution pursuant to this section to assist eligible students in enrolling, persisting, and completing in alignment with the initiative's community partner program model. (2) As soon as practicable after June 29, 2021, the board shall publish a request for proposals that allocates the money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6) to the public institutions of higher education as provided in subsection (3) of this section for the 2021-22 through 2023-24 academic years. Each institution may receive up to one hundred percent of its allocation over two academic years beginning in the 2021-22 academic year by submitting a student assistance plan to the board as provided in subsection (4) of this section to use the money to support eligible students directly through scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance. The plan must also include indirect support for eligible students through student support services. The goal of each institution's student assistance plan must be to increase eligible student enrollment, persistence, and completion and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, reduce student debt. for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance. The plan must also include indirect support for eligible students through student support services. The goal of each institution's student assistance plan must be to increase eligible student enrollment, persistence, and completion and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, reduce student debt. (3) (a) The board shall allocate the money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6) to each public institution of higher education for the 2021-22 through 2023-24 academic years as follows: (I) Fifty percent based on each institution's headcount enrollment for the 2019-20 academic year of undergraduate, in-state students whose expected family contribution did not exceed two hundred fifty percent of the maximum Pell-eligible expected family contribution for a federal Pell grant and on other criteria adopted by rule as described in subsection (3)(b) of this section; and (II) Fifty percent based on each institution's full-time equivalent enrollment for the 2019-20 academic year of undergraduate, in-state students whose expected family contribution did not exceed two hundred fifty percent of the maximum Pell-eligible expected family contribution for a federal Pell grant and on other criteria adopted by rule as described in subsection (3)(b) of this section. (b) The board shall adopt rules that identify additional criteria for allocating the money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6), which criteria take into account characteristics of the public institutions of higher education, including location in a rural area of the state, total headcount enrollment, and characteristics unique to area technical colleges. (c) The board shall distribute all or a portion of an institution's allocation as soon as practicable after the board approves the institution's student assistance plan as provided in subsection (5) of this section. (4) (a) To receive a distribution of the money allocated pursuant to subsection (3) of this section for the 2021-22 through 2023-24 academic years, a public institution of higher education must submit to the board a student assistance plan describing the institution's intended use of the money to support eligible students. Each plan must be student-centered and, at a minimum, must specify: (I) The population of eligible students that the plan is designed to support, which may include traditional and nontraditional students and which should focus on disproportionately impacted student populations; (II) The percentage of the money distributed through the plan that will be distributed directly to eligible students in the form of scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance; (III) In alignment with the initiative's community partner program model, the student support services that the institution will provide using the remaining percentage of the amount distributed through the plan; (IV) The amount of the institution's requested distribution and the timeline for receiving distributions of the allocation over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years; (V) The specific, measurable goals that the institution expects to achieve through the plan, which goals must include increasing retention of the identified population of eligible students and must be otherwise aligned with increasing enrollment, persistence, and completion for said students and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, decreasing student debt for said students; and (VI) The metrics and data that the institution will use to measure the degree of success in meeting the goals identified in the plan. ention of the identified population of eligible students and must be otherwise aligned with increasing enrollment, persistence, and completion for said students and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, decreasing student debt for said students; and (VI) The metrics and data that the institution will use to measure the degree of success in meeting the goals identified in the plan. (b) Each public institution of higher education shall submit its student assistance plan in accordance with rules promulgated by the board. (5) (a) The board shall review each student assistance plan received pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. Before approving a student assistance plan, the board at a minimum must consider: (I) The percentage of the distribution that the public institution of higher education will spend as direct financial assistance to eligible students versus the percentage that the institution will spend in providing student support services, with the intent that a greater percentage is spent as scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives; (II) The population of eligible students that the plan is designed to support, including whether the plan includes traditional and nontraditional students and the degree to which the plan focuses on disproportionately impacted student populations; (III) The speed and efficiency with which the institution expects to distribute its money to eligible students; and (IV) The quality of the plan, including the rigor of programming and quality of the evaluation measures, and the likelihood that the institution will meet the goals specified in the plan and that the plan will result in significant increases in eligible student enrollment, persistence, and completion and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, significant decreases in student debt. (b) Before approving a student assistance plan, the board may provide feedback to the submitting public institution of higher education, including suggested changes, and require the institution to revise and resubmit the plan. (6) (a) At the end of the 2021-22 academic year, by a date set by board rule, each public institution of higher education shall submit a report to the board that specifies: (I) The amount of the institution's allocation that the institution spent during the 2021-22 academic year; (II) The specific purposes for which the money was spent, including the number of eligible students served, the amounts directly distributed to eligible students, and the student support services provided to eligible students; (III) The data identified in the institution's student assistance plan that demonstrates the institution's degree of success in meeting the goals identified in the plan; (IV) Any other data that demonstrates the institution's progress toward and achievement of the goals of assisting eligible students to enroll, persist, and complete postsecondary credentials and, for institutions other than area technical colleges, decrease student debt; (V) Any other data related to the use of the money allocated to the institution that the board requests; and (VI) If any portion of the institution's allocation remains undistributed, a request that the board distribute the remainder of the allocation and a description of any revisions to the institution's student assistance plan for spending the distribution. al colleges, decrease student debt; (V) Any other data related to the use of the money allocated to the institution that the board requests; and (VI) If any portion of the institution's allocation remains undistributed, a request that the board distribute the remainder of the allocation and a description of any revisions to the institution's student assistance plan for spending the distribution. (b) The board shall review the reports received pursuant to subsection (6)(a) of this section and determine each institution's success in achieving the goals identified in the institution's plan. For each institution that requests the distribution of the remainder of the institution's allocation, the board shall review the institution's student assistance plan, including any revisions. Based on the criteria specified in subsection (5) of this section, the board may provide feedback and require changes to the plan before distributing the money to the institution for the 2022-23 academic year. (c) An institution that implements a student assistance plan during the 2022-23 academic year and that continues to implement the plan in subsequent academic years shall submit to the board, by a date specified by board rule, the report described in subsection (6)(a) of this section as it pertains to each academic year in which the plan continues to be implemented. (6.5) (a) For the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, the board shall allocate program money, including money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6) and need-based grant money as described in subsection (6.5)(b) of this section, to each public institution of higher education as necessary, as determined by the board, to continue to support ongoing program participants through the completion of the participants' academic program. (b) In order to support ongoing program participants through the completion of the participants' academic program, the department shall use money appropriated for need-based grants for the program. Through June 30, 2026, the department may use up to four million five hundred thousand dollars of money appropriated for need-based grants for the program. (c) (I) On or before May 31, 2024, an institution that received an allocation pursuant to this section and that will not have expended its allocation by the end of the 2023-24 state fiscal year shall inform the board whether the institution expects current program participants at the institution to participate in the program during the 2024-25 state fiscal year, and, if so, provide the institution's estimate of the costs associated with providing scholarships and support services to ongoing program participants in the 2024-25 state fiscal year and, if applicable, the 2025-26 state fiscal year. (II) For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the board shall allocate program money as necessary, as determined by the board, to each institution that expects to enroll ongoing program participants during the 2024-25 state fiscal year to support ongoing program participants directly through scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance and to provide indirect support for ongoing program participants through student support services in the same manner as during prior academic years. nroll ongoing program participants during the 2024-25 state fiscal year to support ongoing program participants directly through scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance and to provide indirect support for ongoing program participants through student support services in the same manner as during prior academic years. (d) (I) On or before May 31, 2025, an institution that received an allocation pursuant to this section during the 2024-25 state fiscal year shall inform the board whether the institution expects current program participants at the institution to participate in the program during the 2025-26 state fiscal year, and if so, provide the institution's estimate of the costs associated with providing scholarships and support services to ongoing program participants in the 2025-26 state fiscal year. (II) For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, the board shall allocate program money as necessary, as determined by the board, to each institution that expects to enroll ongoing program participants during the 2025-26 state fiscal year to support ongoing program participants directly through scholarships, financial assistance for the cost of attendance, and other direct student financial incentives or assistance and to provide indirect support for ongoing program participants through student support services in the same manner as during prior academic years. (e) Upon request of the board, an institution shall return to the board any unspent money it received pursuant to this section. The board may reallocate unspent money from the appropriation made for the program, excluding funding from need-based grants authorized pursuant to subsection (6.5)(b) of this section, to institutions that can support additional eligible ongoing program participants. (f) Nothing in this subsection (6.5) or any other provision of this section requires the department or the board to provide more money to an institution than the amount in the institution's original contract for the program. An institution that has exhausted its program allocation, including any reallocation, shall support an ongoing program participant who qualifies for need-based financial aid through completion of the ongoing program participant's academic program using state, federal, and institutional financial aid. (7) (a) By December 1, 2022, and by December 1 each year thereafter so long as the board continues to receive reports pursuant to subsection (6) of this section, the director shall submit to the joint budget committee and to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, a report that summarizes the reports received from the public institutions of higher education pursuant to subsection (6) of this section. The summary report must include, but need not be limited to: (I) The amounts allocated and distributed to each public institution of higher education; (II) The amount each institution spent in providing direct student financial assistance to eligible students and in providing services and support to eligible students and the types of direct student financial assistance and services and support provided; (III) The number of eligible students who re-enrolled in the academic years in which each institution's student assistance plan was implemented; (IV) The postsecondary credentials awarded to eligible students who received assistance through each institution's student assistance plan; and (V) Any additional information the board deems useful in determining the degree to which the money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6) was successfully spent to increase eligible student enrollment, persistence, and completion and decrease student debt. credentials awarded to eligible students who received assistance through each institution's student assistance plan; and (V) Any additional information the board deems useful in determining the degree to which the money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (6) was successfully spent to increase eligible student enrollment, persistence, and completion and decrease student debt. (b) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this subsection (7) continues indefinitely. (8) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1007 Student aid applications completion grant program - created - applications - rules - definitions - repeal

23-3.3-1007. Student aid applications completion grant program - created - applications - rules - definitions - repeal. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Application completion rate" means the percentage of students enrolled in a high school operated by a local education provider who complete the student aid applications in a single school year. (b) "Grant program" means the student aid applications completion grant program created in this section. (c) "Higher education institution" means a state institution of higher education as defined in section 23-18-102 (10)(a), a local district college created pursuant to article 71 of this title 23, an area technical college as defined in section 23-60-103, or a private institution of higher education as defined in section 23-18-102 (9). (d) "Local education provider" means a school district organized pursuant to article 30 of title 22, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22, a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22, or a board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates a high school. (e) "Student aid applications" means the free application for federal student aid and the Colorado application for student financial aid. (2) (a) There is created in the initiative the student aid applications completion grant program to provide assistance to local education providers in implementing strategies to increase the number of students enrolled by the local education provider who complete the student aid applications before graduating from high school. To be eligible to participate in the grant program, a local education provider must require students to complete the student aid applications before graduation unless the requirement is waived under conditions described by the local education provider. (b) A local education provider that seeks to participate in the grant program must submit an application to the board in accordance with timelines and procedures specified in rules of the board. At a minimum, the application must include: (I) The student aid application completion rate for high schools operated by the local education provider for the school year immediately preceding the application; (II) The local education provider's goal for increasing the student aid application completion rate; (III) The conditions under which the local education provider may waive the requirement that a student complete the student aid applications before graduating from high school; (IV) Whether the local education provider is partnering or intends to partner with a community-based nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education to support students in completing the student aid applications; and (V) How the local education provider intends to use the money received through the grant program to increase the student aid application completion rate, which may include: (A) Strategies for increasing student and family awareness of the student aid applications and the benefits of completing them and the consequences of failing to complete them; (B) Strategies for increasing student and family awareness of the options for and costs of postsecondary enrollment and a variety of credential and degree programs and how these relate to completion of the student aid applications; (C) Hiring additional school counselors to assist students in completing the student aid applications; and (D) Strategies for increasing the number of students who apply to postsecondary education by encouraging students to complete admission applications in connection with completing the student aid applications. egree programs and how these relate to completion of the student aid applications; (C) Hiring additional school counselors to assist students in completing the student aid applications; and (D) Strategies for increasing the number of students who apply to postsecondary education by encouraging students to complete admission applications in connection with completing the student aid applications. (c) The board shall review the applications received pursuant to this section and, subject to available appropriations, award the grants from money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005 (7). In awarding grants, the board shall prioritize applicants that partner with one or more community-based nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education in supporting student completion of student aid applications. Before awarding grants, the board shall consult with the department of education. (3) (a) On or before August 1 immediately following completion of a school year in which a local education provider receives a grant through the grant program, the local education provider shall submit to the board a report specifying how the local education provider used the grant money to increase the student aid application completion rate and whether and to what degree the student aid application completion rate increased above the completion rate for the preceding school year. (b) On or before November 1, 2022, and on or before November 1 for each year in which a local education provider submits a report pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, the board shall include in the annual report prepared pursuant to section 23-3.3-1004 (4)(c) a report that summarizes the reports received pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section. The board may include in the summary report recommendations concerning continuation of and changes to the grant program. (4) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1008 Displaced workers grant - repeal

23-3.3-1008. Displaced workers grant - repeal. (Repealed)

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1009 Support for in-demand short-term health-care credentials - report - definitions - repeal

23-3.3-1009. Support for in-demand short-term health-care credentials - report - definitions - repeal. (1) Subject to available appropriations, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, in coordination with its career and technical education role and mission as Colorado's state administrator of the federal "Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 1998", 20 U.S.C. sec. 2301 et seq., as amended, shall administer the in-demand short-term health-care credentials program or care forward Colorado, referred to in this section as the "program", in order to support the expansion of available health-care professionals. (2) The state board for community colleges and occupational education shall allocate money to community colleges, area technical colleges, local district colleges, and community not-for-profit organizations that deliver hybrid programming that leverages place-based supports in partnership with local district colleges, community colleges, and area technical colleges through reimbursement based on students enrolled in eligible programs for fiscal years 2022-23 to 2025-26 to: (a) Provide assistance for tuition, fees, and course materials for eligible programs; (b) Support alignment with existing efforts, such as apprenticeship and work-based learning, for students to earn eligible program credentials that lead into health-care careers such as nursing; and (c) If unexpended resources exist or if the program use is less than anticipated, to expand eligible programs in allied health based on in-demand credential needs or include high school equivalency support and attainment for students without a high school degree who participate in the program. (3) In allocating the money pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the first priority is for students enrolled in eligible allied health programs with nursing aide programs and the second priority is for students enrolled in an emergency medical technician program. (4) The program begins no later than the 2022-23 academic year. (5) Depending on the credential pathway, students participating in the program must complete a free application for federal student aid or Colorado application for the college opportunity fund and state financial aid and submit an application for the college opportunity scholarship initiative fund. Subject to available appropriations, the program resources must cover remaining tuition, fees, books, and material costs. (6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "eligible programs" means in-demand credentials in allied health care less than one year in duration through career and technical education programs, including certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, and dental assistant. (7) (a) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate to the department for allocation by the board twenty-six million dollars from the economic recovery and relief cash fund created in section 24-75-228 for the eligible programs, of which twenty-five thousand dollars may be used for purposes of marketing the program and one percent may be used for administration pursuant to this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year from this appropriation: (I) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund; (II) May be used by the board in the 2023-24 or 2024-25 state fiscal years without further appropriation; and (III) Must not be used for any other purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section. ration pursuant to this section. Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2022-23 state fiscal year from this appropriation: (I) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund; (II) May be used by the board in the 2023-24 or 2024-25 state fiscal years without further appropriation; and (III) Must not be used for any other purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section. (b) In addition to the appropriation in this section and subject to available appropriations, the board may seek gifts, grants, and donations for the program. (8) Beginning January 1, 2023, the department shall include a summarized report regarding the program in the department's annual presentation to the committees of reference pursuant to section 2-7-203. Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the reporting requirement in this subsection (8) continues indefinitely. (9) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1010 Youth mentorship assistance grant pilot program - creation - policies - reports - definitions - repeal

23-3.3-1010. Youth mentorship assistance grant pilot program - creation - policies - reports - definitions - repeal. (1) There is created in the initiative the youth mentorship assistance grant pilot program. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to a student who provides mentorship services to defray the cost of the student's attendance at a public institution of higher education. (2) The board shall: (a) Select approved youth mentorship organizations to participate in the program. The board shall select one approved youth mentorship organization from each of the following types of organizations: (I) A youth mentorship organization for youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; (II) A youth mentorship organization for youth who have a physical, mental, or developmental disability; (III) A youth mentorship organization for youth of color; and (IV) A youth mentorship organization for youth who are justice involved. (b) To the extent possible, select approved youth mentorship organizations to participate in the program that serve youth who reside in rural and urban areas of the state; (c) Establish a maximum cap, or various maximum caps, on the amount that eligible student-mentors may earn through providing mentorship services; and (d) Establish priority consideration for eligible student-mentors who demonstrate the greatest financial assistance needs. (3) To be an approved youth mentorship organization, a youth mentorship organization shall: (a) Apply to the board in the time and manner required by the board; and (b) (I) Have a policy and procedure requiring a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check utilizing the records of the Colorado bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation of all prospective eligible student-mentors, volunteers, and employees. (II) The youth mentorship organization shall not permit prospective eligible student-mentors, volunteers, or employees to serve the organization if they have been convicted of, entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or received a deferred sentence for: (A) A felony crime involving unlawful sexual behavior or unlawful behavior involving children; (B) A felony crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to involve domestic violence; (C) A misdemeanor crime involving unlawful sexual behavior or unlawful behavior involving children; or (D) A misdemeanor crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to involve domestic violence. (4) To be an eligible student-mentor, the student shall: (a) Apply to the approved youth mentorship organization in the time and manner specified by the board; (b) Satisfy all eligibility requirements necessary to be a student-mentor through the approved youth mentorship organization, including completing the fingerprint-based criminal history record check as required by subsection (3)(b) of this section; and (c) Be enrolled in a qualified public institution of higher education for the duration of the mentorship. (5) (a) The board shall establish policies that ensure that program money is used for approved eligible student-mentors' higher education cost of attendance and that eligible student-mentors who participate in the program provide evidence of program compliance to earn the financial assistance for cost of attendance. The board shall establish policies for the repayment of any financial assistance applied toward the cost of attendance for the eligible student-mentor that the eligible student-mentor did not earn. tors' higher education cost of attendance and that eligible student-mentors who participate in the program provide evidence of program compliance to earn the financial assistance for cost of attendance. The board shall establish policies for the repayment of any financial assistance applied toward the cost of attendance for the eligible student-mentor that the eligible student-mentor did not earn. (b) The board may establish policies necessary for the administration of the program, including the dates for disbursements to approved youth mentorship organizations and eligible student-mentors' public institutions of higher education. (6) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate one hundred thousand dollars from the general fund to the department for use by the board for scholarships awarded pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section authorizes the department or board to use the appropriation for administrative costs associated with implementing or administering the program, or the approved youth mentorship organization to use the money received through the program for administrative costs associated with implementing or administering the program. Any money appropriated pursuant to this section not expended prior to July 1, 2024, is further appropriated to the department for use by the board for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 state fiscal years for the same purpose. (7) (a) On or before January 1, 2024, the board shall make its first disbursement to approved youth mentorship organizations. (b) An approved youth mentorship organization shall disburse the money received through the program to the qualified public institution of higher education in which an eligible student-mentor who provides service to the youth mentorship organization is enrolled, to be applied toward the cost of attendance for the eligible student-mentor in exchange for the mentorship services provided by the eligible student-mentor. The amount disbursed pursuant to this subsection (7)(b) must not exceed the applicable cap established by the board pursuant to subsection (2)(c) of this section. (c) At the end of the grant term, the approved youth mentorship organizations shall return any unused money received through the program to the department. (8) (a) An approved youth mentorship organization shall submit an annual report to the department that includes: (I) A description of the approved youth mentorship organization, including its location, the services it provides, demographic information of the mentees it serves, and summaries of the program's impact on the mentees served; except that any summary must not disclose the identity of a mentee or include personal information that could disclose the identity of a mentee; (II) The number of eligible student-mentors who provided mentorship services to the approved youth mentorship organization during the preceding state fiscal year, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender identity, and the qualified public institution of higher education in which the eligible student-mentors are enrolled; and (III) The amount of money received by the approved youth mentorship organization from the program, in total and disaggregated by payments to public institutions of higher education. during the preceding state fiscal year, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender identity, and the qualified public institution of higher education in which the eligible student-mentors are enrolled; and (III) The amount of money received by the approved youth mentorship organization from the program, in total and disaggregated by payments to public institutions of higher education. (b) On or before December 1, 2024, and on or before December 1 each year thereafter, the department shall submit a report to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives, or any successor committees, concerning the program in the preceding state fiscal year. At a minimum, the report must include information concerning: (I) The information provided by the approved youth mentorship organizations described in subsection (8)(a) of this section; (II) If available, the number of eligible student-mentors who participated in the program who continued enrollment in the qualified public institution of higher education in a subsequent academic term, reported for the program as a whole and for each institution, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender identity; and (III) If available, the number of eligible student-mentors who participated in the program who graduated from the qualified public institution of higher education, reported for the program as a whole and for each institution, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender identity. (9) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Program" means the youth mentorship assistance grant pilot program created in subsection (1) of this section. (b) "Public institution of higher education" means a state institution of higher education identified in section 23-18-102 (10)(a), a local district college, or an area technical college. (c) "Youth mentorship organization" means a community-based organization that provides mentorship services to youth who reside in communities that were historically and are currently negatively impacted by structural and systemic design, and consequently have no or limited access to quality mentorship services. (10) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1101 Career and technical education certificate programs - tuition assistance - funding - definitions

23-3.3-1101. Career and technical education certificate programs - tuition assistance - funding - definitions. (1) (a) The commission shall establish a tuition assistance program for students enrolled in qualifying career and technical education certificate programs. Subject to available appropriations, the commission shall allocate money to community colleges, Colorado Mesa university, area technical colleges, and local district colleges to provide tuition assistance for students who are enrolled in qualifying career and technical education certificate programs and meet the income eligibility requirements established in guidelines adopted by the commission. The department of higher education and the institutions that receive tuition assistance money pursuant to this section shall administer the program in accordance with policies and procedures that the commission establishes. (b) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (I) "Qualifying career and technical education certificate program" means a career and technical education certificate program that does not meet the minimum credit hour requirements for the federal Pell grant program. (II) "Tuition assistance" means money that a student may use to pay for tuition, fees, and course materials. (2) The general assembly may appropriate annually an amount for support of the program established pursuant to this section.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1301 Legislative declaration

23-3.3-1301. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Through the innovative learning opportunities pilot program, concurrent enrollment, apprenticeships, internships, and other high school transition programs and opportunities, students are able to pursue multiple pathways to career and postsecondary training and education; (b) Some students who have met high school graduation requirements early and want to pursue career and postsecondary training and education outside of the school setting face significant financial barriers to doing so; and (c) A state-funded fourth-year innovation pilot program would help low-income students with the drive and ambition to complete high school early to pay for career and postsecondary training and education. (2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that low-income students who graduate early from a high school participating in the pilot program should be awarded state funding through the fourth-year innovation pilot program to be used to pursue career and postsecondary training and education after high school.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1302 Definitions

23-3.3-1302. Definitions. As used in this part 13, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Department" means the department of higher education created pursuant to section 24-1-114. (2) "Department of education" means the department of education created in section 24-1-115. (3) "Eligible graduate" means a low-income student who has graduated early from a high school participating in the pilot program and who has met the requirements of this part 13 to receive state funding under the pilot program. (4) "Fourth-year innovation pilot program fund" or "fund" means the fourth-year innovation pilot program fund created in section 23-3.3-1306. (5) "Graduate early" means being awarded a high school diploma from a high school participating in the pilot program, prior to enrolling in the fourth year of high school or prior to the second semester of the fourth year of high school. (6) "Institution of higher education" means a state institution of higher education, as defined in section 23-18-102 (10), or any accredited campus of a state institution of higher education; a local district college, as defined in section 23-71-102 (1)(a); an area technical college, as defined in section 23-60-103 (1); or a private occupational school, as defined in section 23-64-103 (20), that is authorized by the private occupational school division pursuant to article 64 of this title 23. (7) "Local education provider" means: (a) A school district organized pursuant to article 30 of title 22; (b) A board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates a high school; (c) A charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22; or (d) An institute charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22. (8) "Low-income student" means a student who was eligible for free or reduced-price lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq., in any of grades eight through twelve or who satisfies the income requirements for a grant from the federal Pell grant program or a successor grant program based on the school year in which the eligible graduate graduated early. (9) "Pilot program" means the fourth-year innovation pilot program created in section 23-3.3-1303. (10) "Postsecondary program" means a degree or certificate program, other than a professional degree in theology, as defined in section 23-18-102 (9.5), offered by an institution of higher education, and a training program offered through an approved provider included on the list of approved providers disseminated by the department of labor and employment pursuant to section 8-83-225, and that meets the requirements set forth in section 23-3.3-1304 (3). (11) (a) "State funding" means: (I) For an eligible graduate graduating prior to the graduate's fourth year in high school, the amount of money that an eligible graduate receives, calculated as the greater of: (A) Seventy-five percent of an amount equal to the average state share of the state average per-pupil revenues for the 2021-22 budget year; or (B) Three thousand five hundred dollars; and (II) For an eligible graduate graduating prior to the second semester of the graduate's fourth year of high school, the amount of money that an eligible graduate receives, calculated as the greater of: (A) Forty-five percent of an amount equal to the average state share of the state average per-pupil revenues for the 2021-22 budget year; or (B) Two thousand dollars. (b) For purposes of the calculations in subsection (11)(a) of this section, "the average state share of the state average per-pupil revenues for the 2021-22 budget year" is the amount calculated during the 2021 regular legislative session.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1303 Fourth-year innovation pilot program - creation - eligibility - award of state funding - commission policies

23-3.3-1303. Fourth-year innovation pilot program - creation - eligibility - award of state funding - commission policies. (1) (a) There is created in the department the fourth-year innovation pilot program. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide state funding to low-income students who graduate early from a high school participating in the pilot program. (b) The pilot program is limited to local education providers or a group of providers, with the first cohort of graduates graduating early during the 2021-22 school year and the last cohort of graduates graduating early during the 2025-26 school year. A local education provider or a group of local education providers may apply to the department to participate in the pilot program; except that the commission shall not approve additional local education providers, groups of providers, or schools as pilot program participants beyond those participating in the 2023-24 school year. Prior to the 2024-25 school year, a school or local education provider approved by the department may be added to an existing group of local education providers. The commission shall select pilot program participants, including a mix of urban, suburban, and rural local education providers. In the pilot program application, the applicant or applicants shall indicate which high schools are participating in the pilot program. With approval of the charter school, a school district that is selected to participate in the pilot program may also include a charter school authorized by the school district as one of its designated high schools. (2) The commission shall adopt any necessary policies and the department shall adopt any necessary guidelines to implement and administer the pilot program. (3) (a) No later than July 1, 2022, and no later than July 1 each year thereafter, the local education provider of a low-income student who has graduated early during the immediately preceding budget year shall notify the department and the department of education of the student's early graduation, the name of the high school, and the graduation date. The local education provider shall notify the department and the department of education if there is a correction to the information provided pursuant to this subsection (3)(a). (b) (I) In the annual general appropriation act enacted for the budget year that commences in July following the student's early graduation date, the general assembly shall appropriate to the fourth-year innovation pilot program fund, on behalf of each eligible graduate, an amount of money sufficient for payment of the state funding for each eligible graduate. (II) The general assembly shall also appropriate to the department of education in the budget year that commences in July following the student's early graduation an amount sufficient for payment of twenty-five percent of the average state share of the state average per-pupil revenues for the 2021-22 budget year, as calculated during the 2021 regular legislative session, for distribution to the local education provider from which the eligible graduate graduated early prior to completion of the eligible graduate's fourth year of high school. The local education provider is encouraged to direct a portion of the money received pursuant to this subsection (3)(b)(II) to high-quality career and postsecondary counseling and supports to ensure that students who may be eligible for state funding are aware of the pilot program and receive appropriate assistance in determining how to allocate state funding received pursuant to the pilot program to their intended postsecondary program. d to direct a portion of the money received pursuant to this subsection (3)(b)(II) to high-quality career and postsecondary counseling and supports to ensure that students who may be eligible for state funding are aware of the pilot program and receive appropriate assistance in determining how to allocate state funding received pursuant to the pilot program to their intended postsecondary program. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection (3) to the contrary, an eligible graduate is not disqualified from receiving state funding due solely to the local education provider's failure to send the required notice to the department by the deadline set forth in subsection (3)(a) of this section. The department shall request supplemental money, as necessary, to disburse state funding on behalf of all eligible graduates.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1304 Receipt and use of state funding

23-3.3-1304. Receipt and use of state funding. (1) To receive state funding pursuant to the pilot program, an eligible graduate must graduate early from a high school participating in the pilot program. The eligible graduate must commence a postsecondary program within eighteen months after graduating early, or the eligible graduate forfeits the state funding. (2) (a) The department shall disburse state funding on behalf of the eligible graduate to the eligible graduate's postsecondary program within thirty business days after a request is made in the manner determined pursuant to commission policies and department guidelines. The eligible graduate's postsecondary program shall remit to the eligible graduate that portion of state funding remaining after payment of tuition, fees, and other expenses related to the student's cost of attendance that are payable to the postsecondary program. The eligible graduate shall use remaining state funding for the purposes described in subsection (2)(b) of this section. (b) State funding received pursuant to the pilot program must be used for tuition, fees, books, transportation, and other expenses associated with the eligible graduate's cost of attendance, as defined in section 23-3.3-1002, at the postsecondary program, as determined by the department pursuant to federal law, as well as any equipment needed to pursue work-based learning training. (c) The postsecondary program shall ensure that the state funding is used in accordance with the requirements of this section. The department shall disseminate guidelines to participating postsecondary programs clearly describing the allowable uses of state funding under this section and establishing the expectation that the postsecondary programs ensure appropriate use of state funding. (3) In order to receive funding as a postsecondary program pursuant to this part 13, the postsecondary program must have qualified instructors consistent with the postsecondary program's accreditation or authorization, and: (a) A training program provider must be in compliance with all eligibility and quality requirements for funding under the federal "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act", 29 U.S.C. sec. 3101 et seq., referred to in this section as "WIOA", and be subject to the equal opportunity and nondiscrimination requirements of WIOA and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 38; and (b) An institution of higher education shall comply with all state and local safety requirements and with federal laws prohibiting discriminating against students, including Title IX of the "Education Amendments of 1972", the "Americans with Disabilities Act", section 504 of the "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", Title VI of the "Civil Rights Act of 1964", and the "Age Discrimination Act of 1975", and any other federal discrimination statutes.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1305 Reporting requirements

23-3.3-1305. Reporting requirements. (1) On or before November 1, 2022, and on or before November 1 of each year thereafter in which state funding is disbursed on behalf of an eligible graduate, the department shall submit a report to the department of education, the governor's office of state planning and budgeting, the joint budget committee, and the education committees of the house of representatives and of the senate, or their successor committees, which report must include, at a minimum, the following data and information, as applicable: (a) The number of eligible graduates receiving state funding in the current budget year and the high schools from which the eligible graduates graduated; (b) The amount of state funding awarded to each eligible graduate for the applicable budget year and the amount of state funding, if any, remitted to an eligible graduate by the postsecondary program pursuant to section 23-3.3-1304 (2)(a); (c) Demographic data of eligible graduates receiving state funding; (d) The amount of money disbursed to a local education provider for students who graduated early in the prior budget year; (e) The postsecondary program for which the eligible graduate used the state funding; (f) The number of students who have requested state funding for the current budget year prior to the date of the report, the total amount of state funding requested, the estimated total expenditures from the fund in the current budget year, and the amount of state funding that has been forfeited or is projected to be forfeited for the current budget year; (g) Requested adjustments to the appropriation for the pilot program and recommendations for changes to the implementation of the pilot program or statutory language, if any; and (h) Outcomes and data described in subsection (3) of this section for eligible graduates who received state funding. (2) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I) to the contrary, the reporting requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this section continue indefinitely. (3) (a) The department of labor and employment shall communicate the reporting expectations under the federal "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act", 29 U.S.C. sec. 3101 et seq., to all approved training providers receiving state funding pursuant to this part 13 to ensure that participation and employment outcomes for early graduates are included in existing department of labor and employment reporting. (b) The department shall communicate reporting expectations to institutions of higher education receiving state funding pursuant to this part 13 to ensure that early graduates are included in existing department data collections regarding outcomes such as completion rates, earnings, and employment outcomes. (c) To the extent practicable, postsecondary programs receiving state funding pursuant to this part 13 shall conduct an assessment to determine why an early graduate who left the postsecondary program prior to completion left the postsecondary program. (4) On or before November 1, 2026, the department, in collaboration with the department of education, shall submit a final evaluation to the governor's office of state planning and budgeting, the joint budget committee, and the education committees of the house of representatives and of the senate, or their successor committees, which must be posted to the department's website and include, at a minimum, the following: (a) Analysis of all the data collected pursuant to the annual reporting requirements of this section to assess the impacts and outcomes of the pilot program on the student cohorts participating in the pilot program; (b) Objective measures of changes in student behavior resulting from implementation of the pilot program, including whether a student enrolled in a participating school is: (I) More likely to graduate early; and (II) More likely to enroll in a postsecondary program, if the student graduated early; pacts and outcomes of the pilot program on the student cohorts participating in the pilot program; (b) Objective measures of changes in student behavior resulting from implementation of the pilot program, including whether a student enrolled in a participating school is: (I) More likely to graduate early; and (II) More likely to enroll in a postsecondary program, if the student graduated early; (c) Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the pilot program, including the impact on the state budget of the pilot program's incentives for school districts and students when students graduate from high school a single semester or a year early; (d) Other information relevant to the costs, benefits, successes, and challenges of the pilot program; and (e) Recommendations concerning the feasibility and advisability of continuing the pilot program beyond the pilot stage and changes, if any, that are needed to continue the program beyond the pilot stage. (5) (a) The department, in collaboration with the department of education, may request, and participating local education providers shall provide, data necessary to complete the final evaluation required in subsection (4) of this section. (b) Student data collected pursuant to subsection (4) of this section and this subsection (5) must be disaggregated by gender, grade level, local education provider type, ethnicity, disability, English language learner status, free and reduced-price lunch status, and housing status to the maximum extent possible in compliance with the "Colorado Privacy Act", established pursuant to part 13 of article 1 of title 6; the federal "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Rights Act of 1974", 20 U.S.C. sec. 1232g; and the "Student Data Transparency and Security Act" created pursuant to article 16 of title 22. The department and the department of education shall maintain strict standards for student data privacy; comply with standards for reporting data for a student with an accommodation pursuant to section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", 29 U.S.C. sec. 701 et seq., as amended, and its implementing regulations, or a student with an individualized education plan; and shall not publicly report individual student data for any purpose.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1306 Fourth-year innovation pilot program fund - creation - reversion

23-3.3-1306. Fourth-year innovation pilot program fund - creation - reversion. (1) There is created in the state treasury the fourth-year innovation pilot program fund. The fund consists of money appropriated or transferred to the fund by the general assembly on behalf of eligible graduates. (2) The state treasurer shall credit all interest and income derived from the deposit and investment of money in the fund to the fund. (3) The department shall notify the state treasurer of the amount of any forfeited state funding for eligible graduates remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year. The state treasurer shall transfer the amount of any forfeited state funding remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year to the general fund. Other than forfeited state funding transferred to the general fund pursuant to this subsection (3), money in the fund at the end of the fiscal year remains in the fund and is not transferred to the general fund until the repeal of this part 13 pursuant to section 23-3.3-1307. (4) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the department for disbursements of state funding on behalf of eligible graduates.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1307 Repeal of part

23-3.3-1307. Repeal of part. This part 13 is repealed, effective December 31, 2027.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1401 Financial aid for students who have been in out-of-home placement - institution liaisons - navigators - definitions

23-3.3-1401. Financial aid for students who have been in out-of-home placement - institution liaisons - navigators - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Chafee ETV grant" means an educational and training vouchers program grant made pursuant to the federal "John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood", 42 U.S.C. sec. 677. (b) "Cost of attendance" has the same meaning as set forth in section 23-3.3-1002. (c) "Institution of higher education" or "institution" means a state institution of higher education, as defined in section 23-18-102 (10)(a); local district college, as defined in section 23-71-102; or area technical college, as defined in section 23-60-103. (d) "Qualifying student" means a resident of Colorado who has been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education who: (I) Has been in foster care, as defined in section 19-1-103, in Colorado at any time on or after the student's thirteenth birthday; or (II) Has been in noncertified kinship care, as defined in section 19-1-103, in Colorado at any time on or after the student's thirteenth birthday and was, at any time, adjudicated neglected or dependent pursuant to article 3 of title 19. (2) (a) Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, each institution of higher education in the state shall provide financial assistance to a qualifying student for the remaining balance of the student's total cost of attendance in excess of the amount of any private, state, or federal financial assistance received by the student, referred to in this section as "remaining balance financial assistance", during the first one hundred thirty-two semester hours or one hundred ninety-eight quarter hours that the student is enrolled in the financial assistance program created pursuant to this part 14. (b) In order to receive remaining balance financial assistance, the qualifying student must: (I) Complete the free application for federal student aid, including, if applicable, acknowledging past or current foster care placement; (II) If eligible, complete the application for a Chafee ETV grant; (III) Be enrolled in courses leading toward a bachelor's degree, a postgraduate degree, an associate degree, or a certificate of completion at an institution of higher education; (IV) Request the financial assistance in accordance with policies set forth by the institution; and (V) Remain in satisfactory academic standing in accordance with the academic policies of the institution and be making progress toward completion of the requirements of the educational program in which the student is enrolled. (3) The general assembly shall appropriate money to the commission to cover fifty percent of providing remaining balance financial assistance to qualifying students. Subject to available appropriations, the commission shall provide funding to an institution equal to fifty percent of the remaining balance financial assistance provided by the institution. (4) The commission shall promulgate rules necessary for the administration of this section. (5) (a) Each institution shall designate one employee as a liaison to serve as a direct point of contact with the institution for qualifying students and prospective qualifying students. The liaison may have other duties unrelated to work as the liaison. The liaison shall provide qualifying students and prospective qualifying students with information regarding application assistance, financial assistance, support services, and other resources and assistance available to qualifying students and prospective qualifying students. Each institution shall publicize the availability of financial assistance pursuant to this part 14 on the institution's website and notify qualifying students of their eligibility. ive qualifying students with information regarding application assistance, financial assistance, support services, and other resources and assistance available to qualifying students and prospective qualifying students. Each institution shall publicize the availability of financial assistance pursuant to this part 14 on the institution's website and notify qualifying students of their eligibility. (b) Each institution shall provide the foster care student navigators described in subsection (6) of this section with the contact information for the liaison. (6) The department of higher education shall designate four full-time equivalent employees as foster care student navigators to assist prospective qualifying students in applying for and enrolling in institutions of higher education. The navigators shall work with school district and state charter school institute child welfare education liaisons, described in section 22-32-138 (2), to identify prospective qualifying students. A navigator shall provide guidance to prospective qualifying students with selecting institutions and programs in which the student may want to enroll. A navigator shall, at the request of a student, assist the student with completing an institution's application for admission, the free application for federal student aid, and, if eligible, the application for a Chafee ETV grant.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1501 Definitions

23-3.3-1501. Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Cost of attendance" has the same meaning as set forth in section 23-3.3-1002. (2) "Department" means the department of higher education created in section 24-1-114. (3) "Financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness" or "financial assistance program" means the financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness created in section 23-3.3-1502. (4) "Institution of higher education" or "institution" means a state institution of higher education, as defined in section 23-18-102 (10)(a); local district college, as defined in section 23-71-102; or area technical college, as defined in section 23-60-103. (5) "Qualifying student" means a resident of Colorado who has been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education and who: (a) Has been identified by designated school personnel as a homeless child or youth pursuant to section 725 of the federal "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 11434a while residing in Colorado at any time between the start of ninth grade and the end of twelfth grade; and (b) Will be seventeen years of age or older but under twenty-seven years of age at the time of financial assistance receipt.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1502 Financial aid for students who have experienced homelessness - creation - purpose - rules

23-3.3-1502. Financial aid for students who have experienced homelessness - creation - purpose - rules. (1) (a) The financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness is created in the department. The purpose of the program is to increase access to postsecondary education for students who have experienced homelessness during high school. (b) Beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, each institution of higher education in the state shall provide financial assistance to a qualifying student for the remaining balance of the student's total cost of attendance in excess of the amount of any private, state, or federal financial assistance received by the qualifying student during the first one hundred thirty-two semester credit hours or one hundred ninety-eight quarter credit hours that the qualifying student is enrolled in the financial assistance program. (c) In order to receive the remaining balance of financial assistance, the qualifying student must: (I) Complete the free application for federal student aid or the Colorado application for state financial aid, including, if applicable, acknowledging past or current experience of homelessness; (II) Request the financial assistance in accordance with policies set forth by the institution; (III) Be enrolled in courses leading toward the qualifying student's first bachelor's degree, associate degree, or certificate of completion at an accredited institution of higher education; and (IV) Remain in satisfactory academic standing in accordance with the academic policies of the institution and make progress toward the completion of the requirements of the educational program in which the qualifying student is enrolled. (2) The general assembly shall appropriate money to the commission to cover fifty percent of the cost of providing the remaining balance of financial assistance to qualifying students. Subject to available appropriations, the commission shall provide funding to an institution equal to fifty percent of the remaining balance of financial assistance provided by the institution. (3) (a) The commission shall promulgate rules necessary for the administration of this section. (b) Each institution shall adopt policies for the administration of the financial assistance program.

C.R.S. § 23-3.3-1503 Financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness - program liaison - program navigator - data-sharing

23-3.3-1503. Financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness - program liaison - program navigator - data-sharing. (1) Each institution shall designate one employee as a liaison to serve as a point of contact for qualifying students and prospective qualifying students. The liaison may have other duties unrelated to work as the liaison. The liaison shall provide qualifying students and prospective qualifying students with information regarding application assistance, financial assistance, support services, and other resources and assistance that are available. Each institution shall publicize the availability of the financial assistance program for students experiencing homelessness on the institution's website and notify qualifying students of their eligibility. (2) (a) The department shall employ at least one full-time equivalent position as a navigator for students experiencing homelessness to support school districts' homeless education liaisons, described in section 22-33-103.5 (7), designated high school personnel, and prospective qualifying students in applying for and enrolling in institutions of higher education. The navigator shall work with school districts' homeless education liaisons and high school counselors or other designated personnel to support the identification of prospective qualifying students. The navigator shall provide support to school districts' homeless education liaisons, designated high school personnel, and prospective qualifying students in selecting institutions and programs in which the prospective qualifying student may want to enroll. The navigator shall, at the request of a prospective qualifying student, assist the prospective qualifying student with the completion of an institution's application for admission, the free application for federal student aid, or the Colorado application for state financial aid. (b) Each institution shall provide the navigator with the contact information for the institution's liaison designated pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. (3) The department shall enter into a data-sharing agreement with the department of education to share personally identifiable student information for the purpose of identifying and supporting prospective qualifying students. At a minimum, the data-sharing agreement must ensure that the exchange of information is conducted in compliance with the "Colorado Privacy Act", part 13 of article 1 of title 6; the federal "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Rights Act of 1974", 20 U.S.C. sec. 1232g, as amended; and the "Student Data Transparency and Security Act", article 16 of title 22. The departments shall maintain strict standards for student data privacy and shall not publicly report individual student data for any purpose.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-23.docxFetched: 10/6/2026