Representative Ricks, bill sponsor, introduced and gave opening remarks on HB21-1330.

The bill makes changes to higher education programs, including allocating federal funding for multiple purposes, creating the Colorado Re-engaged Initiative (CORE) initiative, and modifying the ability of community colleges and local district colleges to offer a bachelor’s degree in applied science, among other changes.  

Institution allocations of federal funds. The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) board must allocate federal funds to public institutions of higher education as follows:

• 50 percent based on each institution’s headcount enrollment of undergraduate, in-state students in FY 2019-20 whose expected family contribution does not exceed 250 percent of the maximum Pell-eligible contribution, and other criteria by rule; and
• 50 percent based on each institution’s full-time equivalent enrollment of undergraduate, in-state students in FY 2019-20 whose expected family contribution does not exceed 250 percent of the maximum Pell-eligible contribution, and other criteria by rule.

To receive a funding distribution, institutions must submit a student assistance plan detailing how the funds will be used to support in-state, undergraduate students who earned some credits, but did not complete a credential before deciding not to enroll, or who were admitted in 2019-20 or 2020-21 academic years but did not enroll at any institution during the 2020-21 academic year.  The board must review and approve the plans, and the bill establishes reporting requirements for institutions and COSI.

Federal funds - student aid application grant program.  The bill creates the Student Aid Application Completion Grant Program in COSI to provide grants to local education providers to implement strategies to increase the number of students who complete student aid applications before graduating from high school.  The bill specifies application and reporting requirements, and provides $1.5 million in federal coronavirus recovery funds for grants.  The board must prioritize applicants who partner with a community-based nonprofit organization or institution of higher education, and must consult with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

CORE initiative.  The bill creates CORE initiative to authorize certain institutions to award associate’s degrees to eligible students who enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, earn at least 70 credit hours, and withdraw from the institution prior to completing the degree.   Eligible students must have completed general education requirements and other required courses, must not have been enrolled for at least two consecutive semesters, and may not have transferred directly from a community college.   Eligible institutions must have approval from their accrediting agency to participate, and must not offer programs specifically designed to lead to an associate’s degree, with some exceptions.

Associate’s degrees offered through CORE are not considered in determining an institution’s funding. The Department of Higher Education (DHE) must publicize the program and work with institutions to identify eligible students and notify them of their eligibility, and institutions must determine eligibility, issue the associate’s degree, and advise the student on how to re-enroll to complete the bachelor’s degree.  The bill establishes reporting requirements for participating institutions.

Bachelors of applied science degrees.  The bill repeals the requirement that the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) approve proposals for community colleges to offer bachelors of applied science degrees.  It allows community colleges and local district colleges to offer bachelors of applied science degrees with the approval of their governing boards.  The governing boards must notify CCHE of any such degree it approves.

Working groups.  The bill creates two working groups and specifies the member composition and reporting deadlines for each one.  First, the CCHE must convene a working group by August 1, 2021, to review the role and mission and service area of each institution of higher education, the interaction between institutions with the state workforce development council, and possible uses of federal coronavirus funds.  Additionally, DHE must convene a task force to recommended ways to increase the number of students who complete student aid applications prior to graduation.

In-state tuition eligibility.  The bill allows institutions of higher education to grant in-state tuition to a person who moves to Colorado to accept a job with an employer that will pay the person’s tuition. The person must demonstrate intent to establish a permanent domicile in the state, and is not eligible for the College Opportunity Fund stipend.  The bill also clarifies provisions concerning in-state tuition for minor children who move to Colorado during their senior year of high school.

Representative McCluskie, bill sponsor, gave opening remarks on the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the bill sponsors.

Tony Frank, Colorado State University System, testified in support of the bill. Shelley Banker, Colorado Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill. Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Ricks and Representative McCluskie gave final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.