3D834874B036D4618725847E005567DD Hearing Summary

Shelley Banker, Director, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI), introduced herself to the committee.  Her presentation can be accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/cosi_presentation_to_interim_committee.pdf.  COSI was established in 2014 in order to increase the attainment of post-secondary credentials and degrees for underserved students in Colorado.  Ms. Banker discussed the program's advisory board makeup, COSI's requirements for students, the four focus points of the program, and its implementation since 2014.  Ms. Banker explained matching student scholarship grants and a "reduced match," which the board designated as a way to offset a match from a community. She also discussed wrap around programs, called community partner program grants, which increase supports for Colorado students in the completion of certificate and degree programs. There is a pre-collegiate model, which focuses on college choice and enrollment and provides centers in high schools to serve students.  COSI also has a postsecondary model, which provides a support counselor on higher education institution campuses to serve COSI scholars on campus.  She discussed the success of COSI scholarships and community partner programs, as well as other program outcomes.

Ms. Banker responded to questions from the committee regarding the demand for COSI scholarships. She discussed the limitations of the wrap-around support services and answered questions about recommendations from the Joint Budget Committee, which include a proposal to ensure that dollar amounts committed for scholarships in current and future years are protected until they are used.