Second Regular Session
Seventy-third General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 22-0979.01 Jerry Barry x4341
HOUSE BILL 22-1366
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING INCREASING ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY WORKFORCE101
READINESS WITH FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION .102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill establishes a number of new programs concerning
postsecondary career and education options for students, including:
! Establishing the postsecondary, workforce, career, and
education grant program in the department of education
(CDE) to provide grants to local education providers to
improve the training of school educators and
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Kipp,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Bridges,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. administrators, to support students and families in
developing career and education plans for after high
school, and to increase the number of students for whom
applications for free financial aid are completed;
! Creating regional postsecondary and workforce
coordinators in the CDE to train educators concerning
financial aspects of postsecondary options;
! Updating the financial literacy resource bank to include
more information and training concerning postsecondary
financial aid;
! Creating stipends for teachers who successfully complete
financial aid training;
! Adding a requirement to individual career and
postsecondary education plans to include information about
available state and federal financial aid;
! Requiring the department of higher education (CDHE) to
use technology to assist students and families in completing
postsecondary state and federal financial aid applications;
and
! Requiring the CDHE to make certain improvements to
streamline the Colorado application for financial aid.
The bill appropriates money for each of the programs and specifies
that the CDE and the CDHE may use the money appropriated in
subsequent years without additional appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Research shows that education and training culminating in4
credentials, such as industry certificates, trade school certificates,5
apprenticeships, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees, among other6
business and industry-based experiences, are necessary to earn a living7
wage in Colorado. Completion of the federal or state financial aid8
applications are key components of understanding how additional9
education beyond high school can be financially supported. Completion10
of federal or state financial aid applications supports access to these11
HB22-1366-2- career pathway options, as they are vehicles to support paying for tuition,1
fees, equipment, and other expenses associated with additional training2
beyond high school.3
(b) An understanding of how to access these career-aligned4
resources and supports is integral to navigating training and education5
resources for students and families. Financial literacy education and6
Colorado's individual career and academic plan can help families7
understand how to obtain federal or state financial aid to support students8
in pursuing additional education and career training.9
(c) Research shows that students and families who do not10
complete financial aid forms do so for one or more of the following11
reasons:12
(I) (A) Students and families are unaware of the true cost of13
attending postsecondary options and the resources available to pay for14
education and training that might be available by federal or state financial15
aid forms; or16
(B) A false belief that grants or scholarships are unavailable based17
on family resources and income levels;18
(II) Students and families often do not have the required tax19
information available due to individual or family circumstances or needed20
support to acquire that information or fill out complex forms, which leads21
to students not completing and submitting federal financial aid or state22
financial aid documents; and23
(III) Students and families fear incurring debt for postsecondary24
education because of the potential difficulty in paying back those loans;25
(d) In 2023, the free application for federal student aid will be26
simplified, reducing the number of questions from 100 to 30 and reducing27
HB22-1366
-3- the financial information needed through the federal "FAFSA1
Simplification Act";2
(e) More broadly, Colorado students have the opportunity to3
magnify the impact of state investments in higher education by accessing4
federal dollars to pursue postsecondary education and a credential of5
value to enhance income earning potential. It is estimated that more than6
$30 million in federal resources could be leveraged each year by7
Colorado students completing federal and state financial aid applications.8
(f) Completing federal and state financial aid applications requires9
support among students and their families, K-12 college and career10
readiness programs, and higher education institutions for academic and11
workforce training.12
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-7-1015.5 as13
follows:14
22-7-1015.5. Postsecondary, workforce, career, and education15
grant program - created - application - criteria - awards -16
appropriation - repeal. (1) T
HERE IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF17
EDUCATION, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS THE "DEPARTMENT", THE18
POSTSECONDARY, WORKFORCE, CAREER, AND EDUCATION GRANT19
PROGRAM, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS THE "GRANT PROGRAM", TO20
AWARD GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THE21
POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND TO INCREASE THE22
NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL23
STUDENT AID, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS "FAFSA", AND THE24
C
OLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID , REFERRED TO IN THIS25
SECTION AS "CASFA". EACH GRANT HAS A TERM OF THREE YEARS26
BEGINNING IN THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR. IN MAKING A GRANT27
HB22-1366
-4- AWARD, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SPECIFY THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT .1
(2) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE THE GRANT MONEY TO2
THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS THAT RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE3
FOLLOWING PURPOSES:4
(a) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ,5
FAMILIES, AND SCHOOL LEADERS REGARDING THE FAFSA AND6
APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID , AND THE BENEFITS OF7
COMPLETING THE FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID ;8
(b) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO STUDENTS9
AND FAMILIES REGARDING THE STEPS REQUIRED TO COMPL ETE THE FAFSA10
AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID ;11
(c) T
RAINING SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS ON12
BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH FILLING OUT13
THE FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID , WITH AN14
EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY LOW15
COMPLETION RATES OF THE FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE16
STUDENT AID;17
(d) O
RGANIZING AND HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND18
FAMILIES TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE19
FAFSA
OR APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID;20
(e) I
NCORPORATING COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL21
STUDENT AID AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID INTO22
INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS23
22-32-109
AND 22-30.5-525; AND24
(f) C
OLLABORATING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER25
EDUCATION'S EFFORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-3.3-1007 TO SUPPORT26
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN EXPLORING POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS27
HB22-1366
-5- UNDER THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURSUANT TO1
SECTIONS 22-32-109 AND 22-30.5-525.2
(3) A
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SEEKING A GRANT MUST3
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT . THE DEPARTMENT SHALL4
REVIEW EACH GRANT APPLICATION RECEIVED AND DETERMINE WHETHER5
AND IN WHAT AMOUNT A GRANT SHOULD BE AWARDED TO THE LOCAL6
EDUCATION PROVIDER. IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES AN APPLICATION7
IS MISSING ANY INFORMATION REQUIRED BY RULE TO BE INCLUDED WITH8
THE APPLICATION, THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTACT THE LOCAL9
EDUCATION PROVIDER TO OBTAIN THE MISSING INFORMATION .10
(4) A
T A MINIMUM, EACH GRANT APPLICATION MUST SPECIFY :11
(a) T
HE CURRENT PROGRAMS RELATED TO COLLEGE AND CAREER12
READINESS DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-7-1015 AND INDIVIDUAL13
CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURS UANT TO SECTIONS 22-32-109 AND14
22-30.5-525
THAT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER USES ;15
(b) W
HETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS ENTERED16
INTO, OR HAS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISHING, ONE OR MORE PARTNERSHIPS17
WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION OR POSTSECONDARY SERVICE18
PROVIDERS IN COLORADO TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND19
EFFECTIVENESS OF CAREER COUNSELING AND POSTSECONDARY20
PREPARATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OR21
RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM THE EDUCATION PROVIDER ;22
(c) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S PLAN FOR USE OF THE23
GRANT MONEY, INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GRANT MONEY24
WILL BE USED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE25
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS AT THE LOCAL26
EDUCATION PROVIDER'S HIGH SCHOOLS SERVED BY THE GRANT AND TO27
HB22-1366
-6- PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPM ENT FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND1
OTHER EDUCATORS ON WORK -BASED LEARNING, COMPLETION OF FEDERAL2
AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS , AND INTEGRATION OF ALL3
POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS INTO THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC4
PLANS FOR STUDENTS;5
(d) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S PLAN FOR INVOLVING6
EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S7
SCHOOLS PROVIDING POSTSECONDAR Y PREPARATION SUPPORTS ;8
(e) T
HE EXTENT TO WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS9
DEVELOPED OR PLANS TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS TO SERVE THE10
POSTSECONDARY NEEDS OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OR11
RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM THE LOCAL EDUCATION12
PROVIDER;13
(f) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER'S USE OF DISTRICT-LEVEL OR14
SCHOOL-LEVEL EXISTING AND POTENTIAL PROGRAMMING FOR15
POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE READINESS , AS DEFINED IN SECTION16
22-7-1008;17
(g) W
HETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER INTENDS TO18
PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS TO AUGMENT ANY GRANT MONEY RECEIVED19
FROM THE PROGRAM AND THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT AND SOURCE OF ANY20
MATCHING FUNDS; AND21
(h) W
HETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER NEEDS TO UPDATE22
THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLAN PROCESS TO23
ACCOMMODATE REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-2-136 (1),24
INCLUDING FINANCIAL AID FORM INFORMATION , OR FINANCIAL LITERACY25
CURRICULUM PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-2-127.26
(5) I
N REVIEWING APPLICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONSIDER27
HB22-1366
-7- THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER CRITERIA ADOPTED1
BY RULE OF THE STATE BOARD:2
(a) H
IGH SCHOOLS WITH LOW POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL3
ATTAINMENT RATES;4
(b) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S HIGH SCHOOLS WITH LOW5
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION COMPLETION RATES ;6
AND7
(c) T
HE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION8
PROVIDER. THE DEPARTMENT MAY PRIORITIZE AWARDING GRANTS TO9
RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO10
RURAL LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS REQUESTING SUPPORT .11
(6) (a) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE12
DEPARTMENT SHALL AWARD GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS13
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. EACH GRANT HAS A TERM OF THREE YEARS14
BEGINNING IN THE 2022-23 BUDGET YEAR. IN MAKING A GRANT AWARD ,15
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SPECIFY THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT .16
(b) A
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER THAT RECEIVES A GRANT17
SHALL USE THE MONEY FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES :18
(I) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING TO STUDENTS , FAMILIES, AND19
EDUCATORS INFORMATI ON ABOUT AND STEPS TO COMPLETE THE FEDERAL20
AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS;21
(II) T
RAINING SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS ON22
BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH FILLING OUT23
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON24
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY LOW COMPLETION25
RATES OF FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS ;26
(III) O
RGANIZING AND HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS27
HB22-1366
-8- AND FAMILIES TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO ASSIST IN COMPLETING1
THE FAFSA OR APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID; AND2
(IV) U
PDATING THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S INDIVIDUAL3
CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLAN PROCESS WITH FI NANCIAL AID INFORMATION4
AND COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION FORMS .5
(7) T
HE DEPARTMENT MAY EXPEND NO MORE THAN THREE6
PERCENT OF THE MONEY ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM TO7
OFFSET THE COSTS INCURRED IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM , INCLUDING8
THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RURAL LOCAL EDUCATION9
PROVIDERS, GRANT-RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT , TRAINING,10
AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES.11
(8) O
N OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, AND ON OR BEFORE12
S
EPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR THEREAFTER FOR THE LENGTH OF THE GRANT ,13
EACH LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVING GRANT MONEY PURSUANT14
TO THIS SECTION SHALL REPORT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE15
DEPARTMENT:16
(a) A
COMPARISON OF THE DROPOUT RATES , AND THE COLLEGE17
MATRICULATION AND REMEDIATION RATES , IF APPLICABLE, AT THE HIGH18
SCHOOLS SERVED BY THE GRANT FOR THE YEARS PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF THE19
GRANT AND THE YEARS FOR WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER20
RECEIVES THE GRANT; AND21
(b) A
COMPARISON OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED22
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR PRIOR23
TO WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVED THE GRANT , IF24
AVAILABLE, AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED FEDERAL25
AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS26
THE EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVES THE GRANT .27
HB22-1366
-9- (9) NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), ON OR1
BEFORE OCTOBER 15, 2023, AND ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15 EACH YEAR2
THEREAFTER FOR THE LENGTH OF THE GRANT , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL3
SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE4
OF REPRESENTATIVES, OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , A REPORT THAT,5
AT A MINIMUM, SUMMARIZES THE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE6
DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (8) OF THIS SECTION AND THAT7
THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER8
EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-1-113 (9). THE DEPARTMENT SHALL9
ALSO POST THE REPORT TO ITS WEBSITE.10
(10) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL11
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT FIVE MILLION12
DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM PURSUANT13
TO THIS SECTION. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING AT THE END OF14
THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS APPROPRIATION :15
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;16
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR17
2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND18
(III) M
UST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN19
THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.20
(11) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2027.21
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-7-1015, amend22
(4)(c); and add (4)(e), (4)(f), and (4)(g) as follows:23
22-7-1015. Postsecondary and workforce readiness program24
- technical assistance - appropriation. (4) The department of education,25
the department of higher education, and the state institutions of higher26
education, upon request, shall provide support to local education27
HB22-1366
-10- providers in implementing postsecondary and workforce readiness.1
Beginning with the 2009-10 budget year, the department of education and2
the department of higher education may include in their annual budget3
requests an amount necessary to offset the costs incurred in complying4
with this section. Support may include, but need not be limited to:5
(c) Providing professional development for educators; and6
(e) E
STABLISHING SUPPORT THROUGH REGIONAL POSTSECONDARY7
AND WORKFORCE READINESS COORDINATORS FOR TRAINING THAT ALIGNS8
WITH FINANCIAL AID, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENT9
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION AND STUDENT STATE FINANCIAL AID10
APPLICATION COMPLETION;11
(f) (I) S
UPPORTING THE NUMBER OF REGIONAL INDIVI DUAL CAREER12
AND ACADEMIC PLAN COORDINATORS IN THE STATE AND UPDATING THE13
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE COORDINATORS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL14
AID INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS ;15
(II) R
EQUIRING THE REGIONAL INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC16
PLAN COORDINATORS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND OUTREACH17
TO SCHOOLS AND COORDINATE WITH THE OUTREACH TEAM IN THE18
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION19
23-1-119
(6).20
(g) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL21
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWENTY -FIVE22
THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PROGRAMS23
DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(f) OF THIS SECTION. ANY UNEXPENDED24
MONEY REMAINING AT THE END OF THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM25
THIS APPROPRIATION:26
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;27
HB22-1366
-11- (II) MAY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR1
2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND2
(III) M
UST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN3
THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (4)(f) OF THIS SECTION.4
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-2-127, add (7) as5
follows:6
22-2-127. Financial literacy - resource bank - technical7
assistance - definitions - appropriation - repeal. (7) (a) T
HE8
DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER9
EDUCATION, SHALL:10
(I) U
PDATE FINANCIAL LITERACY INFORMATION AND TRAINING11
PROVIDED TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO INCLUDE DETAILED12
RESOURCES AND TOOLS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID , ACCESS TO FINANCIAL AID13
TOOLS, AND APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSES BEGINNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL14
OR EARLIER; AND15
(II) D
EVELOP FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING OPTIONS ALIGNED16
WITH FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION , FEDERAL AND STATE APPLICATION17
PROCESSES, AND UNDERLYING FINANCIAL LITERACY PRINCIPLES , SUCH AS18
IN-DEMAND, HIGH-WAGE JOBS AND THE NECESSARY TRAINING LEADING TO19
THOSE JOBS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIORITIZE PROVIDING TRAINING TO20
FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATORS , CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION21
INSTRUCTORS, COUNSELORS, AND PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS THOSE22
WORKING IN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT .23
(b) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL24
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWO HUNDRED25
SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE26
PROGRAMS PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (7). ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY27
HB22-1366
-12- REMAINING AT THE END OF THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS1
APPROPRIATION:2
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;3
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR4
2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND5
(III) M
UST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN6
THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION (7).7
(c) T
HIS SUBSECTION (7) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.8
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-2-127.1 as9
follows:10
22-2-127.1. Stipends for financial aid training - definitions -11
appropriation - repeal. (1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE12
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :13
(a) "E
LIGIBLE PARTICIPANT" MEANS AN EDUCATOR WHO14
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES TRAINING IN FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION15
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT .16
(b) "L
OCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER" MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, A17
CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY A SC HOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART18
1
OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY19
THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE20
30.5
OF THIS TITLE 22, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED21
AND OPERATING PURS UANT TO ARTICLE 5 OF THIS TITLE 22 THAT22
OPERATES ONE OR MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS .23
(c) "T
RAINING TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION24
AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES " OR "TRAINING" MEANS A25
TRAINING CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND26
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON IMPROVING THE27
HB22-1366
-13- COMPLETION RATE OF STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR1
FEDERAL STUDENT AID AND THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE2
FINANCIAL AID.3
(2) B
EGINNING WITH THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, FOR4
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE TRAINING TO5
IMPROVE FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND6
FAMILIES, THE DEPARTMENT, SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS ,7
SHALL AWARD TO THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT A ONE -TIME STIPEND IN THE8
AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS .9
(3) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL10
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWO HUNDRED11
THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO BE USED FOR THE12
STIPENDS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION . ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY13
REMAINING AT THE END OF THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS14
APPROPRIATION:15
(a) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER16
FUND;17
(b) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR18
2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEARS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND19
(c) M
UST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE20
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.21
(4) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.22
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-32-109, amend23
(1)(oo)(III)(B.5) and (1)(oo)(III)(C); and add (1)(oo)(III)(D) as follows:24
22-32-109. Board of education - specific duties - definitions. (1)25
In addition to any other duty required to be performed by law, each board26
of education has the following specific duties:27
HB22-1366
-14- (oo) (III) At a minimum, each public school shall ensure that, in1
developing and maintaining each student's ICAP, the counselor or teacher2
explains to the student's parent or legal guardian, by electronic mail or3
other written form, and to the student:4
(B.5) The teaching career pathway created pursuant to section5
23-60-110, the career opportunities to which the pathway leads, and6
information concerning participation in the TREP program created in7
section 22-35-108.5; and8
(C) The skills and educational opportunities available through9
military enlistment. In discussing military enlistment with a student and10
his or her parent, each public school is encouraged to provide to the11
student information concerning the military enlistment test;
AND12
(D) T
HE AVAILABILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING THE13
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR THE COLORADO14
APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID , OR SUCCESSOR FORMS FOR15
ACCESSING FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID , AND THE AVAILABILITY16
OF HELP IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, IF REQUESTED.17
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-119, add (6) as18
follows:19
23-1-119. Department directive - transition between K-1220
education system and postsecondary education system. (6) (a) T
HE21
DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN OUTREACH TEAM TO PROVIDE22
TRAINING TO AND ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT23
AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL24
DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF TITLE 22, CHARTER25
SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE26
PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF TITLE 22, OR A BOARD OF27
HB22-1366
-15- COOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE1
5
OF TITLE 22 THAT OPERATES ONE OR MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ASSIST2
THEM IN PREPARING STUDENTS TO TRANSITION FROM THE K-123
EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE TEAM SHALL ALSO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND4
TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS IN WORKFORCE CENTERS , INDIVIDUALS IN5
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, AND FOSTER YOUTH.6
(b) T
HE TRAINING MUST INCLUDE:7
(I) C
AREER ADVISING AS PART OF STUDENT'S INDIVIDUAL CAREER8
AND EDUCATION PLANS;9
(II) F
INANCIAL LITERACY, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE FREE10
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID AND THE COLORADO11
APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID;12
(III) H
OW TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF FEDERAL AND STATE13
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS;14
(IV) T
HE IMPORTANCE OF, AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF, ALL15
POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS ;16
(V) T
HE AVAILABILITY OF STATE FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS AND17
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ; AND18
(VI) T
HE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE AND MISSION.19
(c) T
HE TRAINING MUST BE AVAILABLE TO EDUCATORS IN20
CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRAINING APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION21
22-2-127.1.22
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-3.3-106 and23
23-3.3-107 as follows:24
23-3.3-106. Technology to support FAFSA and CASFA -25
definitions. (1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT26
OTHERWISE REQUIRES:27
HB22-1366
-16- (a) "CASFA" MEANS THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE1
FINANCIAL AID.2
(b) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER3
EDUCATION.4
(c) "FAFSA"
MEANS THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL5
STUDENT AID.6
(d) "L
OCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER" MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, A7
CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT PURS UANT TO PART8
1
OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF TITLE 22, A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE9
STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE 30.510
OF TITLE 22, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED AND11
OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 5 OF TITLE 22 THAT OPERATES ONE OR12
MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.13
(2) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE TECHNOLOGY TO ASSIST IN14
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE FAFSA AND15
CASFA
FORMS. ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT16
SHALL DEVELOP A TOOL KIT AND TRAINING OUTLINING WEB TOOLS AND17
RESOURCES FOR USE BY HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS , MIDDLE18
AND HIGH SCHOOLS, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE19
COMPLETION OF FAFSA AND CASFA FORMS. THE TOOL KIT MUST20
INCLUDE FREE RESOURCES, INCLUDING:21
(I) N
ET PRICE CALCULATORS AND INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO22
USE CALCULATORS TO OUTLINE RESOURCES AVAILABLE BASED ON23
FINANCIAL NEED;24
(II) S
UPPORTS FOR POPULATIONS OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE25
ACCOMMODATIONS AS OUTLINED BY THE FAFSA OR YOUTH WHO MAY BE26
CONSIDERED INDEPENDENT ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF27
HB22-1366
-17- EDUCATION POLICIES, INCLUDING:1
(A) Y
OUTH WHO HAVE DECEASED PARENTS , ARE CURRENTLY OR2
PREVIOUSLY WERE IN FOSTER CARE, OR ARE A WARD OF THE COURT;3
(B) E
MANCIPATED MINORS;4
(C) Y
OUTH UNDER A LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP ; AND5
(D) Y
OUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS, SELF-SUPPORTING, OR AT RISK OF6
HOMELESSNESS;7
(III) I
NFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR8
FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND HOW TO NAVIGATE FINANCIAL AID9
RESOURCES AND APPLICATION PROCESSES ; AND10
(IV) P
UBLIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH STATE OR11
FEDERAL ENTITIES.12
(b) T
HE INFORMATION IN THE TOOL KIT MUST BE:13
(I) O
FFERED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES ; AND14
(II) U
PDATED ANNUALLY FOR EDUCATORS AND NONPROFIT15
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN DEVELOPING16
INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND EDUCATION PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS17
22-32-109
(1)(OO) AND 22-30.5-525 AND CAREER -CONNECTED18
STRATEGIES, SUCH AS WORK-BASED LEARNING IN SUPPORT OF FINANCIAL19
LITERACY EDUCATION AND COMPLETION OF THE FINANCIAL AID FORMS .20
(c) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER AVOIDING DUPLICATION21
OF EFFORTS BY LEVERAGING EXISTING RESOURCES IN CREATING THE TOOL22
KIT.23
(3) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), ON OR24
BEFORE OCTOBER 15, 2023, AND ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15 EACH YEAR25
THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION26
COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , OR27
HB22-1366
-18- ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , A REPORT CONCERNING:1
(a) T
HE STEPS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE TO IMPROVE THE2
TOOL KIT;3
(b) A
NY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES4
NECESSARY TO IMPROVE FAFSA AND CASFA COMPLETION RATES;5
(c) D
ATA INDICATING THE FAFSA AND CASFA COMPLETION6
RATES, DISAGGREGATED BY RACE, ETHNICITY, FIRST-GENERATION STATUS,7
AND PELL GRANT ELIGIBILITY FOR:8
(I) A
DULTS BY COUNTY; AND9
(II) H
IGH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AND10
(d) O
THER INFORMATION AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR11
PARTNER AGENCIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE COLORADO12
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , COLORADO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT13
COUNCIL, COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , OR14
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADES IN15
SUPPORT OF COLORADO'S ECONOMIC AND JOB NEEDS.16
(4) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS17
WEB-BASED FINANCIAL AID COMPLETION TOOL TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND18
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS COLORADO IN DETERMINING WHICH STUDENTS19
HAVE COMPETED FINANCIAL AID FORMS BY :20
(I) U
PDATING AND MODERNIZING THE COMPLETION TOOL WITH21
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION ; AND22
(II) D
ISPLAYING THE INFORMATION FOR FAFSA AND CASFA23
COMPLETION AND VERIFICATION STATUS ON A LOCAL LEVEL TO SHOW HOW24
MANY STUDENTS IN A HIGH SCHOOL HAVE COMPLETED AN APPLICATION25
FORM AND MAKE THE INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE BY SCHOOL OR DISTRICT26
ADMINISTRATORS IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE DATA PRIVACY27
HB22-1366
-19- REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS .1
(b) F
INANCIAL INFORMATION SHALL NOT BE SHARED IN THIS TOOL .2
T
HE TOOL MAY ONLY BE USED TO SHOW APPLICATION COMPLETION ,3
PARTIAL COMPLETION, AND VERIFICATION STATUS.4
(5) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS ACTIVITIES5
BY:6
(a) P
ROVIDING CAREER ADVISING ALIGNED WITH COLORADO'S7
CRITICAL INDUSTRY SHORTAGE AREAS ;8
(b) P
ROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT DEGREE PROGRAMS IN9
ALIGNMENT WITH IN-DEMAND, HIGH-WAGE JOBS;10
(c) P
ROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION AND11
FINANCIAL AID PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSING POSTSECONDARY12
EDUCATION;13
(d) S
UPPORTING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN COMPLETING14
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS; AND15
(e) P
ROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH16
RETURN-ON-INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION IN17
RELATION TO ADDITIONAL EDUCATION BE YOND HIGH SCHOOL , INCLUDING:18
(I) D
EGREE PROGRAMS;19
(II) C
REDENTIALS;20
(III) A
PPRENTICESHIPS;21
(IV) W
ORK-BASED LEARNING; AND22
(V) S
CHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL TOOLS TO23
SUPPORT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION .24
(6) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL25
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS26
FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS27
HB22-1366
-20- SECTION. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING AT THE END OF THE1
2022-23
STATE FISCAL YEAR:2
(a) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER3
FUND;4
(b) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN SUBSEQUENT STATE5
FISCAL YEARS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND6
(c) S
HALL NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE7
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.8
23-3.3-107. Improvements to CASFA - definitions - repeal.9
(1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE10
REQUIRES:11
(a) "CASFA"
MEANS THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE12
FINANCIAL AID.13
(b) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER14
EDUCATION.15
(c) "FAFSA"
MEANS THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL16
STUDENT AID.17
(2) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE18
THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CASFA:19
(a) I
MPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY AND EASE OF USE IN COMPLETING20
THE CASFA FORMS;21
(b) I
MPROVE THE FORM AND APPLICATION BY CONDUCTING FOCUS22
GROUPS AND CONSULTING ORGANIZATIONS SERVING CASFA-ELIGIBLE23
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES , INCLUDING STREAMLINING TO MIRROR24
MODERNIZATIONS IN THE FAFSA APPLICATION;25
(c) A
SSESSING THE EXISTING FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CASFA26
PROCESS, WEB TOOL, AND APPLICATION;27
HB22-1366
-21- (d) IDENTIFYING AND IMPROVING WEBSITE FUNCTIONALITY ; AND1
(e) P
ROVIDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH SUPPORT2
FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ON AN ONGOING CAPACITY .3
(3) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL4
ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE THREE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND5
DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE6
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING AT THE7
END OF THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR:8
(a) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER9
FUND;10
(b) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN SUBSEQUENT STATE11
FISCAL YEARS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND12
(c) S
HALL NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE13
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.14
(4) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.15
SECTION 9. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,16
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate17
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.18
HB22-1366
-22-