HOUSE BILL 22-1366
BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Kipp, Amabile, Bacon, Benavidez, Bernett,
Bird, Boesenecker, Caraveo, Cutter, Duran, Esgar, Exum, Herod, Hooton,
Jodeh, Kennedy, Lindsay, Lontine, McCluskie, McLachlan,
Michaelson Jenet, Ricks, Titone, Valdez A., Valdez D., Woodrow, Young,
Garnett;
also SENATOR(S) Bridges, Buckner, Coleman, Fields, Ginal, Gonzales,
Hansen, Hinrichsen, Jaquez Lewis, Lee, Moreno, Pettersen, Rodriguez,
Winter, Zenzinger, Fenberg.
C
ONCERNING INCREASING ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY WORKFORCE
READINESS WITH FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
, AND, IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH
, MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly
finds and declares that:
(a) Research shows that education and training culminating in
credentials, such as industry certificates, trade school certificates,
apprenticeships, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees, among other
business and industry-based experiences, are necessary to earn a living
NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
history, or the Session Laws.
________
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
the act. wage in Colorado. Completion of the federal or state financial aid
applications are key components of understanding how additional education
beyond high school can be financially supported. Completion of federal or
state financial aid applications supports access to these career pathway
options, as they are vehicles to support paying for tuition, fees, equipment,
and other expenses associated with additional training beyond high school.
(b) An understanding of how to access these career-aligned
resources and supports is integral to navigating training and education
resources for students and families. Financial literacy education and
Colorado's individual career and academic plan can help families
understand how to obtain federal or state financial aid to support students
in pursuing additional education and career training.
(c) Research shows that students and families who do not complete
financial aid forms do so for one or more of the following reasons:
(I) (A) Students and families are unaware of the true cost of
attending postsecondary options and the resources available to pay for
education and training that might be available by federal or state financial
aid forms; or
(B) A false belief that grants or scholarships are unavailable based
on family resources and income levels;
(II) Students and families often do not have the required tax
information available due to individual or family circumstances or needed
support to acquire that information or fill out complex forms, which leads
to students not completing and submitting federal financial aid or state
financial aid documents; and
(III) Students and families fear incurring debt for postsecondary
education because of the potential difficulty in paying back those loans;
(d) In 2023, the free application for federal student aid will be
simplified, reducing the number of questions from 100 to 30 and reducing
the financial information needed through the federal "FAFSA
Simplification Act";
(e) More broadly, Colorado students have the opportunity to
PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 magnify the impact of state investments in higher education by accessing
federal dollars to pursue postsecondary education and a credential of value
to enhance income earning potential. It is estimated that more than $30
million in federal resources could be leveraged each year by Colorado
students completing federal and state financial aid applications.
(f) Completing federal and state financial aid applications requires
support among students and their families, K-12 college and career
readiness programs, and higher education institutions for academic and
workforce training.
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-7-1015.5 as
follows:
22-7-1015.5. Postsecondary, workforce, career, and education
grant program - created - application - criteria - awards -
appropriation - repeal. (1) T
HERE IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION
, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS THE "DEPARTMENT", THE
POSTSECONDARY
, WORKFORCE, CAREER, AND EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM ,
REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS THE "GRANT PROGRAM", TO AWARD
GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THE POSTSECONDARY
OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
,
REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS "FAFSA", AND THE COLORADO
APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID
, REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION AS
"CASFA". EACH GRANT HAS A TERM OF THREE YEARS BEGINNING IN THE
2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR . IN MAKING A GRANT AWARD , THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL SPECIFY THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT
.
(2) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE THE GRANT MONEY TO THE
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS THAT RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE FOLLOWING
PURPOSES
:
(a) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ,
FAMILIES, AND SCHOOL LEADERS REGARDING THE FAFSA AND
APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID
, AND THE BENEFITS OF COMPLETING
THE
FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID ;
(b) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES REGARDING THE STEPS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE
FAFSA AND
PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID;
(c) T
RAINING SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS ON BEST
PRACTICES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH FILLING OUT THE
FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY LOW COMPLETION
RATES OF THE
FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID ;
(d) O
RGANIZING AND HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE
FAFSA OR APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID;
(e) I
NCORPORATING COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL
STUDENT AID AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID INTO INDIVIDUAL
CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS
22-32-109 AND
22-30.5-525;
(f) C
OLLABORATING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
'S EFFORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-3.3-1007 TO SUPPORT
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN EXPLORING POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS
UNDER THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS
22-32-109 AND 22-30.5-525; AND
(g) COLLABORATING OR PARTNERING WITH NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS AND STUDENTS
WITH EDUCATION AND COMPLETION OF STUDENT APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL
STUDENT AID AND APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID
.
(3) A
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SEEKING A GRANT MUST SUBMIT
AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT
. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW
EACH GRANT APPLICATION RECEIVED AND DETERMINE WHETHER AND IN
WHAT AMOUNT A GRANT SHOULD BE AWARDED TO THE LOCAL EDUCATION
PROVIDER
. IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES AN APPLICATION IS MISSING
ANY INFORMATION REQUIRED BY RULE TO BE INCLUDED WITH THE
APPLICATION
, THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTACT THE LOCAL EDUCATION
PROVIDER TO OBTAIN THE MISSING INFORMATION
.
(4) A
T A MINIMUM, EACH GRANT APPLICATION MUST SPECIFY :
(a) T
HE CURRENT PROGRAMS RELATED TO COLLEGE AND CAREER
PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 READINESS DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-7-1015 AND INDIVIDUAL
CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS
22-32-109 AND
22-30.5-525 THAT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER USES ;
(b) W
HETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS ENTERED INTO ,
OR HAS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISHING , ONE OR MORE PARTNERSHIPS WITH
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION OR POSTSECONDARY SERVICE
PROVIDERS IN
COLORADO TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF CAREER COUNSELING AND POSTSEC ONDARY
PREPARATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OR RECEIVING
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM THE EDUCATION PROVIDER
;
(c) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER'S PLAN FOR USE OF THE GRANT
MONEY
, INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE FEDERAL AND
STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS AT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER
'S
HIGH SCHOOLS SERVED BY THE GRANT AND TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS ON
WORK
-BASED LEARNING, COMPLETION OF FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL
AID APPLICATIONS
, AND INTEGRATION OF ALL POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS
INTO THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANS FOR STUDENTS
;
(d) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S PLAN FOR INVOLVING
EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER
'S
SCHOOLS PROVIDING POSTSECONDAR Y PREPARATION SUPPORTS
;
(e) T
HE EXTENT TO WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS
DEVELOPED OR PLANS TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS TO SERVE THE
POSTSECONDARY NEEDS OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OR
RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER
;
(f) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S USE OF DISTRICT-LEVEL OR
SCHOOL
-LEVEL EXISTING AND POTENTIAL PROGRAMMING FOR
POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE READINESS
, AS DEFINED IN SECTION
22-7-1008;
(g) W
HETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER INTENDS TO
PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS TO AUGMENT ANY GRANT MONEY RECEIVED
FROM THE PROGRAM AND THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT AND SOURCE OF ANY
MATCHING FUNDS
; AND
PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (h) WHETHER THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER NEEDS TO UPDATE
THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLAN PROCESS TO ACCOMMODATE
REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION
22-2-136 (1), INCLUDING FINANCIAL
AID FORM INFORMATION
, OR FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM PURSUANT
TO SECTION
22-2-127.
(5) I
N REVIEWING APPLICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONSIDER
THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER CRITERIA ADOPTED
BY RULE OF THE STATE BOARD
:
(a) H
IGH SCHOOLS WITH LOW POSTSECO NDARY CREDENTIAL
ATTAINMENT RATES
;
(b) T
HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S HIGH SCHOOLS WITH LOW
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION COMPLETION RATES
; AND
(c) THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION
PROVIDER
. THE DEPARTMENT MAY PRIORITIZE AWARDING GRANTS TO RURAL
AREAS OF THE STATE AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RURAL LOCAL
EDUCATION PROVIDERS REQUESTING SUPPORT
.
(6) (a) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL AWARD GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION
. EACH GRANT HAS A TERM OF THREE YEARS BEGINNING IN THE
2022-23 BUDGET YEAR. IN MAKING A GRANT AWARD , THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL SPECIFY THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT
.
(b) A
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER THAT RECEIVES A GRANT SHALL
USE THE MONEY FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES
:
(I) D
EVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING TO STUDENTS , FAMILIES, AND
EDUCATORS INFORMATI ON ABOUT AND STEPS TO COMPLETE THE FEDERAL
AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
;
(II) T
RAINING SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER EDUCATORS ON
BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH FILLING OUT
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY LOW COMPLETION
RATES OF FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
;
PAGE 6-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (III) ORGANIZING AND HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE
FAFSA OR APPLICATIONS FOR STATE STUDENT AID; AND
(IV) UPDATING THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S INDIVIDUAL
CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLAN PROCESS WITH FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
AND COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION FORMS
.
(7) T
HE DEPARTMENT MAY EXPEND NO MORE THAN TEN PERCENT OF
THE MONEY ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM TO OFFSET THE
COSTS INCURRED IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM
, INCLUDING THE
PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RURAL LOCAL EDUCATION
PROVIDERS
, GRANT-RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT , TRAINING, AND
REPORTING ACTIVITIES
.
(8) O
N OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, AND ON OR BEFORE
SEPTEMBER 1 EACH YEAR THEREAFTER FOR THE LENGTH OF THE GRANT ,
EACH LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVING GRANT MONEY PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION SHALL REPORT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT
:
(a) A
COMPARISON OF THE DROPOUT RATES , AND THE COLLEGE
MATRICULATION AND REMEDIATION RATES
, IF APPLICABLE, AT THE HIGH
SCHOOLS SERVED BY THE GRANT FOR THE YEARS PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF THE
GRANT AND THE YEARS FOR WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER
RECEIVES THE GRANT
; AND
(b) A COMPARISON OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED
FEDERAL AND STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR PRIOR TO
WHICH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVED THE GRANT
, IF
AVAILABLE
, AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED FEDERAL AND
STATE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS THE
EDUCATION PROVIDER RECEIVES THE GRANT
.
(9) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), ON OR BEFORE
OCTOBER 15, 2023, AND ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15 EACH YEAR
THEREAFTER FOR THE LENGTH OF THE GRANT
, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
, OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , A REPORT THAT, AT A
MINIMUM
, SUMMARIZES THE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT
PAGE 7-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (8) OF THIS SECTION AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT
RECEIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION
23-1-113 (9). THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALSO POST THE REPORT TO
ITS WEBSITE
.
(10) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT ONE MILLION
, ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY
-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE
GRANT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY
REMAINING AT THE END OF THE
2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS
APPROPRIATION
:
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR 2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND
(III) MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION
.
(11) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2027.
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-7-1015, amend
(4)(c); and add (4)(e), (4)(f), and (4)(g) as follows:
22-7-1015. Postsecondary and workforce readiness program -
technical assistance - appropriation. (4) The department of education, the
department of higher education, and the state institutions of higher
education, upon request, shall provide support to local education providers
in implementing postsecondary and workforce readiness. Beginning with
the 2009-10 budget year, the department of education and the department
of higher education may include in their annual budget requests an amount
necessary to offset the costs incurred in complying with this section.
Support may include, but need not be limited to:
(c) Providing professional development for educators; and
(e) ESTABLISHING SUPPORT THROUGH REGIONAL POSTSECONDARY
AND WORKFORCE READINESS COORDINATORS FOR TRAINING THAT ALIGNS
WITH FINANCIAL AID
, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENT
PAGE 8-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION AND STUDENT STATE FINANCIAL AID
APPLICATION COMPLETION
;
(f) (I) S
UPPORTING THE NUMBER OF REGIONAL INDIVIDUAL CAREER
AND ACADEMIC PLAN COORDINATORS IN THE STATE AND UPDATING THE
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE COORDINATORS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL AID
INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS
;
(II) R
EQUIRING THE REGIONAL INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC
PLAN COORDINATORS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND OUTREACH TO
SCHOOLS AND COORDINATE WITH THE OUTREACH TEAM IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF HIGHER EDUCATION CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-1-119 (6).
(g) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWENTY
-FIVE THOUSAND
DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PROGRAMS DESCRIBED IN
SUBSECTION
(4)(f) OF THIS SECTION. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING
AT THE END OF THE
2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS APPROPRIATION:
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR 2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND
(III) MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION
(4)(f) OF THIS SECTION.
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-2-127, add (7) as
follows:
22-2-127. Financial literacy - resource bank - technical
assistance - definitions - appropriation - repeal. (7) (a) T
HE
DEPARTMENT
, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
, SHALL:
(I) U
PDATE FINANCIAL LITERACY INFORMATION AND TRAINING
PROVIDED TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO INCLUDE DETAILED
RESOURCES AND TOOLS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID
, ACCESS TO FINANCIAL AID
TOOLS
, AND APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSES BEGINNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
OR EARLIER
; AND
PAGE 9-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (II) DEVELOP FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING OPTIONS ALIGNED WITH
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
, FEDERAL AND STATE APPLICATION PROCESSES,
AND UNDERLYING FINANCIAL LITERACY PRINCIPLES , SUCH AS IN-DEMAND,
HIGH-WAGE JOBS AND THE NECESSARY TRAINING LEADING TO THOSE JOBS .
T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIORITIZE PROVIDING TRAINING TO FINANCIAL
LITERACY EDUCATORS
, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS ,
COUNSELORS, AND PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS THOSE WORKING IN FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT
.
(b) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY
-FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PROGRAMS
PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION
(7). ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING
AT THE END OF THE
2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS APPROPRIATION:
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR 2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND
(III) MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION
(7).
(c) T
HIS SUBSECTION (7) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-2-127.1 as
follows:
22-2-127.1. Stipends for financial aid training - definitions -
appropriation - repeal. (1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES
:
(a) "E
LIGIBLE PARTICIPANT" MEANS AN EDUCATOR WHO
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES TRAINING IN FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT
.
(b) "L
OCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER " MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, A
CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART
1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY
THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART
5 OF ARTICLE
PAGE 10-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED AND
OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
5 OF THIS TITLE 22 THAT OPERATES ONE
OR MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
.
(c) "T
RAINING TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION AVAILABLE
TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
" OR "TRAINING" MEANS A TRAINING
CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND APPROVED BY
THE DEPARTMENT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON IMPROVING THE COMPLETION RATE
OF STUDENTS COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID AND THE
COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID .
(2) B
EGINNING WITH THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, FOR ELIGIBLE
PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE TRAINING TO IMPROVE
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
, THE
DEPARTMENT
, SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , SHALL AWARD TO
THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT A ONE
-TIME STIPEND IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE
HUNDRED DOLLARS
.
(3) F
OR THE 2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO BE USED FOR THE STIPENDS
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
. ANY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING AT THE
END OF THE
2022-23 STATE FISCAL YEAR FROM THIS APPROPRIATION :
(a) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(b) M
AY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE 2023-24 OR 2024-25
STATE FISCAL YEARS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION ; AND
(c) MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION
.
(4) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-32-109, amend
(1)(oo)(III)(B.5) and (1)(oo)(III)(C); and add (1)(oo)(III)(D) as follows:
22-32-109. Board of education - specific duties - definitions. (1)
In addition to any other duty required to be performed by law, each board
of education has the following specific duties:
PAGE 11-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (oo) (III) At a minimum, each public school shall ensure that, in
developing and maintaining each student's ICAP, the counselor or teacher
explains to the student's parent or legal guardian, by electronic mail or other
written form, and to the student:
(B.5) The teaching career pathway created pursuant to section
23-60-110, the career opportunities to which the pathway leads, and
information concerning participation in the TREP program created in
section 22-35-108.5; and
(C) The skills and educational opportunities available through
military enlistment. In discussing military enlistment with a student and his
or her parent, each public school is encouraged to provide to the student
information concerning the military enlistment test;
AND
(D) THE AVAILABILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR THE
COLORADO APPLICATION
FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID
, OR SUCCESSOR FORMS FOR ACCESSING FEDERAL
AND STATE FINANCIAL AID
, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF HELP IN COMPLETING
THE FORMS
, IF REQUESTED.
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-119, add (6) as
follows:
23-1-119. Department directive - transition between K-12
education system and postsecondary education system. (6) (a) T
HE
DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN OUTREACH TEAM TO PROVIDE TRAINING
TO AND ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
, CHARTER SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT
PURSUANT TO PART
1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF TITLE 22, CHARTER SCHOOLS
AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURS UANT 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 TO ASSIST THEM IN PREPARING
STUDENTS TO TRANSITION FROM THE
K-12 EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE TEAM
SHALL ALSO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS IN
WORKFORCE CENTERS
, INDIVIDUALS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES , AND
FOSTER YOUTH
.
(b) T
HE TRAINING MUST INCLUDE:
PAGE 12-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (I) CAREER ADVISING AS PART OF STUDENT 'S INDIVIDUAL CAREER
AND EDUCATION PLANS
;
(II) F
INANCIAL LITERACY, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID AND THE
COLORADO APPLICATION
FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID
;
(III) H
OW TO SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF FEDERAL AND STATE
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
;
(IV) T
HE IMPORTANCE OF, AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF , ALL
POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS
, INCLUDING AVAILABLE STATE -SUPPORTED
WEBSITES AND NAVIGATION TOOLS ON POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE
OPPORTUNITIES
;
(V) T
HE AVAILABILITY OF STATE FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS AND
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS
; AND
(VI) THE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE AND MISSION.
(c) T
HE TRAINING MUST BE AVAILABLE TO EDUCATORS IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRAINING APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION
22-2-127.1.
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-3.3-106 and
23-3.3-107 as follows:
23-3.3-106. Technology to support FAFSA and CASFA -
definitions. (1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
OTHERWISE REQUIRES
:
(a) "CASFA"
MEANS THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE
FINANCIAL AID
.
(b) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION .
(c) "FAFSA"
MEANS THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID
.
(d) "L
OCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER " MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, A
PAGE 13-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 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) T
HE 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) N
ET PRICE CALCULATORS AND INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO USE
CALCULATORS TO OUTLINE RESOURCES AVAILABLE BASED ON FINANCIAL
NEED
;
(II) S
UPPORTS 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) Y
OUTH WHO HAVE DECEASED PARENTS , ARE CURRENTLY OR
PREVIOUSLY WERE IN FOSTER CARE
, OR ARE A WARD OF THE COURT;
(B) E
MANCIPATED MINORS;
(C) Y
OUTH UNDER A LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP ; AND
(D) YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS , SELF-SUPPORTING, OR AT RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS
;
(III) I
NFORMATION 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
PAGE 14-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 ENTITIES.
(b) T
HE INFORMATION IN THE TOOL KIT MUST BE:
(I) O
FFERED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES ; AND
(II) UPDATED ANNUALLY FOR EDUCATORS AND NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN DEVELOPING
INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND EDUCATION PLANS PURS UANT 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) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF
EFFORTS BY LEVERAGING EXISTING RESOURCES IN CREATING THE TOOL KIT
.
(3) N
OTWITHSTANDING 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) T
HE STEPS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE TO IMPROVE THE
TOOL KIT
;
(b) A
NY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE C HANGES NECESSARY
TO IMPROVE
FAFSA AND CASFA COMPLETION RATES;
(c) S
UBJECT 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) A
DULTS 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
PAGE 15-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , COLORADO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL
, COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , OR OFFICE
OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADES IN SUPPORT OF
COLORADO'S ECONOMIC AND JOB NEEDS.
(4) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS
WEB
-BASED FINANCIAL AID COMPLETION TOOL TO SUPPORT SC HOOLS AND
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS
COLORADO IN DETERMINING WHICH STUDENTS
HAVE COMPETED FINANCIAL AID FORMS BY
:
(I) U
PDATING 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) F
INANCIAL INFORMATION SHALL NOT BE SHARED IN THIS TOOL .
T
HE TOOL MAY ONLY BE USED TO SHOW APPLICATION COMPLETION , PARTIAL
COMPLETION
, AND VERIFICATION STATUS.
(5) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS ACTIVITIES
BY
:
(a) P
ROVIDING CAREER ADVISING ALIGNED WITH COLORADO'S
CRITICAL INDUSTRY SHORTAGE AREAS
;
(b) P
ROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT DEGREE PROGRAMS IN
ALIGNMENT WITH IN
-DEMAND, HIGH-WAGE JOBS;
(c) P
ROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION AND
FINANCIAL AID PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSING POSTSECONDARY
EDUCATION
;
(d) S
UPPORTING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN COMPLETING FI NANCIAL
AID APPLICATIONS
; AND
PAGE 16-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (e) PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH
RETURN
-ON-INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION IN
RELATION TO ADDITIONAL EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
, INCLUDING:
(I) D
EGREE PROGRAMS;
(II) C
REDENTIALS;
(III) A
PPRENTICESHIPS;
(IV) W
ORK-BASED LEARNING; AND
(V) SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL TOOLS TO
SUPPORT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
.
(6) F
OR 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
.
A
NY UNEXPENDED MONEY REMAINING AT THE END OF THE 2022-23 STATE
FISCAL YEAR
:
(a) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(b) M
AY 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
.
23-3.3-107. Improvements to CASFA - definitions - repeal.
(1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :
(a) "CASFA"
MEANS THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE
FINANCIAL AID
.
(b) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION .
(c) "FAFSA"
MEANS THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID
.
PAGE 17-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 (2) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE THE
FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
CASFA:
(a) I
MPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY AND EASE OF USE IN COMPLETING
THE
CASFA FORMS;
(b) I
MPROVE THE FORM AND APPLICATION BY CONDUCTING FOCUS
GROUPS AND CONSULTING OR GANIZATIONS SERVING
CASFA-ELIGIBLE
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
, INCLUDING STREAMLINING TO MIRROR
MODERNIZATIONS IN THE
FAFSA APPLICATION;
(c) A
SSESSING THE EXISTING FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CASFA
PROCESS, WEB TOOL, AND APPLICATION;
(d) I
DENTIFYING AND IMPROVING WEBSITE FUNCTIONALITY ; AND
(e) PROVIDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH SUPPORT FOR
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ON AN ONGOING CAPACITY
.
(3) F
OR 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) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(b) M
AY 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) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025.
SECTION 9. Appropriation. (1) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year,
$1,625,000 is appropriated to the department of education. This
appropriation is from the general fund. Any money appropriated in this
subsection (1) not expended prior to July 1, 2023, is further appropriated to
the department for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 state fiscal years for the same
PAGE 18-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 purpose. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation
as follows:
(a) $1,150,000 for the postsecondary, workforce, career, and
education grant and readiness program, which amount is based on an
assumption that the department will require an additional 0.9 FTE; and
(b) $475,000 for financial aid training stipends and resource bank,
which amount is based on an assumption that the department will require
an additional 1.0 FTE.
(2) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, $1,000,000 is appropriated to
the department of higher education. This appropriation is from the general
fund. Any money appropriated in this subsection (2) not expended prior to
July 1, 2023, is further appropriated to the department for the 2023-24 and
2024-25 state fiscal years for the same purpose. To implement this act, the
department may use this appropriation as follows:
(a) $680,000 for a financial aid toolkit, which amount is based on
an assumption that the department will require an additional 2.0 FTE; and
(b) $320,000 for financial aid assessment tool improvements, which
amount is based on an assumption that the department will require an
additional 1.0 FTE.
(3) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, $250,000 is appropriated to the
department of higher education. This appropriation is from the general fund
and is based on an assumption that the department will require an additional
2.0 FTE. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation
for Colorado commission on higher education and higher education special
purpose program administration.
SECTION 10. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
PAGE 19-HOUSE BILL 22-1366 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.
____________________________ ____________________________
Alec Garnett Steve Fenberg
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
____________________________ ____________________________
Robin Jones Cindi L. Markwell
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF
OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
APPROVED________________________________________
(Date and Time)
_________________________________________
Jared S. Polis
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
PAGE 20-HOUSE BILL 22-1366