Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 24-1104.01 Anna Petrini x5497
HOUSE BILL 24-1403
House Committees Senate Committees
Appropriations Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS101
EXPERIENCING HOUSING DISRUPTIONS IN HIGH SCHOOL , AND, IN102
CONNECTION THEREWITH , MAKING AN APPROPRIATION . 103
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/
.)
Joint Budget Committee. The bill requires all Colorado public
institutions of higher education (institutions) to provide financial
assistance to a Colorado resident student (qualifying student) who is
between the ages of 17 and 26 and who has experienced homelessness in
the state at any time during high school. The institutions shall provide
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 5, 2024
SENATE
2nd Reading Unamended
April 4, 2024
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 1, 2024
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 28, 2024
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Bird and Sirota, Taggart, Amabile, Bacon, Brown, Clifford, deGruy Kennedy, Duran,
English, Froelich, Garcia, Hamrick, Hernandez, Herod, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt,
Lukens, Mabrey, Martinez, Marvin, Mauro, McCluskie, McCormick, McLachlan, Ortiz,
Ricks, Rutinel, Story, Titone, Valdez, Willford, Woodrow, Young
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Zenzinger and Bridges, Kirkmeyer, Coleman, Cutter, Exum, Gonzales, Hinrichsen,
Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Priola
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. financial assistance to cover the remaining balance of the qualifying
student's total cost of attendance in excess of the amount of any private,
state, or federal financial assistance received by the student. Subject to
available appropriations, the bill requires the Colorado commission on
higher education to provide institutions money to cover 50% of the
remaining balance of financial assistance for qualifying students.
The institutions are required to designate an employee to serve as
a liaison to qualifying and prospective qualifying students. The
institutions shall notify qualifying students of their eligibility for
remaining balance financial assistance.
The bill requires the department of higher education (department)
to add one employee as a navigator to provide guidance to prospective
qualifying students when selecting institutions and completing
applications for admission and financial aid. The bill requires the
department to enter into a data-sharing agreement with the department of
education in order to identify prospective qualifying students.
The bill clarifies student eligibility to participate in the foster youth
financial assistance program.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 15 to article2
3.3 of title 23 as follows:3
PART 154
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS5
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS6
23-3.3-1501. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART, UNLESS THE7
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :8
(1) "C
OST OF ATTENDANCE" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET9
FORTH IN SECTION 23-3.3-1002.10
(2) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER11
EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION 24-1-114.12
(3) "F
INANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS13
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS " OR "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM "14
MEANS THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS15
1403-2- EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CREATED IN SECTION 23-3.3-1502.1
(4) "I
NSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " OR "INSTITUTION"2
MEANS A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION , AS DEFINED IN3
SECTION 23-18-102 (10)(a); LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE, AS DEFINED IN4
SECTION 23-71-102; OR AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE , AS DEFINED IN5
SECTION 23-60-103.6
(5) "Q
UALIFYING STUDENT" MEANS A RESIDENT OF COLORADO7
WHO HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR ENROLLMENT AT AN INSTITUTION OF8
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WHO :9
(a) H
AS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY DESIGNATED SCHOOL PERSONNEL AS10
A HOMELESS CHILD OR YOUTH PURSUANT TO SECTION 725 OF THE FEDERAL11
"M
CKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT", 42 U.S.C. SEC.12
11434a
WHILE RESIDING IN COLORADO AT ANY TIME BETWEEN THE START13
OF NINTH GRADE AND THE END OF TWELFTH GRADE ; AND14
(b) W
ILL BE SEVENTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER BUT UNDER15
TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE16
RECEIPT.17
23-3.3-1502. Financial aid for students who have experienced18
homelessness - creation - purpose - rules. (1) (a) T
HE FINANCIAL19
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR STUDENT S EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS20
CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT . THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO21
INCREASE ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WHO22
HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS DURING HIGH SCHOOL .23
(b) B
EGINNING IN THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR , EACH24
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE SHALL PROVIDE25
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO A QUALIFYING STUDENT FOR THE REMAINING26
BALANCE OF THE STUDENT'S TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE IN EXCESS OF27
1403
-3- THE AMOUNT OF ANY PRIVATE , STATE, OR FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE1
RECEIVED BY THE QUALIFYING STUDENT DURING THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED2
THIRTY-TWO SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS OR ONE HUNDRED NINETY -EIGHT3
QUARTER CREDIT HOURS THAT THE QUALIFYING STUDENT IS ENROLLED IN4
THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM .5
(c) I
N ORDER TO RECEIVE THE REMAINING BALANCE OF FINANCIAL6
ASSISTANCE, THE QUALIFYING STUDENT MUST:7
(I) C
OMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID8
OR THE COLORADO APPLICATION FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID , INCLUDING,9
IF APPLICABLE, ACKNOWLEDGING PAST OR CURRENT EXPERIENCE OF10
HOMELESSNESS;11
(II) R
EQUEST THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH12
POLICIES SET FORTH BY THE INSTITUTION;13
(III) B
E ENROLLED IN COURSES LEADING TOWARD THE QUALIFYING14
STUDENT'S FIRST BACHELOR 'S DEGREE, ASSOCIATE DEGREE , OR15
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AT AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER16
EDUCATION; AND17
(IV) R
EMAIN IN SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC STANDING IN18
ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACADEMIC POLICIES OF THE INSTITUTION AND19
MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE20
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN WHICH THE QUALIFYING STUDENT IS21
ENROLLED.22
(2) T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE MONEY TO THE23
COMMISSION TO COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE24
REMAINING BALANCE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFYING25
STUDENTS. SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE COMMISSION26
SHALL PROVIDE FUNDING TO AN INSTITUTION EQUAL TO FIFTY PERCENT OF27
1403
-4- THE REMAINING BALANCE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE1
INSTITUTION.2
(3) (a) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES NECESSARY3
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SECTION.4
(b) E
ACH INSTITUTION SHALL ADOPT POLICIES FOR THE5
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM .6
23-3.3-1503. Financial assistance program for students7
experiencing homelessness - program liaison - program navigator -8
data-sharing. (1) E
ACH INSTITUTION SHALL DESIGNATE ONE EMPLOYEE9
AS A LIAISON TO SERVE AS A POINT OF CONTACT FOR QUALIFYING10
STUDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS . THE LIAISON MAY11
HAVE OTHER DUTIES UNRELATED TO WORK AS THE LIAISON . THE LIAISON12
SHALL PROVIDE QUALIFYING STUDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING13
STUDENTS WITH INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICATION ASSISTANCE ,14
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND OTHER RESOURCES AND15
ASSISTANCE THAT ARE AVAILABLE . EACH INSTITUTION SHALL PUBLICIZE16
THE AVAILABILITY OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR17
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THE INSTITUTION 'S WEBSITE18
AND NOTIFY QUALIFYING STUDENTS OF THEIR ELIGIBILITY .19
(2) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPLOY AT LEAST ONE FULL -TIME20
EQUIVALENT POSITION AS A NAVIGATOR FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING21
HOMELESSNESS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ' HOMELESS EDUCATION22
LIAISONS, DESCRIBED IN SECTION 22-33-103.5 (7), DESIGNATED HIGH23
SCHOOL PERSONNEL , AND PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS IN24
APPLYING FOR AND ENROLLING IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION .25
T
HE NAVIGATOR SHALL WORK WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS ' HOMELESS26
EDUCATION LIAISONS AND HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS OR OTHER27
1403
-5- DESIGNATED PERSONNEL TO SUPPORT THE IDENTIFICATION OF1
PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS . THE NAVIGATOR SHALL PROVIDE2
SUPPORT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ' HOMELESS EDUCATION LIAISONS ,3
DESIGNATED HIGH SCHOOL PERSONNEL , AND PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING4
STUDENTS IN SELECTING INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS IN WHICH THE5
PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENT MAY WANT TO ENROLL . THE6
NAVIGATOR SHALL, AT THE REQUEST OF A PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING7
STUDENT, ASSIST THE PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENT WITH THE8
COMPLETION OF AN INSTITUTION'S APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, THE FREE9
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID, OR THE COLORADO APPLICATION10
FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID.11
(b) E
ACH INSTITUTION SHALL PROVIDE THE NAVIGATOR WITH THE12
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE INSTITUTION 'S LIAISON DESIGNATED13
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.14
(3) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENTER INTO A DATA -SHARING15
AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SHARE16
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE STUDENT INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF17
IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS . AT18
A MINIMUM, THE DATA-SHARING AGREEMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THE19
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IS CONDUCTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE20
"C
OLORADO PRIVACY ACT", PART 13 OF ARTICLE 1 OF TITLE 6; THE21
FEDERAL "FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT OF22
1974",
20 U.S.C. SEC. 1232g, AS AMENDED; AND THE "STUDENT DATA23
T
RANSPARENCY AND SECURITY ACT", ARTICLE 16 OF TITLE 22. THE24
DEPARTMENTS SHALL MAINTAIN STRICT STANDARDS FOR STUDENT DATA25
PRIVACY AND SHALL NOT PUBLICLY REPORT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT DATA26
FOR ANY PURPOSE.27
1403
-6- SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-3.3-1401, amend1
(1)(d)(I), (2)(a), and (5)(a) as follows:2
23-3.3-1401. Financial aid for students who have been in3
out-of-home placement - institution liaisons - navigators - definitions.4
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:5
(d) "Qualifying student" means a resident of Colorado who has6
been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education who:7
(I) Has been placed in foster care, as defined in section 19-1-103,8
in Colorado at any time on or after the student's thirteenth birthday; or9
(2) (a) Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, each institution10
of higher education in the state shall provide financial assistance to a11
qualifying student for the remaining balance of the student's total cost of12
attendance in excess of the amount of any private, state, or federal13
financial assistance received by the student, referred to in this section as14
"remaining balance financial assistance", during the first one hundred15
thirty-two semester hours or one hundred ninety-eight quarter hours that16
the student is enrolled at the institution IN THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE17
PROGRAM CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS PART 14.18
(5) (a) Each institution shall designate one employee as a liaison19
to serve as a direct point of contact with the institution for qualifying20
students and prospective qualifying students. The liaison may have other21
duties unrelated to work as the liaison. The liaison shall provide22
qualifying students and prospective qualifying students with information23
regarding application assistance, financial assistance, support services,24
and other resources and assistance available to qualifying students and25
prospective qualifying students. E
ACH INSTITUTION SHALL PUBLICIZE THE26
AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO THIS PART 14 ON27
1403
-7- THE INSTITUTION'S WEBSITE AND NOTIFY QUALIFYING STUDENTS OF THEIR1
ELIGIBILITY.2
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-33-103.5, amend3
(8)(b); and add (8)(c) as follows:4
22-33-103.5. Attendance of homeless children and youth -5
definitions. (8) Credit accrual and college readiness. (b) Counseling6
shall MUST be provided to a homeless child or youth and to an7
unaccompanied homeless child or youth to assist the homeless child or8
youth and unaccompanied homeless child or youth by advising, preparing,9
and improving access to postsecondary options. C
OUNSELING MUST10
INCLUDE PROVIDING PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS WITH11
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINANC IAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR12
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CREATED IN SECTION13
23-3.3-1502.14
(c) PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-3.3-1503 (3), THE DEPARTMENT OF15
EDUCATION SHALL PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT DATA IDENTIFYING16
PROSPECTIVE QUALIFYING STUDENTS BASED ON STUDENT LEVEL STATUS17
PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL"MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE18
ACT", 42 U.S.C. SEC. 11301, AS AMENDED, AND OTHER DATA ALREADY19
COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF20
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24 BY JULY 1, 2024, AND21
FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC YEARS , ON EACH JANUARY 20 THEREAFTER.22
SECTION 4. Appropriations. (1) For the 2024-25 state fiscal23
year, $1,668,381 is appropriated to the department of higher education.24
This appropriation is from the general fund and is based on an assumption25
that the department will require an additional 1.8 FTE. To implement this26
act, the department may use this appropriation for postsecondary27
1403
-8- assistance for students who experienced homelessness during high school.1
(2) For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $26,055 is appropriated to2
the department of education for use by the office of dropout prevention3
and student reengagement. This appropriation is from the general fund4
and is based on an assumption that the office will require an additional5
0.2 FTE. To implement this act, the office may use this appropriation for6
the homeless student scholarship program.7
SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,8
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate9
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for10
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state11
institutions.12
1403
-9-