Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF186

Introduced
2/2/23  
Introduced
2/2/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 421.)

Impact

The implications of HF186 are significant for the landscape of higher education in Iowa. By allowing more institutions to qualify for state tuition grants, the bill is positioned to enhance the educational opportunities for Iowa residents, particularly those attending institutions that were previously restricted from offering tuition grants due to their ownership status. This change could lead to increased enrollment at these institutions, potentially leading to a more diverse educational environment as students gain access to additional financial resources.

Summary

House File 186 is a legislative measure addressing the Iowa tuition grants program, specifically administered by the college student aid commission. The bill proposes to modify the criteria for institutions eligible to receive tuition grants, expanding the definition to include certain for-profit institutions that were acquired by non-profit entities. This amendment is designed to ensure a broader accessibility of tuition grants to Iowa residents attending eligible institutions. The bill asserts that these changes will be retroactively applicable beginning December 1, 2022, aiming to alleviate any potential gaps in funding and support for students affected by such stipulations.

Contention

However, HF186 has sparked a debate among lawmakers and stakeholders regarding the ethical considerations of supporting for-profit educational institutions with state funds. Critics may express concerns that enabling for-profit schools to participate in the tuition grant program could lead to questions about the quality of education and the prioritization of profit over educational outcomes. Additionally, there are fears that this could create disparities in the educational landscape, as traditional non-profit colleges may struggle to compete with the financial incentives offered by for-profit institutions in attracting students.

Notable_points

Furthermore, the provision for retroactive applicability has raised eyebrows, as it may affect how past funding was managed and distributed. Legislators are tasked with considering not only the benefits of expanding access to education but also the implications of public funding being directed towards institutions that have previously operated under different financial structures, and whether such measures hold the potential for long-term sustainability and educational integrity.

Companion Bills

IA SF376

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA HF421

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 186.) Effective date: Enactment, 05/11/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 12/01/2022.

Previously Filed As

IA SF376

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA HF421

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 186.) Effective date: Enactment, 05/11/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 12/01/2022.

IA SSB1208

A bill for an act relating to certain education programs and tax credits and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 572.)

IA HF88

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to private instruction, world language instruction, dual enrollment, and the tuition and textbook tax credit, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 888.)

IA SF382

A bill for an act relating to education, including by prohibiting the use of certain mascots to represent schools and institutions of higher education, establishing grant programs to assist schools and institutions of higher education in adopting alternative mascots, modifying provisions related to the Iowa tuition grants program, and making appropriations.

IA SF572

A bill for an act relating to certain education programs and tax credits and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1208.)

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HSB672

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2542.)

IA SF204

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to private instruction, world language instruction, dual enrollment, and the tuition and textbook tax credit, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA HSB254

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 731.)

Similar Bills

CA AB850

Institutional Debt Transparency Act.

TX SB174

Relating to accountability of institutions of higher education, including educator preparation programs, and online institution resumes for public institutions of higher education.

CA AB1344

Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009.

CA AB70

Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.

NJ A5181

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

NJ S3566

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

NJ A3422

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

CA AB3167

California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009: highly qualified private nonprofit institution.