ARC 2182C

ARC 2182C

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT[281]

Notice of Intended Action

Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b."

Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.

Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 256.7(5), the State Board of Education hereby proposes to amend Chapter 25, "Pathways for Academic Career and Employment Program; Gap Tuition Assistance Program," Iowa Administrative Code.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 25 incorporate changes to the Gap Tuition Assistance Program included in 2015 Iowa Acts, House File 658. Changes as a result of 2015 Iowa Acts, House File 658, include modification of the criteria to determine financial need by decreasing the family income requirement from 12 to 6 months and the addition of two provisions which (1) prioritize the provision of assistance to individuals earning income between 150 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level and (2) bar individuals eligible from receiving assistance under the Gap Tuition Assistance Program if they are eligible for assistance under the federal Workforce Investment Act and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act unless all budgeted funds under these Acts have been fully expended.

An agencywide waiver provision is provided in 281—Chapter 4.

Interested individuals may make written comments on the proposed amendments until November 3, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Comments on the proposed amendments should be directed to Nicole Proesch, Department of Education, Second Floor, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0146; telephone (515)281-8661; e-mail nicole.proesch@iowa.gov; or fax (515)242-5988.

A public hearing will be held on November 3, 2015, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the State Board Room, Second Floor, Grimes State Office Building, East 14th Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, at which time persons may present their views either orally or in writing. Any person who intends to attend the public hearing and has special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact and advise the Department of Education of specific needs by calling (515)281-5295.

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

These amendments are intended to implement 2015 Iowa Acts, House File 658.

The following amendments are proposed.

Item 1. Amend subparagraph 25.21(1)"a"(1) as follows:

(1)The applicant's family income for the 12 six months prior to the date of application.

Item 2. Adopt the following new paragraphs 25.21(2)"g" and "h":

g. Applicants earning incomes between 150 percent and 250 percent, both percentages inclusive, of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services shall be given first priority for tuition assistance under this chapter. Persons earning incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level shall be given secondary priority for tuition assistance under this chapter.

h. An applicant who is eligible for financial assistance pursuant to the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub.L.No.105-220, or the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub.L.No.113-128, shall be ineligible for tuition assistance under this chapter unless such funds budgeted for training assistance for adult, dislocated worker, or youth programs have been fully expended by a workforce region.