ARC 2309C

ARC 2309C

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT[281]

Adopted and Filed

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

The 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.

Notice of Intended Action was published in the October 14, 2015, Iowa Administrative Bulletin as ARC 2182C. Public comments were allowed until 4:30 p.m.on November 3, 2015. A public hearing was held on that date. No one attended the public hearing. There were no comments received on the rule making. These amendments are identical to those published under Notice.

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.

These amendments will become effective January 13, 2016.

The following amendments are adopted.

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.

[Filed 11/18/15, effective 1/13/16]

[Published 12/9/15]

Editor's Note: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 12/9/15.