ARC 4594C

ARC 4594C

COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION[283]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to skilled workforce shortage tuition grants and providing an opportunity for public comment

The College Student Aid Commission hereby proposes to amend Chapter 23, "Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant Program," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 261.3 and 261.130 as amended by 2019 Iowa Acts, Senate File 245.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 261.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making implements amendments enacted in 2019 Iowa Acts, Senate File 245. Senate File 245 strikes references to an Iowa Department of Workforce Development reporting requirement, effective July 1, 2019. Senate File 245 also provides a grandfather clause for students enrolled in a program of study that is subsequently removed from the list of eligible programs.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

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

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Commission for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 283—Chapter 7.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written or oral comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Commission no later than 4:30 p.m.on September 3, 2019. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Amend subrule 23.1(2) as follows:

23.1(2) Student eligibility.

a. A recipient must be an Iowa resident as defined in 283—Chapter 10.

b. A recipient must be enrolled at an Iowa community college for at least three semester hours or the equivalent in a career-technical, career option, or other training program which is eligible for federal Title IV funding and is in an industry which has been identified as having a shortage of skilled workers by the community college in a regional skills gap analysis or by the department of workforce development in the department's most recent quarterly report. If a community college no longer identifies the industry as having a shortage of skilled workers or the department no longer identifies the industry as a high-demand job, an eligible student who received a grant for a career-technical or career option program based on that identification shall continue to receive the grant until achieving a postsecondary credential, up to an associate degree, as long as the student is continuously enrolled in that program and continues to meet all other eligibility requirements.

c. A recipient may receive an award under this program for general education classes identified by the community college as required for completion of a career-technical or career option program in an identified skilled workforce shortage area. A recipient must be concurrently enrolled in a career-technical or career option program.

d. A recipient may receive an award under this program for not more than the equivalent of four semesters. A recipient who is making satisfactory academic progress but cannot complete the course because of required classes may receive the grant for one additional semester.

e. A recipient who is a full-time student may receive no more than one-half of the student's tuition and fees, as established by the commission, or the amount of the student's established financial need, whichever is less. A recipient who is a part-time student shall receive a prorated portion of the full-time award. The proration will be established by the commission in a manner consistent with federal Pell Grant Program proration. Recipients who are part-time students enrolled in 3 to 5 credit hours will receive awards equal to one-fourth of the full-time award; recipients enrolled in 6 to 8 credit hours will receive awards equal to one-half of the full-time award; and recipients enrolled in 9 to 11 credit hours will receive awards equal to three-fourths of the full-time award.

f. A recipient may again be eligible for an award under paragraph 23.1(2)"d" if the recipient resumes study after at least a two-year absence, except that award assistance shall not be used for coursework for which credit was previously received.

Item 2. Amend subrule 23.1(3) as follows:

23.1(3) Priority for grants.

a. Applicants enrolled in programs required to fill the needs of industry in areas which have been identified as having shortages of skilled workers by the community college in a regional skills gap analysis or by the department of workforce development in the department's most recent quarterly report will receive priority. Skill gap areas will be ranked by each community college in order of the perceived need, and awards will be made to applicants as long as funding remains available.

b. Applicants who apply by the priority date specified in the application are ranked in order of the estimated amount of the family's contribution toward college expenses, and awards are granted to those who demonstrate need in order of family contribution from lowest to highest, insofar as funds permit.

Item 3. Amend rule 283—23.1(261), implementation sentence, as follows:

This rule is intended to implement 2012 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2321, section 20 Iowa Code section 261.130.