Relating to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board and the state board of regents

This bill relates to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board and the state board of regents. The bill establishes the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program (WGIP) within the college student aid commission (commission), subject to an appropriation of moneys by the general assembly. The bill provides that a full-time eligible student may receive an annual grant under the WGIP for not more than four semesters or until the eligible student completes the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill also provides that a part-time eligible student may receive an annual grant under the WGIP for not more than eight semesters, on a prorated basis, or until the eligible student completes the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill establishes that the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP to a full-time eligible student shall not exceed $2,000 per semester, and the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP to a part-time eligible student shall be prorated based on the part-time eligible student’s semester hour enrollment. The bill requires eligible students to submit new applications under the WGIP to the commission annually for reevaluation of eligibility. The bill provides that if a grant recipient discontinues attendance before the end of any semester, the eligible institution is required to pay to the commission the entire amount of any refund due to that recipient, up to the full amount of the grant payments made during the semester. When making awards under the WGIP, the bill requires the commission to give priority to applicants who received an award in the prior academic year and applicants with the least financial ability to pay. The bill provides that an individual who was an eligible student who received a grant under the WGIP in the academic year in which the eligible program is completed, and who accepts and begins employment in an aligned occupation in this state within six months of completing the eligible program, may apply to the commission for one incentive payment of up to $2,000. The bill establishes that the commission shall pay the incentive payment upon the successful applicant’s completion of consecutive months of employment in this state. The bill establishes an Iowa workforce grant and incentive program fund in the state treasury under the control of the commission. The bill provides that all moneys deposited or paid into the fund are appropriated to the commission to be used for awarding grants and incentive payments under the WGIP. The bill defines “commission”, “eligible institution”, “eligible program”, “eligible student”, “financial need”, “full-time”, and “part-time”. The bill requires the Iowa workforce development board, in collaboration with the state board of regents, to create a list of high-wage and high-demand jobs and corresponding academic majors offered by institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents for purposes of the WGIP. The bill establishes the criteria for inclusion on the list. The bill requires the Iowa workforce development board, in collaboration with the state board of regents, to update the list at least once every two years.