Authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program

This bill authorizes resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program. Under current law, only individuals who are residents of Iowa, who are admitted and in attendance as full-time or part-time students at certain specified accredited private institutions, and who establish financial need are allowed to receive a scholarship under the Iowa tuition grants program, which is administered by the college student aid commission (CSAC). The bill authorizes CSAC to award a tuition grant to a resident of Iowa who is admitted and in attendance as a student in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program that has been approved by the United States department of education and that is provided by an accredited private institution, a community college, or an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents. Such a student may receive tuition grants for not more than eight semesters of study, or the trimester or quarter equivalent. The amount of a tuition grant to the student shall not exceed an amount equivalent to the resident tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters or the equivalent of the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program provided by the accredited private institution, community college, or institution of higher learning, as applicable. The bill provides that a tuition grant to such a student may be made annually for the fall, spring, and summer semesters or the trimester equivalent. Payments under the grant are required to be allocated equally among the semesters or trimesters and to be paid at the beginning of each semester or trimester upon certification by the accredited private institution, community college, or institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents that provides the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to which the student has been admitted and is in attendance. If the student discontinues attendance before the end of any semester or trimester after receiving payment under the grant, the entire amount of any refund due that student, up to the amount of any payments made under the annual grant, shall be paid by the accredited private institution, community college, or institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents to the state. A comprehensive transition and postsecondary program is a degree, certificate, or nondegree program that is offered by a college, career school, or trade school and is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities who want to continue academic, career, and independent living instruction to prepare for gainful employment. A comprehensive transition and postsecondary program must be approved by the United States department of education. The bill makes conforming changes.