A bill for an act 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.(Formerly HF 2012.)
Summary
HF 2250 expands eligibility for the Iowa tuition grants program to include Iowa residents who are admitted to and attending a federally approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program. These programs are designed for students with intellectual disabilities and focus on academic, career, and independent living skills that support preparation for gainful employment. Under the bill, eligible students may receive grants for up to eight semesters, or the trimester/quarter equivalent, and the grant amount is capped at the resident tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters of the program.
The bill also sets out how the grants are paid and coordinated with other aid. Payments are to be made at the beginning of each term, divided equally across the academic year, and the institution must refund the state if a student leaves before the term ends after receiving grant money. The measure makes conforming changes to the Iowa tuition grants fund so that money in the fund may be used not only for students at accredited private institutions, but also for students in these transition programs at private colleges, community colleges, and regent universities.
Impact
HF 2250 amends Iowa Code chapter 256 to broaden the Iowa tuition grants program and the Iowa tuition grants fund to cover a new category of students: Iowa residents in approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs. It authorizes the College Student Aid Commission to administer grants for these students at accredited private institutions, community colleges, and institutions governed by the state board of regents, while preserving existing limits on total state support and adding refund provisions if a student withdraws mid-term. The bill therefore affects state financial aid administration, participating institutions, and students with intellectual disabilities seeking postsecondary transition programs.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill, with the House passing it 95-0. The subcommittee later recommended passage, and there is no recorded committee testimony in the provided materials indicating organized opposition. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed favorably as a targeted expansion of educational opportunity and financial aid access.
Contention
No major controversy is evident in the provided record. The main policy questions are administrative and fiscal: which institutions may offer qualifying programs, how grant amounts are capped, and how to prevent state aid from exceeding tuition and mandatory fees. Any potential concern would likely center on program cost and coordination with other aid, but the unanimous vote suggests these issues were not contentious in the legislative process shown here.
Similar To
A bill for an act 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.(See HF 2250.)
A bill for an act 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.(See HF 2250.)
A bill for an act providing for a study of transitioning certain medical schools in Iowa from four-year programs to three-year programs.(Formerly HF 146.)
Relating to tuition and fee exemptions for former foster children with intellectual disabilities to attend comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs at a public institution of higher education.
A bill for an act modifying provisions related to programs administered by the college student aid commission, including the skilled workforce shortage tuition grant program, Iowa workforce grant and incentive program, vocational-technical tuition grant program, the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and the gap tuition assistance program, and making appropriations.
A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.(Formerly HSB 60.)
A bill for an act 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.(See HF 2250.)
Relating to the establishment of the Building Better Futures Program to support educational and occupational skills training opportunities and support services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public and private institutions of higher education.