Section 23-3.3-1007 - Student aid applications completion grant program - created - applications - rules - definitions - repeal(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Application completion rate" means the percentage of students enrolled in a high school operated by a local education provider who complete the student aid applications in a single school year.(b) "Grant program" means the student aid applications completion grant program created in this section.(c) "Higher education institution" means a state institution of higher education as defined in section 23-18-102(10)(a), a local district college created pursuant to article 71 of this title 23, an area technical college as defined in section 23-60-103, or a private institution of higher education as defined in section 23-18-102(9).(d) "Local education provider" means a school district organized pursuant to article 30 of title 22, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22, a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22, or a board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates a high school.(e) "Student aid applications" means the free application for federal student aid and the Colorado application for student financial aid.(2)(a) There is created in the initiative the student aid applications completion grant program to provide assistance to local education providers in implementing strategies to increase the number of students enrolled by the local education provider who complete the student aid applications before graduating from high school. To be eligible to participate in the grant program, a local education provider must require students to complete the student aid applications before graduation unless the requirement is waived under conditions described by the local education provider.(b) A local education provider that seeks to participate in the grant program must submit an application to the board in accordance with timelines and procedures specified in rules of the board. At a minimum, the application must include: (I) The student aid application completion rate for high schools operated by the local education provider for the school year immediately preceding the application;(II) The local education provider's goal for increasing the student aid application completion rate;(III) The conditions under which the local education provider may waive the requirement that a student complete the student aid applications before graduating from high school;(IV) Whether the local education provider is partnering or intends to partner with a community-based nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education to support students in completing the student aid applications; and(V) How the local education provider intends to use the money received through the grant program to increase the student aid application completion rate, which may include: (A) Strategies for increasing student and family awareness of the student aid applications and the benefits of completing them and the consequences of failing to complete them;(B) Strategies for increasing student and family awareness of the options for and costs of postsecondary enrollment and a variety of credential and degree programs and how these relate to completion of the student aid applications;(C) Hiring additional school counselors to assist students in completing the student aid applications; and(D) Strategies for increasing the number of students who apply to postsecondary education by encouraging students to complete admission applications in connection with completing the student aid applications.(c) The board shall review the applications received pursuant to this section and, subject to available appropriations, award the grants from money appropriated to the fund pursuant to section 23-3.3-1005(7). In awarding grants, the board shall prioritize applicants that partner with one or more community-based nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education in supporting student completion of student aid applications. Before awarding grants, the board shall consult with the department of education.(3)(a) On or before August 1 immediately following completion of a school year in which a local education provider receives a grant through the grant program, the local education provider shall submit to the board a report specifying how the local education provider used the grant money to increase the student aid application completion rate and whether and to what degree the student aid application completion rate increased above the completion rate for the preceding school year.(b) On or before November 1, 2022, and on or before November 1 for each year in which a local education provider submits a report pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, the board shall include in the annual report prepared pursuant to section 23-3.3-1004(4)(c) a report that summarizes the reports received pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section. The board may include in the summary report recommendations concerning continuation of and changes to the grant program.(4) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.Added by 2021 Ch. 377,§5, eff. 6/29/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1330), ch. 2495, p. 2495, § 5, effective June 29. For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1330, see section 1 of chapter 377, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.