reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.2 - Definitions.

260G.2 Definitions.
When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Accelerated career education program” means a program established pursuant to section 260G.3.
2. “Agreement” means a program agreement referred to in section 260G.3 between an employer and a community college.
3. “Board of directors” means the board of directors of a community college.
4. “Community college” means a community college established under chapter 260C or a consortium of two or more community colleges.
5. “Employee” means a person employed in a program job.
6. “Employer” means a business or consortium of businesses engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce for the purpose of manufacturing, processing, or assembling products, construction, conducting research and development, or providing services in interstate or intrastate commerce, but excludes retail services.
7. “Highly skilled job” means a job with a broadly based, high performance skill profile including advanced computation and communication skills, technology skills, and workplace behavior skills, and for which an applied technical education is required.
8. “Participant” means an individual who is enrolled in an accelerated career education program at a community college.
9. “Participant position” means the individual student enrollment position available in an accelerated career education program.
10. “Program capital costs” includes, but is not limited to, costs related to any or all of the following:
a. Classroom and laboratory renovation.
b. New classroom and laboratory construction.
c. Site acquisition or preparation.
d. Instructional equipment and technology.
11. “Program costs” means all necessary and incidental costs of providing program services.
12. “Program job” means a highly skilled job available from an employer pursuant to a program agreement.
13. “Program job credit” means the credit as provided in section 260G.4A.
14. “Program job position” means a job position which is planned or available for an employee by the employer pursuant to a program agreement.
15. “Program services” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following provided they are pursuant to a program agreement:
a. Program needs assessment and development.
b. Job task analysis.
c. Curriculum development and revision.
d. Instruction.
e. Instructional materials and supplies.
f. Computer software and upgrades.
g. Instructional support.
h. Administrative and student services.
i. Related school-to-career training programs.
j. Skill or career interest assessment services and testing.
k. Contracted services.
99 Acts, ch 179, §2, 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1196, §2, 10
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.4 - Program eligibility and designation.

260G.4 Program eligibility and designation.
1. Any of the following community college programs are eligible for designation and approval as an accelerated career education program by the board of directors:
a. A credit career and technical education program resulting in the conferring of a certificate, diploma, associate of science degree, or associate of applied science degree, which increases program capacity to enroll added participants.
b. A credit equivalent career and technical education program consisting of not less than five hundred forty contact hours of classroom and laboratory instruction and resulting in the conferring of a certificate or other recognized, competency-based credential, which increases program capacity to enroll added participants.
2. Program costs shall be calculated or recalculated on an annual basis based on the required program services and for a specific number of participant positions.
99 Acts, ch 179, §4, 12; 2016 Acts, ch 1108, §58
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.4A - Program job credits from withholding.

260G.4A Program job credits from withholding.
In order to develop and retain program jobs within the state, an agreement entered into under section 260G.3 may include a provision for program job credits based on program jobs identified in the agreement. If a program provides that part of the program costs are to be met by receipt of program job credits, the method to be used shall be as follows:
1. Program job credits shall be based upon the program job positions identified and agreed to in the agreement.
2. Eligibility for program job credits shall be based on certification of program job positions and program job wages by the employer at the time established in the agreement. An amount up to ten percent of the gross program job wage as certified by the employer in the agreement shall be credited from the total payment made by an employer pursuant to section 422.16. The employer shall receive a credit against all withholding taxes due by the employer regardless of whether or not the withholding from the employer of current program job wages is less than ten percent. The employer shall remit the amount of the credit quarterly in the same manner as withholding payments are reported to the department of revenue, to the community college to be allocated to and when collected paid into a special fund of the community college to pay, in part, the program costs. When the program costs have been paid, the employer credits shall cease and any moneys received after the program costs have been paid shall be remitted to the treasurer of state to be deposited in the general fund of the state.
3. The employer shall certify to the department of revenue that the program job credit is in accordance with the agreement and shall provide other information the department may require.
4. A community college shall certify to the department of revenue that the amount of the program job credit is in accordance with an agreement and shall provide other information the department may require.
5. Employees from an employer participating in an agreement shall receive full credit for the amount withheld as provided in section 422.16.
6. Pursuant to an agreement or a statement of intent to enter into an agreement dated on or after July 1, 2000, program job credits may be allocated retroactively to program costs incurred on or after July 1, 2000.
2000 Acts, ch 1196, §4, 10; 2001 Acts, ch 99, §1, 2; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286
Referred to in §260G.2
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.4B - Maximum statewide program job credit.

260G.4B Maximum statewide program job credit.
1. The total amount of program job credits from all employers which shall be allocated for all accelerated career education programs in the state in any one fiscal year shall not exceed five million four hundred thousand dollars. A community college shall file a copy of each agreement with the economic development authority. The authority shall maintain an annual record of the proposed program job credits under each agreement for each fiscal year. Upon receiving a copy of an agreement, the authority shall allocate any available amount of program job credits to the community college according to the agreement sufficient for the fiscal year and for the term of the agreement. When the total available program job credits are allocated for a fiscal year, the authority shall notify all community colleges that the maximum amount has been allocated and that further program job credits will not be available for the remainder of the fiscal year. Once program job credits have been allocated to a community college, the full allocation shall be received by the community college throughout the fiscal year and for the term of the agreement even if the statewide program job credit maximum amount is subsequently allocated and used.
2. For the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2000, and July 1, 2001, the department of economic development shall allocate eighty thousand dollars of the first one million two hundred thousand dollars of program job credits authorized and available for that fiscal year to each community college. This allocation shall be used by each community college to provide funding for approved programs. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2002, and for every fiscal year thereafter, the economic development authority shall divide equally among the community colleges thirty percent of the program job credits available for that fiscal year for allocation to each community college to be used to provide funding for approved programs. If any portion of the allocation to a community college under this subsection has not been committed by April 1 of the fiscal year for which the allocation is made, the uncommitted portion is available for use by other community colleges. Once a community college has committed its allocation for any fiscal year under this subsection, the community college may receive additional program job credit allocations from those program job credits authorized and still available for that fiscal year.
2000 Acts, ch 1196, §5, 10; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §35; 2002 Acts, ch 1175, §30; 2003 Acts, ch 179, §35; 2004 Acts, ch 1101, §31; 2010 Acts, ch 1138, §9; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §85, 89
Referred to in §260G.3
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.4C - Facilitator.

260G.4C Facilitator.
The economic development authority shall administer the statewide allocations of program job credits to accelerated career education programs. The authority shall provide information about the accelerated career education programs in accordance with its annual reporting requirements in section 15.107B.
2000 Acts, ch 1196, §6, 10; 2008 Acts, ch 1122, §14; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §79, 85, 89
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.5 - Customer tracking system.

260G.5 Customer tracking system.
All participants in an accelerated career education program shall be included in the customer tracking system implemented by the department of workforce development pursuant to section 84A.5 following program completion.
99 Acts, ch 179, §8, 12
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260G - ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM › Section 260G.6 - Fund established — allocation of moneys.

260G.6 Fund established — allocation of moneys.
1. An accelerated career education fund is established in the state treasury consisting of moneys appropriated to the fund for purposes of funding the cost of accelerated career education program capital projects.
2. Projects funded pursuant to this section shall be for vertical infrastructure as defined in section 8.57, subsection 5, paragraph “c”.
3. If moneys are appropriated by the general assembly to support program capital costs, the moneys shall be allocated equally to each community college.
99 Acts, ch 179, §9, 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §19; 2009 Acts, ch 123, §7; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §68; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §80, 85, 89; 2012 Acts, ch 1018, §2; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §137
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.2 - Pathways for academic career and employment program — fund.

260H.2 Pathways for academic career and employment program — fund.
1. A pathways for academic career and employment program is established to provide funding to community colleges for the development of projects in coordination with the economic development authority, the department of education, the department of workforce development, local workforce development boards established pursuant to section 84A.4, and community partners to implement a simplified, streamlined, and comprehensive process, along with customized support services, to enable eligible participants to acquire effective academic and employment training to secure gainful, quality, in-state employment.
2. a. A pathways for academic career and employment fund is created for the community colleges in the state treasury to be administered by the department of education. The moneys in the pathways for academic career and employment fund are appropriated to the department of education for the pathways for academic career and employment program.
b. The aggregate total of grants awarded from the pathways for academic career and employment fund during a fiscal year shall not be more than five million dollars.
c. Moneys in the fund shall be allocated pursuant to the formula established in section 260C.18C. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state but shall remain available for expenditure for the purpose designated for subsequent fiscal years. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
2011 Acts, ch 118, §87, 89; 2011 Acts, ch 132, §72, 106; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §36; 2013 Acts, ch 141, §42; 2016 Acts, ch 1118, §16, 21
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.3 - Eligibility criteria.

260H.3 Eligibility criteria.
1. Projects eligible for funding for the pathways for academic career and employment program shall be projects that further the ability of members of target populations to secure gainful, quality employment. For the purposes of this chapter, “target population” includes:
a. Persons deemed low skilled for the purposes of attaining gainful, quality, in-state employment.
b. Persons earning incomes at or below two hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services.
c. Unemployed persons.
d. Underemployed persons.
e. Dislocated workers, including workers eligible for services and benefits under the federal Trade Adjustment Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-210, as determined by the department of workforce development and the federal internal revenue service.
2. Projects eligible for funding for the pathways for academic career and employment program shall be projects that further partnerships that link the community colleges to industry and nonprofit organizations and projects that further program outcomes as provided in section 260H.4.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §73, 106; 2013 Acts, ch 141, §43
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.4 - Program outcomes.

260H.4 Program outcomes.
Projects eligible for funding for the pathways for academic career and employment program shall be programs which further the following program outcomes:
1. Enabling the target populations to:
a. Acquire and demonstrate competency in basic skills.
b. Acquire and demonstrate competency in a specified technical field.
c. Complete a specified level of postsecondary education.
d. Earn a national career readiness certificate.
e. Obtain employer-validated credentials.
f. Secure gainful employment in high-quality, local jobs.
2. Satisfaction of economic and employment goals including but not limited to:
a. Economic and workforce development requirements in each region served by the community colleges as defined by local workforce development boards established pursuant to section 84A.4.
b. Needs of industry partners in areas including but not limited to:
(1) Information technology.
(2) Health care.
(3) Advanced manufacturing.
(4) Transportation and logistics.
(5) Any other industry designated as in-demand by a local workforce development board established pursuant to section 84A.4.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §74, 106; 2013 Acts, ch 141, §44, 45; 2016 Acts, ch 1118, §17, 18, 21
Referred to in §260H.3
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.5 - Program component requirements.

260H.5 Program component requirements.
Program components of a pathways for academic career and employment project implemented at a community college shall:
1. Include measurable and effective recruitment, assessment, and referral activities designed for the target populations.
2. Integrate basics skills and work-readiness training with occupational skills training.
3. Combine customized supportive and case management services with training services to help participants overcome barriers to employment.
4. Provide training services at times, locations, and through multiple, flexible modalities that are easily understood and readily accessible to the target populations. Such modalities shall support timeless entry, individualized learning, and flexible scheduling, and may include online remediation, learning lab and cohort learning communities, tutoring, and modularization.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §75, 106
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.6 - Pipeline program.

260H.6 Pipeline program.
Each community college receiving funding for the pathways for academic career and employment program shall develop a pipeline program in order to better serve the academic, training, and employment needs of the target populations. A pipeline program shall have the following goals:
1. To strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations and industry representatives.
2. To improve and simplify the identification, recruitment, and assessment of qualified participants.
3. To conduct and manage an outreach, recruitment, and intake process, along with accompanying support services, reflecting sensitivity to the time and financial constraints and remediation needs of the target populations.
4. To conduct orientations for qualified participants to describe regional labor market opportunities, employer partners, and program requirements and expectations.
5. To describe the concepts of the project implemented with funds from the pathways for academic career and employment program and the embedded educational and support resources available through such project.
6. To outline the basic skills participants will learn and describe the credentials participants will earn.
7. To describe success milestones and ways in which temporal and instructional barriers have been minimized or eliminated.
8. To review how individualized and customized service strategies for participants will be developed and provided.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §76, 106
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.7 - Career pathways and bridge curriculum development program.

260H.7 Career pathways and bridge curriculum development program.
Each community college receiving funding for the pathways for academic career and employment program shall develop a career pathways and bridge curriculum development program in order to better serve the academic, training, and employment needs of the target populations. A career pathways and bridge curriculum development program shall have the following goals:
1. The articulation of courses and modules, the mapping of programs within career pathways, and establishment of bridges between credit and noncredit programs.
2. The integration and contextualization of basic skills education and skills training. This process shall provide for seamless progressions between adult basic education and general education development programs and continuing education and credit certificate, diploma, and degree programs.
3. The development of career pathways that support the attainment of industry-recognized credentials, diplomas, and degrees through stackable, modularized program delivery.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §77, 106
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.7A - Pathway navigators.

260H.7A Pathway navigators.
1. A community college may use moneys for the pathways for academic career and employment program to employ pathway navigators to assist students applying for or enrolled in eligible pathways for academic career and employment projects.
2. Pathway navigators shall provide services and support to aid students in selecting pathways for academic career and employment projects that will result in gainful, quality, in-state employment and to ensuring students are successful once enrolled in pathways for academic career and employment projects. Services the pathway navigators may provide include but are not limited to the following:
a. Interviewing and selecting students for enrollment in pathways for academic career and employment projects.
b. Assessing students’ skills, interests, and previous academic and work experience for purposes of placement in pathways for academic career and employment projects.
c. Working with students to develop academic and career plans and to adjust such plans as needed.
d. Assisting students in applying for and receiving resources for financial aid and other forms of tuition assistance.
e. Assisting students with the admissions process, remedial education, academic credit transfer, meeting assessment requirements, course registration, and other procedures necessary for successful completion of pathways for academic career and employment projects.
f. Assisting in identifying and resolving obstacles to students’ successful completion of pathways for academic career and employment projects.
g. Connecting students with useful college resources or outside support services such as access to child care, transportation, and tutorial assistance, as needed.
h. Maintaining ongoing contact with students enrolled in pathways for academic career and employment projects and ensuring students are making satisfactory progress toward the successful completion of projects.
i. Providing support to students transitioning from remedial education, short-term training, and classroom experience to employment.
j. Coordinating activities with community-based organizations that serve as key recruiters for pathways for academic career and employment projects and assisting students throughout the recruitment process.
k. Coordinating adult basic education services.
2013 Acts, ch 141, §46
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.7B - Regional industry sector partnerships.

260H.7B Regional industry sector partnerships.
1. A community college may use moneys for the pathways for academic career and employment program to provide staff and support for the development and implementation of regional industry sector partnerships within the region served by the community college.
2. Regional, industry sector partnerships may include but are not limited to the following activities:
a. Bringing together representatives from industry sectors, government, education, local workforce boards, community-based organizations, labor, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders within the regional labor market to determine how pathways for academic career and employment projects should address workforce skills gaps, occupational shortages, and wage gaps.
b. Integrating pathways for academic career and employment projects and other existing supply-side strategies with workforce needs within the region served by the community college.
c. Developing pathways for academic career and employment projects that focus on the workforce skills, from entry level to advanced, required by industry sectors within the region served by the community college.
d. Structuring pathways so that instruction and learning of workforce skills are aligned with industry-recognized standards where such standards exist.
2013 Acts, ch 141, §47
Referred to in §258.6, 258.14
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260H - PATHWAYS FOR ACADEMIC CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT ACT › Section 260H.8 - Rules.

260H.8 Rules.
The department of education, in consultation with the community colleges, the economic development authority, and the department of workforce development, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A and this chapter to implement the provisions of this chapter. Local workforce development boards established pursuant to section 84A.4 shall be consulted in the development and implementation of rules to be adopted pursuant to this chapter.
2011 Acts, ch 118, §87, 89; 2011 Acts, ch 132, §78, 106; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §37; 2016 Acts, ch 1118, §19, 21
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.2 - Gap tuition assistance program — fund.

260I.2 Gap tuition assistance program — fund.
1. A gap tuition assistance program is established to provide funding to community colleges for need-based tuition assistance to applicants to enable completion of continuing education certificate training programs for in-demand occupations.
2. a. There is established for the community colleges a gap tuition assistance fund in the state treasury to be administered by the department of education. The funds in the gap tuition assistance fund are appropriated to the department of education for the gap tuition assistance program.
b. The aggregate total of grants awarded from the gap tuition assistance fund during a fiscal year shall not be more than two million dollars.
c. Except as provided in section 260I.10, subsection 4, moneys in the fund shall be allocated pursuant to the formula established in section 260C.18C. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state but shall remain available for expenditure for the purpose designated for subsequent fiscal years. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §80, 106; 2012 Acts, ch 1132, §18; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §21
Referred to in §260I.10
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.3 - Applicants for tuition assistance — eligibility criteria.

260I.3 Applicants for tuition assistance — eligibility criteria.
1. The state board of education shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A defining eligibility criteria for persons applying to receive tuition assistance under this chapter.
2. Eligibility for tuition assistance under this chapter shall be based on financial need. Criteria to be assessed in determining financial need shall include but is not limited to:
a. The applicant’s family income for the three months prior to the date of application or documentation of a life-changing event.
b. The applicant’s family size.
c. The applicant’s county of residence.
3. a. An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter must have a demonstrated capacity to achieve the following outcomes:
(1) The ability to complete an eligible certificate program.
(2) The ability to enter a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree program for credit.
(3) The ability to gain full-time employment.
(4) The ability to maintain full-time employment over time.
b. The community college receiving the application shall only approve an applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter if the community college determines the applicant has a strong likelihood of achieving the outcomes described in paragraph “a” after considering factors including but not limited to:
(1) Barriers that may prevent an applicant from completing the certificate program.
(2) Barriers that may prevent an applicant from gaining employment in an in-demand occupation.
4. Applicants may be found eligible for partial or total tuition assistance.
5. Tuition assistance shall not be approved when the community college receiving the application determines that funding for an applicant’s participation in an eligible certificate program is available from any other public or private funding source.
6. The community college receiving the application may limit an applicant to one eligible certificate program or to eligible programs within one career pathway, based on the funding available to the community college for purposes of this program.
2011 Acts, ch 118, §87, 89; 2011 Acts, ch 132, §81, 106; 2015 Acts, ch 140, §44, 58, 59; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §22 – 24; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §101
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.4 - Applicants for tuition assistance — additional provisions.

260I.4 Applicants for tuition assistance — additional provisions.
1. An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter shall provide to the community college receiving the application documentation of all sources of income.
2. Only an applicant eligible to work in the United States shall be approved for tuition assistance under this chapter.
3. An application shall be valid for six months from the date of signature on the application.
4. Eligibility for tuition assistance under this chapter shall not be construed to guarantee enrollment in any community college certificate program.
5. Eligibility for tuition assistance under this chapter shall be limited to persons earning incomes at or below two hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services.
6. Persons earning incomes between one hundred fifty percent and two hundred fifty percent, both percentages inclusive, of the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the United States department of health and human services shall be given first priority for tuition assistance under this chapter. Persons earning incomes below one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level shall be given second priority for tuition assistance under this chapter.
7. A person who is eligible for financial assistance pursuant to the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220, or the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128, shall be ineligible for tuition assistance under this chapter unless such funds budgeted for training assistance for the adult, dislocated worker, or youth programs have been fully expended by a workforce region.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §82, 106; 2013 Acts, ch 141, §48; 2015 Acts, ch 140, §45, 58, 59; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §25
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.5 - Eligible costs.

260I.5 Eligible costs.
Costs of a certificate program eligible for coverage by tuition assistance shall include but are not limited to:
1. Tuition.
2. Direct training costs.
3. Required books and equipment.
4. Fees including but not limited to fees for industry testing services and background check testing services.
5. Costs of providing direct staff support services including but not limited to marketing, outreach, application, interview, and assessment processes. Eligible costs for this purpose shall be limited to twenty percent of any allocation of moneys to the two smallest community colleges, ten percent of any allocation of moneys to the two largest community colleges, and fifteen percent of any allocation of moneys to the remaining eleven community colleges. Community college size shall be determined based on the most recent three-year rolling average full-time equivalent enrollment.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §83, 106; 2013 Acts, ch 141, §49
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.6 - Eligible certificate programs.

260I.6 Eligible certificate programs.
For the purposes of this chapter, “eligible certificate program” means a program meeting all of the following criteria:
1. The program is not offered for credit, but is aligned with a certificate, diploma, or degree for credit, and does any of the following:
a. Offers a state, national, or locally recognized certificate.
b. Offers preparation for a professional examination or licensure.
c. Provides endorsement for an existing credential or license.
d. Represents recognized skill standards defined by an industrial sector.
e. Offers a similar credential or training.
2. The program offers training or a credential in an in-demand occupation. For the purposes of this chapter, “in-demand occupation” includes occupations in the following industries:
a. Information technology.
b. Health care.
c. Advanced manufacturing.
d. Transportation and logistics.
e. Any other industry designated as in-demand by a local workforce development board established pursuant to section 84A.4.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §84, 106; 2016 Acts, ch 1118, §20, 21
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.7 - Initial assessment.

260I.7 Initial assessment.
An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter shall complete an initial assessment administered by the community college receiving the application to determine the applicant’s readiness to complete an eligible certificate program. The assessment shall include the areas of reading and mathematics. An applicant shall complete any additional assessments and occupational research required by an eligible certificate program.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §85, 106; 2012 Acts, ch 1132, §19; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §26
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.8 - Program interview.

260I.8 Program interview.
An applicant for tuition assistance under this chapter shall meet with a member of the staff for an eligible certificate program offered by the community college receiving the application. The staff member shall discuss the relevant industry, any applicable occupational research, and any applicable training relating to the eligible certificate program. The discussion shall include an evaluation of the applicant’s capabilities, needs, family situation, work history, educational background, attitude and motivation, employment skills, vocational and technical potential, and employment barriers. The discussion shall also include potential start dates, support needs, and other requirements for an eligible certificate program.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §86, 106; 2016 Acts, ch 1108, §59
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.9 - Participation requirements.

260I.9 Participation requirements.
1. A participant in an eligible certificate program who receives tuition assistance pursuant to this chapter shall do all of the following:
a. Maintain regular contact with staff members for the certificate program to document the applicant’s progress in the program.
b. Sign a release form to provide relevant information to community college faculty or case managers.
c. Discuss with staff members for the certificate program any issues that may impact the participant’s ability to complete the certificate program, obtain employment, and maintain employment over time.
d. Attend all required courses regularly.
e. Meet with staff members for the certificate program to develop a job search plan.
2. A community college may terminate tuition assistance for a participant who fails to meet the requirements of this section.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §87, 106
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.10 - Oversight.

260I.10 Oversight.
1. The department of education, in coordination with the community colleges, shall establish a steering committee. The steering committee shall determine if the performance measures of the gap tuition assistance program are being met and shall take necessary steps to correct any deficiencies. The steering committee shall meet at least quarterly to evaluate and monitor the performance of the gap tuition assistance program.
2. The department of education, in coordination with the community colleges, shall develop a common intake tracking system that shall be implemented consistently by each participating community college.
3. The department of education shall coordinate statewide oversight, evaluation, and reporting efforts for the gap tuition assistance program.
4. The department of education, in coordination with the community colleges, may adjust the allocations generated pursuant to section 260I.2, subsection 2, paragraph “c”, to ensure efficient delivery of services.
2011 Acts, ch 132, §88, 106; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §27; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §385, 391, 392
Referred to in §260I.2
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 260I - GAP TUITION ASSISTANCE ACT › Section 260I.11 - Rules.

260I.11 Rules.
The state board of education, in consultation with the community colleges, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A and this chapter to implement the provisions of this chapter.
2011 Acts, ch 118, §87, 89; 2011 Acts, ch 132, §89, 106; 2019 Acts, ch 135, §28
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.3 - Organization — bylaws.

261.3 Organization — bylaws.
1. The commission is an autonomous state agency which is attached to the department of education for organizational purposes only.
2. The commission shall determine its own organization, draw up its own bylaws, adopt rules under chapter 17A, and do such other things as may be necessary and incidental in the administration of this chapter, including the housing, employment, and fixing the compensation and bond of persons required to carry out its functions and responsibilities. A decision of the commission is final agency action under chapter 17A.
3. The commission shall function at the seat of government or such other place as it might designate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.3]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1454; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.4 - Funds — compensation and expenses of commission.

261.4 Funds — compensation and expenses of commission.
The director of the department of administrative services shall keep an accounting of all funds received and expended by the commission. The members of the commission, except those members who are employees of the state, shall be paid a per diem as specified in section 7E.6 and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. All per diem and expense moneys paid to nonlegislative members shall be paid from funds appropriated to the commission. Legislative members of the commission shall receive payment pursuant to section 2.10 and section 2.12.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.4]
90 Acts, ch 1256, §44; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.7 - Textbook notice — legislative intent and recommendation.

261.7 Textbook notice — legislative intent and recommendation.
1. In order to promote consumer choice and lower the costs of textbooks in higher education, the general assembly intends that students enrolled in institutions of higher learning have access to appropriate textbook information prior to the start of classes, with adequate time to pursue alternative purchase avenues.
2. The general assembly recommends that every public and private institution of higher education in this state, including those institutions referenced in chapters 260C and 262 and section 261.9, post the list of required and suggested textbooks for all courses and the corresponding international standard book numbers for such textbooks at least fourteen days before the start of each semester or term, to the extent possible, at the locations where textbooks are sold on campus and on the internet site for the respective institution of higher education.
3. The college student aid commission is directed to convey the legislative intent and recommendation contained in this section to every institution of higher education in the state registered pursuant to chapter 261B at least once a year.
2008 Acts, ch 1146, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §125; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §257
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.10 - Who qualified.

261.10 Who qualified.
A tuition grant may be awarded to a resident of Iowa who is admitted and in attendance as a full-time or part-time resident student at an accredited private institution and who establishes financial need.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.10]
88 Acts, ch 1284, §25
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.11 - Extent of grant.

261.11 Extent of grant.
A qualified full-time resident student may receive tuition grants for not more than eight semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent. A qualified part-time resident student may receive tuition grants for not more than sixteen semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.11]
88 Acts, ch 1284, §26
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.12 - Amount of grant.

261.12 Amount of grant.
1. The amount of a tuition grant to a qualified full-time student for the fall and spring semesters, or the trimester equivalent, shall be the amount of the student’s financial need for that period. However, a tuition grant shall not exceed the lesser of:
a. The total tuition and mandatory fees for that student for two semesters or the trimester or quarter equivalent, less the base amount determined annually by the college student aid commission, which base amount shall be within ten dollars of the average tuition for two semesters or the trimester equivalent of undergraduate study at the state universities under the board of regents, but in any event the base amount shall not be less than four hundred dollars; or
b. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, and for each succeeding fiscal year, an amount equivalent to the average resident tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters or the equivalent of undergraduate study at the institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents.
2. The amount of a tuition grant to a qualified full-time student for the summer semester or trimester equivalent shall be one-half the amount of the tuition grant the student receives under subsection 1.
3. The amount of a tuition grant to a qualified part-time student enrolled in a course of study including at least three semester hours but fewer than twelve semester hours for the fall, spring, and summer semesters, or the trimester or quarter equivalent, shall be equal to the amount of a tuition grant that would be paid to a full-time student times a number which represents the number of hours in which the part-time student is actually enrolled divided by twelve semester hours, or the trimester or quarter equivalent.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.12]
83 Acts, ch 197, §13; 84 Acts, ch 1302, §16; 85 Acts, ch 263, §16; 88 Acts, ch 1284, §27; 89 Acts, ch 300, §3; 89 Acts, ch 319, §43; 90 Acts, ch 1253, §122; 90 Acts, ch 1272, §49; 91 Acts, ch 10, §1; 91 Acts, ch 258, §39; 95 Acts, ch 218, §21; 96 Acts, ch 1215, §36; 96 Acts, ch 1219, §4, 5; 97 Acts, ch 212, §25; 98 Acts, ch 1215, §33; 99 Acts, ch 205, §28; 2000 Acts, ch 1223, §26; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §151; 2015 Acts, ch 140, §46, 58, 59; 2017 Acts, ch 172, §16
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.13 - Annual grant.

261.13 Annual grant.
A tuition grant may be made annually for the fall, spring, and summer semesters or the trimester equivalent. Payments under the grant shall be allocated equally among the semesters or trimesters and shall be paid at the beginning of each semester or trimester upon certification by the accredited private institution that the student is admitted and 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 to the state.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.13]
96 Acts, ch 1219, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.14 - Other aid considered.

261.14 Other aid considered.
If a student receives financial aid under any other program the full amount of such financial aid shall be considered part of the student’s financial resources available in determining the amount of the student’s financial need for that period. In no case may the state’s total financial contribution to the student’s education, including financial aid under any other state program, exceed the tuition and mandatory fees at the institution which the student attends.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.14]
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.15 - Administration by commission — rules.

261.15 Administration by commission — rules.
The commission shall administer this program and shall:
1. Provide application forms and parents’ confidential statement forms.
2. Adopt rules and regulations for determining financial need, defining tuition and mandatory fees, defining residence for the purposes of this subchapter, processing and approving applications for tuition grants, and determining priority of grants. The commission may provide for proration of funds if the available funds are insufficient to pay all approved grants. Such proration shall take primary account of the financial need of the applicant. In determining who is a resident of Iowa, the commission’s rules shall be at least as restrictive as those of the board of regents.
3. Approve and award tuition grants.
4. Make an annual report to the governor and general assembly, and evaluate the tuition grant program for the period. The commission may require the accredited private institution to promptly furnish any information which the commission may request in connection with the tuition grant program.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.15]
2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
Referred to in §261.16A
2023 Iowa Code › Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS › Chapter 261 - COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION › Section 261.16 - Application for grants.

261.16 Application for grants.
Each applicant, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission, shall:
1. Complete and file an application for a tuition grant.
2. Be responsible for the submission of the parents’ confidential statement for processing, the processed information to be returned both to the commission and to the college in which the applicant is enrolling.
3. Report promptly to the commission any information requested.
4. File a new application and parents’ confidential statement annually on the basis of which the applicant’s eligibility for a renewed tuition grant will be evaluated and determined.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §261.16]
Referred to in §261.16A