DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLORADO OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
8 CCR 1504-9
Authority:23-3.3-1004(4), C.R.S.; HB: 14-1384
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2.02.4 The initiative shall require all recipients of matching student scholarship grants to consider the following criteria when determining a student applicant’s eligibility to receive tuition assistance: courses of study; commitment to academic achievement; work experience; community involvement; and extracurricular activities. Additional criteria for eligibility of student applicants to receive tuition assistance may be determined and published annually in the initiative’s request for proposal for matching student scholarship grants.
2.02.5Other Permitted Uses of Matching Funds
2.02.5.1When, from time to time, the initiative is approached by funders interested in leveraging matching dollars for scholarship programs outside the funding streams outlined above, the Board may approve agreements that outline the matching ratio, scope of program, and annual commitment.
2.02.5.2Whenever possible, staff will design scholarship projects that expand upon student support grant programs that have been awarded by the initiative.
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2.03Proposal evaluation and review process
2.03.1Proposals will be reviewed by the initiative staff, Board and a cross-department team to ensure they contain all components required by the initiative’s request for proposal for matching student scholarship grants.
2.03.2Each proposal will be scored and reviewed according to a process determined by the Department.
2.03.3Initiative staff will organize and review all proposals and prepare for review by the cross-department team.
2.03.4The cross-department team will review all proposals and determine recommended grant recipients and award amounts.
2.03.5The cross-department team will present final recommendations to the Board.
2.03.6The Board will make final decisions regarding grant recipients and award amounts.
2.03.7 Entities chosen as matching student scholarship grant recipients will be contacted and notified of grant award amounts.
2.04The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative will execute grant agreements with all entities chosen to receive matching student scholarship grants.
2.04.1All grant agreements shall include the following provisions:
2.04.1.1Matching funds will be provided on a 1:1 basis for every dollar brought to the table by approved matching partners.
2.04.1.2Once awarded, initiative grant funds will remain in the initiative’s account until such time as they are to be disbursed for the benefit of individual students receiving scholarships under a recognized initiative program.
2.04.1.3Initiative grant funds must only be used forColorado students whose household incomes are determined to be between 0 and 100% or between 100 and 250% of the maximum permissible income for the purpose of determining eligibility for PELL grants. To the extent practicable, tuition assistance must be evenly distributed between students who are eligible for federal PELL grants and students whose household incomes are determined to be between 100 and 250% of the maximum permissible income for the purpose of determining eligibility for PELL grants.
2.04.1.4To the extent practicable, grants of tuition assistance must be awarded to students representing rural and urban areas of the state and to students attending public vocational schools, community colleges, four-year institutions of higher education, and research institutions.
2.04.1.5Agreements will include criteria regarding reporting of success and/or language requiring sharing of outcomes.
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4.0Evaluation of the effectiveness of the initiative in improving higher education outcomes in the state
4.01The initiative shall use the following criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the initiative in improving higher education outcomes in the state:
4.01.1Reductions in remediation rates and associated costs;
4.01.2Increases in graduation rates;
4.01.3Reductions in average time required to earn a degree;
4.01.4Increases in student retention rates;
4.01.5Reductions in disparities between the academic achievements of certainstudent populations based on demographic, geographic, and economic indicators;
4.01.6Adoption of best practices for student support services;
4.01.7Fulfillment of local workforce needs;
4.01.8Reductions in student loan debt;
4.01.9Improvements in tuition affordability; and
4.01.10 Improvements in students’ access to federal grant programs and other federal sources of support for postsecondary students.
4.02The initiative shall require entities in receipt of matching student scholarship grant funds and community partner program grant funds to provide any information needed to evaluate the initiative’s impact on higher education outcomes in the state according to the above criteria.