HF 1753

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:54am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a summer academy and a onetime
grant to help pay tuition; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 136A.121,
by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 135A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.61] HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE DEVELOPMENTAL
TRANSITION PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin All public higher education systems and other higher education institutions in
Minnesota are encouraged to offer a research-based high school to college developmental
transition program to provide developmental education to eligible students. An entity
that provides a program under this section must promote the program as part of its
activities under section 136A.121, subdivision 20. A program under this section must, at a
minimum, include instruction to develop the skills and abilities necessary to be ready for
college-level academic work when the student enrolls in a degree, diploma, or certificate
program and the skills identified by a college readiness assessment completed by the
student. A program offered under this section must not constitute more than the equivalent
of one semester of full-time study. A program completed under this section must be
identified on the student's transcript with a unique identifier to distinguish it from other
developmental education classes or programs.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 136A.121, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9b. new text end

new text begin Onetime grant for high school to college developmental transition
program. new text end

new text begin (a) A student who enrolls in an eligible program under section 135A.61 is
eligible for a onetime grant to help pay expenses to attend the program. The amount
of the grant must be determined according to subdivision 5, except as required under
paragraph (b). The requirement in subdivision 9a that subtracts a federal Pell Grant award
for which a student would be eligible even if the student has exhausted the federal Pell
Grant award does not apply for a student who receives a grant under this subdivision in
the award year in which the grant is received.
new text end

new text begin (b) If a student's income used to determine eligibility is less than 185 percent of the
federal poverty guideline, adjusted for family size, the maximum amount of the grant is
the total amount under subdivision 6. The student must invest an amount equivalent to
the average amount a student would earn working in an on-campus work-study position
for ten hours per week during a summer term. This amount must be subtracted from the
maximum amount.
new text end

new text begin (c) A grant under this subdivision does not count toward the eight semesters or
equivalent under subdivision 9. A grant under this subdivision must not be awarded for
the same term as a grant under any other section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for students who graduate after
December 31, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 136A.121, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Institutional partnership with high schools. new text end

new text begin An eligible institution in
Minnesota that admits a student who receives a grant under this section must develop
a partnership with at least two high schools that have a lower than average college
attendance rate to promote academic preparation and college attendance. The Minnesota
Office of Higher Education must maintain a current list of high schools in the state that
have a lower than average college attendance rate and are eligible to be considered a
partner school under this provision. The activities under this subdivision must include
making available to students, at very low cost or no cost, a college readiness assessment
that meets recognized standards. Institutions must provide help to students and families in
completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and must include in
the activities a visit to a college campus.
new text end