HF 1575

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/08/2015 08:00am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; creating the summer academic enrichment program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 136A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [136A.091] SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The summer academic enrichment program is
established to enable elementary and secondary students to attend academic summer
programs sponsored by postsecondary institutions and nonprofit organizations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a program stipend, a student shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) be a resident of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) attend an eligible office-approved program;
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new text begin (3) be in grades 3 through 12, but not have completed high school; new text end

new text begin
(4) have either an overall "C" average or its equivalent for the most recently
recorded academic term in the subject area applicable to the summer program for which
the student applies to attend;
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new text begin (5) meet income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals; and
new text end

new text begin (6) be 19 years of age or younger.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Financial need. new text end

new text begin Need for financial assistance is based on student eligibility
for free or reduced-price school meals. Student eligibility shall be verified by sponsors
of approved academic programs. The office shall award stipends for students within the
limits of available appropriation for this section. If the amount appropriated is insufficient,
the office shall allocate the available appropriation in the manner it determines. A stipend
must not exceed $1,000 per student.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible program sponsors. new text end

new text begin (a) A program stipend may be used only at an
eligible sponsor that is a postsecondary institution or nonprofit educational organization.
A Minnesota public postsecondary institution is an eligible program sponsor. A private
postsecondary institution is an eligible program sponsor if it:
new text end

new text begin (1) is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of
Education for purposes of eligibility to participate in title IV federal financial aid programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) offers an associate or baccalaureate degree program approved under sections
136A.61 to 136A.71; and
new text end

new text begin (3) is located in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) A nonprofit educational organization is an eligible program sponsor if it:
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new text begin (1) is incorporated;
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new text begin (2) has had favorable financial performance with federal or state funds; and
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new text begin (3) has not had significant audit findings.
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new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Eligible programs. new text end

new text begin A program stipend may be used only for an eligible
program. To be eligible, a program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide, as its primary purpose, academic instruction for student enrichment in
core curricular areas of English and language arts, humanities, social studies, science,
mathematics, fine arts, performing arts, and world languages and culture;
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new text begin (2) not be offered for credit to postsecondary students;
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new text begin (3) not provide remedial instruction;
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new text begin (4) meet any other program requirements established by the office; and
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new text begin (5) be approved by the commissioner.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Information. new text end

new text begin The office shall assemble and distribute information about
eligible student participants, program stipends, and eligible programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The office shall determine the time and manner of
program applications, program approval, stipend applications, and final awards.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Program evaluation. new text end

new text begin Each program sponsor must annually submit a
report to the office stating its program goals, activities, and stipend recipient eligibility and
demographic information.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Annually, the office shall submit a report to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the program
providers, stipend recipients, and program activities. The report shall include information
about the students served, the organizations providing services, program goals and
outcomes, and student outcomes.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of the Minnesota
Office of Higher Education for the biennium ending June 30, 2017, for the purpose of
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.091.
new text end