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.

[136A.091] SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

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.

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for a program stipend, a student shall:

(1) be a resident of Minnesota;

(2) attend an eligible office-approved program;

(3) be in grades 3 through 12, but not have completed high school;

(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;

(5) meet income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals; and

(6) be 19 years of age or younger.

Subd. 3.

Financial need.

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.

Subd. 4.

Eligible program sponsors.

(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:

(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;

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

(3) is located in Minnesota.

(b) A nonprofit educational organization is an eligible program sponsor if it:

(1) is incorporated;

(2) has had favorable financial performance with federal or state funds; and

(3) has not had significant audit findings.

Subd. 4a.

Eligible programs.

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

(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;

(2) not be offered for credit to postsecondary students;

(3) not provide remedial instruction;

(4) meet any other program requirements established by the office; and

(5) be approved by the commissioner.

Subd. 5.

Information.

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

Subd. 6.

Administration.

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

Subd. 7.

Program evaluation.

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

Subd. 8.

Report.

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.

Sec. 2. SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.

$....... 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.