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House File 6 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to workforce development, including
2establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program
3and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce
4development board.
5BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 84A.1B, subsection 14, unnumbered
2paragraph 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
3Create, and update as necessary at least once every five
4years, a list of high-demand jobs statewide for purposes of
5the future ready Iowa registered apprenticeship programs
6created in chapter 15C, the summer youth intern pilot program
7established under section 84A.12, the Iowa employer innovation
8program established under section 84A.13, the future ready Iowa
9skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program established
10under section 261.131, the future ready Iowa skilled workforce
11grant program established under section 261.132, the Iowa
12workforce grant and incentive program established under section
13261.133, and postsecondary summer classes for high school
14students as provided under section 261E.8, subsection 8. In
15addition to the list created by the workforce development
16board under this subsection, each community college, in
17consultation with regional career and technical education
18planning partnerships, and with the approval of the board of
19directors of the community college, may identify and maintain
20a list of not more than five regional high-demand jobs in the
21community college region, and shall share the lists with the
22workforce development board. The lists submitted by community
23colleges under the subsection may be used in that community
24college region for purposes of programs identified under this
25subsection. The workforce development board shall have full
26discretion to select and prioritize statewide high-demand jobs
27after consulting with business and education stakeholders,
28as appropriate, and seeking public comment. The workforce
29development board may add to the list of high-demand jobs as it
30deems necessary. For purposes of this subsection, “high-demand
31job” means a job in the state that the board, or a community
32college in accordance with this subsection, has identified in
33accordance with this subsection. In creating a list under this
34subsection, the following criteria, at a minimum, shall apply:
35 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 261.133 Iowa workforce grant and
-1-1incentive program.
21. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context
3otherwise requires:
4a. “Commission” means the college student aid commission.
5b. “Eligible institution” means an institution of higher
6learning governed by the state board of regents.
7c. “Eligible program” means any of the following:
8(1) A program of study or an academic major jointly approved
9by the commission and the department of workforce development,
10in consultation with the eligible institution, that is
11aligned with a high-demand job designated by the workforce
12development board pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection 14.
13If the workforce development board removes a high-demand
14job from the list created under section 84A.1B, subsection
1514, an eligible student who received a grant for a program
16based on that high-demand job shall continue to receive the
17grant until the eligible program is completed as long as the
18student continuously enrolls and continues to meet all other
19eligibility requirements.
20(2) A teacher preparation program that leads to a bachelor’s
21degree, or initial or intern teaching license issued under
22chapter 272.
23d. “Eligible student” means an Iowa resident who has
24established financial need and who meets all of the following
25requirements:
26(1) Completes and submits application forms required by the
27commission, including the free application for federal student
28aid, by the deadline prescribed by the commission.
29(2) Enrolls in at least three semester hours, or the
30equivalent, in an eligible program.
31(3) Is making satisfactory academic progress as defined by
32the eligible institution.
33e. “Financial need” means the difference between the
34student’s financial resources available, including those
35available from the student’s parents as determined by a
-2-1completed parents’ confidential statement, and the student’s
2anticipated expenses while attending an eligible institution.
3f. “Full-time” means enrollment in at least twelve semester
4hours or the equivalent.
5g. “Part-time” means enrollment in at least three semester
6hours or the equivalent but less than twelve semester hours or
7the equivalent.
82. Student eligibility. An eligible institution shall
9report promptly to the commission information requested to
10establish or verify student eligibility.
113. Grant limitations — requirements.
12a. A full-time eligible student may receive an Iowa
13workforce grant annually for not more than three semesters, or
14the equivalent, or until the eligible student completes the
15eligible program, whichever occurs first. A part-time eligible
16student may receive the grant for not more than six semesters,
17or the equivalent, on a prorated basis, or until the eligible
18student completes the eligible program, whichever occurs first.
19b. The amount of an Iowa workforce grant to a full-time
20eligible student shall not exceed two thousand five hundred
21dollars per semester, or the equivalent. The amount of an Iowa
22workforce grant to a part-time eligible student shall be equal
23to the amount that would be awarded to a full-time student
24except that the commission shall prorate the amount based on
25the recipient student’s semester hour or equivalent enrollment.
26c. An Iowa workforce grant shall be awarded on an annual
27basis, requiring reapplication by an eligible student each
28year. Payments under the grant shall be allocated equally
29among the semesters, or the equivalent, and paid upon
30certification by the eligible institution that the student
31meets the requirements of subsection 1, paragraph “d”.
32d. If a grant recipient discontinues attendance before the
33end of any semester, or the equivalent, after receiving grant
34payments, the entire amount of any refund due that recipient,
35up to the full amount of grant payments made during that
-3-1semester, or the equivalent, shall be paid by the eligible
2institution to the commission.
34. Annual submission of applications. To receive a renewal
4of a grant awarded under this section, an eligible student
5must annually submit a new application to the commission for
6reevaluation of eligibility.
75. Priority for grant awards. In making awards under this
8section, the commission shall give priority to:
9a. Applicants who received an award under this section in
10the prior academic year.
11b. Applicants with the least financial ability to pay,
12using a metric that ranks relative financial ability among all
13applicants.
146. Iowa workforce incentive payment. Notwithstanding the
15grant limitations in subsection 3, an individual who was an
16eligible student who received an Iowa workforce grant in the
17academic year in which the eligible program is completed, and
18who accepts and begins employment in an aligned occupation
19in this state within six months of completing the eligible
20program, may apply for one incentive payment of up to two
21thousand five hundred dollars. The incentive payment shall be
22paid upon completion of twelve consecutive months of full-time
23employment in the aligned occupation in this state, following
24completion of the eligible program.
257. Commission’s duties and responsibilities. Subject to an
26appropriation of moneys by the general assembly for purposes
27of this section, the commission shall administer the Iowa
28workforce grant and incentive program and shall do all of the
29following:
30a. Provide application forms for distribution to students by
31eligible institutions.
32b. Adopt rules under chapter 17A for administration of this
33section, including establishing the duties and responsibilities
34of eligible institutions under the program, defining residence
35and satisfactory academic progress for purposes of the program,
-4-1determining financial need, and establishing procedures for
2grant and incentive payment application, processing, and
3approval. The rules shall provide for determining the priority
4awarding of grants and incentives if moneys available for
5purposes of this section are insufficient to pay all eligible
6applicants.
7c. Approve and award grants and incentive payments on an
8annual basis.
98. Fund created. An Iowa workforce grant and incentive
10program fund is created in the state treasury under the control
11of the commission. All moneys deposited or paid into the
12fund are appropriated to the commission to be used for grants
13and incentive payments awarded as provided in this section.
14Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund that remain
15unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall
16not revert but shall remain available for expenditure for the
17purposes designated. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection
182, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited
19to the fund.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to workforce development, including
24establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program
25and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce
26development board.
27The bill establishes the Iowa workforce grant and incentive
28program (WGIP) within the college student aid commission
29(commission), subject to an appropriation of moneys by the
30general assembly. The bill provides that a full-time eligible
31student may receive an annual grant under the WGIP for not more
32than three semesters or until the eligible student completes
33the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill also
34provides that a part-time eligible student may receive an
35annual grant under the WGIP for not more than six semesters,
-5-1on a prorated basis, or until the eligible student completes
2the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill
3establishes that the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP
4to a full-time eligible student shall not exceed $2,500 per
5semester, and the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP to
6a part-time eligible student shall be prorated based on the
7part-time eligible student’s semester hour enrollment. The
8bill requires eligible students to submit new applications
9under the WGIP to the commission annually for reevaluation
10of eligibility. The bill provides that if a grant recipient
11discontinues attendance before the end of any semester, the
12eligible institution is required to pay to the commission the
13entire amount of any refund due to that recipient, up to the
14full amount of the grant payments made during the semester.
15When making awards under the WGIP, the bill requires the
16commission to give priority to applicants who received an
17award in the prior academic year and applicants with the least
18financial ability to pay.
19The bill provides that an individual who was an eligible
20student who received a grant under the WGIP in the academic
21year in which the eligible program is completed, and who
22accepts and begins employment in an aligned occupation in this
23state within six months of completing the eligible program,
24may apply to the commission for one incentive payment of up to
25$2,500. The bill establishes that the commission shall pay the
26incentive payment upon the successful applicant’s completion of
2712 consecutive months of employment in this state.
28The bill establishes an Iowa workforce grant and incentive
29program fund in the state treasury under the control of the
30commission. The bill provides that all moneys deposited or
31paid into the fund are appropriated to the commission to be
32used for awarding grants and incentive payments under the WGIP.
33The bill defines “commission”, “eligible institution”,
34“eligible program”, “eligible student”, “financial need”,
35“full-time”, and “part-time”.
-6- 1The bill requires the Iowa workforce development board to
2update its list of high-demand jobs at least once every five
3years. The bill also provides that this list shall be used for
4purposes of the WGIP.
-7-jda/jh
2establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program
3and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce
4development board.
5BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 84A.1B, subsection 14, unnumbered
2paragraph 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
3Create, and update as necessary at least once every five
4years, a list of high-demand jobs statewide for purposes of
5the future ready Iowa registered apprenticeship programs
6created in chapter 15C, the summer youth intern pilot program
7established under section 84A.12, the Iowa employer innovation
8program established under section 84A.13, the future ready Iowa
9skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program established
10under section 261.131, the future ready Iowa skilled workforce
11grant program established under section 261.132, the Iowa
12workforce grant and incentive program established under section
13261.133, and postsecondary summer classes for high school
14students as provided under section 261E.8, subsection 8. In
15addition to the list created by the workforce development
16board under this subsection, each community college, in
17consultation with regional career and technical education
18planning partnerships, and with the approval of the board of
19directors of the community college, may identify and maintain
20a list of not more than five regional high-demand jobs in the
21community college region, and shall share the lists with the
22workforce development board. The lists submitted by community
23colleges under the subsection may be used in that community
24college region for purposes of programs identified under this
25subsection. The workforce development board shall have full
26discretion to select and prioritize statewide high-demand jobs
27after consulting with business and education stakeholders,
28as appropriate, and seeking public comment. The workforce
29development board may add to the list of high-demand jobs as it
30deems necessary. For purposes of this subsection, “high-demand
31job” means a job in the state that the board, or a community
32college in accordance with this subsection, has identified in
33accordance with this subsection. In creating a list under this
34subsection, the following criteria, at a minimum, shall apply:
35 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 261.133 Iowa workforce grant and
-1-1incentive program.
21. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context
3otherwise requires:
4a. “Commission” means the college student aid commission.
5b. “Eligible institution” means an institution of higher
6learning governed by the state board of regents.
7c. “Eligible program” means any of the following:
8(1) A program of study or an academic major jointly approved
9by the commission and the department of workforce development,
10in consultation with the eligible institution, that is
11aligned with a high-demand job designated by the workforce
12development board pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection 14.
13If the workforce development board removes a high-demand
14job from the list created under section 84A.1B, subsection
1514, an eligible student who received a grant for a program
16based on that high-demand job shall continue to receive the
17grant until the eligible program is completed as long as the
18student continuously enrolls and continues to meet all other
19eligibility requirements.
20(2) A teacher preparation program that leads to a bachelor’s
21degree, or initial or intern teaching license issued under
22chapter 272.
23d. “Eligible student” means an Iowa resident who has
24established financial need and who meets all of the following
25requirements:
26(1) Completes and submits application forms required by the
27commission, including the free application for federal student
28aid, by the deadline prescribed by the commission.
29(2) Enrolls in at least three semester hours, or the
30equivalent, in an eligible program.
31(3) Is making satisfactory academic progress as defined by
32the eligible institution.
33e. “Financial need” means the difference between the
34student’s financial resources available, including those
35available from the student’s parents as determined by a
-2-1completed parents’ confidential statement, and the student’s
2anticipated expenses while attending an eligible institution.
3f. “Full-time” means enrollment in at least twelve semester
4hours or the equivalent.
5g. “Part-time” means enrollment in at least three semester
6hours or the equivalent but less than twelve semester hours or
7the equivalent.
82. Student eligibility. An eligible institution shall
9report promptly to the commission information requested to
10establish or verify student eligibility.
113. Grant limitations — requirements.
12a. A full-time eligible student may receive an Iowa
13workforce grant annually for not more than three semesters, or
14the equivalent, or until the eligible student completes the
15eligible program, whichever occurs first. A part-time eligible
16student may receive the grant for not more than six semesters,
17or the equivalent, on a prorated basis, or until the eligible
18student completes the eligible program, whichever occurs first.
19b. The amount of an Iowa workforce grant to a full-time
20eligible student shall not exceed two thousand five hundred
21dollars per semester, or the equivalent. The amount of an Iowa
22workforce grant to a part-time eligible student shall be equal
23to the amount that would be awarded to a full-time student
24except that the commission shall prorate the amount based on
25the recipient student’s semester hour or equivalent enrollment.
26c. An Iowa workforce grant shall be awarded on an annual
27basis, requiring reapplication by an eligible student each
28year. Payments under the grant shall be allocated equally
29among the semesters, or the equivalent, and paid upon
30certification by the eligible institution that the student
31meets the requirements of subsection 1, paragraph “d”.
32d. If a grant recipient discontinues attendance before the
33end of any semester, or the equivalent, after receiving grant
34payments, the entire amount of any refund due that recipient,
35up to the full amount of grant payments made during that
-3-1semester, or the equivalent, shall be paid by the eligible
2institution to the commission.
34. Annual submission of applications. To receive a renewal
4of a grant awarded under this section, an eligible student
5must annually submit a new application to the commission for
6reevaluation of eligibility.
75. Priority for grant awards. In making awards under this
8section, the commission shall give priority to:
9a. Applicants who received an award under this section in
10the prior academic year.
11b. Applicants with the least financial ability to pay,
12using a metric that ranks relative financial ability among all
13applicants.
146. Iowa workforce incentive payment. Notwithstanding the
15grant limitations in subsection 3, an individual who was an
16eligible student who received an Iowa workforce grant in the
17academic year in which the eligible program is completed, and
18who accepts and begins employment in an aligned occupation
19in this state within six months of completing the eligible
20program, may apply for one incentive payment of up to two
21thousand five hundred dollars. The incentive payment shall be
22paid upon completion of twelve consecutive months of full-time
23employment in the aligned occupation in this state, following
24completion of the eligible program.
257. Commission’s duties and responsibilities. Subject to an
26appropriation of moneys by the general assembly for purposes
27of this section, the commission shall administer the Iowa
28workforce grant and incentive program and shall do all of the
29following:
30a. Provide application forms for distribution to students by
31eligible institutions.
32b. Adopt rules under chapter 17A for administration of this
33section, including establishing the duties and responsibilities
34of eligible institutions under the program, defining residence
35and satisfactory academic progress for purposes of the program,
-4-1determining financial need, and establishing procedures for
2grant and incentive payment application, processing, and
3approval. The rules shall provide for determining the priority
4awarding of grants and incentives if moneys available for
5purposes of this section are insufficient to pay all eligible
6applicants.
7c. Approve and award grants and incentive payments on an
8annual basis.
98. Fund created. An Iowa workforce grant and incentive
10program fund is created in the state treasury under the control
11of the commission. All moneys deposited or paid into the
12fund are appropriated to the commission to be used for grants
13and incentive payments awarded as provided in this section.
14Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund that remain
15unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall
16not revert but shall remain available for expenditure for the
17purposes designated. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection
182, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited
19to the fund.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to workforce development, including
24establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program
25and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce
26development board.
27The bill establishes the Iowa workforce grant and incentive
28program (WGIP) within the college student aid commission
29(commission), subject to an appropriation of moneys by the
30general assembly. The bill provides that a full-time eligible
31student may receive an annual grant under the WGIP for not more
32than three semesters or until the eligible student completes
33the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill also
34provides that a part-time eligible student may receive an
35annual grant under the WGIP for not more than six semesters,
-5-1on a prorated basis, or until the eligible student completes
2the eligible program, whichever occurs first. The bill
3establishes that the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP
4to a full-time eligible student shall not exceed $2,500 per
5semester, and the maximum amount of a grant under the WGIP to
6a part-time eligible student shall be prorated based on the
7part-time eligible student’s semester hour enrollment. The
8bill requires eligible students to submit new applications
9under the WGIP to the commission annually for reevaluation
10of eligibility. The bill provides that if a grant recipient
11discontinues attendance before the end of any semester, the
12eligible institution is required to pay to the commission the
13entire amount of any refund due to that recipient, up to the
14full amount of the grant payments made during the semester.
15When making awards under the WGIP, the bill requires the
16commission to give priority to applicants who received an
17award in the prior academic year and applicants with the least
18financial ability to pay.
19The bill provides that an individual who was an eligible
20student who received a grant under the WGIP in the academic
21year in which the eligible program is completed, and who
22accepts and begins employment in an aligned occupation in this
23state within six months of completing the eligible program,
24may apply to the commission for one incentive payment of up to
25$2,500. The bill establishes that the commission shall pay the
26incentive payment upon the successful applicant’s completion of
2712 consecutive months of employment in this state.
28The bill establishes an Iowa workforce grant and incentive
29program fund in the state treasury under the control of the
30commission. The bill provides that all moneys deposited or
31paid into the fund are appropriated to the commission to be
32used for awarding grants and incentive payments under the WGIP.
33The bill defines “commission”, “eligible institution”,
34“eligible program”, “eligible student”, “financial need”,
35“full-time”, and “part-time”.
-6- 1The bill requires the Iowa workforce development board to
2update its list of high-demand jobs at least once every five
3years. The bill also provides that this list shall be used for
4purposes of the WGIP.
-7-jda/jh