Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 328 Second Substitute (2021GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Snow, V. L.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/17/2021

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• creates the Adult Learners Grant Program (program) to provide financial assistance to students who:
• are at least 26 years old;
• are financially needy; and
• are pursuing an online degree or certificate in a field with an industry need;
• requires the Utah Board of Higher Education (board) to:
• make rules to administer the program;
• distribute grant money to eligible students; and
• prioritize grants to students from rural areas, minority students, low income students, and first generation students; and
• defines terms.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

ADULT LEARNERS GRANT PROGRAM
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: V. Lowry Snow
Senate Sponsor: 
____________
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates the Adult Learners Grant Program to provide financial assistance to
adult students pursuing online education.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ creates the Adult Learners Grant Program (program) to provide financial assistance
to students who:
• are at least 26 years old;
• are financially needy; and
• are pursuing an online degree or certificate in a field with an industry need;
▸ requires the Utah Board of Higher Education (board) to:
• make rules to administer the program;
• distribute grant money to eligible students; and
• prioritize grants to students from rural areas, minority students, low income
students, and first generation students; and
▸ defines terms.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022:
▸ to the Utah Board of Higher Education - Student Assistance - Adult Learner Grant
Program as an ongoing appropriation:
• from the Education Fund, $2,000,000.
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53B-13c-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-13c-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53B-13c-101
 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 13c. ADULT LEARNERS GRANT PROGRAM
 53B-13c-101.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) (a) "Cost of attendance" means the estimated costs associated with taking an online
course, as established by an eligible institution in accordance with board policies.
(b) "Cost of attendance" includes tuition, costs payable to the eligible institution, and
other direct educational expenses related to taking an online course.
(2) "Eligible institution" means an institution that offers a postsecondary level course
of instruction using digital technology.
(3) "Eligible student" means a financially needy student who is:
(a) at least 26 years old;
(b) enrolled in an online course at an eligible institution;
(c) pursuing:
(i) an online postsecondary degree program in a field where there is a demonstrated
industry need; or
(ii) an online non-degree program that is designed to meet industry needs and leads to a
certificate or another recognized educational credential; and
(d) a resident student under Section 
53B-8-102
 and rules the board establishes.
(4) "Financially needy student" means a student who demonstrates the financial
inability to meet all or a portion of the cost of attendance at an eligible institution as defined by
the board, after utilizing family and personal resources, federal assistance, and scholarships.
(5) "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the state.
(6) "Institution" means:
(a) an institution described in Section 
53B-1-102
; or
(b) a Utah private, nonprofit postsecondary institution that is accredited by a regional
accrediting organization that the board recognizes.
(7) "Online course" means a postsecondary level course of instruction offered by an
eligible institution using digital technology.
(8) "Program" means the Adult Learners Grant Program established in Section
53B-13c-102
.
(9) "Tuition" means tuition and fees at the rate charged for residents of the state.
Section 2. Section 
53B-13c-102
 is enacted to read:
 53B-13c-102.
Adult Learners Grant Program established -- guidelines for
administration of the program.
(1) There is created the Adult Learners Grant Program to provide financial assistance
to eligible students.
(2) (a) The board shall, in accordance with the guidelines in this section, develop and
administer the program.
(b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
board shall make rules to establish:
(i) how an individual establishes financial need for purposes of receiving a grant under
the program;
(ii) a requirement that an applicant complete the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid;
(iii) how to determine whether an individual is a Utah resident;
(iv) a process and requirements for an individual to apply for a grant under the
program;
(v) a formula to allocate money appropriated for the program to eligible students,
prioritizing:
(A) students from rural areas;
(B) minority students;
(C) low income students;
(D) first generation students; and
(E) students pursuing education that aligns with industry needs; and
(vi) a method of identifying industry needs for purposes of determining student
eligibility to receive a grant under this section.
(c) The board may not use more than 3% of money appropriated for the program for
administrative costs or overhead.
(3) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a student shall demonstrate, in
accordance with rules the board makes under Subsection (2)(b):
(a) that the student has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; and
(b) that the student is financially needy.
(4) The board shall:
(a) annually establish the minimum and maximum amount for a grant;
(b) (i) award grants to eligible students on an annual basis; and
(ii) distribute grant money on a quarter or semester basis;
(c) award all money appropriated for the program without regard to an applicant's race,
creed, color, religion, sex, or ancestry.
(5) The total sum of program grant money, financial aid from any source, and family or
personal contribution may not exceed the cost of attendance for an eligible student at an
eligible institution for a fiscal year.
(6) An eligible student that receives a grant under the program shall apply the grant
money to the cost of attendance.
(7) The board shall annually report program outcomes to the Higher Education
Appropriations Subcommittee, including:
(a) number of grant recipients at each eligible institution;
(b) average amount of grant money provided per grant recipient;
(c) benefits in fulfillment of the purposes for the program described in this chapter; and
(d) recommendations for program modification, including recommended funding
levels.
Section 3. 
Appropriation.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2021, and ending June 30, 2022. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
fiscal year 2022. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
To Utah Board of Higher Education - Student Assistance
From Education Fund
$2,000,000
Schedule of Programs:
Adult Learner Grant Program $2,000,000