Bill Text: IN HB1348 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Administration of scholarships and grants.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-13 - Public Law 281 [HB1348 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1348-Engrossed.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-5; IC 21-7; IC 21-12; IC 21-13; IC 21-14;
IC 21-18.5.
Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2013; September 1, 2013.
(SENATE SPONSORS _ KENLEY, CHARBONNEAU, TALLIAN)
January 17, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
February 11, 2013, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
February 20, 2013, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
February 21, 2013, engrossed.
February 25, 2013, read third time, passed. Yeas 77, nays 18.
February 27, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career Development.
March 28, 2013, reported favorably _ Do Pass. Reassigned to Committee on Appropriations.
April 4, 2013, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
Digest Continued
century scholarship or a national guard grant. Provides that the limit on eligibility is four academic years for: (1) higher education awards; (2) freedom of choice grants; (3) tuition grants from the twenty-first century scholars program; (4) part-time student grant program; (5) insurance education scholarship fund; (6) minority teacher scholarships; (7) special education, occupational therapy, and physical therapy scholarships; (8) nursing scholarship fund; (9) national guard tuition supplement program; (10) tuition exemption for senior citizens; and (11) tuition and fee exemption for the children and surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty. (Current law provides that the limit for eligibility is eight semesters or 12 quarters.) Provides that the award to a recipient who graduated from high school with an academic honors diploma (made during the recipient's first academic year) is equal to 15% of the recipient's higher education award amount or freedom of choice grant amount. Makes changes to the grade point average requirements for students who receive a higher education award or participate in the twenty-first century scholars program. Repeals provisions relating to: (1) the duties of the Indiana college placement and assessment center; and (2) a requirement that the commission shall provide a statistical report that describes twenty-first century scholar awards. Adds definition of "degree map". Provides that, not later than November 1, 2013, the commission shall develop guidelines to provide a state educational institution guidance for establishing degree maps for each full-time student attending the state educational institution. Requires, for a full-time student that enrolls after July 31, 2014, that a state educational institution develop a degree map based on the student's specific educational objective or course of study. Requires a state educational institution to ensure that courses necessary for the student to comply with the student's degree map are available for the student during the academic term in which the student is required to complete the particular course in accordance with the student's degree map. Provides that a state educational institution must provide a course to the student at no cost during the next academic term in which the course is offered if: (1) the state educational institution does not offer a course which the student must take to comply with the student's degree map during the current academic term; (2) the timing of the course conflicts with other courses the student is required to take to comply with the student's degree map for the current academic term; or (3) the course is full. Establishes the select commission on education. Makes conforming amendments.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
(1) a baccalaureate degree within four (4) academic years; or
(2) an associate degree within two (2) academic years;
in the student's intended field of study. The reference must specify the expected date that the student will earn a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree and the academic requirements that a student should complete each academic year to timely earn a degree.
trimester, or a quarter, whichever applies or any other equivalent
term set forth by an eligible institution and used to divide an
academic year into periods in which classes are held.
Chapter 1.7. Establishment of Award Amounts by the Commission for Higher Education
Sec. 1. This section applies to an academic year beginning after August 31, 2014. The commission shall publish annually a schedule of award amounts for the higher education award and freedom of choice grant issued under this article. The schedule must provide award amounts on the basis of the recipient's expected family contribution. The schedule of award amounts must maintain the award proportionality among recipients described in subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) as that award proportionality existed for awards made in the academic year ending in 2013. The expected family contribution shall be derived from information submitted on the recipient's financial aid application form. The commission shall determine award amounts separately for:
(1) recipients attending approved public state educational institutions;
(2) recipients attending a nonprofit college or university that provides a four (4) year education program for which the nonprofit college or university awards a baccalaureate or more advanced degree, including:
(A) Ancilla College;
(B) Anderson University;
(C) Bethel College;
(D) Butler University;
(E) Calumet College of St. Joseph;
(F) DePauw University;
(G) Earlham College;
(H) Franklin College;
(I) Goshen College;
(J) Grace College;
(K) Hanover College;
(L) Holy Cross College;
(M) Huntington University;
(N) Indiana Tech;
(O) Indiana Wesleyan University;
(P) Manchester College;
(Q) Marian University;
(R) Martin University;
(S) Oakland City University;
(T) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology;
(U) Saint Joseph's College;
(V) Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College;
(W) Saint Mary's College;
(X) Taylor University;
(Y) Trine University;
(Z) the University of Evansville;
(AA) the University of Indianapolis;
(BB) the University of Notre Dame;
(CC) the University of Saint Francis;
(DD) Valparaiso University; and
(EE) Wabash College; and
(3) recipients attending approved postsecondary credit-bearing proprietary institutions.
Sec. 2. (a) This section applies to a student who initially enrolls in an eligible institution for an academic year beginning after August 31, 2013.
(b) This subsection applies to an award offered to a recipient for the recipient's first academic year. The commission shall offer an additional award to a recipient who graduated from high school with an academic honors diploma. The award amount under this section is equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the award amount determined for the recipient under section 1 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. (a) As used in this section, "annual award amount" refers to:
(1) for a recipient of a Frank O'Bannon award, the amount a recipient is entitled to receive under sections 1 and 2 of this chapter; or
(2) for a recipient of a twenty-first century scholars award, the amount prescribed under IC 21-12-6.
(b) The annual award amount may be used in any of the academic terms offered by an eligible institution, including summer terms.
(c) An eligible institution, in consultation with the recipient, may reserve up to one hundred percent (100%) of a recipient's annual award amount for use in the summer.
(1) The applicant is a resident of Indiana, as defined by the commission.
(2) The applicant:
(A) has successfully completed the program of instruction at an approved secondary school;
(B) has been granted a:
(i) high school equivalency certificate before July 1, 1995; or
(ii) state of Indiana general educational development (GED) diploma under IC 20-10.1-12.1 (before its repeal), IC 20-20-6 (before its repeal), or IC 22-4.1-18; or
(C) is a student in good standing at an approved secondary school and is engaged in a program that in due course will be completed by the end of the current academic year.
(3) The financial resources reasonably available to the applicant, as defined by the commission, are such that, in the absence of a higher education award under this chapter, the applicant would be deterred from completing the applicant's education at the approved postsecondary educational institution that the applicant has selected and that has accepted the applicant. In determining the financial resources reasonably available to an applicant to whom IC 21-18.5-4-8 applies, the commission must consider the financial resources of the applicant's legal parent.
(4) The applicant will use the award initially at that approved postsecondary educational institution.
(5) If the student is already enrolled in an approved postsecondary educational institution, the applicant must be a full-time student and be making satisfactory progress, as determined by the commission, toward a first baccalaureate degree.
(6) The student declares, in writing, a specific educational objective or course of study and enrolls in:
(A) courses that apply toward the requirements for completion of that objective or course of study; or
(B) courses designed to help the student develop the basic skills that the student needs to successfully achieve that objective or continue in that course of study.
(7) The student is not eligible to receive any of the following for the same academic year:
(A) A twenty-first century scholarship under IC 21-12-6.
(B) A grant from the National Guard tuition supplement program under IC 21-13-4.
(C) A grant from the National Guard scholarship extension program under IC 21-13-5.
(b) This subsection applies to an individual who:
(1) meets the requirements set forth in subsection (a); and
(2) before the date that eligibility is determined by the commission, has been placed by or with the consent of the department of child services, by a court order, or by a licensed child placing agency in:
(A) a foster family home;
(B) the home of a relative or other unlicensed caretaker;
(C) a child caring institution; or
(D) a group home.
The commission shall consider an individual to whom this subsection applies as a full-need student under the commission's rules when determining the eligibility of the individual to receive financial aid administered by the commission under this chapter.
(b) The maximum amount of a grant that may be offered to an eligible student in a program at a postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution is equal to the maximum amount of an award the student could receive under this chapter if the student were enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College.
(c) This section expires July 1, 2014.
(1) the applicant has successfully completed the work of a preceding year;
(2) the applicant remains domiciled in Indiana;
(3) the recipient's financial situation continues to warrant an award, based on the financial requirements set forth in section (1)(a)(3) of this chapter;
(4) the applicant is eligible under section 2 of this chapter;
(5)
(6) if the student initially enrolls in an eligible institution for
an academic year beginning after August 31, 2013, the student
successfully completes:
(A) at least twenty-four (24) credit hours or the equivalent
by the end of the student's first academic year;
(B) at least forty-eight (48) credit hours or the equivalent
by the end of the student's second academic year; and
(C) at least seventy-two (72) credit hours or the equivalent
by the end of the student's third academic year.
A student's academic years used to determine if the student
meets the requirement of this subdivision are not required to be
successive calendar years. A recipient who fails to meet the
credit hour requirement for a particular academic year
becomes ineligible for an award during the next academic year.
The recipient may regain eligibility for an award in subsequent
academic years if the recipient meets the aggregate credit hour
requirements commensurate with the recipient's academic
standing. In addition, the commission may allow a student who
is otherwise ineligible under this subdivision for an award
during the next academic year to maintain eligibility for an
award if the student submits a petition to the commission and
the commission makes a determination that extenuating
circumstances (as determined by the commission) prevented the
student from meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
(b) After the first semester or its equivalent at the eligible institution
that a person does not achieve the requisite cumulative grade point
average specified in subsection (a)(5), the person is considered to be on
probation and must achieve the requisite cumulative grade point
average by the next semester or its equivalent at the eligible institution
in order to continue to receive benefits under this chapter.
(1) sections 1, 2, and (if applicable)
(2) sections 4, 5, and (if applicable)
The awards shall be handled on the same basis as renewals under
section 9 of this chapter.
(1) current financial need (as measured under section 1(3) of this chapter); or
(2) the maximum fees regularly assessed to resident undergraduates at any state educational institution, as determined annually by the commission;
whichever is smaller.
(b) This section expires September 1, 2014.
(1) the person is qualified for a higher education award under the terms of IC 21-12-3-1, IC 21-12-3-2, and IC 21-12-3-3 or IC 21-12-3-4,
(2) for a freedom of choice grant awarded before September 1, 2014, the person has a financial need that exceeds the award, as determined in accordance with:
(A) this chapter, IC 21-18.5-4, IC 21-12-2, and IC 21-12-3; and
(B) the rules of the commission; and
(3) the person will attend an approved postsecondary educational institution that:
(A) either:
(i) operates in Indiana, provides an organized two (2) year or longer program of collegiate grade directly creditable toward a baccalaureate degree, is operated by a nonprofit entity, and is accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency or the board for proprietary education under IC 21-18.5-6; or
(ii) is a hospital that operates a nursing diploma program that is accredited by the Indiana state board of nursing; and
(B) is operated privately and not administered or controlled by any state agency or entity.
[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 4. (a) This subsection applies
before September 1, 2014. The amount of a freedom of choice grant
may not exceed the difference between:
(1) the amount of the total financial need of the student, as
determined under the commission's rules; and
(2) the:
(A) higher education award made under IC 21-12-3-1,
IC 21-12-3-2, and IC 21-12-3-3 or IC 21-12-3-4 and
IC 21-12-3-5; or
(B) sum necessary to pay educational costs at the institution;
whichever is smaller.
(b) This subsection applies after August 31, 2014. The freedom
of choice grant is the amount published under IC 21-12-1.7 for
recipients attending an institution described in IC 21-12-4-2.
(1) Submit to the commission a renewal application that contains all the information and evidence required by the commission to determine eligibility for the scholarship renewal.
(2) Continue to be enrolled as a full-time student in good standing at an eligible institution.
(3) This subdivision applies only to applicants who initially enroll in the program under section 5 of this chapter or IC 21-12-6.5-2 after June 30, 2011. For purposes of this chapter, applicants who are enrolled in the program before July 1, 2011, will not have an income or financial resources test applied to them when they subsequently apply to renew a scholarship. Continue to have a lack of financial resources reasonably available to the applicant, as defined by the commission, that, in the absence of an award
under this chapter, would deter the scholarship applicant from
completing the applicant's education at the approved
postsecondary educational institution that the applicant has
selected and that has accepted the applicant.
(4) Subject to subsection (b), If the student initially enrolls in an
eligible institution for a semester (or its equivalent) beginning
after June 30, 2012, maintain at least the following cumulative
grade point average:
(A) For credit hours applicable to the equivalent of the
applicant's freshman academic year, a cumulative grade point
average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory
academic progress.
(B) For credit hours applicable to the equivalent of the
applicant's sophomore academic year, a cumulative grade
point average of 2.25 on a 4.0 grading scale or its equivalent
as established by the eligible institution.
(C) For credit hours applicable to the equivalent of the
applicant's junior or senior academic year, a cumulative grade
point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 grading scale or its equivalent as
established by the eligible institution.
(5) If the student initially enrolls in an eligible institution for
an academic year beginning after August 31, 2013, the student
successfully completes:
(A) at least thirty (30) credit hours or the equivalent by the
end of the student's first academic year;
(B) at least sixty (60) credit hours or the equivalent by the
end of the student's second academic year; and
(C) at least ninety (90) credit hours or the equivalent by
the end of the student's third academic year.
A student's academic years used to determine if the student
meets the requirements of this subdivision are not required to
be successive calendar years. A recipient who fails to meet the
credit hour requirement for a particular academic year
becomes ineligible for an award during the next academic year.
The recipient may become eligible for an award in subsequent
academic years if that recipient meets the aggregate credit hour
requirements commensurate with the recipient's academic
standing. In addition, the commission may allow a student who
is otherwise ineligible under this subdivision for an award
during the next academic year to maintain eligibility for an
award if the student submits a petition to the commission and
the commission makes a determination that extenuating
circumstances (as determined by the commission) prevented the
student from meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
(5) (6) Continue to meet any other minimum criteria established
by the commission.
(b) After the first semester or its equivalent at the eligible institution
that a person does not achieve the requisite cumulative grade point
average specified in subsection (a)(4), the person is considered to be on
probation and must achieve the requisite cumulative grade point
average by the next semester or its equivalent at the eligible institution
in order to continue to receive benefits under this chapter.
(b) A scholarship applicant shall be awarded the following amount as adjusted under subsections (c) and (d):
(1) If the scholarship applicant attends an approved postsecondary educational institution that is a state educational institution, the full educational costs that the scholarship applicant would otherwise be required to pay at the eligible institution.
(2) If the scholarship applicant attends an approved postsecondary educational institution that is private, the lesser of the educational costs that the scholarship applicant would otherwise be required to pay at the private eligible institution, or the average of the educational costs of all state educational institutions, not including Ivy Tech Community College.
(3) If the scholarship applicant attends an approved postsecondary educational institution that is a postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution, the lesser of the educational costs that the scholarship applicant would otherwise be required to pay at the postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational
institution or the educational costs of Ivy Tech Community
College.
(c) The amount of an award under subsection (b) shall be reduced
by:
(1) for an amount awarded before September 1, 2014:
(1) (A) the amount of the Frank O'Bannon grant awarded to
the scholarship applicant; plus
(2) (B) an additional amount based on the expected family
contribution, if necessary, as determined by the commission,
to provide scholarships within the available appropriation; or
(2) for an amount awarded after August 31, 2014, the amount
based on the expected family contribution, if necessary, as
determined by the commission, to provide scholarships within
the available appropriation.
(d) The total of all tuition scholarships awarded under this section
in a state fiscal year may not exceed the amount available for
distribution from the fund for scholarships under this chapter. If the
total amount to be distributed from the fund in a state fiscal year
exceeds the amount available for distribution, the amount to be
distributed to each eligible applicant shall be proportionately reduced
so that the total reductions equal the amount of the excess based on the
relative financial need of each eligible applicant.
SECTION 13, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2013]: Sec. 3. (a) An applicant is eligible to receive a
part-time student grant if the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant is domiciled in Indiana, as defined by the
commission.
(2) The applicant:
(A) has received a diploma of graduation from an approved
secondary school;
(B) has been granted a:
(i) high school equivalency certificate before July 1, 1995;
or
(ii) state of Indiana general educational development (GED)
diploma under IC 20-10.1-12.1 (before its repeal),
IC 20-20-6 (before its repeal), or IC 22-4.1-18; or
(C) is a student in good standing who is completing a final
year of study at an approved secondary school and will be
eligible upon graduation to attend an approved institution of
higher learning.
(3) The applicant declares, in writing, a specific educational
objective or course of study and enrolls in:
(A) a course that applies toward the requirements for
completion of that objective or course of study; or
(B) a course designed to help the applicant develop the basic
skills the applicant needs to successfully achieve that objective
or continue in that course of study.
(4) The applicant enrolls in at least two (2) six (6) but fewer than
twelve (12) credit hours in any academic term.
(5) The commission or an approved postsecondary educational
institution acting as the commission's agent determines that the
financial resources available to the applicant are such that in the
absence of a grant under this chapter the applicant would be
deterred from beginning or completing the applicant's declared
educational objective or course of study.
(6) The applicant has not received a Frank O'Bannon grant
for the maximum number of academic terms.
(b) The commission shall reduce an award offered under this
section by the amount the applicant receives in tuition
reimbursement from an employer or another outside source.
following:
(1) For a student who initially enrolls in an eligible institution
before September 1, 2013:
(A) makes satisfactory progress toward a certificate, nursing
diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree; and
(2) (B) demonstrates continuing financial need.
(2) For a student who initially enrolls in an eligible institution
for an academic year beginning after August 31, 2013:
(A) successfully completes at least eighteen (18) credit
hours or their equivalent toward a certificate, nursing
diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree in the
previous academic year;
(B) demonstrates continuing financial need; and
(C) maintains at least a cumulative grade point average
that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory
academic progress.
(b) A scholarship awarded under this chapter may be used only for the payment of tuition or fees that are:
(1) approved by the state educational institution that awards the scholarship; and
(2) not otherwise payable under any other scholarship or form of financial assistance specifically designated for tuition or fees.
(c) Subject to section 8(c) of this chapter, each scholarship awarded under this chapter is renewable under section 9 of this chapter for a total number of terms that does not exceed
(or the equivalent) or twelve (12) full-time quarters (or the equivalent).
the number of terms that constitutes four (4) undergraduate
academic years.
(1) is a resident of Indiana, as defined by the commission;
(2) attended a publicly supported school on a full-time equivalency basis (as defined in IC 20-43-1-14) for at least the last two (2) semesters before the individual graduated from high school;
(3) had legal settlement (as defined in IC 20-18-2-11) in Indiana for at least the last two (2) semesters before the individual graduated from high school;
(4) met at least the minimum requirements set by the Indiana state board of education for granting a high school diploma by the end of grade 11 (including any summer school courses completed before July 1 of a year) and was awarded after December 31, 2010, a high school diploma by the publicly supported school that the individual last attended for course credits earned before the end of grade 11;
(5) was not enrolled in a publicly supported school for any part of grade 12;
(6) applies to the commission for a Mitch Daniels early graduation scholarship in the manner specified by the commission; and
(7) within five (5) months after graduating from high school:
(A) becomes a student in good standing at an approved postsecondary educational institution whose students are eligible to receive, before September 1, 2014, a higher education award (IC 21-12-3-11) or a freedom of choice grant (IC 21-12-4-4), or, after August 31, 2014, a higher education award or freedom of choice grant published under IC 21-12-1.7-1; and
(B) is engaged in a program that will lead to an approved postsecondary degree or credential.
(1) IC 10-12-2-6.
(2) IC 10-12-2-11.
(3) IC 10-17-7.
(4) IC 21-14-4.
(5) IC 21-14-6-3.
(6) IC 21-14-7.
(7) IC 21-14-10.
(b) Except as provided in
(1) IC 21-12-3.
(2) IC 21-12-4.
(3) IC 21-12-6.
(4) IC 21-12-8.
(5) IC 21-12-9.
(6) IC 21-13-2.
(7) IC 21-13-3.
(8) IC 21-13-4.
(9) IC 21-14-5.
(10) IC 21-14-6-2.
(b) Except as provided in
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
UPON PASSAGE]:
Chapter 14. Degree Maps
Sec. 1. Not later than November 1, 2013, the commission shall
develop guidelines, in consultation with state educational
institutions, to provide a state educational institution guidance for
establishing degree maps for each full-time student attending the
state educational institution. The guidelines must include:
(1) procedures for establishing a degree map with a student,
including requirements for adjusting a degree map in
situations in which the student changes the student's field of
study;
(2) requirements and guidance for a state educational
institution to determine when the state educational institution
must offer a course at no cost to a student under section 3 of
this chapter;
(3) requirements for excusing a student from complying with
the student's degree map described in this section; and
(4) any provision the commission determines is necessary to
implement this chapter.
Sec. 2. This section applies to a student who initially enrolls in
a state educational institution after July 31, 2014. A state
educational institution shall develop a degree map for each
full-time student based on the student's specific educational
objective or course of study. A full-time student's degree map must
contain:
(1) an academic term by academic term sequence of course
options that will allow the full-time student to complete either:
(A) a baccalaureate degree within four (4) academic years;
or
(B) an associate degree within two (2) academic years;
in the student's intended field of study;
(2) the expected date that the student will earn a
baccalaureate degree or an associate's degree described in
subdivision (1);
(3) the academic requirements that a student must complete
each academic year to timely earn a degree described in
subdivision (1); and
(4) any information the commission determines is appropriate
under section 1 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. This section applies to a student who initially enrolls in
a state educational institution after July 31, 2014. A state
educational institution shall ensure that courses necessary for the
student to comply with the student's degree map are available for
the student during the academic term in which the student is
required to complete the particular course. If a student who
complies with the student's degree map is unable to take a course
required under the student's degree map for the current academic
term because:
(1) the state educational institution does not offer the course
during that particular academic term; or
(2) the student is unable to enroll in the course:
(A) because the course times at which the course is offered
conflict with other course requirements specified for the
current academic term in the student's degree map; or
(B) because the course is full;
the state educational institution shall provide the particular course
to the student at no cost during the next available academic term
in which the course is offered.
(1) may be renewed under this chapter for a total scholarship award that does not exceed the equivalent of
the number of terms that constitutes four (4) undergraduate
academic years; and
(2) is subject to other eligibility criteria as established by the
commission.
(b) The maximum amount that an eligible applicant is exempt from paying for a semester hour is an amount equal to the cost of an undergraduate semester credit hour at the state educational institution in which the eligible applicant enrolls.
(1) lawful;
(2) in the state's best interests; and
(3) generally consistent with the commission's programs and purposes.
If the commission agrees to a stipulation on the use of donated funds, the commission and the donor, subject to approval by the budget agency and the governor or the governor's designee, shall execute an agreement.
PASSAGE]:
Chapter 37. Select Commission on Education
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the select
commission on education established by section 3 of this chapter.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "on time degree completion"
means completion of a degree program not later than four (4)
academic years after the first date of registration for a
baccalaureate degree program or not later than two (2) academic
years after the first date of registration for an associate degree
program.
Sec. 3. The select commission on education is established with
the following members:
(1) The members of the senate education and career
development committee.
(2) The members of the house education committee.
The chairpersons of the senate education and career development
committee and the house education committee shall serve as
co-chairpersons of the commission.
Sec. 4. The commission shall study and evaluate the following
issues:
(1) The financial costs for students pursuing postsecondary
education, including worker certifications, associate degrees,
and baccalaureate degrees. The commission shall identify
opportunities, methods, and strategies to increase the
affordability of certification and degree programs in Indiana.
(2) On time degree completion rates for public and nonpublic
Indiana colleges and universities. The commission shall
identify opportunities, methods, and strategies to increase the
percentage of students in Indiana who complete a degree on
time.
Sec. 5. The commission shall meet at least three (3) times before
November 30, 2013.
Sec. 6. The commission shall submit a final report of the results
of its study to the legislative council before December 1, 2013. The
report must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
Sec. 7. The legislative services agency shall provide staff to the
commission.
Sec. 8. Each member of the commission is entitled to receive the
same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to individuals
who serve as legislative members of interim study committees
established by the legislative council.
Sec. 9. The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting
members appointed to the commission are required for the
commission to take action on any measure, including the final
report.
Sec. 10. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this
chapter, the commission shall operate under the rules of the
legislative council. All funds necessary to carry out this chapter
shall be paid from appropriations to the legislative council and the
legislative services agency.
Sec. 11. This chapter expires December 31, 2013.
