Committee lays over bill on access to College Opportunity Fund for incarcerated students

Vice Chair Martinez presented House Bill 10-93 to the House Education Committee and asked that the measure be laid over while stakeholders resolve backend funding and reporting mechanics tied to the College Opportunity Fund (COF) for incarcerated students.

Martinez said Pell eligibility for incarcerated students has changed in recent years and that while federal aid covers some costs, implementing COF for incarcerated students requires resolving logistical issues such as credit-load calculations, course delivery methods, and how COF allocations affect institutional funding formulas. “We have been working with the department and the schools that are affected by this and trying to figure out what solution we may need to come up with,” Martinez said.

Martinez noted that a State Board of Higher Education vote in recent weeks allowed incarcerated students to receive COF, but that there remain “back-ended pieces” — including graduation-rate calculations, course completion reporting and formula impacts — that the working group must address. For that reason Martinez asked the committee to lay the bill over a week to collect further information and allow additional witness testimony.

Several committee members expressed support for the intent; Rep. Hamrick praised the bill as “a great idea.” With no further questions, Martinez formally requested a one-week layover and the committee agreed. House Bill 10-93 will return when the bill sponsor and staff can provide follow-up information and any recommended drafting changes.

What happens next: The committee laid HB 10-93 over for one week so the sponsor and staff can provide additional information from the working group and affected institutions.