CO HB1110

Creates the Emergency Completion and Retention Grant Program in the Department of Higher Education to distribute annual funding to state higher education institutions for emergency assistance grants to eligible students.

Eligible students must qualify for in-state tuition, be pursuing a first postsecondary credential in career and technical education, associate, or baccalaureate degrees, have completed over 60% of required credits, and be expected to graduate in the next semester or school year.

Eligible students may receive up to $500 total in emergency assistance grants per institution to address qualifying financial emergencies including vehicle repair, food and rent costs, medical emergencies, family emergencies, and other unexpected expenses.

Institutions must prioritize grant awards to low-income students, first-generation college students, and students lacking other identifiable financial resources, with financial aid directors determining disbursement amounts and methods.

Department must adopt guidelines for institutions, establish reporting criteria to measure program impact on persistence and graduation rates, and include annual reporting to the Joint Budget Committee on grant distribution amounts and return on investment after three fiscal years.