CT HB05368

Waives up to $5,000 per year in tuition for up to two years at regional community-technical colleges, Connecticut State University System, and University of Connecticut for eligible individuals enrolling by July 1, 2012, in high demand fields, emerging industries, or entrepreneurship programs.

Eligibility requirements include being unemployed, receiving notice of termination, or employed with gross annual family income at or below $40,000; being at least 18 years old; graduating high school before July 1, 2008; and not having been enrolled as a full-time student at any higher education institution prior to July 1, 2010.

Individuals must earn their degree or occupational certificate within four years of enrollment; those who fail to do so become responsible for repaying the waived tuition.

Tuition waiver definition includes instructional costs, books, materials, fees, and academic supportive services.

State appropriations reimburse institutions for tuition waivers exceeding 5% of revenue for community-technical colleges and 2.5% for state universities and UConn, based on estimated tuition revenue loss; regional workforce development boards assist eligible individuals in identifying available programs.