HEA 1281 Summary

• Defines "prior learning assessment" as evaluation through which eligible institutions grant college credit for knowledge or skills learned outside the institution without requiring course enrollment or full tuition payment.

• Allows grant and scholarship recipients to use funds to pay for prior learning assessments costing no more than 50% of full tuition and fees at Ivy Tech Community College, with anticipated credit hours counting toward attendance requirements.

• Establishes a tuition and fee exemption reimbursement fund administered by the commission for higher education to reimburse state educational institutions for tuition and fee remissions.

• Permits the commission to extend eligibility for certain grants and scholarships for recipients who used benefits at postsecondary institutions that closed, limited to the number of credit hours or terms used at the closed institution.

• Amends Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine scholarship provisions to clarify commission coordination and require scholarship recipients to practice primary care in shortage areas for four years, with repayment obligations for noncompliance.

• Requires the commission to study reverse transfer policies for Indiana students and submit recommendations to the budget agency and legislative council by November 1, 2017.