(1) Annually, beginning in the spring of 2006, upon receipt of the names and mailing addresses of students enrolled in the eighth grade from the board of education of each school district in Colorado and the state charter school institute, the department shall provide notice of postsecondary educational opportunities to the parents or legal guardians of all eighth-grade students enrolled in public schools in the state. Beginning January 1, 2021, the department shall provide such notice and disseminate related information through the free online career, education, and training resource created pursuant to section 24-46.3-106, if available. Otherwise, such notice is subject to available appropriation. At a minimum, the notice shall specify:
The Colorado commission on higher education's higher education admission guidelines and an explanation that compliance with the higher education admission guidelines is necessary for acceptance, but is not a guarantee of admission, to a state-supported institute of higher education;
A student's potential need for remedial education and any related financial obligations that may fall to the student's parent or legal guardian if the student desires to apply to a state-supported, four-year college or university in Colorado but does not meet the higher education admission guidelines;
A student who fails to pass a course listed in the higher education admission guidelines may enroll in a gateway course, as defined in section 23-1-113 (11)(b.5), with additional supports through supplemental academic instruction, as defined in section 23-1-113 (11)(e), successful completion of which will satisfy the requirements of the higher education admission guidelines;
The availability of and instructions for acquiring information regarding financial assistance to attend an institution of higher education, including stipend amounts, tuition, and other financial aid;
The annual state stipend amount as determined pursuant to section 23-18-202;
The annual cost of in-state tuition for attendance at a public higher education institution in the state;
The amount of the student's share of tuition as determined pursuant to section 23-18-
207; and
Notification that the stipend amount and the amount of tuition may change annually.
Source: L. 2005: Entire section added, p. 445, § 2, effective August 8. L. 2008: IP(1) amended, p. 1476, § 15, effective May 28. L. 2019: (1)(c) amended, (HB 19-1206), ch. 133, p. 606, § 22, effective April 25. L. 2020: IP(1) amended, (HB 20-1396), ch. 138, p. 600, § 4, effective September 14.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 19-1206, see section 1 of chapter 133, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.