Institution of Higher Education Transparency Requirements

The bill adds the following rights to the rights of higher education students:

• Cost transparency regarding a postsecondary education program;
• A seamless transfer of course credit for courses in the guaranteed transfer pathway matrix and a timely response on whether transfer credit will be accepted by a public institution of higher education (institution); and
• The right to appeal an institution's decision not to accept a student's request to transfer credits; and
• The right to know what work-related experiences or prior learning opportunities are awarded postsecondary credit at the institution at which the student is enrolled.

The bill makes changes to the statewide common course numbering system, now referred to as the guaranteed transfer pathway matrix, to guarantee certain course transfer credits between community colleges, local district colleges, and area technical colleges.

The bill requires the department of higher edcation to establish an appeal process if an institution wrongfully denies a student's transfer credit.

The bill requires an institution to issue a decision to a student regarding the acceptance or denial of transfer credits within 30 days after the date the student submits a request for transfer credit after the date the student's official transcript and admission application materials are received by the institution. Beginning January 1, 2025, the bill requires an institution to provide a financial aid and cost disclosure form to a student prior to the student decision deadline to accept admission to the institution.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)