college access

Direct Deposit Income Tax Refunds College Savings

­­­­Senate Bill 13-206

Sarah Lipscomb, MSW Fellow, Bell Policy Center

Testimony to the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Senate Finance Committee

April 9, 2013

Here at the Bell Policy Center, we know that it takes time to turn research into policy and then legislation. Of course, what really matters is the results.

Well, the latest results are in on concurrent enrollment, and they are dramatic. And we couldn't be more pleased – because more Colorado high school students are following their dreams and attending college and because we worked hard to help craft the legislation that put concurrent enrollment in place.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. It establishes an accountability mechanism within the state's higher education performance contracts that specifically addresses institutional commitment to, and support for, retention and success of low income and minority students.

The support services specified in the bill align with actions proven to succeed. Requiring institutions to provide these services could help these students stay in school and complete their degrees.