Colorado House Bill 1023
What is HB1023?
Governor Bill Owens signed HB06S-1023 into law on July 31, 2006. As of August 1, 2006, Colorado law requires that all students who apply for certain public benefits that entail any payment or financial assistance provide proof that they are lawfully present in the United States. As a result, the University of Northern Colorado has developed a plan to immediately comply with this requirement.
What is considered a “public benefit”?
Some of the identified benefits include the College Opportunity Fund (COF), in-state tuition, some types of state or institutional financial aid, Military and Olympic Athlete tuition waivers, WUE/WICHE, departmental scholarships, post-secondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO) for anyone over the age of 18, any other state-funded benefits that entail any payment or financial assistance, excluding employment benefits.
Who is required to show proof of lawful presence?
All students who apply to the University of Northern Colorado, or who apply for any state benefits (i.e., in-state tuition, some forms of institutional or state aid, etc.) on or after August 1, 2006, are subject to the requirements of HB06S-1023 legislation. However, any student whose lawful presence is confirmed through the process of completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered to have met the requirements.
How do I provide proof of lawful presence?
Students who are required to show proof of lawful presence will have to sign an affidavit of lawful presence and produce a form of identification specified in the law. This requirement can be fulfilled in person at the University of Northern Colorado Registrar’s Office.
What is an appropriate form of identification?
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License
• Valid Colorado Identification Card (issued by the Dept of Motor Vehicles)
• Valid United States Military Card
• Valid United States Military Dependent Identification Card
• Valid United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
• Native American Tribal Document
Are there any alternate forms of identification?
The following are alternate forms of identification that will be acceptable:
• United States Passport
• Birth Certificate from any state, District of Columbia and all United States Territories.
• Valid Driver’s License from one of the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, VA, WV, WY (also includes the WUE states of AK, HI, NM, OR, UT, and WA).
(if your state is not listed here, you must provide us with another alternate form of identification on this list).
• Certification of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
Instead of coming in to the Registrar’s Office, can I fax in a copy of my identification card?
No. The Attorney General’s office for the State of Colorado has determined that all identification must be made in person. If this is not possible you must submit a notarized copy of your identification along with the affidavit by mail.
What are the consequences of not complying with this requirement?
All students receiving in-state tuition or reduced out-of-state tuition benefits will have their tuition changed to the higher, out-of-state rate.