Colorado § 23-3.7-102 - Definitions.

§ 23-3.7-102. Definitions.

As used in this article 3.7, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Commission" means the Colorado commission on higher education.

(2) "In-state student" means a student at a nonpublic institution of higher education who meets the criteria established by article 7 of this title for classification as an in-state student at a state institution of higher education, who is pursuing a degree, and who is a graduate of a high school located in Colorado. "In-state student" includes a member of the armed forces of the United States or his dependents.

(3) "Nonpublic institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education operating in this state that:

(a) Receives no support from general fund moneys in support of its operating costs;

(b) Admits as regular students only persons having a certification of graduation from a school providing secondary education or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;

(c) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association and, in the case of private occupational schools, holds a certificate of approval from the private occupational school division in accordance with the provisions of article 64 of this title 23, or is regulated or approved pursuant to any other statute;

(d) (I) Provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's degree or a graduate degree; or

(II) Provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards such a degree; or

(III) Provides not less than a one-year program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; or

(IV) Is a private occupational school providing not less than a six-month program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation;

(e) Was in operation in this state as of January 1, 1999, or has been in operation in this state for a minimum of ten academic years; and

(f) Is not a branch program or campus of an institution of higher education whose principal campus and facilities are located outside this state, unless the institution operating the branch program has received a certificate of approval from the private occupational school division in accordance with the provisions of article 64 of this title 23.

(4) "Professional degree in theology" means a certificate signifying a person's graduation from a degree program that is:

(a) Devotional in nature or designed to induce religious faith; and

(b) Offered by an institution as preparation for a career in the clergy.

Source: L. 86: Entire article added, p. 824, § 1, effective July 1. L. 99: (3) amended, p. 75, § 3, effective July 1, 2000. L. 2009: (3)(f) amended and (4) added, (HB 09-1267), ch. 348, p. 1824, § 6, effective June 1. L. 2017: IP, (3)(c), and (3)(f) amended, (HB 17-1239), ch. 261, p. 1206, § 14, effective August 9.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2009 act amending subsection (3)(f) and adding subsection (4), see section 1 of chapter 348, Session Laws of Colorado 2009.