KRS 165A.450: Licensed schools to contribute to a student protection fund -- Purposes --

Minimum balance -- Fee structure.

All licensed schools, resident and nonresident, shall be required to contribute to a student

protection fund. The fund shall be used to pay off debts, including refunds to students

enrolled or on leave of absence by not being enrolled for one (1) academic year or less

from the school at the time of the closing, incurred due to the closing of a school,

discontinuance of a program, loss of lice nse, or loss of accreditation by a school or

program. The Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education shall promulgate

administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to:

(1) Ensure that there is a renewable fund maintained solely to reimbur se eligible

Kentucky students, the balance of which shall not fall below five hundred thousand

dollars ($500,000);

(2) (a) Impose an equitable scaled structure of fees assessed upon schools licensed by

the commission when the balance of the fund drops belo w the minimum

balance specified in subsection (1) of this section. The fee structure shall take

into account:

1. The number of students enrolled in the school;

2. The tuition and fees charged to students;

3. A school's prior contribution to the fund;

4. Adjustments in fees to replace disbursements from the fund; and

5. Whether the licensed school is located within the state or outside the

state.

(b) The commission shall cease imposing the assessment described in paragraph

(a) of this subsection when the bal ance of the fund is replenished to the

required minimum balance specified in subsection (1) of this section;

(3) Ensure that repayment to the fund is made if, after having received payment from

the fund, a student receives a financial settlement, including but not limited to a

bankruptcy payout, forgiveness of loan debt, payout of bond, or payment from

another state from its student protection fund;

(4) Establish requirements for a licensed school to notify the commission and to remit

documentation of student records prior to its closing, including penalties such as

fines or restrictions on future licensing assessed to owners that do not meet these

requirements;

(5) Require licensed institutions to make all students aware of the student protection

fund and establish the process for filing claims;

(6) Impose a time frame after a school closes during which a student may file a claim

against the fund; and

(7) Establish an appeals process for students who disagree with a commission decision.