Utah Code Ann. § 53H-11-415 – Talent Development Award Program.

(1) As used in this section:
1. (a) "Award" means a monetary grant awarded in accordance with this section.
2. (b) "Full-time" means the number of credit hours the board determines is full-time enrollment for a student for purposes of the program.
3. (c) "GOED" means the Governor's Office of Economic Development created in Section 63N-1a-301.
4. (d) "Program" means the Talent Development Award Program created in this section.
5. (e) "Qualifying degree" means an associate's or a bachelor's degree that qualifies an individual to work in a qualifying job, as determined by GOED under this section.
6. (f) "Qualifying job" means a job:
  1. (i) described in this section for which an individual may receive an award for the current two-year period; or
  2. (ii)
    1. (A) that was identified in accordance with this section at the time a recipient received an award; and
    2. (B) for which the recipient is pursuing a qualifying degree, for which the recipient completed a qualifying degree, or in which the recipient is working.
7. (g) "Recipient" means an individual who receives an award.
(2) There is created the Talent Development Award Program to recruit and train individuals to work in certain jobs that have a high demand for new employees and offer high wages.
(3) Subject to available funds, an institution shall award an individual who:
1. (a) is pursuing or declares an intent to pursue a qualifying degree;
2. (b) declares an intent to work in a qualifying job described in this section in Utah following graduation;
3. (c) applies to the institution to receive an award; and
4. (d) meets other criteria determined by the board in the rules described in this section.
(4)
1. (a) An institution may award a recipient in an amount up to the cost of resident tuition, fees, and books for the number of credit hours in which the recipient is enrolled each semester.
2. (b) An institution may award a recipient for up to the expected amount of time for the recipient to complete the qualifying degree, as determined by the institution.
3. (c) An institution may cancel an award in accordance with the rules described in this section.
(5) An institution may use money from a partnership with an industry or business for funding or repaying an award.
(6) The board may use up to 5% of money appropriated for the program for administration.
(7) Every other year, GOED shall identify:
1. (a) five qualifying jobs that:
  1. (i) have the highest demand for new employees; and
  2. (ii) offer high wages; and
2. (b) the qualifying degrees for each qualifying job.
(8) GOED shall:
1. (a) ensure that each qualifying job:
  1. (i) ranks in the top 40% of jobs based on an employment index that considers the job's growth rate and total openings;
  2. (ii) ranks in the top 40% of jobs for wages; and
  3. (iii) requires an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree; and
2. (b) report the five qualifying jobs and qualifying degrees to the board.
(9) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the board shall make rules to:
1. (a) establish an application process for an individual to apply for an award;
2. (b) subject to this section, establish qualifying criteria for an individual to receive an award, including enrollment status;
3. (c) establish a process to evaluate applications that prioritizes awards to students who demonstrate financial need;
4. (d) establish how state funding available for awards is divided among institutions;
5. (e) establish how to determine an amount of money for an award;
6. (f) establish the circumstances under which an institution may cancel an award; and
7. (g) require an institution to provide specified information to the board relevant to administering the program.
(10) In administering the program, the board shall use a packaging approach that ensures that institutions combine loans, grants, employment, and family and individual contributions toward financing the cost of attendance.

Amended by Chapter 343, 2026 General Session