Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5109
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE CHARGING OF GRADUATION FEES AT PUBLIC
Title: INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Representative Gonzalez, 3rd Assembly District
REASONS FOR BILL:
Charter Oak State College currently charges a fee for aggregating credits from a variety of
sources including other higher education institutions, standardized tests, military training,
licensure and certifications, and portfolios with COSC courses to help students graduate with
a degree. Their graduation fee covers the costs of the degree audit and the diploma. This
bill would eliminate that charge.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Sean Bradbury, Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs Connecticut
State Colleges & Universities submitted written testimony opposing this bill. Mr. Bradbury
indicated that this expansive degree audit is a significant cost driver for COSC, the fee is
passed along to graduating students, and not to non-matriculating students. The Board of
Regents approves COSCs tuition and fee rates and would be happy to work with them to
clarify the language around this fee to avoid confusion in the future. However, elimination of
this fee in its entirely would double COSCs current budget deficit or would lead to increased
tuition and fee costs for all students.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Representative Gonzalez testified in support of this bill.
Nelky Maldonado testified in support of this bill.
Joshua Cam submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
Kyle Dearborne submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
See Administration/Agency response.
Reported by: Jeanie Phillips, Clerk Date: March 23, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-5109


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
HED Joint Favorable:
File No. 253:
FIN Joint Favorable: