(1) It is the intent of the general assembly that the department and the commission inform students beginning in the eighth grade of the state's financial commitment to students to assist them in continuing their education by attending college and of the additional financial resources that may be available to the students in order to further their education.

(2) (a) The commission shall work with the department of education to notify annually eighth-grade students of the state's contribution to the college opportunity fund on behalf of resident students and the manner in which the students may receive additional information regarding financial resources for higher education including but not limited to the amount of the stipend and a student's ability to use specific websites to explore financial and academic options for preparing to enter college.

(b) The Colorado student loan program shall include information regarding the college opportunity fund on an internet website to assist students in planning financially and academically to attend an institution of higher education in Colorado including but not limited to the current value of the stipend.

(3) On and after July 1, 2005, if the department and the commission advertise and publicize a specific stipend dollar amount, the dollar amount may not exceed the amount most recently set by the joint budget committee or adopted by the general assembly, and the advertisement or publication materials shall note that the stipend amount is subject to change by the general assembly.