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HF2090 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Default living and miscellaneous expenses allowance increased for the state grant program, new State Grant Plus scholarship established to supplement state grant awards, Office of Higher Education grant programs created, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF2495

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve financial support for higher education in Minnesota. It does this by increasing financial provisions for students through enhancements to existing programs and the introduction of new scholarships.

Main Provisions

  • Increase in Default Living Allowance: The bill proposes an increase in the default living and miscellaneous expenses allowance for the state grant program from 115% to 121% of the federal poverty guidelines for a single-person household over nine months.
  • Establishment of the State Grant Plus Scholarship: This new scholarship supplements existing state grant awards, providing additional financial support for eligible students. It's specifically designed for those not qualifying for North Star Promise scholarships.
  • Eligibility and Administration: The scholarship is available to students enrolled in a qualifying Minnesota public, Tribal, or private nonprofit postsecondary institution, who are already receiving a state grant. Scholarships are distributed each semester and can be renewed under certain conditions.
  • Funding Adjustments: The award constitutes 25% of the state grant received by the student, and adjustments can be made if the funding appropriated does not match demand.
  • Duration Limits: Students can receive the scholarship for up to eight full-time semesters, matching the time frame of a typical bachelor's degree program.
  • Annual Reporting Requirement: The Commissioner is required to report annually on the scholarship's details, including demographic data and student outcomes.

Significant Changes

  • Adjusts the financial support mechanism within the higher education grant system by altering the existing allowance percentages for living expenses.
  • Introduces a supplementary scholarship that provides additional support beyond the current state grant programs.

Relevant Terms

state grant program, State Grant Plus scholarship, living and miscellaneous expenses, federal poverty guidelines, Minnesota public institutions, North Star Promise scholarship, postsecondary education, tuition and fees, financial aid, higher education funding.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHigher Education Finance and Policy
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new provision increasing the default living and miscellaneous expenses allowance."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill enhances provisions related to the state grant program under section 136A.121, specifically adjusting the cost of attendance calculations.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the cost of attendance for different student circumstances, such as those confined to correctional institutions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.121"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references section 136A.1465 to establish criteria for State Grant Plus eligibility based on the North Star Promise scholarship.",
      "modified": [
        "Establishes restrictions for State Grant Plus eligibility in relation to the North Star Promise scholarship."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.1465"
  }
]

Sponsors