Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to expand eligibility for workforce development scholarships in Minnesota. This aims to support students in accessing higher education in fields where there is a workforce shortage.

Main Provisions

• Eligible Programs: Scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in specific programs, including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare services, information technology, early childhood, transportation, construction, education, public safety, energy, and cybersecurity.

• Regional Additions: Each educational institution can add one additional study area or certification to their scholarship program. This addition must be based on unique workforce shortages in the institution's specific region, as identified by the latest job vacancy data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

• Flexible Updates: Institutions are permitted to update their additional area of study every two years in response to new labor market data.

• Enrollment Requirements: To qualify for the first and second-year scholarships, students must be enrolled in at least nine credits at a two-year college within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

• Transfer Scholarships: A one-year transfer scholarship is available for students moving from a two-year to a four-year university within the system, provided they have completed at least two terms at the two-year college and are enrolled in at least nine credits at the four-year institution.

Significant Changes

This bill amends the existing Minnesota Statutes to broaden the scope of eligible study programs for workforce development scholarships and allow educational institutions to dynamically respond to regional workforce demands by adding new eligible fields based on labor market needs. It also offers additional support for students transferring from two-year to four-year colleges.

Relevant Terms

workforce development, scholarships, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, higher education, workforce shortage, regional employment needs, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, information technology, cybersecurity, two-year college, four-year university, transfer scholarship