SF2483

SF2483 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Office of Higher Education funding and policy related provisions modifications and appropriations

Related bill: HF2431

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill is focused on enhancing higher education in Minnesota by providing funding and implementing policy changes for key institutions, including the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic. It aims to modify existing scholarship and student aid programs, create new grant initiatives, and update financial aid policies.

Main Provisions

Appropriations and Funding: The bill allocates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to various educational institutions and student programs. It includes provisions for state grants, work-study programs, child care grants, Indian scholarships, and more.
Creation and Modification of Grants: Introduction of new grant programs and modifications to existing ones, such as intervention for college attendance and dual training competency grants.
Scholarships and Student Aid Modifications: Adjustments to assigned family responsibilities in calculating student grants and changes in grant stipends. Revisions to foster independence higher education grants and grants for underrepresented student teachers.
Institutional Eligibility and Compliance: Updates to individual institution’s eligibility requirements for state aid, focusing on maintaining academic standards and participation in federal financial aid programs.
Hunger-Free Campus Initiative: Establishes criteria for a Hunger-Free Campus designation for postsecondary institutions, including maintaining food pantry services and raising hunger awareness.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Family Contribution Adjustments: Changes the percentage of family and student contributions to reduce student financial burden, adjusting the assigned family responsibility to 100% and increasing the assigned student responsibility in grant calculations.
Institutional Requirements: Clarifies eligibility requirements for private institutions to receive state aid, mandating participation in the federal Pell Grant program unless specific criteria are met.
Hunger-Free Campus Expansion: Expands eligibility of Hunger-Free Campus grants to a broader range of institutions, requiring partnerships with local food banks and setting criteria for maintaining designation.

Relevant Terms

State student aid
Assigned family responsibility
Hunger-Free Campus
Federal Pell Grant
Postsecondary institutions
Tuition reciprocity
Dual training competency grants

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 12, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Higher Education

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of spouses in educational benefits."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "State matching funds requirement for benefits."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill provides educational benefits under section 299A.45 to eligible dependent children and spouses of public safety officers killed in the line of duty.",
      "modified": [
        "Changed benefit amount calculation methodology."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "299A.45"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement for hunger task force that meets thrice annually."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous provisions not related to food distribution."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends section 135A.137 to modify criteria for Hunger-Free Campus designation.",
      "modified": [
        "Criteria for participation in food bank partnerships adjusted."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "135A.137"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduction of minimum student responsibility percentage."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Flexibility in overriding standard percentages."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the assigned family responsibility percentages under section 136A.101 for financial aid calculations.",
      "modified": [
        "Change from 71% to 100% for independent students with dependents."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.101"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for licensing or registration as a postsecondary institution."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Prior criteria allowing participation without Title IV compliance."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill revises the eligibility requirements for institutions under section 136A.103 to participate in state student aid programs.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified terms under which institutions lose eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.103"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Funds allocated for scholarships to address job market needs."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous scholarship criteria unrelated to workforce development."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill allocates funds under section 136F.38 for workforce development scholarships.",
      "modified": [
        "Expansion of eligible courses and programs for scholarships."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136F.38"
  }
]