SF2483

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