SF2683

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to make changes to Minnesota's higher education funding programs by eliminating the North Star Promise scholarship program. It reallocates funds from this program to enhance the existing state grant program.

Main Provisions

• Elimination of the North Star Promise Program: The bill seeks to repeal the North Star Promise scholarship program, effectively ending its operation.
• Reallocation of Funds: Unused funds in the North Star Promise special revenue fund will be redirected to support the state grant program, which provides financial aid to students.
• Reporting Requirements: The Commissioner of the Office of Higher Education is required to provide an annual report starting February 15, 2026. This report will cover a range of topics, such as the total funds appropriated and spent, the number of students applying for and receiving funds, average award amounts, demographic data, and education outcomes like retention and completion rates. The data should be categorized by program, institution, and various demographic factors.

Significant Changes

• Repeal of Statute 136A.1465: This statute, which pertains to the North Star Promise scholarship, will be repealed, effectively terminating the program.
• Amendments to Reporting and Evaluation: Adjustments will be made to the statute governing student aid reporting to ensure comprehensive tracking and evaluation of higher education funding programs, including detailed demographic and outcome data.

Relevant Terms

• Higher education
• North Star Promise scholarship
• State grant program
• Student aid
• Financial aid
• Demographic data
• Retention rates
• Completion rates