Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that students at higher education institutions in Minnesota are refunded for any unused balances remaining on their prepaid meal plans. This aims to prevent financial losses for students who do not fully utilize their meal plans during the academic term.

Main Provisions

• Refund of Unused Balances: Higher education institutions in Minnesota must refund any unused meal plan balances to students. This refund must be processed not more than 45 days after the spring academic term ends, or after a student withdraws or graduates.

• Application of Unused Balances: At the student's request, the unused balance can be applied to future terms if they continue their enrollment.

• Transparency and Reporting: Institutions are required to regularly inform students about their meal plan balances and submit annual reports on refund practices to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education.

Significant Changes

• Prohibition on Forfeiture: The bill prohibits institutions from forcing students to forfeit their unused meal plan balances or impose conditions that would financially disadvantage them.

• Inclusive of Public and Private Institutions: The bill applies to both public and private postsecondary institutions in Minnesota that offer meal plans and receive state or federal financial aid on behalf of students.

Relevant Terms

refund, unused meal plan balances, higher education institutions, transparency, forfeiture prohibition, financial aid, Minnesota statutes, meal swipes, dining dollars, reporting compliance.