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SF2495 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Default living and miscellaneous expenses allowance for the state higher education grant program authorization; State Grant Plus scholarship to supplement state grant awards establishment; grant programs establishment within the Office of Higher Education; appropriating money

Related bill: HF2090

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota's higher education financial aid programs. Key provisions include:

  1. Increase in Living and Miscellaneous Expenses Allowance: The bill raises the default allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses in the state grant program.

  2. Creation of the "State Grant Plus" Scholarship: A new scholarship program supplements state grant awards for eligible students enrolled in Minnesota public, Tribal, or private nonprofit postsecondary institutions. Students who already receive the North Star Promise scholarship are not eligible.

  3. Award Determination:

    • The scholarship amount equals 25% of the recipient’s state grant award.
    • If funds are insufficient, the percentage may be reduced proportionally.
    • If funds exceed demand, the percentage may be increased.

  4. Eligibility & Duration:

    • Scholarships are awarded on a semester basis.
    • Eligibility lasts for up to four full-time semesters for associate degrees or certificates and up to eight full-time semesters for bachelor’s degrees.
    • A total maximum of eight full-time semesters applies to all recipients.
    • Any semester in which a student receives a North Star Promise scholarship counts toward this maximum.

  5. Administration & Reporting:

    • Scholarships are paid directly to the student's institution.
    • The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing scholarship distribution, demographic data of recipients, and student outcomes such as retention and degree completion.

The bill amends Minnesota Statutes Section 136A.121 and proposes new provisions under Chapter 136A.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toHigher Education
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHigher Education

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Increases the default living and miscellaneous expenses allowance."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the cost of attendance calculations for state grants under section 136A.121, subdivision 6.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts cost of attendance calculations for incarcerated students."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.121",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill references eligibility under section 136A.1465 for North Star Promise scholarships.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies ineligibility for State Grant Plus scholarship if receiving North Star Promise scholarship."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.1465",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill refers to the designation of eligible institutions under section 136A.101, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies eligibility for institutions under the new grant programs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

Sponsors