Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to mandate higher education institutions in Minnesota to refund unused student meal plan balances, ensuring that students are not financially disadvantaged by expiring meal credits or funds.

Main Provisions

• Refund Requirement: Higher education institutions must refund any unused meal plan balance to students. This refund must be issued no more than 45 days after the end of the spring academic term or the student's withdrawal/matriculation.
• Options for Students: Students have the option to request that their unused meal plan balance be applied to the next academic term, provided they continue their enrollment.
• Prohibition on Forfeiture: Institutions are prohibited from requiring students to forfeit any unused meal plan balances. Restrictions that would result in financial loss for the student are not allowed.
• Transparency and Reporting: Institutions must provide students with regular updates on their meal plan balance. They must also report annually on their meal plan balance refund practices and compliance to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill proposes adding new provisions to the Minnesota Statutes, specifically under chapter 135A, to institutionalize a refund policy for unused student meal plan balances.

Relevant Terms

• Meal Plan
• Unused Balance
• Higher Education Institution
• Refund
• Meal Plan Forfeiture
• Transparency and Reporting