Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to amend the eligibility criteria for the North Star Promise scholarships in Minnesota. The changes aim to focus scholarships on students enrolled in programs within high-demand industries and occupations in an effort to align education funding with the state's employment needs.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility Conditions: To qualify for a North Star Promise scholarship, students must meet several conditions. These include completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a state aid application, having a family adjusted gross income below $80,000, and being in good standing regarding child support and federal or state educational loans. Students must also be enrolled in a program related to in-demand industries or occupations.

• High-Demand Fields Focus: The bill mandates that scholarship eligibility is restricted to programs of study within industries and occupations projected to experience the highest employment growth or job openings in Minnesota. The Department of Employment and Economic Development provides the necessary data to determine these fields.

• Regular Updates: The list of eligible programs and industries will be reviewed and potentially adjusted every three years to ensure they reflect current employment trends, keeping the scholarship program aligned with the state's labor market needs.

Significant Changes

This bill introduces new eligibility requirements that limit scholarships to students pursuing education in fields with high demand for employees. This marks a shift from previous scholarship policies that potentially did not target specific employment sectors.

Relevant Terms

• North Star Promise scholarships
• FAFSA
• High-demand industries
• Employment growth
• Labor market data
• Department of Employment and Economic Development