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New Programs in Place Today to Help Students


 

Contact: Sandy Connolly, Director of Communications
Office of Higher Education
(651) 259-3902

St. Paul, MN -- Beginning July 1, new programs are in place to help Minnesota students prepare for and succeed in college, as well as offer protection against rising costs and student debt.

A change to how Minnesota State Grant awards are determined makes the program much more responsive to tuition and cost of living increases. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), who administers the program, can now be more nimble in adjusting grant awards to more adequately cover rising costs students face.

OHE estimates that close to 90,000 low- and middle-income Minnesota students will receive a State Grant next year. As a result of changes enacted during the 2015 legislative session, students can be assured that as their costs go up, their grant award will increase, as well.

"These need-based grants are one of our most effective tools for increasing affordability and reducing student debt for low- and middle-income students," said Pogemiller. "This new flexibility is critical to helping students keep up with the rising cost of tuition and living expenses."

Other programs going into effect July 1 include:

  • Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP)
    • Grants to low-income students in grades 3-12 designed to help prevent "summer melt"
  • Dual Training Competency Grants (Earn While You Learn)
    • Funding for institutions or programs who enter into agreements with employers to provide training to their employees
  • Concurrent Enrollment Course Grants Program
    • Grants to develop new concurrent enrollment courses in career and technical education, and to expand existing programs
  • Student Loan Debt Counseling Grant Program
    • Help approximately 2,000 borrowers manage their debt over the next two years
  • Loan forgiveness programs for teachers in high need areas and large animal veterinarians
  • Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program

For more information on any of these programs, contact Sandy Connolly at 651-259-3902 or by email at sandy.connolly@state.mn.us


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