Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant Program

Improving college retention and completion for students experiencing food/housing insecurity or an unforeseen financial emergency

 

The Office of Higher Education administers the Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant Program to foster postsecondary attendance and retention for low-income students by providing funding and resources to Minnesota colleges and universities with a demonstrable homeless population. Grant funds are intended to meet immediate student needs related to housing, food, and transportation that would otherwise prevent students from completing their term.

Funding Source

The Minnesota Legislature established the EAPS Grant Program in May 2017. The 2021 Legislature provided $269,000 each year of the 2022 - 2023 biennium to support the grant program. The results of the 2023 legislative session will dictate funding levels for the 2024-2025 biennium.

Request for Proposals

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is intends to launch the RFP for 2024-2025 biennium funding Winter 2023. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply at that time.

Proposals are reviewed and scored by a panel of community reviewers who have professional or lived experience with: basic needs insecurity, youth homelessness, financial aid, low-income student support, and human/social services, among many other content areas. If you are interested in being a community reviewer, please contact Lain.DeSalvo@state.mn.us. Community members that are a part of groups traditionally underrepresented in college are encouraged to sit on a review panel and may qualify for a small stipend for participation.

Eligibility

Minnesota postsecondary institutions with a demonstrable homeless student-population may apply for EAPS Grant funding.

2022-2023 Grant Recipients

 

• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Normandale Community College
• South Central College
• Pine Technical and Community College
• St. Cloud Technical and Community College
• Century College
• Red Lake Nation College
• Saint Paul College

Contact

If you have questions or would like additional information on the Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students Grant Program, contact Lain DeSalvo by email at Lain.DeSalvo@state.mn.us or (651) 259-3988.

For Students:

Students in need of emergency assistance should contact the financial aid office and/or foundation at their college or university. For additional resources, see our Student Homelessness in Higher Education webpage.

Reports

• 2020 Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students Grant Program Report