Coronavirus Updates

Governor Tim Walz recently issued Executive Order 20‐99 in response to the outstanding rise in the spread of coronavirus cases in Minnesota, which will be in effect during four weeks from Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. The Executive Order dials back safety measures on social activities, in‐person dining, sports, and fitness establishments for a four‐week period.

Higher education institutions may continue to offer in‐person classes or activities consistent with the up‐to‐date MDH Guidance for Mitigating COVID‐19 at Higher Education Institutions. These guidelines are available at MDH’s Institutes of Higher Education website.

New updates for higher education institutions have been released. Please review the updated recommendations for different levels of COVID‐19 transmission among higher education ‐ see Scenario 4.

Finally, in regards to safety measures for sport activities in higher education, please review the updated COVID‐19 Sports Guidance for Higher Education.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated their guidance  intended for colleges and universities planning to reopen their campuses in the fall. The document emphasizes the importance of reducing transmission opportunities and minimizing risk to people at high risk, while also supporting students and communities. The requirements and recommendations for higher education institutions are meant to be implemented according an institution’s settings and circumstances. Please review our COVID‐19 Preparedness Plans page for relevant information and resources.

Read MDH's Guidance for Mitigating COVID‐19 at Higher Education Institutions.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has published a new guidance intended for colleges and universities planning to reopen their campuses in the fall. The document provides both requirements for all higher education institutions and recommendations meant to be implemented according an institution’s settings and circumstances. This guidance is a starting point and will be followed by future updates from MDH. Please review our COVID‐19 Preparedness Plans page for relevant information on this regard.

Read MDH's Guidance for Mitigating COVID‐19 at Higher Education Institutions.

Effective June 10, Executive Order 20‐74 authorizes Minnesota postsecondary institutions to open their campus for in‐person classes and activities of 25 people or less, if those services cannot be provided through a distance learning model and contingent on institutions meeting specific requirements. Visit Executive Order 20‐74 Guidance for more information.

The Minnesota Department of Health has put out a document intended for colleges and universities to apply as guidance for possible reopening of campuses in fall 2020. All recommendations offered are contingent on disease transmission levels in Minnesota; colleges and universities are expected to have contingency plans in the event there is another Stay‐at‐Home order or some other significant mitigation effort in the future. Please review our COVID‐19 Preparedness Plans page for relevant information on this regard.

Read MDH's Recommendations for Mitigating COVID‐19 at Higher Education Institutions.

Effective June 1, Executive Order 20‐63 authorizes Minnesota postsecondary institutions to open their campus for in‐person classes and activities of 10 people or less, if those services cannot be provided through a distance learning model and contingent on institutions meeting specific requirements. Visit Executive Order 20‐63 Guidance for more information.

The latest Executive Order keeps in place the guidelines provided in Executive Order 20‐56, signed by Governor Walz on May 13th. Previously, authorization provided by Executive Order 20‐52, signed on May 11th, only allowed colleges to reopen their campus for in‐person education to students in programs that prepare them to enter critical sectors of the economy. Read more here.

Due to COVID‐19 concerns, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education is currently not accepting walk‐in visitors but we do remain open for business. Our physical office is closed until further notice.

For general inquiries, you can reach us at info.OHE@state.mn.us or by calling our main line at 651‐259‐3973. We will promptly respond to your questions and concerns.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced on their website that grants received by students through their institution, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), are not taxable.

The CARES Act has made available funds out of the Higher Education Relief Fund to higher education institutions for directly helping students facing urgent needs related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Institutions can also make use of these funds to help them cope with the immediate effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

You can learn more about the Emergency Relief Fund available to students on the State Financial Aid Guidance related to COVID‐19 webpage.

OHE is offering payment relief options for borrowers and cosigners impacted by COVID‐19.

• 0% interest rate
• All SELF and SELF Refi Loans have a 0% interest rate for March 13, 2020 through September 30, 2020. No action is needed to obtain this rate.
• Six‐month forbearances
• Special six‐month COVID‐19 forbearances are available upon request for SELF and SELF Refi Loans serviced by Firstmark Services. Request a COVID‐19 forbearance by logging into your Firstmark account at FirstmarkServices.com.
• COVID‐19 forbearance must be requested by September 30, 2020.
• COVID‐19 forbearances are not available for loans with first disbursement dates after June 30, 2020.

In response to the rapidly evolving situation around the coronavirus (COVID‐19), the College Board is canceling the May 2, 2020, SAT administration. Makeup exams for the March 14 administration (scheduled March 28) are also canceled. Registered students will receive refunds. Read more