Office of Higher Education Legislative Session 2023

2/2/2023

 

Supporting Public Higher Education Institutions 

In the One Minnesota Budget, Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan propose increased funding for the state’s two public higher education systems, Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota. They also propose funding for Minnesota State to increase student supports in areas such as mental health. By supporting the whole student and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed outside of the classroom, students will be able to better focus on their studies, which increases their likelihood of completing their degree program. 

Investing in Tribal Colleges and Indigenous Students 

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan propose additional funding for the state’s tribal colleges by expanding the Tribal College Supplemental Grant Assistance program, ensuring tribal colleges receive the same per student funding as other Minnesota public higher education institutions. The Gov. and Lt. Gov. also propose an American Indian Scholars program to provide tuition-free pathways for any Minnesota Tribal Nation member, or any federally recognized American Indian or Canadian First Nation tribe member, attending a public college in Minnesota. 

Supporting Student Parents in Higher Ed 

As a new competitive grant program, the Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative would support entities and institutions to develop and implement services and programs that would support the unique needs of parenting students across the state. 
 

The Walz-Flanagan budget request also includes investments in the following areas: 

• Continuation of the Next Generation Nursing Assistant Initiative to support training and other expenses for Minnesotans to become nursing assistants at no cost. 

• Financial aid and repayment assistance programs to support Minnesota teachers of color, American Indian teachers, and teachers who serve in rural shortage areas. These programs are playing a key role for both increasing representation in Minnesota's teacher workforce and addressing teacher shortages that exist throughout the state, particularly in greater Minnesota. 

• Expansion of the Direct Admissions Minnesota, a program that bypasses the typical college admissions process by proactively admitting students to college based on academic tiers set by participating colleges. 

• Investments in the Minnesota State Grant program to increase college affordability for Minnesota students and families and align with new federal standards. 

• Increased investment in the state's Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) grant program which helps students facing food and housing insecurity.   

• Additional support for Minnesota's Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System and Early Childhood Longitudinal Data System. These nation-leading databases further transparency around educational outcomes and are used by families, legislators, and researchers.  

Read about the Governor's budget recommendations by agency on the MMB website or view the One Minnesota Budget Fact Sheet for an overview of all proposals. 

Click below to view the 2023 Legislative Session Minnesota Office of Higher Education Fact Sheets for each budget proposal: 

• American Indian Scholars Program 

• Direct Admissions 

• Dual Training Grant 

• FAFSA Simplification 

• Minnesota State Grant LME 

• Next Generation Nursing Assistant Initiative 

• SLEDS/ECLDS 

• Student Parent Support Initiative 

• Tribal College Supplemental Grant Assistance Program