St. Paul, MN. – Today, the Senate and House higher education conference committee finalized legislation to provide $166 million in new funding for Minnesota’s higher education network. The bill includes new funding for both MnSCU and the University of Minnesota, $30 million for the U of M Medical School and strengthens the State Grant Program.
Chair of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) released the following statement on the final bill:
“We are pleased to present Minnesota students with new opportunities to attend college with no debt and a path for an immediate job in areas of high demand.”
Details of the final bill include the following provisions:
- State Grant Program: Allows an increased number of Minnesota families and students to receive State Grants while also expanding access to college and university.
- University of Minnesota: Approximately $53 million for the University of Minnesota, including $30 million to ensure the Medical School retains its national prominence and trains Minnesota’s next generation of medical professionals. $1 million to continue research into Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and $22 million to help keep tuition costs low.
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: A robust investment of $100 million toward tuition relief for students.
- MnSCU College Occupational Scholarship Pilot Program: Expands available scholarships for qualifying students in technical fields.
- Earn While You Learn: Invests $3.4 million into grants for dual-education apprenticeship programs in high growth/strong demand sectors, letting students earn while they learn.
For more information about this or any legislation, please contact Sen. Terri Bonoff at 651-296-4314 or by email at sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn.
Read more news from Sen. Bonoff.
