Certified Nursing Assistant Training | Minnesota Future Together Grants | Kids Deserve a Shot Winners | New Podcast Episodes

EVERY FIFTEEN DAYS
Updates From the Office of Higher Education Twice a Month

Interested in Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant?

The State of Minnesota has set a new goal to train at least 1,000 new certified nursing assistants to help Minnesota healthcare facilities experiencing staffing shortages. The effort is a partnership between state government, colleges, and community organizations led by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. 

The initiative will cover qualifying expenses associated with CNA courses (i.e. tuition, fees, books, technology needs, test fees) to ensure these courses are available at no-cost to students. And is made possible through federal American Rescue Plan funding.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity you can sign up on this website to receive more information.

New Tuition-free Pathway to Earn a Degree in High Need Fields

We know that the cost of college can be a barrier for many Minnesotans. To help address this barrier there are now Minnesota Future Together Grants.

Minnesota Future Together Grants will provide eligible Minnesotans with a tuition-free pathway for earning a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree at any public institution in the state. The grants are available starting spring 2022 through 2024.

If you are currently studying healthcare, STEM, business, industry and technology, education, or public service at a public institution, reach out to your college's financial aid office. And if you're a perspective student looking to go into one of these fields, chat with an admissions representative about the opportunity.

Two Students Win $100,000 Scholarship

Two students, Kaitlyn Knutsen and Ben Truax, have won $100,000 college scholarships through the State's Kids Deserve A Shot campaign.  Kids Deserve a Shot is a vaccine incentive program rewarding Minnesotans 12-17 years old for completing their COVID-19 vaccine series. The incentive program includes a $200 Visa gift card, drawing for prizes, and a chance to win a $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship. There is one last drawing for scholarships and other prizes on December 17.

Congrats Kaitlyn and Ben!

New Podcast Episodes  — Don't Miss Out

Don't miss out on the 20th and 21st episodes of our podcast, Life After Now. In episode 20, Liz Bolsoni talks with OHE Outreach Liaison for the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program, Lara Gerhardson, about Lara's journey through Harvard and Boston University, and bringing what she learned back to her community. And in episode 21, our guest Teresa Lugo talks to Liz about some of the disparities in high school graduation rates and why high schoolers might opt out.

Listen on: Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Anchor, Breaker, and Pocket Casts. Subscribe and share!