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Now more than halfway through the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers are making progress in higher education funding needs included in the Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan One Minnesota Budget recommendations.
The Walz-Flanagan budget request 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.
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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.
- Funding for Tribal Colleges in the state to support general operations and maintenance expenses. By increasing support of Minnesota tribal colleges,
these institutions will be able to reinvest funds into postsecondary education and services - allowing for a greater ability to support the persistence and completion of all students.
- Support for student parents pursuing higher education through the Minnesota Student Parent Support initiative, a competitive grants program for eligible institutions to develop and implement services to provide resources and support for student parents.
- 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.
- Expansion of the Dual Training Grant to include industries of Transportation and Early Childhood/Childcare to address workforce shortages.
- 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.
Visit the MMB website to view the Governor's current budget recommendations.
The Fostering Independence Grant is the first of its kind in Minnesota, with the goal of paying the full cost of eligible students' attendance, including tuition, fees and living expenses such as housing and transportation. Minnesota residents who are younger than 27 years of age, and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after their 13th birthday, are eligible for the grant if they attend a Minnesota public or participating private higher education institution.
The Fostering Independence Grant has broken down financial barriers for hundreds of Minnesotans who were in foster care. Nearly 400 students benefitted in fall 2022 with an average award of $5,332.
To apply, students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application. The 2023-24 FAFSA is open for students now! Learn more about grant eligibility and view the 2023-24 participating institutions through the link below.
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Stipends of up to $1,000 available on first-come, first-served basis
It's time to find a summer enrichment opportunity to keep your child engaged after the school year ends! The Office of Higher Education's Summer Academic Enrichment Program provides stipends on a first-come, first-serve basis, to cover all or a portion of the direct cost of eligible summer academic enrichment programs for students in grades 3-11.
Students can receive one stipend to cover all or a portion up to a maximum amount of $1,000 that will be paid directly to the eligible summer enrichment program. OHE has approved 25 sponsors hosting 78 academic enrichment programs in the following curricular areas: English, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Science, Social Studies, and World Language and Culture.
Participants apply directly to the eligible program sponsors. Click here to download the SAEP 2023 Student Flyer and SAEP 2023 Parent Flyer. View the list of eligible programs through the link below:
Help Minnesota students fulfill their postsecondary dreams by becoming a SELF Student Success Coach! As part of the SELF Loan division of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, SELF Student Success Coaches will provide individual coaching, thought-partnership, skill-development, resource navigation and wraparound support and accountability to SELF Loan borrowers.
The SELF Loan is a long-term, low-interest student loan administered by the Office of Higher Education. The Office of Higher Education is currently hiring to fill four positions in the newly developed student success program.
For additional information and to apply, visit https://mn.gov/mmb/careers and search Job ID 64004. Apply by April 11.
Serving directly in Twin Cities metro area high schools, Get Ready Postsecondary Pathway Coordinators provide important services to assist students in achieving their postsecondary goals. The Office of Higher Education is currently hiring four Pathway Coordinators to serve in these positions for the 2023-24 school year.
Pathway Coordinators implement Get Ready/GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) services in high schools and work with school staff and administration to develop strategies to build capacity around postsecondary education and career readiness.
For additional information and to apply, visit https://mn.gov/mmb/careers and search Job ID 64223. Apply by April 20.
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