SF2214 Summary

• Appropriations: Allocates $248.4 million (FY2018) and $247.6 million (FY2019) to the Office of Higher Education; $709.7 million to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and $636.9 million to University of Minnesota for operations, financial aid, and special programs.

• Financial Aid Programs: Establishes new grant programs including teacher candidate grants, student loan forgiveness programs for agriculture educators and aviation degree holders, and emergency assistance for homeless postsecondary students.

• Student Support: Increases child care grant maximum awards from $2,800 to $3,000 per child; creates grants for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and modifies state grant family responsibility percentages to increase aid eligibility.

• Tuition and Fees: Freezes Minnesota State Colleges tuition for 2017-2018 and requires 1% reduction for 2018-2019; prohibits mandatory student activity fees for noninstructional programs; establishes workforce development scholarships at two-year colleges.

• Institutional Oversight: Strengthens regulatory framework for private postsecondary institutions including accreditation requirements, student complaint procedures, bonding requirements, and fraud protections for school closures.