SF943 Summary: Omnibus Higher Education Appropriations Bill

• Appropriations: Allocates $1.74 billion to higher education institutions for fiscal years 2018-2019, including $260-256 million to Office of Higher Education, $731-722 million to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, $661-651 million to University of Minnesota, and $1.35 million to Mayo Clinic.

• Tuition Controls: Limits tuition increases at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to 1% for 2017-2018 and freezes undergraduate tuition for 2018-2019; requests University of Minnesota to hold resident tuition flat.

• Student Financial Aid: Establishes new grant programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, teacher candidates in shortage areas, and workforce development scholarships; modifies state grant calculations to increase aid eligibility.

• Policy Changes: Creates new loan forgiveness programs for aviation professionals and agricultural educators; establishes fetal tissue research oversight committee at University of Minnesota; requires developmental education reform plan by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

• Regulatory Updates: Strengthens private career school regulations including student complaint procedures, expanded bonding requirements, and enhanced oversight of accreditation and financial standards for postsecondary institutions.