HF 2046 Summary

• Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, Minnesota public high school students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or an application for state financial aid in order to graduate.

• Students may instead file a signed waiver with their high school indicating that the parent, guardian, or the student (if 18 or older or emancipated) understands the FAFSA form and has chosen not to apply.

• High school principals may grant a hardship waiver to students unable to fulfill these requirements due to extenuating circumstances as determined by the school.

• The Department of Education and Office of Higher Education must convene a working group of stakeholders to recommend how to support schools and students in meeting the FAFSA requirement.

• The Department of Education must submit the working group's report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over K-12 and higher education policy by February 1, 2022.