S.F. No. 4147 - Aspiring Peace Officer Grants

• Establishes a grant program for Minnesota residents preparing to become licensed peace officers, available from the 2023-2024 academic year through the 2026-2027 academic year.

• Eligible students must be U.S. citizens in good academic standing, pass criminal history screening, and be enrolled full-time in either a degree-granting or certificate-granting peace officer education program certified by the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.

• Grant amounts equal the recognized cost of attendance minus federal Pell grants, state grants, other financial aid, and institutional aid; grants paid directly to institutions, with private institution caps at the highest public institution costs.

• Recipients must pass the Minnesota peace officer licensure exam and work full-time as a peace officer in Minnesota for four years; failure to meet this obligation converts the grant to a student loan with interest charges, though the commissioner may waive or defer the obligation for extreme hardship.

• Commissioner of the Office of Higher Education must submit annual reports by February 15 detailing eligible programs, award recipients, award amounts, demographics, and employment obligation status; program expires December 31, 2037, or when all contracts are fulfilled or discharged.