SF18 Summary: Higher Education Finance and Policy

• Appropriations: Allocates $271.7-274.3 million to Office of Higher Education, $791.9-789.5 million to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and $692.8 million to University of Minnesota for fiscal years 2022-2023.

• Student Aid Programs: Establishes new grant programs including Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants for youth aging out of foster care, Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarships, and Concurrent Enrollment Grants; increases child care grant maximums from $3,000 to $6,500.

• Transcript Access: Prohibits institutions from withholding transcripts for student debt under $250 or when students have payment plans, except in limited circumstances.

• Hunger-Free Campus: Expands hunger-free campus designation to all nonprofit degree-granting institutions and establishes competitive grants with maximum awards of $8,000 for initial designations and $5,000 for sustaining grants.

• Policy Changes: Modifies tuition rate caps, implements mental health awareness programs, establishes Z-Degree programs using no-cost materials, creates direct admissions pilot program, and requires reporting on administrative expense patterns.