HF 4976 Summary

• Establishes a tuition-free program administered by the Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to provide postsecondary educational assistance to Purple Heart recipients and their biological or adopted children at Minnesota public institutions.

• Eligible veterans receive 100 percent tuition and fee coverage; eligible children receive 50 percent coverage, with assistance calculated by subtracting federal Pell Grants, state grants, and federal military/veterans benefits from the cost of attendance.

• Eligibility requires applicants to be resident students maintaining satisfactory academic progress, enrolled in certificate/diploma/degree programs, and in compliance with child support requirements; children's eligibility terminates at age 30.

• Limits lifetime educational assistance to 120 credits per eligible person and establishes a 30-day decision timeline for the commissioner to rule on applications and appeals.

• Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to implement the program.