MN SF1177

Adds three new eligible fields for Workforce Development Scholarships: construction, education, and public safety, in addition to existing fields of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology, early childhood, and transportation.

Increases scholarship amounts from $2,500 to $2,500 for two-year colleges and $3,500 for four-year universities, with lifetime award cap raised from $7,500 to $12,000 per student.

Expands scholarship eligibility to include select short-term credit and noncredit certificate programs with awards up to $1,500 or full cost of instruction and credit for prior learning fees, whichever is less.

Appropriates $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, distributed as $24,500,000 annually for equipment and learning environments, $12,750,000 annually for industry sector programming, and $12,750,000 annually for workforce development scholarships.

Allows each institution to add one additional area of study based on regional workforce shortages using Department of Employment and Economic Development job vacancy survey data, with the ability to change areas every two years.