Minnesota Senate sends bill to governor that would provide free college tuition for families making less than $80k
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Starting next school year, thousands of Minnesota students who qualify can attend the state's public colleges and universities for free under a new program approved by the legislature, and sent to DFL Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature.
Families making under $80,000 a year would be eligible for the "North Star Promise" scholarships, which will cover tuition and fees for residents who attend two- or four-year programs in the University of Minnesota or Minnesota State system or in-state tribal colleges. The DFL-led Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved the plan in a higher education budget bill on a party-line vote of 34-30.
"I truly, truly believe that this is the most transformational and impactful higher education budget in our nation," said Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis. "In Minnesota, we will be leading the way in saying we support all of our students."
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education estimates it will impact 15,000-20,000 students currently enrolled.
The amount of the scholarship would be determined after other grants, scholarships and financial aid are deducted from the student's total costs to attend the school. Awards would cover 100% of remaining tuition and fees plus up to half of the value of a Pell Grant, which is federal need-based assistance, any student received. That Pell Grant match could help students' other costs like housing, Fateh said.
In order to qualify, a student's family will have to meet that income benchmark, take at least one credit per semester, not yet have a bachelor's degree, fill out a federal FAFSA form for financial aid and remain in good academic standing. The program would not assist with private school tuition.
There's $117 million earmarked, plus more for administrative costs, for the program, which is part of a broader higher education spending package. That bill also includes additional money for existing grant programs, a new scholarship for paramedics, and supports for students who are parents balancing raising a child and going to school, among other provisions.
The University of Minnesota and Minnesota State system also get a state funding increase.
Republicans praised parts of the bill, but ultimately voted no on the entire package because of the North Star Promise plan, arguing not enough students benefit.
"It doesn't seem like we're helping the most number of students that we can in giving them the ability to take dollars to use as they best see fit for their education needs, where they want to go for their education needs," said Sen. Jason Rarick, R-Pine City.
A key Republican on the higher education conference committee, a panel of lawmakers from both chambers that met to hash out the details of final budget deals, said she was "frozen out of all discussions."
The proposal now goes to Gov. Walz's desk for signature after the Minnesota House approved the measure Tuesday.