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Legislative Updates

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Everyone in the Minneapolis College campus community is encouraged to help advocate for legislative support by sharing information about how lives are transformed when students experience the institution’s high-quality academic programs and exceptional levels of support that help overcome barriers. 

As part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Minneapolis College’s budget is considered by the State Legislature through a systemwide request. If approved, Minneapolis College’s portion of the Minnesota State allocation will provide funding to maintain existing levels of staffing and student services as well as maintain and continually improve its infrastructure and technology investments to accommodate students and employees. 

Supporting Minneapolis College and other Minnesota State colleges and universities helps students achieve their higher education goals affordably and helps the community by providing the talent employers need. Minneapolis College provides an affordable path for community members to elevate their socio-economic status and break the cycle of poverty through higher education. It serves as an anchor in the community at a time when extensive rebuilding of socio-economic systems is desperately needed. By serving under-represented students, Minneapolis College helps advance Minnesota’s economy and workforce.

Support the College

 

2025 Minnesota Legislative Session

 

2025 Session results

HIGHER EDUCATION BILL
Special Session Chapter 5 (SF1)

Minnesota State will not see an increase in the operating budget for the FY2026-2027 biennium. 

The bill shifts existing Emergency and Hunger Free Campus grant funding from the Office of Higher Education to a direct appropriation to Minnesota State. 

In addition to base operations and maintenance funds for the campuses and system office, Minnesota State also received base funding that is earmarked for specific areas:

  • $5.7 million each year to provide supplemental aid to each two-year college with at least one campus not located in the metropolitan area
  • $9.5 million each year for enterprise-wide technology
  • $50,000 each year to help reduce students’ out-of-pocket costs for textbooks by expanding the Z-Degree program
  • $3.158 million each year to expand student support services
  • $1.8 million over the biennium for costs associated with the increased employer contribution rates for the higher education retirement account plan (IRAP)
  • $809,000 each year for unemployment insurance aid
  • $500,000 each year for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative at Metro State University
  • $4.5 million each year for the workforce development scholarship program. 

The bill provides $71.2 million in new funding for the State Grant Program over the biennium and adjusts the levers in the formula to address the budget shortfall.  

There is also funding that is appropriated to the Office of Higher Education that will benefit Minnesota State students:

  • $4.468 million each year for Minnesota State students to receive an American Indian Scholars scholarship
  • $8.416 million a year for Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants program for grants
  • $3 million a year for the Student-Parent Support Initiative
  • $6.944 million a year for child-care grants
  • $11.752 million a year for the state work-study program
  • $100,000 each year for the Safety Officer’s Survivors educational benefit
  • $250,000 each year for grants to student teachers in shortage areas
  • $1.125 million each year for grants to underrepresented student teachers
  • $200,000 each year for grants to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • $650,000 each year for the Direct Admissions Program
     Under a provision in the bill, Minnesota State will be required to maintain two doses of opiate antagonists in each campus residential building. 

The bill makes changes to the Campus Sexual Misconduct Policy in statute M.S. 135A.15, requiring institutions to have a sexual misconduct grievance resolution process.

The bill also includes a new policy known as the College Financing Literacy Act, which requires the Office of Higher Education (OHE) to create standard terminology and templates for colleges and universities to use when sending financial aid offers to prospective and current students.

Another new provision creates a Minnesota State Enrollment Fraud Working Group to develop policy recommendations to prevent fraudulent enrollment in online courses.

 

CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL
Special Session Chapter 15 (HF 18)

Minnesota State received a total of $60 million in asset preservation, also known as HEAPR. Minneapolis College does not have a project on the HEAPR priority list and will not receive funding.