Legislative Updates

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 & 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

2023 Legislative Session Results

For Minnesota State, the higher education bill includes \$292.9 million in the FY 2024-25 biennium. The original Minnesota State request was for \$350 million in funding.

The bonding bill includes \$44.7 million for Higher Education Asset Prevention and Replacement (HEAPR) and \$20.5 million for the Management Education Center (MEC) project. The original Minnesota State request was \$173.7 million for HEAPR. The MEC project was fully funded.

Provisions of the higher education bill include the following funding (new money for the FY 2024-25 biennium):

New Appropriations | System Request | Conference Committee

System Stabilization | \$125 million | \$128 million
One-time Operation Support | None | \$50 million
Tuition Freeze | \$75 million | \$75 million
Student Support, Basic Needs | \$26 million | \$6.136 million
Transfer Scholarships | \$12 million | None
Emergency Grants | \$10 million | None
Z-degrees/Free Materials | \$2 million | \$2 million
Advanced Technology/Facilities | \$49 million | \$13.5 million
Industry Sector Development | \$25.5 million | \$13.5 million
Workforce Scholarships | \$25.5 million | None
IRAP Employer Contributions | None| \$1.733 million
Unemployment Insurance | None | \$1.618 million
Menstrual Products | None | \$764,000
Child Development Pathway | None | \$475,000
Total | \$350 million | \$292.9 million

Some highlights/details:

Minnesota State Stabilization: \$128 million over the biennium to help address college and university inflationary needs
Campus One-Time Support: \$50 million in FY 2024 for campus support based on each institution’s estimated tuition revenue loss due to declines in enrollment from FY 2019 to FY 2023
NextGen/ISRS: Additional \$3 million in FY 2024-25 for enterprise-wide technology (totaling $9.5 million each year of the biennium and ongoing in the base)
IRAP Contribution Increase: \$861,000 in FY 2024 and $872,000 in FY 2025—employer contribution rate on behalf of participants will increase from 6% to 8.75% of salary
Menstrual Products: \$482,000 in FY 2024 and \$282,000 in FY 2025 for campuses to provide menstrual products in restrooms free of charge

Other provisions in the bill that have an impact on Minnesota State and students include:

North Star Promise Scholarship Program: $117.226 million in FY 2025 in an amount not to exceed 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students who must
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Attend a public community college or four-year public university in Minnesota, or a tribal college
- Have a family income below \$80,000
- Be enrolled in at least one credit per semester
- Be in good academic standing
- Complete the FAFSA
Minnesota American Indian Scholarships: \$8.5 million each year of the biennium to provide first-dollar tuition for eligible Minnesota American Indian students’ undergraduate education (\$4.468 million in each year of the biennium is for transfer to Minnesota State)
State Grant Simplification and Federal Conformity: \$12.7 million in FY 2024 and \$5 million in FY 2025 to conform to the State Grant program, with changes to the federal needs analysis and Pell Grant calculation
State Grant Program: \$12 million in FY 2024 and $9.1 million in FY 2025 for an increase in the living and miscellaneous expense allowance
Emergency Assistance for Students: \$3.579 million each year of the biennium for emergency assistance grants; \$2.25 million of that funding each year is for students attending a Minnesota State college or university
Student Parent Support Initiative: \$3 million in FY 2024 and \$3 million in FY 2025 for grants to support student parents
Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program: \$1.4 million in FY 2024 and \$898,000 in FY 2025

One-time funding:

Paramedic Scholarships: \$3.2 million in FY 2024
Next Generation Nursing Assistant Training Program: \$3 million in FY 2024 for transfer to Minnesota State for HealthForce Minnesota (recruitment and training)

The complete bill can be found at Conference Committee Report on HF 2073.

The bill spreadsheet can be found at Higher Education Conference Committee Side-by-Side Spreadsheet.

Legislative Updates

2023 Legislative Session Results

Governor's Press Conference at Minneapolis College, Jan. 20, 2022