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State Representative Pat Garofalo
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1069
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS RELEASE
GAROFALO: GRADUATE EARLY, GET $5,000: Legislation designed to make college more affordable and reduce state's budget deficit by almost $25 million dollars
ST PAUL - State Representative Pat Garofalo [R-Farmington] and House Republicans today introduced the Early Graduation Achievement Act, legislation that would award scholarships to Minnesota students that graduate early from high school. The scholarships, which will increase in value based on how early the student graduates, could be used at any accredited post-secondary institution in Minnesota. Due to Minnesota's complex education funding formula, students participating in this program would actually help save the state money.
“By motivating and encouraging our high school students, we can both promote academic vigor and provide better value for the taxpayer, said Garofalo.” In my conversations with high school seniors and college freshmen their response to this proposal has been almost unanimous…‘this is a no brainer.’
“Realizing the financial situation our state is in, it is our responsibility as legislators to come up with thoughtful, pragmatic solutions that benefit our bottom line and, more importantly, motivate students to increase their academic achievement,” said Garofalo. “Early Graduation Achievement Scholarships will allow our most motivated students to accelerate their education and provide tuition relief to Minnesota families that are being forced to make tough economic choices of their own.”
The Early Graduation Achievement Act is estimated to save Minnesota taxpayers almost $25 million over the course of the next budget cycle. With those savings elected officials can choose to either move resources elsewhere to help balance the budget or reinvest those dollars back into K-12 spending.
“I believe this is an innovative solution that reform-minded members of both parties can support," said Garofalo. "It's my hope that a committee hearing will initiate a wide-ranging conversation about what we want out of our education system in the future.”
HIGHLIGHTS
EDUCATION FUNDING LEVELS
Annual average state per pupil spending - $9,560
Annual estimated state per pupil spending for those participating in EGAA - about $7,600
Annual Scholarship per pupil - $5,000
Annual Savings per pupil - $2,500
GRADUATION AND SCHOLARSHIP LEVEL
1 semester early - $2,500 scholarship
2 semesters early - $5,000 scholarship
3 semesters early - $7,500 scholarship
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