Minnesota high school juniors and seniors could have an additional option to advance their education.
Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) sponsors HF1177, which would create an early graduation achievement scholarship program. Students who graduate one semester early could earn $2,500; $5,000 if they graduate two semesters early; or $7,500 for three semesters. The scholarship would be good at any accredited higher education institution.
Garofalo told members of the House K-12 Education Finance Division the bill could help make college more affordable for students and would save school districts money. The bill was laid over March 31 for possible inclusion in the division’s omnibus bill.
It is estimated that 8 percent of high school seniors, or about 5,300 to 5,500 students a year, might take advantage of the opportunity. Garofalo said his plan has “curb appeal” because it translates into direct savings on college costs, is simpler to navigate and available to any student, which isn’t always the case with other programs such as Advanced Placement or College in the Schools.
Its companion, SF1977, sponsored by Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), awaits action by the Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division.
The division also heard HF1702, sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls), which would repeal the existing funding formula for concurrent enrollment programs but add them to the same funding pool as two other popular options for students interested in high-level academics, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. Concurrent enrollment programs are those in which high school teachers offer college level classes to high school students with the guidance of a higher education institutions.
The division laid the bill over March 31 for possible omnibus bill inclusion. Its companion, SF1595, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls), awaits action by the Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division.
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