SAINT PAUL, Minn. –Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 2073, the House’s proposed Higher Education Budget, delivering a record increased investment for Minnesota’s colleges and universities. The budget includes funding for the Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota campuses, the Mayo Clinic Medical School, and Minnesota’s Tribal Colleges.
Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) voted for the bill.
“Our state has world-class higher education institutions, and House DFLers recognize that our colleges and universities must be accessible to all Minnesotans. Unfortunately, too often cost is a barrier, and years of underinvestment have resulted in mountains of debt for students,” Rep. Olson said. “By delivering record new investments, we can continue to build the opportunities Minnesotans deserve, regardless of their background, to gain knowledge and skills, explore their passions and aspirations, and after graduation, excel in a rewarding career.”
The budget includes a fully-funded tuition freeze at Minnesota State campuses for two years, saving students a combined $75 million. The budget also provides $50 million in one-time funding to address structural deficits across the Minnesota State system, saving jobs and programs. Under the House’s budget proposal, the University of Minnesota receives one-time funding to address the tuition shortfall of $48 million over the biennium, in addition to systemwide safety and security funding.
The Higher Education budget invests $10.75 million per year in scholarships dedicated to assisting students who are pursuing high-demand jobs, and $12.5 million per year to purchase the needed equipment to better serve workforce demands. An additional $6.75 million per year is allocated to expand industry-specific programming.
Additionally, the budget proposal dedicates $3 million every year to the Office of Higher Education for grants to Leech Lake Tribal College, White Earth Tribal College, and Red Lake Nation Tribal College.
A fact sheet about the Higher Education Budget Bill is available here.