This bill establishes a grant program and a loan forgiveness program specifically for home care workers in Minnesota, aimed at supporting their education and financial stability. Under the new section [136A.1277] HOME CARE WORKER GRANTS, the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education is required to create a grant program for students enrolled in postsecondary programs who work as home care workers. Eligibility criteria include being enrolled in a degree program, committing to work a minimum of ten hours per week as a home care worker, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. The program will also require annual reporting on its effectiveness and the number of grants awarded. Additionally, the bill introduces [136A.1786] HOME CARE WORKER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM, which establishes a loan forgiveness program for home care workers who meet specific employment and residency criteria. The program will provide financial assistance for repaying qualified education loans, with disbursements made annually based on the participant's work hours and loan balance. The bill includes appropriations for both the grant and loan forgiveness programs, ensuring funding is allocated for their implementation and administration.