This bill proposes the elimination of the North Star Promise scholarship program and reallocates its unencumbered balances to the state grant program. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically sections 136A.053 and 136A.84, while repealing section 136A.1465, which pertains to the North Star Promise. The amendments include the removal of references to the North Star Promise in the reporting requirements for the Office of Higher Education, which will now focus solely on the state grant program. The bill also mandates that any unencumbered funds from the North Star Promise special revenue fund account be transferred to the general fund and appropriated for the state grant program starting in fiscal year 2026.

Additionally, the bill establishes an effective date for the changes, with the reporting requirements set to begin on March 1, 2026, and the transfer of funds occurring on July 1, 2025. The repeal of the North Star Promise scholarship will affect scholarship awards starting in the fall 2025 term. The bill aims to streamline higher education funding by consolidating resources into the state grant program, thereby enhancing the support available for students in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 136A.053, 136A.84, 136A.1465