This bill aims to enhance higher education funding and policy in Minnesota, focusing on the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Minnesota. It includes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with specific allocations for student aid programs, scholarships, and institutional grants. Key provisions include maximum tuition and fee limits for four-year programs, funding for educational benefits for public safety officers' families, and support for American Indian scholarship programs. The bill also establishes a framework for transferring unencumbered balances between appropriations to ensure effective fund utilization. Additionally, it mandates initiatives to improve student support services, address basic needs insecurity, and enhance educational programming in remote areas.

Moreover, the bill introduces various provisions to improve access to education and support for students, including emergency grants, workforce development scholarships, and mental health resources. It amends procedures for handling sexual misconduct grievances, ensuring impartial investigations and protections for pregnant and parenting students. The bill also revises financial aid eligibility criteria for postsecondary institutions and introduces new definitions and requirements for private career schools. It establishes a student loan debt counseling program and a loan forgiveness program for aviation degree holders, while also appropriating funds for ALS research. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education in Minnesota through targeted funding and comprehensive policy reforms.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 135A.15, 135A.1582, 136A.246, 136A.87, 136A.901
1st Engrossment: 136A.1251, 135A.052, 135A.137, 135A.15, 135A.1582, 136A.01, 136A.101, 136A.103, 136A.121, 136A.1465, 136A.155, 136A.162, 136A.1701, 136A.1796, 136A.246, 136A.65, 136A.653, 136A.658, 136A.69, 136A.82, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.824, 136A.833, 136A.834, 136A.901