The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136F.38, subdivision 3, to expand the eligibility criteria for workforce development scholarships in higher education. It specifies that scholarships will now be awarded to students who are eligible for resident tuition and enrolled in various programs of study, including a newly added category of cybersecurity. The bill also maintains the provision that each institution can identify one additional area of study based on regional workforce shortages, as determined by the Department of Employment and Economic Development's job vacancy survey data.

Additionally, the bill outlines the enrollment requirements for scholarship eligibility, stating that students must be enrolled for at least nine credits in a two-year college to qualify for first- and second-year scholarships. It also provides for a one-year transfer scholarship for students who transfer from a two-year college to a four-year university, provided they meet the same credit enrollment criteria. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to scholarships for students pursuing careers in high-demand fields.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 136F.38