Senate committee moves to stabilize state grant program, approves parameter changes in higher-education omnibus

The Minnesota Senate Higher Education Finance Committee on April 29 advanced Senate File 2483, an omnibus higher-education budget that increases state grant appropriations by $104.52 million in the 2026–27 biennium and adjusts program parameters intended to prevent rationing of awards.

The committee’s package focuses on stabilizing three major financial aid programs: the State Grant Program, North Star Promise and the Fostering Independence Grants. Sponsor Senator Fatai told the committee the bill “invests our entire budget plus additional funds allocated from our base into the State Grant Program,” and couples that new investment with statutory parameter changes the Office of Higher Education projects will leave a small positive balance at the end of the 2026–27 biennium.

Nonpartisan fiscal analyst Megan Bursch walked members through the committee spreadsheet, identifying line-by-line changes and noting that most dollar figures shown are in thousands. She highlighted the $104,520,000 increase for the state grant…