Trustees and campus leaders weigh tuition scenarios as Minnesota State faces potential funding shortfall

Vice Chancellor Mackey told the Minnesota State Board of Trustees' Finance and Facilities Committee that the system faces a possible reduction in state support and significant uncertainty heading into the 2026–27 biennium, and presented tuition scenarios to help campuses plan for fiscal year 2026.

Mackey began by summarizing the February state budget forecast, which reduced the earlier surplus estimate and projected a larger deficit by 2028–29. He explained that Minnesota higher education makes up about 6% of the state's general fund and that the system's November budget request asked for $465 million over the biennium, including $285 million for student affordability and system operations. Mackey said the board is unlikely to receive that $285 million and noted higher-education targets from the governor and legislative chambers that would produce little or no new base funding for the…