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Committee hears debate over narrowing North Star Promise to top 20 high‑demand fields
Summary
Lawmakers, business groups and students debated House File 2634, which would limit North Star Promise eligibility to programs aligned with DEED/OHE'identified high‑demand industries and require periodic review of the list. Supporters cited workforce needs; opponents said the change would restrict access and add complexity.
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee members heard more than an hour of testimony and questioning on House File 2,634, a bill that would narrow eligibility for the North Star Promise scholarship to students pursuing programs in the top 20 industries and occupations identified by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE).
Proponents, including local chamber leaders and the Minnesota Chamber Federation, said the proposal would better align state tuition investments with workforce needs and retain graduates in Minnesota. Brad Grama, president of the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, told the committee that border communities face talent loss to neighboring states and argued the policy would help keep Minnesota employers supplied with trained workers. Christie…
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