MICC tells House committee $4 million in prior biennial funding supported need‑based aid and programming for neurodiverse students

Amy Goodmister, chief executive officer of Minnesota Independent College and Community (MICC), and two current or recent MICC students spoke to the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee about MICC’s residential and community programs for young adults on the autism spectrum and with other neurodivergent conditions.

Goodmister summarized MICC’s mission and finances and told the committee that the organization uses state appropriations for need‑based tuition relief and to reduce the program’s sticker price for Minnesota residents. “We use that funding as need‑based financial assistance to Minnesota residents as well as tuition reduction and pulling down the cost of our tuition,” Goodmister said. Committee briefings provided by staff and MICC show a total appropriation of $2 million in FY 2024 and $2 million in FY 2025 (a $4 million total for the biennium) with zero added to the base (the “tails”) for the next biennium.

Students Abby Wendland and Julia Choploski described their experiences at MICC, citing increased independent‑living skills, practicum experiences and job placements. Wendland said she will graduate in May with a certificate in health and human services and move into her own apartment while working as a dietary aide at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Choploski said she will work at Minnesota Valley Surgical Center and hopes to become a phlebotomist.

Members questioned MICC leadership about program costs, funding sources and accountability. MICC said the total cost of attendance is “around $60,000” annually, inclusive of room and board; MICC described room and board as “roughly $10,000” per year in committee remarks. MICC reported 55 students in its residential college program and about 155 participants across college, careers and community offerings.

On funding, MICC staff and committee nonpartisan staff explained the appropriation history: the legislature provided $2 million in the first year and $2 million in the second year of the biennium (total $4 million) and did not leave the dollars in the base for FY 2026‑27. Goodmister said government grants were roughly $4.03 million in 2024, with non‑government revenues (program fees, donations, investment income) around $3.8 million for the same period; she identified institutional and government sources including funds routed via the Office of Higher Education and K‑12 grants and said the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) provided about $450,000 toward career programming.

Representatives pressed MICC on use of Medicaid waiver dollars and Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) funds. Representative Hicks asked whether MICC bills for services under CDCS waiver or Voc Rehab programs; MICC agreed to supply a billing‑code breakdown and said some participants use waiver funds to pay program fees when permitted. Committee members noted a broader Voc Rehab shortfall cited during the hearing (approximately $19 million short) and asked MICC to spell out which services are billed to Voc Rehab and whether any participant services are at risk.

Members also asked for more detailed accountability and student‑aid data. Goodmister said the state appropriation reduced tuition for all participants and additionally about 60% of participants receive financial assistance. MICC cited outcome statistics in its annual report: “90.5 percent of MICC participants who are eligible are employed,” the CEO said. Committee members requested a breakdown, by number of students, of full and partial scholarships and of in‑state vs. out‑of‑state participants if MICC returns to testify with a funding request.

Committee members thanked the students for their testimony and indicated MICC would be invited back when a bill is brought to the committee.