Committee considers bill to expand Direct Admissions statewide by 2029; OHE and students describe benefits and implementation needs

Senate File 14-74, proposing statewide expansion of Minnesota’s Direct Admissions program by the 2029 school year, drew broad support from students, higher‑education advocates and the Office of Higher Education during a committee hearing. Committee members agreed to lay the bill over pending a fiscal note and further review.

Direct Admissions proactively notifies high school juniors of postsecondary institutions where their current cumulative GPA meets automatic admission criteria; it also waives application fees for participating schools. Senator Gustafson, the bill’s sponsor, described the program as “an innovative college access program” that has increased FAFSA completion and college enrollment in participating schools and said the bill would help retain Minnesota students and bolster the state workforce.

Student witnesses said the program reduced stress and removed financial and informational barriers. “Knowing I was already college material freed me to focus on figuring out which school was best for me,” said Talia Treblehorn, a student at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, who testified she benefited from Direct Admissions in 2023. Karina Valada, a University of…