Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Higher‑education bill clears House after heated floor fight over state grants and for‑profit colleges
Summary
Lawmakers passed a higher‑education finance and policy bill after extended debate over a $131M structural shortfall in the state grant program and floor proposals to limit state grants for for‑profit colleges. Multiple amendments to restrict eligibility for for‑profit institutions were rejected on roll calls.
The Minnesota House passed House File 42‑52 on April 30 after a long and often contentious floor session focused on the state grant program and whether state financial aid should be limited for students who attend for‑profit colleges.
Supporters said the package includes a $1.5 million appropriation to address fraud in tuition relief programs and a set of administrative changes intended to strengthen protections for Go Student claims. "We must ensure every dollar of these grants go to supporting our veterans and their families," one supporter said in a general comment on grant standards (related to veterans grants in the same bill package).
Opponents seized on a structural shortfall identified by the Department of Higher Education, arguing that the state grant program has faced a $131 million hole and that earlier changes to expansion of eligibility and free tuition drives had increased enrollment and costs. Rep. Culture offered an amendment to permanently bar for‑profit colleges from the state grant program, arguing state dollars should prioritize in‑state nonprofit institutions. That amendment and several similar measures were defeated on roll calls after heated debate; proponents said the changes would have disqualified nearly 2,800 students who received state grants in the prior year.
Committee chairs said the bill also includes $1.5 million to detect and deter fraud, $5,000 for a tree‑replacement project at Bemidji State, and administrative recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. On a recorded final vote the bill passed the House (82 yays, 52 nays) after the package of amendments was disposed of.
What’s next: The bill will go to conference with the Senate; budget negotiators will carry outstanding items such as longer‑term fixes to the state grant program and potential additional fraud safeguards.
