SF 3943

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/27/2026 10:28 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; modifying student aid reporting requirements; requiring
additional accommodations for parenting students; modifying American Indian
Scholars program eligibility; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
sections 135A.121, subdivision 2; 136A.053; 136A.091, subdivisions 2, 9;
136A.121, subdivision 2; 136A.1215, subdivision 5; 136A.1241, subdivision 8;
136A.125, subdivision 2; 136A.1274, subdivision 4; 136A.1275, subdivision 4;
136A.1465, subdivision 10; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section
135A.1582, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
124D.09, subdivision 10a.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

To be eligible each year for the program a student must:

(1) be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at the
University of Minnesota or a Minnesota state college or university;

(2) be either (i) a deleted text begin Minnesota deleted text end resident deleted text begin for resident tuition purposes deleted text end new text begin student as defined in
section 136A.101, subdivision 8, new text end who is an enrolled member or citizen of a federally
recognized American Indian Tribe or Canadian First Nation, or (ii) an enrolled member or
citizen of a Minnesota Tribal Nation, regardless of resident tuition status;

(3) have not (i) obtained a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) been enrolled for 12 semesters
or the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below
college-level; and

(4) meet satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision
10.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(b) "Parenting student" means a student enrolled at a deleted text begin public college or university deleted text end new text begin
postsecondary institution new text end who is the parent or legal guardian of or can claim as a dependent
a child under the age of 18.

(c) "Pregnancy or related conditions" has the meaning given in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 34, section 106.2.

(d) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution governed by the Board of Trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or a private postsecondary institution that
offers in-person courses on a campus located in Minnesota and is an eligible institution as
defined in section 136A.103. Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota are requested to comply with this section.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

Rights and protections.

(a) A postsecondary institution may not require and
the University of Minnesota is requested not to require a pregnant or parenting student,
solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues
related to the student's pregnancy or parenting, to:

(1) take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;

(2) limit the student's studies;

(3) participate in an alternative program;

(4) change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or

(5) refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the
deleted text begin college or university deleted text end new text begin postsecondary institution new text end .

(b) A postsecondary institution shall provide and the University of Minnesota is requested
to provide reasonable modifications to a pregnant student, including modifications that:

(1) would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or

(2) are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such
as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities
known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

(c) A postsecondary institution must and the University of Minnesota is requested to,
for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or
condition:

(1) excuse the student's absence new text begin for a reasonable period of time as determined to be
medically necessary by a student's treating health care provider insofar as to not compromise
the fundamental outcomes of the academic course, program, or activity. If the postsecondary
institution has a medical leave or temporary disability policy that provides a longer period
of leave, the policy must be made available to students affected by pregnancy and related
conditions new text end ;

(2) allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;

(3) allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the
institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(4) provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of
lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the
same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available
to any other student with an excused absence deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (5) ensure the benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy are no
less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
new text end

(d) A postsecondary institution must and the University of Minnesota is requested to
allow a pregnant or parenting student to:

(1) take a leave of absence deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin for a reasonable period of time as determined to be
medically necessary by a student's treating health care provider or the health care provider
of the parenting student's child insofar as to not compromise the fundamental outcomes of
the academic course, program, or activity. If the postsecondary institution has a medical
leave or temporary disability policy that provides a longer period of leave, the policy must
be made available to students affected by pregnancy and related conditions and to parenting
students;
new text end

(2) if in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return
to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being
required to reapply for admission deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (3) obtain reasonable modifications, including an excused absence for parenting students
to attend to their child's health care needs, unless the modification would compromise the
fundamental outcomes of the academic course, program, or activity.
new text end

(e) If a postsecondary institution provides early registration for courses or programs at
the institution for any group of students, the institution must provide and the University of
Minnesota is requested to provide early registration for those courses or programs for
pregnant or parenting students in the same manner.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:

Subd. 3.

Policy on discrimination.

Each postsecondary institution must adopt and the
University of Minnesota is requested to adopt a policy for students on pregnancy and
parenting discrimination. The policy must:

(1) include the contact information of the Title IX coordinator who is the designated
point of contact for a student requesting each protection or modification under this section.
Contact information must include the Title IX coordinator's name, phone number, email,
and office;

(2) be posted in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the deleted text begin college or university's deleted text end new text begin
postsecondary institution's new text end website; and

(3) be made available annually to faculty, staff, and employees of the deleted text begin college or university deleted text end new text begin
postsecondary institution new text end .

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.053, is amended to read:

136A.053 CONSOLIDATED STUDENT AID REPORTING.

(a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall report annually beginning
February 15, 2026, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over higher education, on the details of programs administered under
sections 136A.091 deleted text begin to 136A.1276 deleted text end , new text begin 136A.121, 136A.1215, 136A.1241, 136A.125, 136A.126,
136A.1274, 136A.1275, new text end 136A.1465, and deleted text begin 136A.231 to 136A.246 deleted text end new text begin 136A.233 new text end , including the:

(1) total funds appropriated and expended;

(2) total number of students applying for funds;

(3) total number of students receiving funds;

(4) average and total award amounts;

(5) summary demographic data on award recipients;

(6) retention rates of award recipients;

(7) completion rates of award recipients;

(8) average cumulative debt at exit or graduation; and

(9) average time to completion.

(b) Data must be disaggregated by new text begin aid new text end program, institution, aid year, race and ethnicity,
gender, deleted text begin income, deleted text end new text begin socioeconomic status, new text end family type, deleted text begin dependency status, deleted text end and any other factors
determined to be relevant by the commissioner new text begin , as available new text end . The commissioner must report
any additional data and outcomes relevant to the evaluation of programs administered under
sections 136A.091 deleted text begin to 136A.1276 deleted text end , new text begin 136A.121, 136A.1215, 136A.1241, 136A.125, 136A.126,
136A.1274, 136A.1275, new text end 136A.1465, and deleted text begin 136A.231 to 136A.246 deleted text end new text begin 136A.233 new text end as evidenced
by activities funded under each program.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.091, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for a program stipend, a student shall:

(1) be a resident deleted text begin of Minnesota deleted text end new text begin student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8 new text end ;

(2) attend an eligible office-approved program;

(3) be in grades 3 through 12, but not have completed high school;

(4) meet income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals; and

(5) be 19 years of age or younger.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.091, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Report.

Annually, the office shall submit a report deleted text begin to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the program providers, stipend
recipients, and program activities. The report shall include information about the students
served, the organizations providing services, program goals and outcomes, and student
outcomes deleted text end new text begin in accordance with section 136A.053 new text end .

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligibility for grants.

(a) An applicant is eligible to be considered for a grant,
regardless of the applicant's sex, creed, race, color, national origin, or ancestry, under sections
136A.095 to 136A.131 if the office finds that the applicant:

(1) is a resident deleted text begin of the state of Minnesota deleted text end new text begin student under section 136A.101, subdivision
8 new text end ;

(2) is a graduate of a secondary school or its equivalent, or is 17 years of age or over,
and has met all requirements for admission as a student to an eligible college or technical
college of choice as defined in sections 136A.095 to 136A.131;

(3) has met the financial need criteria established in Minnesota Rules;

(4) is not in default, as defined by the office, of any federal or state student educational
loan;

(5) is not more than 30 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or
enforced by the public authority responsible for child support enforcement or, if the applicant
is more than 30 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or enforced
by the public authority responsible for child support enforcement, but is complying with a
written payment agreement under section 518A.69 or order for arrearages; and

(6) has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere or guilty to a crime involving
fraud in obtaining federal Title IV funds within the meaning of Code of Federal Regulations,
subtitle B, chapter VI, part 668, subpart C.

(b) A student is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility
if the student withdraws from enrollment:

(1) for active military service after December 31, 2002, because the student was ordered
to active military service as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c;

(2) for a serious health condition, while under the care of a medical professional, that
substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term; or

(3) while providing care that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the
term to the student's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1215, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Reporting.

deleted text begin By February 15 of each year, the commissioner of higher education
must submit a report on the details of the program under this section to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy. The report must
include the following information, broken out by postsecondary institution: deleted text end new text begin Annually, the
office must submit a report in accordance with section 135A.053.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) the number of students receiving an award;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the average and total award amounts; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) summary demographic data on award recipients.
deleted text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1241, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Report.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin Annually, new text end the office deleted text begin shall prepare an anonymized report to be
submitted annually to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over higher education that contains: deleted text end new text begin must submit a report in accordance
with section 136A.053.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) the number of students receiving foster grants and the institutions attended; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) annual retention and graduation data on students receiving foster grants.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) The report required under this subdivision may be combined with other legislatively
required reporting. If submitted as a separate report, the report must be submitted by January
15.
deleted text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.125, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligible students.

(a) An applicant is eligible for a child care grant if the
applicant:

(1) is a resident deleted text begin of the state of Minnesota deleted text end new text begin student under section 136A.101, subdivision
8, new text end or the applicant's spouse is a resident of the state of Minnesota;

(2) has a child 12 years of age or younger, or 14 years of age or younger who is disabled
as defined in section 125A.02, and who is receiving or will receive care on a regular basis
from a licensed or legal, nonlicensed caregiver;

(3) is income eligible as determined by the office's policies and rules, but is not a recipient
of assistance from the Minnesota family investment program;

(4) has not received child care grant funds for a period of ten semesters or the equivalent;

(5) is pursuing a nonsectarian program or course of study that applies to an undergraduate,
graduate, or professional degree, diploma, or certificate;

(6) is enrolled in at least one credit in an undergraduate program or one credit in a
graduate or professional program in an eligible institution; and

(7) is in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress.

(b) A student is entitled to an additional semester or equivalent of grant eligibility and
will be considered to be in continuing enrollment status upon return if the student withdraws
from enrollment:

(1) for active military service after December 31, 2002, because the student was ordered
to active military service as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c;

(2) for a serious health condition, while under the care of a medical professional, that
substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term; or

(3) while providing care that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the
term to the student's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1274, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Reporting.

deleted text begin By February 15 of each year, the commissioner must submit a
report on the details of the program under this section to the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over E-12 and higher education finance and policy. The report must include the
following information: deleted text end new text begin Annually, the office must submit a report in accordance with section
136A.053. Additionally, the report must be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over E-12 finance and policy.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) the number of eligible applicants and the number of teacher candidates receiving an
award, each broken down by postsecondary institution;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the total number of awards, the total dollar amount of all awards, and the average
award amount; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) other summary data identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators.
deleted text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1275, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Reporting.

deleted text begin (a) By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must submit a
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over E-12 and higher education finance and policy. The report must include the
following information: deleted text end new text begin Annually, the office must submit a report in accordance with section
136A.053. Additionally, the report must include
new text end

deleted text begin (1) the total number of awards, the total dollar amount of all awards, and the average
award amount;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the number of eligible applicants and the number of student teachers receiving an
award, each broken down by postsecondary institution;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end the licensure areas and school districts in which the student teachers taught deleted text begin ; deleted text end and new text begin must
be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over E-12 finance and policy.
new text end

deleted text begin (4) other summary data identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators, including
how many student teachers awarded a rural teacher grant were employed in a rural school
district after graduation.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) By July 1 of each odd numbered year, the commissioner must update and post on
the office's website a list of licensure shortage areas eligible for a grant under this section.
deleted text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1465, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Report.

deleted text begin The commissioner of higher education shall submit a preliminary
report by September 1, 2025, and an annual report beginning February 15, 2026, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
higher education, on the details of the program, including the: deleted text end new text begin Annually, the office must
submit a report in accordance with section 136A.053.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) status of the scholarship fund; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) North Star Promise participation data aggregated for each eligible institution to show
the:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) number of eligible students who received scholarships in the prior academic year;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) average and total award amounts;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) summary demographic data on award recipients;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) total number of students enrolled in eligible institutions in the prior academic year;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (v) retention rates of participating students; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (vi) number of eligible students who graduated with a degree and, for each eligible
student, the number of consecutive semesters and nonconsecutive semesters attended prior
to graduation.
deleted text end

Sec. 15. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 10a, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-05994

124D.09 POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS ACT.

Subd. 10a.

Statewide concurrent enrollment evaluation.

The Office of Higher Education and the Department of Education shall collaborate in order to provide annual statewide evaluative information on concurrent enrollment programs to the legislature. The commissioners of the Office of Higher Education and the Department of Education, in consultation with stakeholders, including students and parents, must determine what student demographics and outcomes data are appropriate to include in the evaluation, and will use systems available to the office and department to minimize the reporting burden on postsecondary institutions. The commissioners must report by December 1, 2021, and each year thereafter, to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over early education through grade 12 and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.