HF 783

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/08/2023 12:09pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; creating a free college grant program to cover the full
cost of tuition and fees at state colleges; requiring a report; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [136A.0205] FREE COLLEGE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish a free college
grant program to pay for the remaining financial needs of students attending state colleges.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin A student is eligible for a free college grant if the student:
new text end

new text begin (1) receives a state grant award under section 136A.121; and
new text end

new text begin (2) is enrolled at a Minnesota state college.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Award amounts. new text end

new text begin (a) The amount of the free college grant is equal to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the eligible student's allowance for tuition and fees under section 136A.121,
subdivision 6, after deducting:
new text end

new text begin (i) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the grant applicant is eligible;
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new text begin (ii) the amount of the state grant;
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new text begin (iii) the amount of any other state or federal gift aid received;
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new text begin (iv) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission
amounts; and
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new text begin (v) the sum of all Tribal or private grants or scholarships;
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new text begin (2) multiplied by:
new text end

new text begin (i) 100 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income less than $100,000;
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new text begin (ii) 75 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than or equal
to $100,000 and less than or equal to $125,000;
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new text begin (iii) 50 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than $125,000
and less than or equal to $150,000; or
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new text begin (iv) 0 percent if the student reports a family adjusted gross income greater than $150,000.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible students are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall administer the free college grant
program consistent with the state grant program under section 136A.121. Any provisions
of section 136A.121 that do not conflict with this section apply to the free college grant
program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall include spending projections for the free
college grant program in the report required under section 136A.121, subdivision 19.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; FREE COLLEGE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the free college grant
program under section 1. Of this amount:
new text end

new text begin (1) $....... is for administering the program; and
new text end

new text begin (2) $....... is for promotion of the program and student outreach efforts.
new text end