HF 863

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/16/2023 05:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a time-limited tuition relief program for
students who pursue a degree in law enforcement; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TUITION RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS PURSUING
A DEGREE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education
shall establish and implement a time-limited tuition relief grant program for students pursuing
an associate degree in law enforcement to incentivize individuals to become peace officers.
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 grant under this program if the student:
new text end

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

new text begin (2) is enrolled on or before September 1, 2028, in a professional police officer education
program as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (g). For
purposes of this definition, postsecondary degree means an associate degree;
new text end

new text begin (3) completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
new text end

new text begin (4) applies for state and federal grants and scholarships for which the applicant may be
eligible; and
new text end

new text begin (5) is making satisfactory academic progress as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.101, subdivision 10.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin To receive a grant, the student must apply in the form and manner
established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant amount and duration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall award annual grants
in the amount of the actual cost of tuition and fees at the student's institution of attendance,
less any federal Pell Grant received, any state grant for which the student is eligible, and
any other scholarships or grants awarded to the student. For purposes of this section, the
term fees is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.121, subdivision 6, paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (b) The annual grant may be awarded for no more than four semesters, or its equivalent,
for not more than three years. The grant must be awarded at the beginning of each academic
term and distributed evenly between the terms of the academic year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall collect from the individual the total grant
amount paid to the individual under this section and deposit the money collected into the
general fund if the individual:
new text end

new text begin (1) does not complete an associate degree or nondegree program for licensure as a peace
officer by June 30, 2031; or
new text end

new text begin (2) completes the necessary associate degree or nondegree program for licensure as a
peace officer but does not become a peace officer as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), within six months after completion.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must allow waivers of all or part of the money owed to the
commissioner if emergency circumstances exist that prevented compliance with paragraph
(a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires June 30, 2031.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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 tuition relief grant
program for students pursuing a degree in law enforcement. The base for this appropriation
is $....... in fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The base for this appropriation in fiscal year
2032 and each fiscal year thereafter is $0.
new text end