SF 1275

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/08/2024 09:51am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring high school students to complete the FAFSA or
state financial aid application; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120B.02,
by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 136A.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120B.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin FAFSA requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, to graduate
from high school, a high school student must complete one of the following requirements
prior to graduation:
new text end

new text begin (1) complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form,
or if the student is not eligible to complete a FAFSA form, an application for state financial
aid; or
new text end

new text begin (2) using a form created by the Department of Education, file a signed waiver with the
student's high school indicating that the parent or guardian of the student, or the student if
the student is at least 18 years old or legally emancipated, understands what the FAFSA
form or state financial aid application is and has chosen not to file an application.
new text end

new text begin (b) A high school principal or other person having administrative control of a high
school, or a high school counselor, must waive the requirements under paragraph (a) for a
group of students no later than April 15 each year if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the student has not fulfilled either of the requirements under paragraph (a);
new text end

new text begin (2) the student has met all other graduation requirements; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the principal or high school counselor attests that the high school has made a good
faith effort to assist the student or family in meeting either of the requirements.
new text end

new text begin (c) A high school counselor must encourage and assist high school seniors to complete
and submit the FAFSA or state financial aid application.
new text end

new text begin (d) A high school principal or faculty is prohibited from inquiring about or disclosing
a student's or student's family's immigration status.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [136A.052] FAFSA REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin The Office of Higher Education shall report information to school districts to determine
which students have complied with the requirements under section 120B.02, subdivision
4, paragraph (a), clause (1). The Office of Higher Education shall not specify or disclose
in the report which financial form the student completed.
new text end