SF 3507

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/25/2020 08:31am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; developing a merit-based scholarship program.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
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new text begin (a) The Office of Higher Education shall study the feasibility of developing a merit-based
scholarship program for high school students graduating from a Minnesota high school who
demonstrate exceptional academic merit, regardless of financial need, in an effort to
incentivize Minnesota's talented students to attend a public institution of higher learning in
Minnesota.
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new text begin (b) The Office of Higher Education shall explore:
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new text begin (1) specific eligibility criteria for the merit-based scholarship, which may include
minimum ACT or SAT scores, grade point average, and school and community involvement;
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new text begin (2) award amounts;
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new text begin (3) award allocation; and
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new text begin (4) any other necessary or worthy scholarship components or requirements.
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new text begin (c) The Office of Higher Education shall also develop criteria for students to remain
eligible for the scholarship while attending a public institution of higher learning, which
may include maintaining a minimum GPA at the institution in which the student is enrolled.
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new text begin (d) The Office of Higher Education shall report back to the members of the senate and
house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and
policy by December 15, 2020, with recommendations, draft legislation establishing the
program, and a fiscal estimate.
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