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CHAPTER 2--H.F.No. 7

An act

relating to higher education; providing funding and policy changes for the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; creating and modifying certain student aid programs; restricting limitations on student access to transcripts; modifying certain school accountability provisions; expanding the hunger-free campus designation; establishing a pilot project; requiring reports; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 136A.101, subdivision 5a; 136A.121, subdivisions 2, 6, 9; 136A.123, subdivision 1; 136A.125, subdivisions 2, 4; 136A.126, subdivisions 1, 4; 136A.1275; 136A.1704; 136A.1791; 136A.246, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, by adding a subdivision; 136A.63, subdivision 2; 136A.645; 136A.653, subdivision 5; 136A.675; 136A.68; 136A.822, subdivision 12; 136A.8225; 136A.823, by adding a subdivision; 136A.827, subdivisions 4, 8; 136F.20, by adding a subdivision; 136F.245; 136F.305; 136F.38, subdivision 3; Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 1, section 4, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 136A; 136F; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 136A.1703; 136A.823, subdivision 2; 136F.245, subdivision 3; Minnesota Rules, parts 4830.9050; 4830.9060; 4830.9070; 4830.9080; 4830.9090.

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

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2022 and 2023. new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
new text begin Available for the Year new text end
new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
new text begin 2022 new text end new text begin 2023 new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 271,702,000 new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 274,269,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin State Grants new text end

new text begin 210,037,000 new text end new text begin 210,037,000 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Child Care Grants new text end

new text begin 6,694,000 new text end new text begin 6,694,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin State Work-Study new text end

new text begin 14,502,000 new text end new text begin 14,502,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Interstate Tuition Reciprocity new text end

new text begin 8,500,000 new text end new text begin 8,500,000 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available to meet reciprocity contract obligations. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Safety Officer's Survivors new text end

new text begin 100,000 new text end new text begin 100,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is to provide educational benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.45, to eligible dependent children and to the spouses of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. new text end

new text begin If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin American Indian Scholarships new text end

new text begin 3,500,000 new text end new text begin 3,500,000 new text end

new text begin The commissioner must contract with or employ at least one person with demonstrated competence in American Indian culture and residing in or near the city of Bemidji to assist students with the scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126, and with other information about financial aid for which the students may be eligible. Bemidji State University must provide office space at no cost to the Office of Higher Education for purposes of administering the American Indian scholarship program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126. This appropriation includes funding to administer the American Indian scholarship program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Tribal College Grants new text end

new text begin 150,000 new text end new text begin 150,000 new text end

new text begin For Tribal college assistance grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Intervention for College Attendance Program Grants new text end

new text begin 1,143,000 new text end new text begin 1,142,000 new text end

new text begin For the intervention for college attendance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.861. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the intervention for college attendance program grants. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Student-Parent Information new text end

new text begin 122,000 new text end new text begin 122,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Get Ready! new text end

new text begin 180,000 new text end new text begin 180,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Education Equity Partnership new text end

new text begin 45,000 new text end new text begin 45,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Midwest Higher Education Compact new text end

new text begin 115,000 new text end new text begin 115,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin United Family Medicine Residency Program new text end

new text begin 501,000 new text end new text begin 501,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to United Family Medicine residency program. This appropriation shall be used to support up to 21 resident physicians each year in family practice at United Family Medicine residency programs and shall prepare doctors to practice family care medicine in underserved rural and urban areas of the state. It is intended that this program will improve health care in underserved communities, provide affordable access to appropriate medical care, and manage the treatment of patients in a cost-effective manner. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin MnLINK Gateway and Minitex new text end

new text begin 5,905,000 new text end new text begin 5,905,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System new text end

new text begin 1,782,000 new text end new text begin 1,782,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Hennepin Healthcare new text end

new text begin 645,000 new text end new text begin 645,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to Hennepin Healthcare for graduate family medical education programs at Hennepin Healthcare. new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin College Possible new text end

new text begin 550,000 new text end new text begin 550,000 new text end

new text begin (a) This appropriation is for immediate transfer to College Possible to support programs of college admission and college graduation for low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support at both the high school and postsecondary levels. new text end

new text begin (b) This appropriation must, to the extent possible, be proportionately allocated between students from greater Minnesota and students in the seven-county metropolitan area. new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation must be used by College Possible only for programs supporting students who are residents of Minnesota and attending colleges or universities within Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (d) By February 1 of each year, College Possible must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over higher education and E-12 education on activities funded by this appropriation. The report must include but is not limited to information about the work of College Possible Minnesota throughout the state; the number of College Possible coaches hired; the number of existing partner high schools; the geographic distribution of participants; the number of high school and college students specifically supported by the appropriations funds; the percentages of students who applied to college, were admitted into college, and enrolled in college from the previous program year; the number of college graduates supported by the appropriation funding in the previous program year; and a list of all communities and partner institutions benefiting from coaching and support through College Possible programming. new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program new text end

new text begin 3,000,000 new text end new text begin 3,000,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the spinal cord and traumatic brain injury grant account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.901, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the amount transferred under this subdivision to administer the grant program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Summer Academic Enrichment Program new text end

new text begin 250,000 new text end new text begin 250,000 new text end

new text begin For summer academic enrichment grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.091. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the grant program under this subdivision. new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Dual Training Competency Grants; Office of Higher Education new text end

new text begin 2,000,000 new text end new text begin 2,000,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the Dual Training Competency Grants account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.246, subdivision 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end

new text begin Campus Sexual Assault Reporting new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin For the sexual assault reporting required under Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.15. new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator new text end

new text begin 150,000 new text end new text begin 150,000 new text end

new text begin For the Office of Higher Education to staff a campus sexual violence prevention and response coordinator to serve as a statewide resource providing professional development and guidance on best practices for postsecondary institutions. $50,000 each year is for administrative funding to conduct trainings and provide materials to postsecondary institutions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 24. new text end

new text begin Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students new text end

new text begin 269,000 new text end new text begin 269,000 new text end

new text begin (a) This appropriation is for the Office of Higher Education to allocate grant funds on a matching basis to eligible institutions as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.103, located in Minnesota with a demonstrable homeless student population. new text end

new text begin (b) This appropriation shall be used to meet immediate student needs that could result in a student not completing the term or their program including, but not limited to, emergency housing, food, and transportation. Institutions shall minimize any negative impact on student financial aid resulting from the receipt of emergency funds. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall determine the application process and the grant amounts. The Office of Higher Education shall partner with interested postsecondary institutions, other state agencies, and student groups to establish the programs. new text end

new text begin (d) The base for this appropriation is $319,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. new text end

new text begin Subd. 25. new text end

new text begin Grants to Student Teachers in Shortage Areas new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin For grants to student teachers in shortage areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1275. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the appropriation for administration of the program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 26. new text end

new text begin Grants to Underrepresented Student Teachers new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin For grants to underrepresented student teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1274. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the appropriation for administration of the program. new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation is $1,125,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. new text end

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the teacher shortage loan repayment account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1791, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the amount transferred under this subdivision to administer the program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 28. new text end

new text begin Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Forgiveness Program new text end

new text begin 375,000 new text end new text begin 375,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the large animal veterinarian loan forgiveness program account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1795, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 29. new text end

new text begin Agricultural Educators Loan Forgiveness new text end

new text begin 50,000 new text end new text begin 50,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the agricultural education loan forgiveness account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1794, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 30. new text end

new text begin Aviation Degree Loan Forgiveness Program new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin For transfer to the aviation degree loan forgiveness program account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1789, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 31. new text end

new text begin Grants for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin For grants for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1215. new text end

new text begin Subd. 32. new text end

new text begin Loan Repayment Assistance Program new text end

new text begin 25,000 new text end new text begin 25,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota to provide education debt relief to attorneys with full-time employment providing legal advice or representation to low-income clients or support services for this work. new text end

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Independence College and Community new text end

new text begin 1,250,000 new text end new text begin 1,250,000 new text end

new text begin For a grant to Minnesota Independence College and Community for need-based scholarships and tuition reduction. Beginning with students first enrolled in the fall of 2019, eligibility is limited to resident students as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. new text end

new text begin Subd. 34. new text end

new text begin Student Loan Debt Counseling new text end

new text begin 200,000 new text end new text begin 200,000 new text end

new text begin For student loan debt counseling under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1788. new text end

new text begin The Office of Higher Education may use no more than three percent of the appropriation to administer the student loan debt counseling program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 35. new text end

new text begin Hunger-Free Campus Grants new text end

new text begin 205,000 new text end new text begin 102,000 new text end

new text begin For the Office of Higher Education to provide initial and sustaining grants to Minnesota public postsecondary institutions and Tribal colleges under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.245, subdivision 4, to meet and maintain the criteria in that same section to address food insecurity on campus. new text end

new text begin Subd. 36. new text end

new text begin Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants new text end

new text begin 238,000 new text end new text begin 3,759,000 new text end

new text begin For grants to eligible students under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1241. Of this amount, $238,000 in the first year is for administration costs. The base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $3,761,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Concurrent Enrollment Grants new text end

new text begin 340,000 new text end new text begin 340,000 new text end

new text begin For concurrent enrollment grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.91. new text end

new text begin Subd. 38. new text end

new text begin Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program new text end

new text begin 1,500,000 new text end new text begin 1,500,000 new text end

new text begin (a) This appropriation is for the aspiring teachers of color scholarship pilot program under article 2, section 45. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education may use no more than three percent of the appropriation to administer the aspiring teachers of color scholarship program. new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation. The base for this appropriation is $0 in fiscal year 2024 and later. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances under this subdivision do not cancel until July 1, 2025. new text end

new text begin Subd. 39. new text end

new text begin Direct Admissions new text end

new text begin 925,000 new text end new text begin 75,000 new text end

new text begin For the direct admissions pilot program in article 2, section 42. new text end

new text begin Subd. 40. new text end

new text begin Agency Administration new text end

new text begin 4,504,000 new text end new text begin 4,504,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 41. new text end

new text begin Balances Forward new text end

new text begin A balance in the first year under this section does not cancel, but is available for the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 42. new text end

new text begin Transfers new text end

new text begin The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education may transfer unencumbered balances from the appropriations in this section to the state grant appropriation, the interstate tuition reciprocity appropriation, the child care grant appropriation, the Indian scholarship appropriation, the state work-study appropriation, the get ready appropriation, the intervention for college attendance appropriation, the student-parent information appropriation, the summer academic enrichment program appropriation, the public safety officers' survivors appropriation, and the fostering independence higher education grant program. The commissioner may transfer unencumbered balances from the hunger-free campus appropriations to the emergency assistance for postsecondary students grant. To the extent there is a projected surplus in the appropriation for either the student teachers in shortage areas grant program or the underrepresented student teacher grant program, the commissioner may transfer unencumbered balances between the two programs as needed to meet demand. Transfers from the child care, state work-study, or the hunger-free campus appropriations may only be made to the extent there is a projected surplus in the appropriation. A transfer may be made only with prior written notice to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 791,992,000 new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 789,491,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Central Office and Shared Services Unit new text end

new text begin 34,082,000 new text end new text begin 34,081,000 new text end

new text begin For the Office of the Chancellor and the Shared Services Division. new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and later is $34,401,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Operations and Maintenance new text end

new text begin 753,795,000 new text end new text begin 751,295,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Trustees must establish tuition rates as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, tuition rates for undergraduate students at colleges and universities must not be increased by more than 3.5 percent as compared to the previous academic year, except that a university may change base tuition to adjust for the reduction of online differential charges provided the change is revenue-neutral; and new text end

new text begin (2) the student tuition relief may not be offset by increases in mandatory fees, charges, or other assessments to the student. Colleges and universities are permitted to increase differential tuition charges in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 where costs for course or program delivery have increased due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the college or university. Rates and rationale must be approved by the Board of Trustees. new text end

new text begin (b) The Board of Trustees must request guidance from the United States Department of Education regarding whether it is permissible to allocate federal funds received under section 314 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, as provided by Public Law 116-260, and section 2003 of the American Rescue Plan Act, as provided by Public Law 117-2, to provide a tuition credit for enrolled students or refund for students who are no longer enrolled in an amount equal to the amount of the online differential tuition rate charged to students for courses moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year that were not offered as online courses during the previous academic year. If the department advises that this is a permissible use of the federal funds, institutions must issue such tuition credits to enrolled students and must inform students who are no longer enrolled in the institution of their eligibility for a refund. In order to receive a refund, the student must apply for the refund. new text end

new text begin (c) $5,700,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $5,700,000 in fiscal year 2023 are to provide supplemental aid for operations and maintenance to the president of each two-year institution in the system with at least one campus that is not located in a metropolitan county, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 4. The board shall transfer at least $158,000 for each campus not located in a metropolitan county in each year to the president of each institution that includes such a campus. new text end

new text begin (d) The Board of Trustees is requested to help Minnesota close the attainment gap by funding activities which improve retention and completion for students of color. new text end

new text begin (e) $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for workforce development scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.38. new text end

new text begin (f) $300,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $300,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for transfer to the Cook County Higher Education Board to provide educational programming, workforce development, and academic support services to remote regions in northeastern Minnesota. The Cook County Higher Education Board shall continue to provide information to the Board of Trustees on the number of students served, credit hours delivered, and services provided to students. new text end

new text begin (g) This appropriation includes $40,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $40,000 in fiscal year 2023 to implement the sexual assault policies required under Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.15. new text end

new text begin (h) This appropriation includes $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 for upgrading the Integrated Statewide Record System. new text end

new text begin (i) This appropriation includes $250,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2023 to implement the Z-Degree program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.305. The base for this appropriation is $50,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later. new text end

new text begin (j) $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2022 is for the mental health awareness program for students required under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.20, subdivision 4. Of this amount: $500,000 must be used for training opportunities under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.20, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (2); and $200,000 must be used for grants to colleges and universities to establish peer support pilot programs in Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.20, subdivision 4, paragraph (c). The Board of Trustees shall convene a committee that includes students to review and approve grant applications. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances under this paragraph do not cancel until July 1, 2025. new text end

new text begin (k) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is for colleges and universities to comply with the student basic needs requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.202. The Board of Trustees must use at least 25 percent of this appropriation for grants to colleges and universities to comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.202, subdivision 1, paragraph (a). The board must use a consultation and committee process that includes students to review and approve grant applications. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances under this paragraph do not cancel until July 1, 2025. new text end

new text begin (l) The total operations and maintenance base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $751,095,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Learning Network of Minnesota new text end

new text begin 4,115,000 new text end new text begin 4,115,000 new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 692,813,000 new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 692,813,000 new text end
new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin 2022 new text end new text begin 2023 new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin 690,656,000 new text end new text begin 690,656,000 new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 2,157,000 new text end new text begin 2,157,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Operations and Maintenance new text end

new text begin 621,968,000 new text end new text begin 621,968,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are to: (1) increase the medical school's research capacity; (2) improve the medical school's ranking in National Institutes of Health funding; (3) ensure the medical school's national prominence by attracting and retaining world-class faculty, staff, and students; (4) invest in physician training programs in rural and underserved communities; and (5) translate the medical school's research discoveries into new treatments and cures to improve the health of Minnesotans. new text end

new text begin (b) $7,800,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $7,800,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for health training restoration. This appropriation must be used to support all of the following: (1) faculty physicians who teach at eight residency program sites, including medical resident and student training programs in the Department of Family Medicine; (2) the Mobile Dental Clinic; and (3) expansion of geriatric education and family programs. new text end

new text begin (c) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for the Minnesota Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy funding program for cancer care research. new text end

new text begin (d) $500,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for the University of Minnesota, Morris branch, to cover the costs of tuition waivers under Minnesota Statutes, section 137.16. new text end

new text begin (e) $150,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for the Chloe Barnes Advisory Council on Rare Diseases under Minnesota Statutes, section 137.68. The base for this appropriation is $0 in fiscal year 2024 and later. new text end

new text begin (f) The total operations and maintenance base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $620,818,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Primary Care Education Initiatives new text end

new text begin 2,157,000 new text end new text begin 2,157,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the health care access fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Special Appropriations new text end

new text begin (a) Agriculture and Extension Service new text end new text begin 42,922,000 new text end new text begin 42,922,000 new text end

new text begin For the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Minnesota Extension Service: new text end

new text begin (1) the agricultural experiment stations and Minnesota Extension Service must convene agricultural advisory groups to focus research, education, and extension activities on producer needs and implement an outreach strategy that more effectively and rapidly transfers research results and best practices to producers throughout the state; new text end

new text begin (2) this appropriation includes funding for research and outreach on the production of renewable energy from Minnesota biomass resources, including agronomic crops, plant and animal wastes, and native plants or trees. The following areas should be prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota producers, renewable energy, and bioenergy organizations: new text end

new text begin (i) biofuel and other energy production from perennial crops, small grains, row crops, and forestry products in conjunction with the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI); new text end

new text begin (ii) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and new text end

new text begin (iii) biofuel coproducts used for livestock feed; new text end

new text begin (3) this appropriation includes funding for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences to establish and provide leadership for organic agronomic, horticultural, livestock, and food systems research, education, and outreach and for the purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory, planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing equipment necessary for this project; new text end

new text begin (4) this appropriation includes funding for research efforts that demonstrate a renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's agriculture community. The following areas should be prioritized and carried out in consultation with Minnesota farm organizations: new text end

new text begin (i) vegetable crop research with priority for extending the Minnesota vegetable growing season; new text end

new text begin (ii) fertilizer and soil fertility research and development; new text end

new text begin (iii) soil, groundwater, and surface water conservation practices and contaminant reduction research; new text end

new text begin (iv) discovering and developing plant varieties that use nutrients more efficiently; new text end

new text begin (v) breeding and development of turf seed and other biomass resources in all three Minnesota biomes; new text end

new text begin (vi) development of new disease-resistant and pest-resistant varieties of turf and agronomic crops; new text end

new text begin (vii) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat and cure human diseases; new text end

new text begin (viii) the development of dairy coproducts; new text end

new text begin (ix) a rapid agricultural response fund for current or emerging animal, plant, and insect problems affecting production or food safety; new text end

new text begin (x) crop pest and animal disease research; new text end

new text begin (xi) developing animal agriculture that is capable of sustainably feeding the world; new text end

new text begin (xii) consumer food safety education and outreach; new text end

new text begin (xiii) programs to meet the research and outreach needs of organic livestock and crop farmers; and new text end

new text begin (xiv) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and growing, harvesting, and transporting biomass plant material; and new text end

new text begin (5) by February 1, 2023, the Board of Regents must submit a report to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture and higher education finance on the status and outcomes of research and initiatives funded in this paragraph. new text end

new text begin (b) Health Sciences new text end new text begin 9,204,000 new text end new text begin 9,204,000 new text end

new text begin $346,000 each year is to support up to 12 resident physicians in the St. Cloud Hospital family practice residency program. The program must prepare doctors to practice primary care medicine in rural areas of the state. The legislature intends this program to improve health care in rural communities, provide affordable access to appropriate medical care, and manage the treatment of patients in a more cost-effective manner. The remainder of this appropriation is for the rural physicians associates program; the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; health sciences research; dental care; the Biomedical Engineering Center; and the collaborative partnership between the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic for regenerative medicine, research, clinical translation, and commercialization. new text end

new text begin (c) new text begin College of Science and Engineeringnew text end new text end new text begin 1,140,000 new text end new text begin 1,140,000 new text end

new text begin For the geological survey and the talented youth mathematics program. new text end

new text begin (d) System Special new text end new text begin 7,431,000 new text end new text begin 7,431,000 new text end

new text begin For general research, the Labor Education Service, Natural Resources Research Institute, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Bell Museum of Natural History, and the Humphrey exhibit. new text end

new text begin $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for the Natural Resources Research Institute to invest in applied research for economic development. new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation is $7,181,000 in fiscal year 2024 and later and, of this amount, $2,000,000 per fiscal year is for the Natural Resources Research Institute to invest in applied research for economic development. new text end

new text begin (e) University of Minnesota and Mayo Foundation Partnership new text end new text begin 7,991,000 new text end new text begin 7,991,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is for the following activities: new text end

new text begin (1) $7,491,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $7,491,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for the direct and indirect expenses of the collaborative research partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Foundation for research in biotechnology and medical genomics. An annual report on the expenditure of these funds must be submitted to the governor and the chairs of the legislative committees responsible for higher education finance by June 30 of each fiscal year. new text end

new text begin (2) $500,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 are to award competitive grants to conduct research into the prevention, treatment, causes, and cures of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Academic Health Center new text end

new text begin The appropriation for Academic Health Center funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 297F.10, is estimated to be $22,250,000 each year. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin MAYO CLINIC new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,351,000 new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,351,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Medical School new text end

new text begin 665,000 new text end new text begin 665,000 new text end

new text begin The state must pay a capitation each year for each student who is a resident of Minnesota. The appropriation may be transferred between each year of the biennium to accommodate enrollment fluctuations. It is intended that during the biennium the Mayo Clinic use the capitation money to increase the number of doctors practicing in rural areas in need of doctors. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Family Practice and Graduate Residency Program new text end

new text begin 686,000 new text end new text begin 686,000 new text end

new text begin The state must pay stipend support for up to 27 residents each year. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin CANCELLATIONS; FISCAL YEAR 2021. new text end

new text begin (a) $340,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation under Laws 2019, chapter 64, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 11, 25, and 26, is canceled. new text end

new text begin (b) $5,000,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation under Laws 2019, chapter 64, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, is canceled. new text end

new text begin (c) This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 1, section 4, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Health Sciences Special

4,500,000

(a) This appropriation is from the general fund for the direct and indirect expenses of the collaborative partnership between the deleted text begin Univeritydeleted text end new text begin Universitynew text end of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic for regenerative medicine research, clinical translation, and commercialization. In addition to representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic, the collaborative partnership must include representatives of private industry and others with expertise in regenerative medicine research, clinical translation, commercialization, and medical venture financing who are not affiliated with either the University of Minnesota or the Mayo Clinic.

(b) By January 15 of each odd-numbered year beginning in 2017, the partnership must submit an independent financial audit to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over higher education and economic development. The audit must include the names of all recipients of grants awarded by the partnership and their affiliation, if any, with the University of Minnesota or the Mayo Clinic.

(c) The full amount of this appropriation is for the partnership and may not be used by the University of Minnesota for administrative or monitoring expenses.

(d) For fiscal year 2016 and thereafter, the base for this program is $4,350,000.

new text begin (e) All grants awarded with funding provided by an appropriation to this program must be for a regenerative medicine development project, defined as any research, product development, or commercial venture relating to basic, preclinical, or clinical work to produce a drug, biological or chemical material, compound, or medical device designed to augment, repair, replace, or regenerate organs and tissue that have been damaged by disease, injury, aging, or other biological processes. new text end

ARTICLE 2

HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISIONS

Section 1.

new text begin [136A.057] STUDENT TRANSFER REPORTING. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must report on the office's website summary data on students who, within the most recent academic year, withdrew from enrollment without completing a degree or credential program at a public postsecondary institution in Minnesota. The summary data must include whether the students who withdrew transferred to another institution and the institutions transferred to and from. new text end

new text begin (b) Summary data must be aggregated by postsecondary institution and degree or credential program. Summary data must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, Pell eligibility, and age. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must post the initial data on the office's website on or before February 15, 2022, and must update the data at least annually thereafter. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.101, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Assigned family responsibility.

"Assigned family responsibility" means the amount of a family's contribution to a student's cost of attendance, as determined by a federal need analysis. For dependent students, the assigned family responsibility is deleted text begin 82deleted text end new text begin 79new text end percent of the parental contribution. For independent students with dependents other than a spouse, the assigned family responsibility is deleted text begin 74deleted text end new text begin 71new text end percent of the student contribution. For independent students without dependents other than a spouse, the assigned family responsibility is deleted text begin 38deleted text end new text begin 35new text end percent of the student contribution.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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 of the state of Minnesota;

(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; and

(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.

(b) A student deleted text begin whodeleted text end new text begin is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility if the studentnew text end withdraws from enrollmentnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end 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 5cdeleted text begin , or who withdraws from enrollmentdeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2)new text end for a deleted text begin major illnessdeleted text end new text begin serious health conditionnew text end , while under the care of a medical professional, that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term deleted text begin is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility.deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (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. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.121, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Cost of attendance.

(a) The recognized cost of attendance consists of: (1) an allowance specified in law for living and miscellaneous expenses, and (2) an allowance for tuition and fees equal to the lesser of the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, or a tuition and fee maximum if one is established in law. If no living and miscellaneous expense allowance is established in law, the allowance is equal to deleted text begin 106deleted text end new text begin 109new text end percent of the federal poverty guidelines for a one person household in Minnesota for nine months. If no tuition and fee maximum is established in law, the allowance for tuition and fees is equal to the lesser of: (1) the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, and (2) for two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and fees charged at a public two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and fees charged at a public university.

(b) For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the cost of attendance to the actual number of credits for which the student is enrolled.

(c) The recognized cost of attendance for a student who is confined to a Minnesota correctional institution shall consist of the tuition and fee component in paragraph (a), with no allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses.

(d) For the purpose of this subdivision, "fees" include only those fees that are mandatory and charged to full-time resident students attending the institution. Fees do not include charges for tools, equipment, computers, or other similar materials where the student retains ownership. Fees include charges for these materials if the institution retains ownership. Fees do not include optional or punitive fees.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.121, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Awards.

An undergraduate student who meets the office's requirements is eligible to apply for and receive a grant in any year of undergraduate study unless the student has obtained a baccalaureate degree or previously has been enrolled full time or the equivalent for eight semesters or the equivalent, excluding new text begin (1) new text end courses taken from a Minnesota school or postsecondary institution which is not participating in the state grant program and from which a student transferred no creditnew text begin , and (2) courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below college-levelnew text end . A student enrolled in a two-year program at a four-year institution is only eligible for the tuition and fee maximums established by law for two-year institutions.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.123, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Program administration.

The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education mustnew text begin , to the extent funds are available,new text end administer a credential completion program for adult learners consistent with this section.

Sec. 7.

new text begin [136A.1241] FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The office must establish a grant program for individuals who satisfy the eligibility requirements under subdivision 3. Using available FAFSA or other state aid data, the office shall identify and inform eligible individuals, and the institutions for which the individuals have been accepted or are attending, of their eligibility for the foster grant. This program is established to provide an individual who is currently or was formerly in foster care with foster grants for up to five years for higher education costs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin (b) "Adoption" means adoption of an individual who has been in the care and custody of a responsible social services agency or Tribal social services agency and in foster care. new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible institution" means an eligible public institution or an eligible private institution. new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible private institution" or "private institution" means an institution eligible for state student aid under section 136A.103, paragraph (a), clause (2). new text end

new text begin (e) "Eligible public institution" or "public institution" means an institution operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (f) "Foster care" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 18. new text end

new text begin (g) "Foster grant" means a grant under this section. new text end

new text begin (h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education. new text end

new text begin (i) "Recognized cost of attendance" means the amount calculated under subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin (j) "Responsible social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 27a. new text end

new text begin (k) "Tribal social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260.755, subdivision 21. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual who is eligible for the Education and Training Voucher Program is eligible for a foster grant. new text end

new text begin (b) If the individual is not eligible for the Education and Training Voucher program, in order to receive a foster grant, an individual must: new text end

new text begin (1) meet the definition of a resident student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8; new text end

new text begin (2) be at least 13 years of age but fewer than 27 years of age; new text end

new text begin (3) after the individual's 13th birthday, be in or have been in foster care in Minnesota before, on, or after the effective date of this section, including any of the following: new text end

new text begin (i) placement in foster care at any time while 13 years of age or older; new text end

new text begin (ii) adoption from foster care at any time after reaching 13 years of age; or new text end

new text begin (iii) placement from foster care with a permanent legal custodian at any time after reaching 13 years of age; new text end

new text begin (4) have graduated from high school or completed the equivalent as approved by the Department of Education; new text end

new text begin (5) have been accepted for admission to, or be currently attending, an eligible institution; new text end

new text begin (6) have submitted a FAFSA; and new text end

new text begin (7) be meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Cost of attendance. new text end

new text begin (a) The recognized cost of attendance for a public institution has the meaning in Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll. new text end

new text begin (b) The recognized cost of attendance for a private institution equals the lesser of: new text end

new text begin (1) the cost of attendance for the institution as calculated under Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll; or new text end

new text begin (2) for two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest recognized cost of attendance charged at a public two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest recognized cost of attendance at a public university. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Foster grant amount; payment; opt-out. new text end

new text begin (a) Each student shall be awarded a foster grant based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid. The amount of the foster grant must be equal to the applicant's recognized cost of attendance after deducting: new text end

new text begin (1) the student aid index as calculated by the federal need analysis; new text end

new text begin (2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible; new text end

new text begin (3) the amount of the state grant; new text end

new text begin (4) the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant; new text end

new text begin (5) the sum of all Tribal scholarships; new text end

new text begin (6) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid; new text end

new text begin (7) the Education and Training Voucher Program; new text end

new text begin (8) extended foster care benefits under section 260C.451; new text end

new text begin (9) the amount of any private grants or scholarships, excluding grants and scholarships provided by the private institution of higher education in which the eligible student is enrolled; and new text end

new text begin (10) for public institutions, the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts. new text end

new text begin (b) The foster grant shall be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is enrolled. new text end

new text begin (c) An eligible private institution may opt out of participating in the foster grant program established under this section. To opt out, the institution shall provide notice to the office by September 1 for the next academic year. new text end

new text begin (d) An eligible private institution that does not opt out under paragraph (c) and accepts the student's application to attend the institution must provide institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, or tuition remission in an amount equal to the difference between: new text end

new text begin (1) the institution's cost of attendance as calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1); and new text end

new text begin (2) the sum of the foster grant under this subdivision and the sum of the amounts in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (9). new text end

new text begin (e) An undergraduate student who is eligible may apply for and receive a foster grant in any year of undergraduate study unless the student has obtained a baccalaureate degree or previously has been enrolled full time as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 7a, or the equivalent for eight semesters or the equivalent, or received a foster grant for five years, whichever occurs first. A foster grant must not be awarded to a student for more than three years for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma, or five years for a four-year undergraduate degree. new text end

new text begin (f) Foster grants may be awarded to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Dissemination of information. new text end

new text begin (a) The office shall, by September 1, 2022, and September 1 each year thereafter, prepare and provide the information to be disseminated by responsible social services agencies, Tribal social services agencies, the office, the Department of Human Services, and eligible state and private institutions that: new text end

new text begin (1) describes the availability of the program established under this section; new text end

new text begin (2) explains how to participate in the program; and new text end

new text begin (3) includes information on all available federal and state grants identified under subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin (b) The office shall maintain and annually update the list of eligible private institutions that opt out under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), and post the list of the institutions on the office's website. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Assistance from the Office of Higher Education. new text end

new text begin The office shall assist foster grant applicants eligible under subdivision 3 by providing assistance in: new text end

new text begin (1) completing the foster grant application; and new text end

new text begin (2) accessing and applying for available federal and state financial aid resources under subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) The office 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: new text end

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

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

new 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. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to foster grants awarded beginning the 2022-2023 academic year. The first report under subdivision 8 must be submitted by January 15, 2024, unless included in other legislatively required reporting. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, 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 of the state of Minnesota 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) deleted text begin eitherdeleted text end has not deleted text begin earned a baccalaureate degree and has been enrolled full time less thandeleted text end new text begin received child care grant funds for a period ofnew text end ten semesters or the equivalentdeleted text begin , or has earned a baccalaureate degree and has been enrolled full time less than ten semesters or the equivalent in a graduate or professional degree programdeleted text end ;

(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 deleted text begin six creditsdeleted text end new text begin one creditnew text end 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 deleted text begin whodeleted text end new text begin 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 studentnew text end withdraws from enrollmentnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end 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 5cdeleted text begin , ordeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2)new text end for a deleted text begin major illnessdeleted text end new text begin serious health conditionnew text end , while under the care of a medical professional, that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term deleted text begin is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility and will be considered to be in continuing enrollment status upon return.deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (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. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.125, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Amount and length of grants.

deleted text begin (a) The amount of a child care grant must be based on: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the income of the applicant and the applicant's spouse; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the number in the applicant's family, as defined by the office; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the number of eligible children in the applicant's family. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (a)new text end The maximum award to the applicant shall be deleted text begin $3,000deleted text end new text begin $6,500new text end for each eligible child per academic year, except that the campus financial aid officer may apply to the office for approval to increase grants by up to ten percent to compensate for higher market charges for infant care in a community. deleted text begin The office shall develop policies to determine community market costs and review institutional requests for compensatory grant increases to ensure need and equal treatment. The office shall prepare a chart to show the amount of a grant that will be awarded per child based on the factors in this subdivision. The chart shall include a range of income and family size.deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end Applicants with deleted text begin family incomesdeleted text end new text begin expected family contributionsnew text end at or below deleted text begin a percentage of the federal poverty leveldeleted text end new text begin the qualifying expected family contribution for the federal Pell Grantnew text end , as determined by the commissioner, deleted text begin willdeleted text end qualify for the maximum award. deleted text begin The commissioner shall attempt to set the percentage at a level estimated to fully expend the available appropriation for child care grants.deleted text end Applicants with deleted text begin family incomesdeleted text end new text begin expected family contributionsnew text end exceeding that threshold deleted text begin willdeleted text end new text begin but less than 200 percent of the qualifying expected family contributionnew text end receive deleted text begin the maximum award minus ten percent of their income exceeding that thresholddeleted text end new text begin an amount proportional to their expected family contribution as determined by the commissionernew text end . deleted text begin If the result is less than zero, the grant is zero.deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end The academic year award amount must be disbursed by academic term using the following formula:

(1) the academic year amount described in paragraph deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (a)new text end ;

(2) divided by the number of terms in the academic year;new text begin andnew text end

deleted text begin (3) divided by 15 for undergraduate students and six for graduate and professional students; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end multiplied by the deleted text begin number of credits for which the student is enrolled that academic term, up to 15 credits for undergraduate students and six for graduate and professional students.deleted text end new text begin applicable enrollment factor:new text end

new text begin (i) 1.00 for undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in six or more semester credits or the equivalent; new text end

new text begin (ii) 0.75 for undergraduate students enrolled in nine, ten, or 11 semester credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in five semester credits or the equivalent; new text end

new text begin (iii) 0.50 for undergraduate students enrolled in six, seven, or eight semester credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in three or four semester credits or the equivalent; and new text end

new text begin (iv) 0.25 for undergraduate students enrolled in at least one but less than six semester credits or the equivalent or for graduate students enrolled in one or two semester credits or the equivalent. new text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Payments shall be made each academic term to the student or to the child care provider, as determined by the institution. Institutions may make payments more than once within the academic term.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.126, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Student eligibility.

The commissioner shall establish procedures for the distribution of scholarships to a Minnesota resident student as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 8, who:

(1) is of one-fourth or more Indian ancestrynew text begin or is an enrolled member or citizen of a federally recognized American Indian or Canadian First Nations tribenew text end ;

(2) has applied for other existing state and federal scholarship and grant programs;

(3) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10;

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

(5) if enrolled in an undergraduate program, is eligible or would be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant or a state grant based on the federal needs analysis and is enrolled for nine semester credits per term or more, or the equivalent; and

(6) if enrolled in a graduate program, demonstrates a remaining financial need in the award amount calculation and is enrolled, per term, on a half-time basis or more as defined by the postsecondary institution.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.126, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Award amount.

(a) Each student shall be awarded a scholarship based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid. The amount of the award must not exceed the applicant's cost of attendance, as defined in subdivision 3, after deducting:

(1) the expected family contribution as calculated by the federal need analysis;

(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;

(3) the amount of the state grant;

(4) the federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;

(5) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts;

(6) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;

(7) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid; and

(8) the amount of any private grants or scholarships.

(b) The award shall be paid directly to the postsecondary institution where the student receives federal financial aid.

(c) Awards are limited as follows:

(1) the maximum award for an undergraduate is $4,000 per deleted text begin awarddeleted text end new text begin academicnew text end year;

(2) the maximum award for a graduate student is $6,000 per deleted text begin awarddeleted text end new text begin academicnew text end year; and

(3) the minimum award for all students is $100 per deleted text begin awarddeleted text end new text begin academicnew text end year.

(d) Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than three years of study for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma program or five years of study for a four-year degree program at the undergraduate level and for more than five years at the graduate level. Students may acquire only one degree per level and one terminal graduate degree. Scholarships may not be given to any student for more than ten years including five years of undergraduate study and five years of graduate study.

new text begin (e) Scholarships may be given to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [136A.1274] UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT TEACHER GRANTS. 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 must establish a grant program for student teaching stipends for low-income students who belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a grant under this section, a student teacher must: new text end

new text begin (1) be enrolled in a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation program that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching in order to be recommended for any Tier 3 teaching license; new text end

new text begin (2) demonstrate financial need based on criteria established by the commissioner under subdivision 3; new text end

new text begin (3) be meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10; and new text end

new text begin (4) belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish an application process and other guidelines for implementing this program. The commissioner must notify grant recipients of their award amounts by the following dates: new text end

new text begin (1) for fall student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by August 15; new text end

new text begin (2) for spring student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by December 1; and new text end

new text begin (3) for summer student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by May 1. new text end

new text begin These notification deadlines do not apply in cases where grants are awarded to student teachers who applied after application deadlines and funds remained after the initial round of grants were awarded. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must determine each academic year the stipend amount up to $7,500 based on the amount of available funding, the number of eligible applicants, and the financial need of the applicants. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must give equal consideration to all eligible applicants regardless of the order the application was received before the application deadline. new text end

new text begin (d) If there are insufficient funds to provide an award to all eligible applicants, the commissioner shall prioritize the awards to eligible applicants based on: new text end

new text begin (1) the financial need of an applicant; and new text end

new text begin (2) the statewide distribution of funds. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) 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: new text end

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

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

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021, except that the commissioner may delay notification to student teachers receiving grants for the fall 2021 term until September 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.1275, is amended to read:

136A.1275 new text begin STUDENT new text end TEACHER deleted text begin CANDIDATEdeleted text end GRANTSnew text begin IN SHORTAGE AREASnew text end .

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

(a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education must establish a grant program for student teaching stipends for low-income students deleted text begin enrolled in a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation programdeleted text end who intend to teach in a new text begin license new text end shortage area new text begin or rural school district new text end after graduating and receiving their teaching license deleted text begin or belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic groupdeleted text end .

(b) deleted text begin "Shortage area" means a license field or economic development region within Minnesota defined as a shortage area by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in coordination with the commissioner using data collected for the teacher supply and demand report under section 122A.091, subdivision 5.deleted text end new text begin "License shortage area" means a licensure area that is identified as a shortage area by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in coordination with the commissioner using data collected for the teacher supply and demand report under section 122A.091, subdivision 5, provided that only licensure areas within the following fields may be identified as a license shortage area for purposes of this section:new text end

new text begin (1) English as a second language; new text end

new text begin (2) early childhood; new text end

new text begin (3) special education; new text end

new text begin (4) career and technical education; new text end

new text begin (5) science, technology, engineering, arts, and math; and new text end

new text begin (6) world languages. new text end

new text begin (c) "Rural school district" means a school district with fewer than 30 resident pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 6, per square mile. new text end

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for a grant under this section, a new text begin student new text end teacher deleted text begin candidatedeleted text end must:

(1) be enrolled in a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation program that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching deleted text begin in order to be recommended for any Tier 3 teaching licensedeleted text end ;

(2) demonstrate financial need based on criteria established by the commissioner under subdivision 3;

(3) be meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10; and

(4) deleted text begin intend to teach in a shortage area or belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforcedeleted text end new text begin intend to teach in a rural school district or intend to teach in a license shortage areanew text end . Intent deleted text begin candeleted text end new text begin to teach in a license shortage area mustnew text end be deleted text begin documenteddeleted text end new text begin verifiednew text end based on the teacher license field the student is pursuing deleted text begin or a statement ofdeleted text end new text begin . To verifynew text end intent to teach in deleted text begin an economic development region defined as a shortage area in the year the student receives a grantdeleted text end new text begin a rural school district, the student must submit to the commissioner a completed affidavit, prescribed by the commissioner, affirming the student's intent to teach in a rural district following graduation. Upon obtaining employment after graduating, the teacher shall report to the office the name of the school district in which the teacher is teachingnew text end .

Subd. 3.

Administrationdeleted text begin ; repaymentdeleted text end .

(a) The commissioner must establish an application process and other guidelines for implementing this program.new text begin The commissioner must notify grant recipients of their award amounts by the following dates:new text end

new text begin (1) for fall student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by August 15; new text end

new text begin (2) for spring student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by December 1; and new text end

new text begin (3) for summer student teaching placements, recipients must be notified by May 1. new text end

new text begin These notification deadlines do not apply in cases where grants are awarded to student teachers who applied after application deadlines and funds remained after the initial round of grants were awarded. new text end

(b) The commissioner must determine each academic year the stipend amount up to $7,500 based on the amount of available funding, the number of eligible applicants, and the financial need of the applicants.

deleted text begin (c) The percentage of the total award funds available at the beginning of the fiscal year reserved for teacher candidates who identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce must be equal to or greater than the total percentage of students of racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce as measured under section 120B.35, subdivision 3. If this percentage cannot be met because of a lack of qualifying candidates, the remaining amount may be awarded to teacher candidates who intend to teach in a shortage area. deleted text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must give equal consideration to all eligible applicants regardless of the order the application was received before the application deadline. new text end

new text begin (d) If there are insufficient funds to provide an award to all eligible applicants, the commissioner shall prioritize the awards to eligible participants based on: new text end

new text begin (1) the financial need of an applicant; and new text end

new text begin (2) whether the applicant intends to teach in both a rural school district and a license shortage area. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new 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: new text end

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

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

new text begin (3) the licensure areas and school districts in which the student teachers taught; and new text end

new 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 district after graduation. new text end

new 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. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021, except that the commissioner may delay notification to student teachers receiving grants for the fall 2021 term until September 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.1704, is amended to read:

136A.1704 STUDENT LOAN REFINANCING.

The office may refinance student and parent loans as provided by this section and on other terms and conditions the office prescribes. The office may establish credit requirements for borrowers and determine what types of student and parent loans will be eligible for refinancing. The refinanced loan need not have been made through a loan program administered by the office. Loans shall be made with available funds in the loan capital fund under section 136A.1785. The maximum amount of outstanding loans refinanced under this section may not exceed deleted text begin $100,000,000deleted text end new text begin $300,000,000new text end . The maximum loan under this section may not exceed deleted text begin $70,000deleted text end new text begin $200,000new text end .

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.1791, is amended to read:

136A.1791 TEACHER SHORTAGE LOAN deleted text begin FORGIVENESSdeleted text end new text begin REPAYMENTnew text end PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a teacher's preparation or further educationnew text begin , only if the further education will result in the teacher decreasing the gap in a new shortage areanew text end .

(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.

(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board who is employed by a school district to provide classroom instruction.

deleted text begin (e) "Teacher shortage area" means: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the licensure fields and economic development regions reported by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in coordination with the commissioner as experiencing a teacher shortage; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) economic development regions where there is a shortage of licensed teachers who reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of students in the region as reported by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in coordination with the commissioner. deleted text end

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless indicated otherwise.

new text begin (f) "License shortage area" has the meaning given in section 136A.1275, subdivision 1, paragraph (b). new text end

new text begin (g) "Racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the teacher workforce" means a racial or ethnic group for which the aggregate percentage of Minnesota teachers of that racial or ethnic group is lower than the aggregate percentage of Minnesota kindergarten through grade 12 students of that racial or ethnic group. new text end

new text begin (h) "Rural school district" means a school district with fewer than 30 resident pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 6, per square mile. new text end

Subd. 2.

Program established; administration.

The commissioner shall establish and administer a teacher shortage loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repayment new text end program. deleted text begin A teacher is eligible for the program if the teacher is teaching in an identified teacher shortage area under subdivision 3 and complies with the requirements of this section.deleted text end

deleted text begin Subd. 3. deleted text end

deleted text begin Report on teacher shortage areas. deleted text end

deleted text begin Using data collected for the teacher supply and demand report to the legislature under section 122A.091, subdivision 5, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall identify the licensure fields and economic development regions in Minnesota experiencing a teacher shortage. deleted text end

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a disbursement under this section, a teacher must belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce, teach in a rural school district, or teach in a license shortage area. new text end

Subd. 4.

Application for loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end .

Each applicant for loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end , according to rules adopted by the commissioner, shall:

(1) apply for teacher shortage loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repayment new text end and promptly submit any additional information required by the commissioner; and

(2) submit to the commissioner a completed affidavit, prescribed by the commissioner, affirming the teacher is teaching in: (i) a deleted text begin licensure field identified by the commissioner as experiencing a teacherdeleted text end new text begin licensenew text end shortagenew text begin areanew text end ; or (ii) deleted text begin an economic development region identified by the commissioner as experiencing a teacher shortagedeleted text end new text begin a rural school districtnew text end .

Subd. 5.

Amount of loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end .

(a) To the extent funding is available, the annual amount of teacher shortage loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end for an approved applicant shall not exceed $1,000 or the cumulative balance of the applicant's qualified educational loans, including principal and interest, whichever amount is less.

(b) Recipients must secure their own qualified educational loans. Teachers who graduate from an approved teacher preparation program or teachers who add a licensure field, consistent with the teacher shortage requirements of this section, are eligible to apply for the loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end program.

(c) No teacher shall receive more than five annual awards.

Subd. 6.

Disbursement.

(a) The commissioner must make annual disbursements directly to the participant of the amount for which a participant is eligible, for each year that a participant is eligible.

(b) Within 60 days of the disbursement date, the participant must provide the commissioner with verification that the full amount of loan repayment disbursement has been applied toward the designated loans. A participant that previously received funds under this section but has not provided the commissioner with such verification is not eligible to receive additional funds.

Subd. 7.

Penalties.

(a) A teacher who submits a false or misleading application or other false or misleading information to the commissioner may:

(1) have his or her teaching license suspended or revoked under section 122A.20;

(2) be disciplined by the teacher's employing school district; or

(3) be required by the commissioner to repay the total amount of the loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repaymentnew text end he or she received under this program, plus interest at a rate established under section 270C.40.

(b) The commissioner must deposit any repayments received under paragraph (a) in the fund established in subdivision 8.

Subd. 8.

Account established.

A teacher shortage loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end repayment account is created in the special revenue fund for depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner for the program. Money deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner, does not cancel, and is continuously available for loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repayment new text end under this section.

Subd. 9.

Annual reporting.

By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must report to the chairs of the kindergarten through grade 12 and higher education committees of the legislature on the number of individuals who received loan deleted text begin forgivenessdeleted text end new text begin repayment new text end under this section, the race or ethnicity of the teachers participating in the program, the licensure areas and deleted text begin economic development regionsdeleted text end new text begin school districtsnew text end in which the teachers taught, the average amount paid to a teacher participating in the program, and other summary data identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators.

Subd. 10.

Rulemaking.

The commissioner shall adopt rules under chapter 14 to administer this section.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Program created.

The commissioner shall make grants for the training of employees to achieve the competency standard for an occupation identified by the commissioner of labor and industry under section 175.45 and Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 3, section 21. deleted text begin "Competency standard" has the meaning given in section 175.45, subdivision 2.deleted text end An individual must, no later than the commencement of the training, be an employee of the employer seeking a grant to train that individual.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The terms defined in this subdivision apply to this section. new text end

new text begin (b) "Competency standard" has the meaning given in section 175.45, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible training" means training provided by an eligible training provider that: new text end

new text begin (1) includes training to meet one or more identified competency standards; new text end

new text begin (2) is instructor-led for a majority of the training; and new text end

new text begin (3) results in the employee receiving an industry-recognized degree, certificate, or credential. new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible training provider" means an institution: new text end

new text begin (1) operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (2) licensed or registered as a postsecondary institution by the office; or new text end

new text begin (3) exempt from the provisions of section 136A.822 to 136A.834 or 136A.61 to 136A.71 as approved by the office. new text end

new text begin (e) "Industry-recognized degrees, certificates, or credentials" means: new text end

new text begin (1) certificates, diplomas, or degrees issued by a postsecondary institution; new text end

new text begin (2) registered apprenticeship certifications or certificates; new text end

new text begin (3) occupational licenses or registrations; new text end

new text begin (4) certifications issued by, or recognized by, industry or professional associations; and new text end

new text begin (5) other certifications as approved by the commissioner. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligible grantees.

An employer or an organization representing the employer is eligible to apply for a grant to train employees if the employer has an employee who is in or is to be trained to be in an occupation for which a competency standard has been identified and the employee has not attained the competency standard prior to the commencement of the planned training. deleted text begin Training need not address all aspects of a competency standard but may address only the competencies of a standard that an employee is lacking. An employee must receive an industry-recognized degree, certificate, or credential upon successful completion of the training.deleted text end new text begin A grantee must have an agreement with an eligible training provider to provide eligible training prior to payment of grant.new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

new text begin Eligible new text end training deleted text begin institution or programdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end .

deleted text begin The employer must have an agreement with a training institution or program to provide the employee competency standard training prior to the grant award. The training may be provided by any institution or program having trainers qualified to instruct on the competency standard.deleted text end

The Office of Higher Education and the Department of Labor and Industry must cooperate in maintaining an inventory of degree, certificate, and credential programs that provide training to meet competency standards. The inventory must be posted on each agency's website with contact information for each program deleted text begin by September 1, 2016deleted text end . The postings must be updated periodically.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Application.

Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the extent possible, make the application form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible. The commissioner shall establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application must include, without limitation:

(1) the projected number of employee trainees;

deleted text begin (2) the number of projected employee trainees who graduated from high school or passed the commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency test in the current or immediately preceding calendar year; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end the competency standard for which training will be provided;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end the credential the employee will receive upon completion of training;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end the name and address of the new text begin eligible new text end training deleted text begin institution or program and a signed statement by the institution or program that it is able and agrees to provide the trainingdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end ;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end the period of the training; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end the cost of the training charged by the new text begin eligible new text end training deleted text begin institution or program and certified by the institution or programdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end . The cost of training includes tuition, fees, and required books and materials.

An application may be made for training of employees of multiple employers either by the employers or by an organization on their behalf.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Grant criteria.

deleted text begin (a) Except as provided in this subdivision, the commissioner shall award grants to employers solely for training employees who graduated from high school or passed commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency tests in the current or immediately preceding calendar year. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) If there are not sufficient eligible applications satisfying paragraph (a), the commissioner may award grants to applicants to train employees who do not meet the requirements of paragraph (a). deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (a)new text end The commissioner shalldeleted text begin , to the extent possible after complying with paragraph (a),deleted text end make at least an approximately equal dollar amount of grants for training for employees whose work site is projected to be outside the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, as for employees whose work site is projected to be within the metropolitan area.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end In determining the award of grants, the commissioner must consider, among other factors:

(1) the aggregate state and regional need for employees with the competency to be trained;

(2) the competency standards developed by the commissioner of labor and industry as part of the Minnesota PIPELINE Project;

(3) the per employee cost of training;

(4) the additional employment opportunities for employees because of the training;

(5) the on-the-job training the employee receives;

new text begin (6) the employer's demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain employees who are recent high school graduates or who recently passed high school equivalency tests; new text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end projected increases in compensation for employees receiving the training; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end the amount of employer training cost match, if required, on both a per employee and aggregate basis.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Employer match.

A large employer must pay for at least 25 percent of thenew text begin eligiblenew text end training deleted text begin institution's or program'sdeleted text end new text begin provider'snew text end charge for thenew text begin eligiblenew text end training to the deleted text begin training institution or programdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end . For the purpose of this subdivision, a "large employer" means a business with more than $25,000,000 in annual new text begin gross new text end revenue in the previous calendar year.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Payment of grant.

(a) The commissioner shall pay the grant to the employer after the employer presents satisfactory evidence to the commissioner that the employer has paid the new text begin eligible new text end training deleted text begin institution or programdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end .

(b) If an employer demonstrates that it is not able to pay for the training in advance, the commissioner shall make grant payments directly to the new text begin eligible new text end training deleted text begin institution or programdeleted text end new text begin providernew text end .

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.246, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Grant amounts.

(a) The maximum grant for an application is $150,000. A grant may not exceed $6,000 per year for a maximum of four years per employee.

(b) An employee who is attending an eligible new text begin training provider that is an new text end institution new text begin under section 136A.103new text end must apply for Pell and state grants as a condition of payment for training that employee under this section.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.63, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sale of an institution.

Within 30 days of a change of its ownership a school must submit a registration renewal application, all usual and ordinary information and materials for an initial registration, and applicable registration fees for a new institution. For purposes of this subdivision, "change of ownership" means a merger or consolidation with a corporation; a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a school; the transfer of a controlling interest of at least 51 percent of the school's stock; new text begin the school enters receivership; new text end or a change in the nonprofit or for-profit status of a school.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.645, is amended to read:

136A.645 SCHOOL CLOSURE.

(a) When a school intends to cease postsecondary education operations, announces its closure, or is informed by the office that the office anticipates the school's closure due to its registration status or ability to meet criteria for approval under section 136A.65, the school must provide the office:

(1) a notice of closure, including the name of the school, the name of the school owner, an active mailing address and telephone number that the school owner may be reached at after the school physically closes, the name of the school director, and the planned date for termination of postsecondary operations;

(2) a report of all students currently enrolled and all students enrolled within the prior 120 days, including the following information for each student: name, address, school e-mail address, alternate e-mail address, program of study, number of credits completed, number of credits remaining, and enrollment status at closure;

(3) a report of refunds due to any student and the amount due;

(4) a written statement from the school's owner or designee affirming that all recruitment efforts, school marketing, advertisement, solicitation, and enrollment of new students has ceased;

(5) a copy of any communication between the school's accreditors about the school closure;

(6) confirmation that the requirements for student records under section 136A.68 have been satisfied, including:

(i) the planned date for the transfer of the student records;

(ii) confirmation of the name and address of the organization to receive and hold the student records; and

(iii) the official at the organization receiving the student records who is designated to provide official copies of records or transcripts upon request;

(7) academic information, including the school's most recent catalog, all course syllabi, and faculty credential information; and

(8) copies of any teach-out, transfer, or train-out agreement between the school and a new school for students to be able to complete their studies. A teach-out fulfills the original contract or agreement between the closing school and the student. If a teach-out is arranged for another approved school to do the remaining occupational training, that other school must (i) provide comparable education and training and (ii) agree that students transferring from the closing school pay only what the cost of tuition and fees remain unpaid according to the terms and conditions in the enrollment agreement entered into between the student and the closing school.

(b) Without limitation as to other circumstance, a school shall be deemed to have ceased operations when the school:

(1) has an unscheduled nonemergency closure or cancellation of classes for more than 24 hours without prior notice to the office;

(2) announces it is closed or closing; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(3) files for bankruptcydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (4) fails to complete a renewal application when required under section 136A.63, subdivision 2. new text end

(c) When a school is deemed to have ceased operations, the office shall provide the school a reasonable time to correct student records and grant credentials. After that time, the office must revoke the school's registration. This revocation is not appealable under section 136A.65, subdivision 8.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.653, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

deleted text begin Regionallydeleted text end new text begin Higher Learning Commissionnew text end accredited institutions in Minnesota.

(a) A deleted text begin regionally accrediteddeleted text end postsecondary institution new text begin accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or its successor new text end with its primary physical location in Minnesota is exempt from the provisions of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71, including related fees, when it creates new or modifies existing:

(1) majors, minors, concentrations, specializations, and areas of emphasis within approved degrees;

(2) nondegree programs within approved degrees;

(3) underlying curriculum or courses;

(4) modes of delivery; and

(5) locations.

(b) The institution must annually notify the commissioner of the exempt actions listed in paragraph (a) and, upon the commissioner's request, must provide additional information about the action.

(c) The institution must notify the commissioner within 60 days of a program closing.

(d) Nothing in this subdivision exempts an institution from the annual registration and degree approval requirements of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.675, is amended to read:

136A.675 RISK ANALYSIS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Standard development and usage. new text end

new text begin (a) To screen and detect whether an institution may not be financially or administratively responsible, new text end the office shall develop deleted text begin a set ofdeleted text end financial and deleted text begin programmatic evaluation metrics to aid in the detection of the failure or potential failure of a school to meet the standards established under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71deleted text end new text begin nonfinancial indicatorsnew text end . deleted text begin These metrics shall include indicators of financial stability, changes in the senior management or the financial aid and senior administrative staff of an institution, changes in enrollment, changes in program offerings, and changes in faculty staffing patterns.deleted text end The development of financial deleted text begin standardsdeleted text end new text begin and nonfinancial indicatorsnew text end shall use industry standards as deleted text begin benchmarksdeleted text end new text begin guidancenew text end . deleted text begin The development of the nonfinancial standards shall include a measure of trends and dramatic changes in trends or practice. deleted text end

new text begin (b) Annually, new text end the deleted text begin agencydeleted text end new text begin officenew text end must deleted text begin specify the metrics and standards for each area anddeleted text end provide a copy new text begin of the financial and nonfinancial indicators new text end to each registered institution and post deleted text begin themdeleted text end new text begin a list of reviewed indicatorsnew text end on the deleted text begin agencydeleted text end new text begin officenew text end website.

new text begin (c)new text end The deleted text begin agencydeleted text end new text begin officenew text end shall use regularly reported data submitted to the federal government or other regulatory or accreditation agencies wherever possible. deleted text begin The agency may require more frequent data reporting by an institution to ascertain whether the standards are being met.deleted text end

new text begin (d) The office must use the indicators in this subdivision to identify institutions at potential risk of being unable to meet the standards established under sections 136A.646; 136A.64, subdivision 3; 136A.65, subdivisions 1a and 4, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), (3), and (7); and 136A.685 and thus unlikely to meet its financial obligations or complete its academic terms for the next 18 months. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Additional reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) In addition to the information required for the indicators in subdivision 1, an institution must notify the office within ten business days if any of the events in paragraphs (b) to (e) occur. new text end

new text begin (b) Related to revenue, debt, and cash flow, notice is required if: new text end

new text begin (1) the institution defaulted on a debt payment or covenant and has not received a waiver of the violation from the financial institution within 60 days; new text end

new text begin (2) for institutions with a federal composite score of less than 1.5, the institution's owner withdraws equity that directly results in a composite score of less than 1.0, unless the withdrawal is a transfer between affiliated entities included in a common composite score; new text end

new text begin (3) the United States Department of Education requires a 25 percent or greater Letter of Credit, except when the Letter of Credit is imposed due to a change of ownership; new text end

new text begin (4) the United States Department of Education requires Heightened Cash Monitoring 2; new text end

new text begin (5) the institution receives written notification that it violated the United States Department of Education's revenue requirement under United States Code, title 20, section 1094(a)(24), as amended; or new text end

new text begin (6) the institution receives written notification by the United States Department of Education that it has fallen below minimum financial standards and that its continued participation in Title IV is conditioned upon satisfying either the Zone Alternative, Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.175, paragraph (f), or a Letter of Credit Alternative, Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.175, paragraph (c). new text end

new text begin (c) Related to accreditation and licensing, notice is required if: new text end

new text begin (1) the institution receives written notification of probation, warning, show-cause, or loss of institutional accreditation; new text end

new text begin (2) the institution receives written notification that its institutional accreditor lost federal recognition; or new text end

new text begin (3) the institution receives written notification that it has materially violated state authorization or institution licensing requirements in a different state that may lead to or has led to the termination of the institution's ability to continue to provide educational programs or otherwise continue to operate in that state. new text end

new text begin (d) Related to securities, notice is required if: new text end

new text begin (1) the Securities and Exchange Commission (i) issues an order suspending or revoking the registration of the institution's securities, or (ii) suspends trading of the institution's securities on any national securities exchange; new text end

new text begin (2) the national securities exchange on which the institution's securities are traded notifies the institution that it is not in compliance with the exchange's listing requirements and the institution's securities are delisted; or new text end

new text begin (3) the Securities and Exchange Commission is not in timely receipt of a required report and did not issue an extension to file the report. new text end

new text begin (e) Related to criminal and civil investigations, notice is required if: new text end

new text begin (1) the institution receives written notification of a felony criminal indictment or charges of the institution's owner; new text end

new text begin (2) the institution receives written notification of criminal indictment or charges of the institution's officers related to operations of the institution; or new text end

new text begin (3) there has been a criminal, civil, or administrative adjudication of fraud or misrepresentation in Minnesota or in another state or jurisdiction against the institution or its owner, officers, agents, or sponsoring organization. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Determination procedures. new text end

new text begin (a) The office shall conduct a systematic evaluation under this paragraph and make a preliminary determination as to whether action under paragraph (e) is necessary, if the office: (1) identifies a potential risk under subdivision 1, paragraph (d); (2) receives notification from an institution under subdivision 2; or (3) identifies other exigent circumstances impacting the institution that may deny students a reasonable opportunity to complete their education program at the institution or through an alternate institution with minimal disruption. The systematic evaluation must, to the extent practicable, be a collaboration between the office and the institution. The office must request additional context and information from the institution that demonstrates the administrative and financial responsibility of the institution. If the institution is not financially or administratively responsible, a contingency plan must be implemented either collaboratively or as part of a final determination under paragraph (e), clause (4). new text end

new text begin (b) The office shall provide notice in writing to the institution of the preliminary determination. The notice shall provide the analysis used by the office to make the determination, a request for the institution to provide additional context and information that demonstrates the administrative and financial responsibility of the institution not provided under paragraph (a), any potential action the office may take under paragraph (e), and a deadline for responding to the notice. The institution shall have no fewer than ten business days to respond to the preliminary determination. new text end

new text begin (c) The response from the institution to provide additional context and information must be written and may include a collaborative consultation with the office. In its response, the institution shall provide additional context, financial data, and other information, including but not limited to evidence of sound business practices, institutional financial health, compliance with the requirements of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71, or sufficient and timely plans to cure any noncompliance or to manage financial health and risk. new text end

new text begin (d) If the institution does not respond to the office's notice and request for additional context and information within the time required, the office's preliminary determination shall become final and the office may take any of the actions specified in the notice required by paragraph (e). If the institution responds to the office's notice, the office must reevaluate the preliminary determination. The office shall use the additional context and information provided by the institution to make a final determination and determine which actions under paragraph (e), if any, are necessary to mitigate risk to students and state financial aid under this chapter. new text end

new text begin (e) The office may use a final determination to: new text end

new text begin (1) revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew registration, approval of an institution's degree, or use of a regulated term in its name under section 136A.65, subdivision 8; new text end

new text begin (2) require periodic monitoring and submission of reports on the institution's administrative and financial responsibility to ascertain whether compliance and financial risk improves; new text end

new text begin (3) require periodic collaborative consultations with the institution on noncompliance with sections 136A.61 to 136A.71, or how the institution is managing financial health and risk; new text end

new text begin (4) require the institution to submit contingency plans such as teach-out plans or transfer pathways for students; new text end

new text begin (5) prohibit the institution from accepting tuition and fee payments made through cash, alternative loans, or the equivalent, prior to the add/drop period of the current period of instruction; new text end

new text begin (6) prohibit the institution from enrolling new students; new text end

new text begin (7) initiate alternative processes and communications with students enrolled at the institution; new text end

new text begin (8) require a surety bond under section 136A.646; or new text end

new text begin (9) submit institution closure information under section 136A.645. new text end

new text begin (f) The office shall provide to the institution written notice of the final determination and the actions taken under paragraph (e). new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Data classification. new text end

new text begin Data under this section shall be classified as financial records under section 136A.64, subdivision 2, except for the following data, which shall be public: new text end

new text begin (1) a final determination that is subject to action under subdivision 3, paragraph (e), clauses (1), (5), (6), and (7), and a summary of the reasons for the determination; and new text end

new text begin (2) data received by the office under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clauses (2), (4), and (6); paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2); and paragraphs (d) and (e). new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.68, is amended to read:

136A.68 RECORDS.

new text begin (a) new text end A registered school shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. A registered school offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. Records include a student's academic transcript, documents, and files containing student data about academic credits earned, courses completed, grades awarded, degrees awarded, and periods of attendance.

new text begin (b) A registered school shall maintain records required for professional licensure in Minnesota that are not included in paragraph (a) for ten years from the last date of the student's attendance or the number of years required by an institutional or programmatic accreditor, whichever is greater. new text end

new text begin (c)new text end To preserve permanent records, a school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:

(1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository or duplicate records must be maintained off site in a secure location and in a manner approved by the office;

(2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of records or a transcript upon request;

(3) an alternative method approved by the office of complying with clauses (1) and (2) must be established if the school ceases to exist; and

(4) if the school has no binding agreement approved by the office for preserving student records, a continuous surety bond or an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a financial institution must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed $20,000. The bond or irrevocable letter of credit shall run to the state of Minnesota. In the event of a school closure, the surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit must be used by the office to retrieve, recover, maintain, digitize, and destroy academic records.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.822, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Permanent student records.

new text begin (a) new text end A private career school licensed under sections 136A.82 to 136A.834 and located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent student record for each student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. A private career school licensed under this chapter and offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. Records include school transcripts, documents, and files containing student data about academic credits earned, courses completed, grades awarded, degrees awarded, and periods of attendance.

new text begin (b) A private career school licensed under sections 136A.82 to 136A.834 and located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent student record required for professional licensure in Minnesota for each student for ten years from the last date of the student's attendance or the number of years required by an institutional or programmatic accreditor, whichever is greater. A private career school licensed under this chapter and offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain records required for professional licensure in Minnesota that are not included in paragraph (a) for each Minnesota student for ten years from the last date of the student's attendance or the number of years required by an institutional or programmatic accreditor, whichever is greater. new text end

To preserve permanent student records, a private career school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:

(1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository;

(2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of records or a transcript upon request;

(3) an alternative method, approved by the office, of complying with clauses (1) and (2) must be established if the private career school ceases to exist; and

(4) a continuous surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a financial institution must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed $20,000 if the private career school has no binding agreement approved by the office, for preserving student records. The bond or irrevocable letter of credit shall run to the state of Minnesota. In the event of a school closure, the surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit must be used by the office to retrieve, recover, maintain, digitize, and destroy academic records.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.8225, is amended to read:

136A.8225 SCHOOL CLOSURE.

(a) When a school intends to cease postsecondary education operations, announces its closure, or is informed by the office that the office anticipates the school's closure due to its licensure status or ability to meet criteria for approval under section 136A.822, subdivision 8, the school must provide the office:

(1) a notice of closure, including the name of the school, the name of the school owner, an active mailing address and telephone number that the school owner may be reached at after the school physically closes, the name of the school director, and the planned date for termination of postsecondary operations;

(2) a report of all students currently enrolled and all students enrolled within the prior 120 days, including the following information for each student: name, address, school e-mail address, alternate e-mail address, program of study, number of credits completed, number of credits remaining, and enrollment status at closure;

(3) a report of refunds due to any student and the amount due;

(4) a written statement from the school's owner or designee affirming that all recruitment efforts, school marketing, advertisement, solicitation, and enrollment of new students has ceased;

(5) a copy of any communication between the school's accreditors about the school closure;

(6) confirmation that the requirements for student records under section 136A.822, subdivision 12, have been satisfied, including:

(i) the planned date for the transfer of the student records;

(ii) confirmation of the name and address of the organization to receive and hold the student records; and

(iii) the official at the organization receiving the student records who is designated to provide official copies of records or transcripts upon request;

(7) academic information, including the school's most recent catalog, all course syllabi, and faculty credential information; and

(8) copies of any teach-out, transfer, or train-out agreement between the school and a new school for students to be able to complete their studies. A teach-out fulfills the original contract or agreement between the closing school and the student. If a teach-out is arranged for another approved school to do the remaining occupational training, that other school must (i) provide comparable education and training and (ii) agree that students transferring from the closing school pay only what the cost of tuition and fees remain unpaid according to the terms and conditions in the enrollment agreement entered into between the student and the closing school.

(b) Without limitation as to other circumstance, a school shall be deemed to have ceased operations when the school:

(1) has an unscheduled nonemergency closure or cancellation of classes for more than 24 hours without prior notice to the office;

(2) announces it is closed or closing; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(3) files for bankruptcydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (4) fails to complete a renewal application when required under section 136A.823, subdivision 3. new text end

(c) When a school is deemed to have ceased operations, the office shall provide the school a reasonable time to correct student records and grant credentials. After that time, the office must revoke the school's license. This revocation is not appealable under section 136A.829, subdivision 2.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.823, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Change of ownership. new text end

new text begin Within 30 days of a change of ownership, a school must submit a registration renewal application, the information and materials for an initial registration under section 136A.822, subdivision 4, and the applicable registration fees for a new institution under section 136A.824, subdivision 1. For purposes of this subdivision, "change of ownership" means: a merger or consolidation with a corporation; a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a school; the transfer of a controlling interest of at least 51 percent of the school's stock; entering into receivership; or a change in the nonprofit or for-profit status of a school. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.827, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Proration.

new text begin (a) new text end When a student has been accepted by a private career school and gives notice of cancellation after the program of instruction has begun, deleted text begin but before completion of 75 percent of the program, the amount charged for tuition, fees and all other charges shall be prorated based on the number of days in the term as a portion of the total charges for tuition, fees and all other charges. An additional 25 percent of the total cost of the program may be added but shall not exceed $100. After completion of 75 percent of the program, no refunds are required.deleted text end new text begin the student is entitled to a refund if, at the last documented date of attendance, the student has not completed at least 75 percent of the entire program of instruction. For purposes of this subdivision, program of instruction is calculated under paragraph (c) or (d). Program of instruction does not mean one term, a payment period, a module, or any other portion of the entire instructional program.new text end

new text begin (b)new text end A notice of cancellation from a student under this subdivision must be confirmed in writing by the private career school and mailed to the student's last known address. The confirmation from the school must state that the school has withdrawn the student from enrollment, and if this action was not the student's intent, the student must contact the school.

new text begin (c) The length of a program of instruction for a program that has a defined calendar start and end date that does not change after the program has begun equals the number of days from the first scheduled date of the program through the last scheduled date of the program. To calculate the completion percentage, divide the number of calendar days from the first date of the program through the student's last documented date of attendance by the length of the program of instruction, and truncate the result after the second digit following the decimal point. If the completion percentage is less than 75 percent, the private career school may retain: new text end

new text begin (1) tuition, fees, and charges equal to the total of tuition, fees, and charges multiplied by the completion percentage; plus new text end

new text begin (2) the initial program application fees, not to exceed $50; plus new text end

new text begin (3) the lesser of (i) 25 percent of the total tuition, or (ii) $100. new text end

new text begin (d) The length of a program of instruction for a program that is measured in clock hours equals the number of clock hours the student was scheduled to attend. To calculate the completion percentage, divide the number of clock hours that the student actually attended by the length of the program of instruction, and truncate the result after the second digit following the decimal point. If the completion percentage is less than 75 percent, the private career school may retain: new text end

new text begin (1) tuition, fees, and charges equal to the total of tuition, fees, and charges multiplied by the completion percentage; plus new text end

new text begin (2) the initial program application fees, not to exceed $50; plus new text end

new text begin (3) the lesser of (i) 25 percent of the total tuition, or (ii) $100. new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.827, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Cancellation occurrence.

deleted text begin Written notice of cancellation shall take place on the date the letter of cancellation is postmarked or, in the cases where the notice is hand carried, it shall occur on the date the notice is delivered to the private career school.deleted text end new text begin Notice of cancellation shall be the date a student notifies a private career school of the student's intention to withdraw or otherwise leave the program of study. The student is not required to provide a written notice. The private career school may require a student to provide the student's notification only to specific offices or personnel at the school as long as this requirement is documented as part of the "Student's Right to Cancel" in all places that the information appears, including on the private career school's website. The date of the notice of cancellation may or may not be the same date as the student's last documented date of attendance.new text end If a student has not attended class for a period of deleted text begin 21deleted text end new text begin 14new text end consecutive days without contacting the private career school to deleted text begin indicate an intent to continue in the private career schooldeleted text end new text begin provide notice of cancellationnew text end or otherwise deleted text begin makingdeleted text end new text begin makenew text end arrangements concerning the absence, the student is considered to have withdrawn from the private career school for all purposes as of the student's last documented date of attendance.

Sec. 35.

new text begin [136A.91] CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT GRANTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The Office of Higher Education must establish a competitive grant program for postsecondary institutions to expand concurrent enrollment opportunities. To the extent that there are qualified applicants, the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall distribute grant funds to ensure: new text end

new text begin (1) eligible students throughout the state have access to concurrent enrollment programs; and new text end

new text begin (2) preference for grants that expand programs is given to programs already at capacity. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may award grants under this section to postsecondary institutions for any of the following purposes: new text end

new text begin (1) to develop new concurrent enrollment courses under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, that satisfy the elective standard for career and technical education; or new text end

new text begin (2) to expand the existing concurrent enrollment programs already offered by the postsecondary institution by: new text end

new text begin (i) creating new sections within the same high school; new text end

new text begin (ii) offering the existing course in new high schools; or new text end

new text begin (iii) supporting the preparation, recruitment, and success of students who are underrepresented in concurrent enrollment classrooms. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop a grant application process. A grant applicant must: new text end

new text begin (1) specify the purpose under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), for which the institution is applying; new text end

new text begin (2) specify both program and student outcome goals; new text end

new text begin (3) include student feedback in the development of new programs or the expansion of existing programs; and new text end

new text begin (4) demonstrate a commitment to equitable access to concurrent enrollment coursework for all eligible high school students. new text end

new text begin (b) A postsecondary institution applying for a grant under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (3), must provide a 50 percent match for the grant funds. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By December 1 of each year, the office shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education regarding: new text end

new text begin (1) the amount of funds granted under each clause of subdivision 1, paragraph (b); new text end

new text begin (2) the courses developed by grant recipients and the number of students who enrolled in the courses under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (1); and new text end

new text begin (3) the programs expanded and the number of students who enrolled in programs under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (2). new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136F.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Mental health awareness program. new text end

new text begin (a) The board shall implement a mental health awareness program at each Minnesota state college and university by the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. A mental health awareness program shall include: new text end

new text begin (1) a web page at each institution that includes links to existing self-assessment resources, resources connecting students to campus and community-based resources, and emergency contact information and resources; new text end

new text begin (2) mandatory mental health first aid training, evidence-based suicide prevention training, or other similar mental health training for faculty, staff, and students, giving priority to those who serve in roles that include increased direct contact with students who are experiencing mental health concerns, such as student housing and campus safety employees. Each college and university shall identify the appropriate faculty, staff, and students to receive training based on college or university structure and available funding; new text end

new text begin (3) a session at each student orientation program that includes information about maintaining good mental health, the symptoms of mental health conditions common among college students, and mental health resources and services available to students; new text end

new text begin (4) a messaging strategy to send students information on available mental health resources and services at least once per term, and during periods of high academic stress; and new text end

new text begin (5) distributing the suicide prevention helpline and text line contact information in a way that increases accessibility and awareness of that information to students. new text end

new text begin (b) The board shall create and maintain a mental health community of practice including faculty and staff with subject matter expertise in mental health to identify resources and best practices to inform campus-based strategies to raise awareness of local and state resources and implement appropriate training experiences. new text end

new text begin (c) The board shall make grants to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to establish a peer support pilot program designed to assist students with a mental health condition. The program shall utilize student peers to support students living with mental health conditions on campus. The peer support program may be housed within the counseling center, wellness center, or resident assistance programs on campus. The peer support program leaders must be trained to facilitate discussions on mental health, identify students who may be in crisis, and refer students to programs for mental health support. new text end

Sec. 37.

new text begin [136F.202] STUDENT SUCCESS BASIC NEEDS BARRIER REDUCTION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Basic needs resources. new text end

new text begin (a) Each college and university shall create and maintain a web page that clearly identifies basic needs resources available at the college or university. This web page shall clearly identify at least one staff member, faculty member, or department as a point of contact to whom students may direct questions. Each college and university shall also make the information under this paragraph available on the college or university mobile application, if possible. new text end

new text begin (b) The board shall pursue the creation of a centralized basic needs online resource web page that will raise awareness of campus-based resources available at colleges and universities and local, state, and national resources that can assist in addressing basic needs insecurity. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Basic needs support trigger. new text end

new text begin (a) The board shall develop and implement, at each college and university, initiatives or campaigns to raise awareness among all students of potential Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility including targeted communications to students who are likely eligible. new text end

new text begin (b) The board shall develop a financial aid resource trigger that utilizes data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applications for state financial aid, or other applicable data to identify students who are likely eligible for assistance or programs that reduce basic needs insecurity such as SNAP. The board shall utilize this resource trigger to provide information and support to students on how to access assistance or programs that reduce basic needs insecurity. new text end

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136F.245, is amended to read:

136F.245 HUNGER-FREE CAMPUS DESIGNATION.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

new text begin (a) new text end A Hunger-Free Campus designation deleted text begin for Minnesota State community and technical collegesdeleted text end is establishednew text begin for public postsecondary institutions and for nonprofit degree-granting institutions physically located in Minnesota and registered with the Office of Higher Education under section 136A.63new text end . In order to be awarded the designation, deleted text begin a campusdeleted text end new text begin an institutionnew text end must meet the following minimum criteria:

(1) have an established on-campus food pantry or partnership with a local food bank to provide regular, on-campus food distributions;

(2) provide information to students on SNAP, MFIP, and other programs that reduce food insecuritynew text begin . The institution shall notify students in work-study employment of their potential eligibility for SNAP benefits and provide information to those students that includes eligibility criteria and how to apply for benefitsnew text end ;

(3) hold or participate in one hunger awareness event per academic year;

(4) have an established emergency assistance grant that is available to students; and

(5) establish a hunger task force that meets a minimum of three times per academic year. The task force must include at least two students currently enrolled at the deleted text begin collegedeleted text end new text begin institutionnew text end .

new text begin (b) Each institution must reapply at least every four years to maintain the designation. new text end

Subd. 2.

Designation approval.

new text begin (a) new text end The statewide student deleted text begin associationdeleted text end new text begin associationsnew text end representing thenew text begin statenew text end community and technical colleges new text begin and the state universities new text end shall create an application process and deleted text begin a nonmonetarydeleted text end new text begin an new text end awarddeleted text begin ,deleted text end and provide final approval for the designation at each new text begin state new text end collegenew text begin and university, respectivelynew text end .

new text begin (b) The University of Minnesota Student Association at each institution shall create an application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation at each University of Minnesota institution. new text end

new text begin (c) The Minnesota Association of Private College Students and the Student Advisory Council member representing Tribal colleges pursuant to section 136A.031, subdivision 3, shall create an application process and an award and provide final approval for the designation at each nonprofit degree-granting institution. new text end

deleted text begin Subd. 3. deleted text end

deleted text begin Expiration. deleted text end

deleted text begin This section expires July 1, 2023. deleted text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Competitive grant. new text end

new text begin (a) Institutions eligible for a grant under this subdivision include public postsecondary institutions and Tribal colleges. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program to distribute grants to eligible institutions to meet and maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph (a). Initial grants shall be made to institutions that have not earned the designation and demonstrate a need for funding to meet the hunger-free campus designation requirements. Sustaining grants shall be made to institutions that have earned the designation and demonstrate both a partnership with a local food bank or organization that provides regular, on-campus food distributions and a need for funds to maintain the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall give preference to applications for initial grants and to applications from institutions with the highest number of federal Pell Grant eligible students enrolled. The commissioner shall consider the head count at the institution when awarding grants. The maximum grant award for an initial institution designation is $8,000. The maximum grant award for sustaining an institution designation is $5,000. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner, in collaboration with student associations representing eligible institutions, shall create an application process and establish selection criteria for awarding the grants. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible institution that receives a grant under subdivision 4 must: new text end

new text begin (1) use the grant funds to meet or maintain the minimum criteria of a hunger-free campus designation under subdivision 1; and new text end

new text begin (2) match at least 50 percent of the grant amount awarded with funds or in-kind resources. new text end

new text begin (b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to receive a sustaining grant, an institution must demonstrate a partnership with a local food bank or organization or other source of funding that ensures regular, on-campus distributions. new text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136F.305, is amended to read:

136F.305 Z-DEGREES.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

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

deleted text begin (b) "Custom textbook" means course materials that are compiled by a publisher at the direction of a faculty member or, if applicable, the other adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials for courses taught at a state college or university. Custom textbooks may include items such as selections from original instructor materials, previously copyrighted publisher materials, copyrighted third-party works, or elements unique to a specific state college or university. deleted text end

new text begin (b) "Course" means a single unit of teaching in one subject area led by one or more instructors with a definite start and end date and a fixed roster of students. new text end

new text begin (c) "Course materials" means a hard-copy or digital book, printed pages of instructional material, including consumable workbooks, lab manuals, subscriptions, online homework and quizzing platforms, and other required physical and digital content. new text end

new text begin (d) "Course section" means an instance of a course. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end "Incentive" means anything provided to faculty to identify, review, adapt, author, or adopt open deleted text begin textbooksdeleted text end new text begin educational resourcesnew text end .

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end "Open educational resources" means deleted text begin high-qualitydeleted text end teaching, learning, and research deleted text begin resourcesdeleted text end new text begin materialsnew text end that deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin arenew text end in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and repurposing by othersdeleted text begin , and may include other resources that are legally available and free of cost to studentsdeleted text end . Open educational resources include deleted text begin course materials, modules, custom and open textbooks, articles, faculty-created content, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledgedeleted text end new text begin textbooks and curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video, and animationnew text end .

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end "Open textbook" means deleted text begin a textbook that is distributed using an open copyrightdeleted text end new text begin a type of open educational resource released under an intellectual propertynew text end license that at a minimum allows a student to obtain, retain, reuse, and redistribute the material at no cost.

new text begin (h) "Library-curated materials" means diverse resources purchases by the library at no additional cost to the student for the supplementation or replacement of course materials. new text end

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end "System office" means the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (j)new text end "Z-Degree" means a deleted text begin zero-textbook-costdeleted text end new text begin completenew text end associate's new text begin or bachelor's new text end degreenew text begin program that exclusively uses course materials that are no cost to students such as open educational resources, open textbooks, and library-curated materialsnew text end .new text begin Students may still incur costs for printing digital materials or for the following: art supplies, calculators, equipment, fees in statute or policy mandated to be charged by all colleges and universities, campus discretionary fees established by the board and adopted by the college, personal property, and service charges or course activities having value outside of the classroom.new text end

Subd. 2.

Requirement.

new text begin (a) new text end Three additional colleges must offer the opportunity to earn a Z-Degree by academic year 2020-2021. deleted text begin A college'sdeleted text end new text begin Four additional colleges or universities must offer the opportunity to earn a Z-Degree by academic year 2023-2024.new text end Course offerings deleted text begin for itsdeleted text end new text begin in anew text end Z-Degree program must include at least two distinct courses in each transfer curriculum goal area and at least enough credits in each transfer curriculum goal area to complete the transfer curriculum package.

new text begin (b) The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall support a continuous process for colleges and universities to implement Z-Degrees, expand Z-Degree courses and sections, and sustain existing Z-Degrees. new text end

Subd. 3.

Open educational resource development.

(a) deleted text begin The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must develop a program to offer a Z-degree at three additional colleges by expanding the use of open educational resources, including custom and open textbooks.deleted text end The system office must provide opportunities for faculty to identify, review, adapt, deleted text begin author,deleted text end new text begin create, share,new text end and adopt open educational resources. The system office must develop incentives to academic departments to identify, review, adapt, author, or adopt open educational resources within their academic programs.

(b) The programs and incentives developed under this subdivision must be implemented pursuant to faculty collective bargaining agreements.

Subd. 4.

Report.

new text begin Annually by January 15, new text end the board must submit reports deleted text begin by January 13, 2021, and January 12, 2022,deleted text end to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education. Each report must include (1) the number of courses new text begin and course sections new text end transitioned deleted text begin to using an open textbook resulting from the programs in this sectiondeleted text end new text begin into a new Z-Degreenew text end , deleted text begin anddeleted text end (2) the total amount of student textbook savings resulting from the transitionsnew text begin , and (3) information on the types of incentives developed and offered to faculty and the corresponding funding for those incentivesnew text end .

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136F.38, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Program eligibility.

(a) Scholarships shall be awarded only to a student eligible for resident tuition, as defined in section 135A.043, who is enrolled in any of the following programs of study or certification: (1) advanced manufacturing; (2) agriculture; (3) health care services; (4) information technology; (5) early childhood; deleted text begin ordeleted text end (6) transportationnew text begin ; or (7) a program of study under paragraph (b)new text end .

(b) new text begin Each institution may add one additional area of study or certification, based on a workforce shortage for full-time employment requiring postsecondary education that is unique to the institution's specific region, as reported in the most recent Department of Employment and Economic Development job vacancy survey data for the economic development region in which the institution is located. A workforce shortage area is one in which the job vacancy rate for full-time employment in a specific occupation in a region is higher than the state average vacancy rate for that same occupation. The institution may change the area of study or certification based on new data once every two years.new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The student must be enrolled for at least nine credits new text begin in a two-year college new text end in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systemnew text begin to be eligible for first- and second-year scholarshipsnew text end .

new text begin (d) The student is eligible for a one-year transfer scholarship if the student transfers from a two-year college after two or more terms, and the student is enrolled for at least nine credits in a four-year university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. new text end

Sec. 41.

new text begin CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must expand credit for prior learning to include as many forms of work-based experiences as possible, working with faculty to properly credit experiences for students, as appropriate. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall proactively make students aware of the credit for prior learning program and take steps to ensure gaining credit is easily accessible to students. new text end

new text begin (b) By February 1, 2022, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over higher education on the success of credit for prior learning in granting credits and its continued development as required under this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 42.

new text begin DIRECT ADMISSIONS PILOT PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authorization. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall develop a pilot program in consultation with stakeholders including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Student Advisory Council under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.031, Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Minnesota School Board Association to automatically offer conditional admission into Minnesota public colleges and universities to Minnesota public high school seniors based on a student's high school grade point average, high school and college transcript information, standardized tests, statewide assessments, and other measures as determined by stakeholders. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Pilot design and goals. new text end

new text begin The pilot program shall establish and, to the extent feasible, implement a process for leveraging existing kindergarten through grade 12 and higher education student information systems to automate the admissions process for students. The pilot program will specifically evaluate the impact this process has on outcomes for students with lower levels of college knowledge, low-income students, and students from populations underserved in higher education. Initial pilot program participants must include high schools with a significant number of students of color, low-income students, or both, and must achieve statewide representation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Evaluation and report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2022, the Office of Higher Education shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education finance and policy and higher education on activities occurring under this section. The report must include but is not limited to information about the pilot program design, implementation challenges and recommendations, outcomes, and the feasibility of scaling the program to all public high schools. new text end

Sec. 43.

new text begin REPORT ON THE EXPENSE PATTERNS OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall perform an internal audit of expenditures to determine the extent to which administrative costs have increased based on uniform, historical data, and provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate higher education committees, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate Finance Committee, and the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee by January 1, 2022. new text end

new text begin (b) The Board of Trustees shall provide the following information for each institution under its jurisdiction. The Board of Trustees shall use the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data submitted to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to ensure uniformity, as institutions that receive federal financial aid funding report their financial data annually to NCES, and expense classifications are generally consistent year-to-year and apply to institutions uniformly. The report shall include for each Minnesota State College and University the following information: new text end

new text begin (1) the amount and description of expenses included in the following terms as reported in the integrated postsecondary education data system: new text end

new text begin (i) instruction; new text end

new text begin (ii) research; new text end

new text begin (iii) public service; new text end

new text begin (iv) academic support; new text end

new text begin (v) student services; new text end

new text begin (vi) institutional support; and new text end

new text begin (vii) other core expenses; new text end

new text begin (2) historical data on the amount of expenses listed in clause (1) over the previous ten years, accompanied by a graph reflecting the figures; new text end

new text begin (3) the current ratio of the institution's spending on institutional support versus instruction, and the ratio over the previous ten fiscal years, accompanied by a graph reflecting the figures; and new text end

new text begin (4) an analysis as to whether the institution's administrative operations are growing disproportionately in relation to its core academic functions, which may place upward pressure on the cost of tuition and required fees, if such institution has any ratio under clause (3) that is greater than the respective median ratio for institutions of its Carnegie classification and of similar undergraduate enrollments. The variables in clause (3) must be used when comparing and calculating ratios for institutions of the same Carnegie classification and similar undergraduate enrollments. new text end

new text begin (c) The Board of Trustees shall also provide in the report an analysis of administrative costs at the central office and the increase in staffing over the previous ten years. new text end

new text begin (d) The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to perform an audit and provide the reports as specified under this section. new text end

Sec. 44.

new text begin TRANSCRIPT ACCESS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The terms defined in this subdivision apply to this section. new text end

new text begin (b) "Debt" means any money, obligation, claim, or sum, due or owed, or alleged to be due or owed, from a student that appears on the student account. Debt does not include the fee, if any, charged to all students for the actual costs of providing the transcripts. new text end

new text begin (c) "School" means any public institution governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, private postsecondary educational institution as defined under section 136A.62 or 136A.821, or public or private entity responsible for providing transcripts to current or former students of an educational institution. Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota are requested to comply with this section. new text end

new text begin (d) "Transcript" means the statement of an individual's academic record, including an official transcript or the certified statement of an individual's academic record provided by a school and an unofficial transcript or the uncertified statement of an individual's academic record provided by a school. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibited practices. new text end

new text begin A school must not: new text end

new text begin (1) refuse to provide a transcript for a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the school if: new text end

new text begin (i) the debt owed is less than $250; new text end

new text begin (ii) the student has entered into and, as determined by the institution, is in compliance with a payment plan with the school; new text end

new text begin (iii) the transcript request is made by a prospective employer for the student; or new text end

new text begin (iv) the school has sent the debt for repayment to the Department of Revenue or to a collection agency, as defined in section 332.31, subdivision 3, external to the institution; or new text end

new text begin (2) charge an additional or a higher fee for obtaining a transcript or provide less favorable treatment of a transcript request because a student owes a debt to the originating school. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Institutional policy. new text end

new text begin (a) Institutions that use transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection must have a policy accessible to students that outlines how the institution collects on debts owed to the institution. new text end

new text begin (b) Institutions shall seek to use transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection for the fewest number of cases possible. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin (a) By April 15, 2022, and April 15, 2023, a school subject to this section must provide the Office of Higher Education a report that includes the following information for the most recently completed academic year: new text end

new text begin (1) the school's current policy on transcript holds due to debt owed to the school and the school's same policy prior to the enactment of this section; new text end

new text begin (2) the number of students who owe a debt of less than $250 to the school; new text end

new text begin (3) the number of students who owe a debt of more than $250 to the school; new text end

new text begin (4) the number of students who have had their transcripts withheld for nonpayment of a debt; new text end

new text begin (5) the number of students who entered a payment plan after the hold is placed; new text end

new text begin (6) what percentage of funds owed by students are collected; and new text end

new text begin (7) the number of students with debt who were able to obtain transcripts due to this provision, whether the debt was paid, and whether the students whose transcript hold was waived reenrolled. The information under this clause is required only to the extent the office is able to obtain the information. new text end

new text begin Reports submitted for the first year should include the most recently completed academic year and the two prior years. The report must also include information on any state, institutional, or federal COVID funds used to pay for transcript holds. new text end

new text begin (b) By October 15, 2022, and October 15, 2023, the commissioner shall compile the data submitted under paragraph (a) and report to the legislature as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195, and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education on the impact of this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires June 30, 2024. new text end

Sec. 45.

new text begin ASPIRING MINNESOTA TEACHERS OF COLOR SCHOLARSHIP PILOT PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scholarship pilot program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a scholarship pilot program to support undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to become teachers, have demonstrated financial need, and belong to racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the state's teacher workforce. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a scholarship under this section, an applicant must: new text end

new text begin (1) be admitted and enrolled in a teacher preparation program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and be seeking initial licensure, or be enrolled in an eligible institution under section 136A.103 and be completing a two-year program specifically designed to prepare early childhood educators; new text end

new text begin (2) affirm to the teacher preparation program or the Office of Higher Education that the applicant is a person of color or American Indian; new text end

new text begin (3) be meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10; and new text end

new text begin (4) demonstrate financial need based on criteria developed by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible applicant may receive a scholarship award more than once, but may receive a total of no more than $25,000 in scholarship awards from the program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Scholarship award amount. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish a priority application deadline and must give equal consideration to all eligible applicants regardless of the order the application was received before the priority application deadline. If the funds available for the program are insufficient to make full awards to all eligible applicants who apply on or before the deadline, the commissioner must make awards based on the expected family contribution of an applicant, prioritizing applicants with the lowest expected family contributions. If there are multiple complete applications with identical expected family contributions, those applications may be prioritized by application completion date. new text end

new text begin (b) The maximum award amount is $10,000 per year for full-time study. For undergraduate students, full-time study means enrollment in a minimum of 15 or more credits per term. For graduate students, full-time study means enrollment in a minimum of six graduate credits or the equivalent. new text end

new text begin (c) If an eligible applicant is enrolled in a program for one term during the academic year, the maximum award amount is $5,000. If an eligible applicant is enrolled part time, the award amount must be prorated on a per-credit basis. new text end

new text begin (d) Subject to the funds available for the program, and subject to the limitation in paragraph (e), the minimum award amount established under this section for full-time study must be no less than $1,000 per year. new text end

new text begin (e) An eligible applicant's individual award amount must not exceed the applicant's cost of attendance after deducting: (1) the student's expected family contribution; (2) the sum of all state or federal grants and gift aid received, including a Pell Grant and state grant; (3) the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts; and (4) the amount of any private grants or scholarships. new text end

new text begin (f) Awards are made until available funds are expended. Eligible applicants who completed their applications on or before the priority application deadline but who did not receive an award due to insufficient funds, and eligible applicants who completed their applications after the priority application deadline, shall be placed on an award waiting list by order of application completion date. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish an application process for individual students and institutions on behalf of all eligible students at the institution and other guidelines for implementing the scholarship program. new text end

new text begin (b) A scholarship award must be paid to the eligible applicant's teacher preparation institution on behalf of the eligible applicant. Awards may be paid only when the institution has confirmed to the commissioner the applicant's name, racial or ethnic identity, gender, licensure area sought, and enrollment status. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Service expectation. new text end

new text begin An applicant who receives a scholarship under this section is expected to serve as a full-time teacher in Minnesota after completing the program for which the scholarship was awarded. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By December 15 of each year, the commissioner must submit a full report on the details of the scholarship program for the previous fiscal year to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over E-12 and higher education finance and policy. The reports must also be made available on the Office of Higher Education's website. The reports must include the following information: new text end

new text begin (1) the number of applicants and the number of award recipients, each broken down by postsecondary institution with ten or more recipients; new text end

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

new text begin (3) summary data on the racial or ethnic identity, gender, licensure area sought, and enrollment status of all applicants and award recipients; and new text end

new text begin (4) other summary data identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 46.

new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin In Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of statutes shall renumber section 136F.245, as amended by this act, as 135A.137. new text end

Sec. 47.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 136A.1703; 136A.823, subdivision 2; and 136F.245, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 4830.9050; 4830.9060; 4830.9070; 4830.9080; and 4830.9090, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor June 24, 2021

Signed by the governor June 26, 2021, 10:51 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes