1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; developing a merit-based scholarship program.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

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