Included in this appropriation to the University is $1M annually for the Agriculture State Special for organic and sustainable agricultural and alternative livestock research through Extension.

Also included in the higher education appropriation bill (but not within the University’s appropriation) are the following:
$13M for the Governor’s ACHIEVE Program: scholarships for high school students who excel. Additionally, the Higher Education Advisory Council will study and make recommendations regarding: 1) the role of merit and need-based scholarships to increase the participation in rigorous high school courses of students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, and 2) ways to facilitate the subsequent access to and completion of postsecondary degrees among students in this group.

$8M for MnSCU 2-year campuses to eliminate non-resident, non-reciprocity tuition for one year.

$5M per year for grants for eligible veterans and eligible spouses and children of veterans.

The University’s appropriation (chart above) does not include funding for the U/Mayo Partnership. It will be funded with one-time money in another bill for this biennium Beginning in 2010, $10M will become part of the University’s base for the purpose of the University/Mayo Partnership.

Other provisions in the bill:
The Office of Higher Education is asked to produce a report on the participation in postsecondary education by income, and graduation rates of state grant recipients compared to students who did not receive state grants.

The Office of Higher Education will make recommendations regarding the feasibility of implementing loan repayment programs for professions deemed to be of economic or social importance to the state.

The accountability report to the legislature is shortened to include the following: how appropriations made in the previous odd-number year were allocated, how the institution reallocated resources to advance priorities, the tuition rates and fees established, data on number and proportion of students graduating within four, five and six years, data on students traditionally underrepresented in high education and data received from all sources to support research.

The definition of who is a resident student for the purposes of tuition is included. This is the legislation that is often called the “Dream Act�.

The University is requested to provide during the initial student registration information and skills training in personal finance management.

Postsecondary institutions may not transfer a student’s name, address, telephone number, or other contact information to credit card issuer without the student’s consent.

The maximum grant for eligible child care is increased from $2,300 to $2,600 per child.

The Office of Higher Education will conduct an analysis and evaluation of the state grant program in promoting affordable access to higher education, including promoting access for students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. It will include an evaluation of the assigned student share, the assigned family contribution, how families and students pay for the assigned share, and the actual living and miscellaneous expenses of students. OHE must also assess the feasibility of expanding the eligibility for state grants to include graduate students.

Regent Selection changes: The joint legislative committee to review candidates will consist of the members of the House and Senate Higher Education Committees rather than 20 members, 10 from each body, as stipulated in current law. The joint committee shall consider the Governor’s recommendations and all of the Regent Candidate Advisory Council’s recommendations.

A short verbal amendment was added in committee today asking the University and MnSCU to study access to higher education in Northeastern Minnesota.