Legislative Advocacy
Every year, students develop and approve a state legislative agenda. We also advocate at the federal level on higher education issues.
Every year, students develop and approve a state legislative agenda. We also advocate at the federal level on higher education issues.
Legislative Priorities
2025 State Legislative Agenda
This legislative session we are focusing our advocacy efforts on supporting the full Minnesota State system budget request, specifically as it relates to student supports and access and affordability.
We’ll also be focusing efforts on improvements to the Hunger Free Campus program. Over 40% of Minnesota’s two-year college students reported experiencing food insecurity, while only 11 of the 26 colleges have been able to obtain a Hunger Free Campus designation.
Find facts about Minnesota College Attainment here.
2026 Federal Legislative Agenda
The Department of Education is under threat from the current administration with deep cuts to staffing already implemented. The uncertainty around the department’s future and its ability to function with limited staffing will have impacts on FAFSA, programs like the Pell Grant and TRIO.
Our priority is to keep these programs and departments funded and operational, while advocating for crucial funding that helps eliminate barriers to education and make college more affordable and attainable for students.
Past Legislative Initiatives
Dedicated student advocates have been instrumental in creating policy that benefits college students throughout the state. Their momentous and continuous work throughout the years has led to several legislative successes, including a historic investment in higher education in 2023. Progress is a process. We are grateful to the student leaders and advocates who dedicated their time and effort to better the future of education for all.
HF 2073 and SF 2075
This historic investment in higher education was passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2023 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This bill appropriates $340.411M in FY24 and $435.963M in FY25 to the Office of Higher Education to fund state grants, child grants, tribal grants and more. This is an increase of $230.982M as compared to the previous school year.
Read the bill >>>
Basic Needs Working Group
The working group, established in September 2023, consists of representatives from Minnesota State Colleges, University of Minnesota, nonprofit private colleges, Tribal colleges and universities, student organizations, faculty and staff bargaining units and others to review, assess, and address the basic needs of postsecondary students through specific strategies and plans.
The working group will present a comprehensive plan on how to identify, assess, and support students who are experiencing food and housing insecurity.
Bills making things happening during legislative session 2023, 2024, and 2025
- North Star Promise
- Tuition Freeze
- Hunger Free Campus
- Student Basic needs support
- OER’s
- Increasing State Grants & simplification
- Student Parent Support
- Emergency Grants
- Free menstrual products