Legislative Advocacy

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 our talking points here

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.

Advocacy How to: Submitting Public Comments

Tips for Writing an Effective Public Comment

  1. Make it personal to you or your organization and use your own words. Avoid form letters that use identical language, as decision-makers may not respond or take them seriously. Explain how your experiences directly inform your perspective on the changes to accreditation.

  2. Identify the provisions you oppose. Name the specific provisions you are commenting on and include the provision numbers. Explain why you support or oppose each provision and how it would affect students and/or institutions. Note: vague comments are easier to dismiss.

  3. Make a specific ask. Clearly identify the provisions you want decision-makers to specifically revise, remove, or add and explain why.

Quick Facts: 

  • Anyone can submit a public comment

  • Comments help government agencies write better rules 

  • Agencies must respond to series, relevant comments before finalizing a rule 

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