The State of Minnesota says that two-year colleges suffered more than any other institution types during the pandemic. Now with free tuition agreements for low income students passing in the state senate, enrollment is expected to grow.
Minnesota State College Faculty's president Kevin Lindstrom say's they are ready for the potential rise in attendance.
“Enrollment has been in a downward trend for the past few years so there certainly is institutional capacity for additional students,” says Lindstrom.
Lindstrom says two-year institutions have traditionally served low income students and this program will expand their reach.
“We see this program as an opportunity to give people a chance where they wouldn’t have seen it before,” Lindstrom explains.
The program passed by the senate would cover tuition at public college’s students whose families earn $80,000 a year and less.
Starting next school year, Minnesota students who qualify can attend the state's public colleges and universities for free under a new program. Families making under $80,000 a year would be eligible for the "North Star Promise" scholarships, which will cover tuition and fees for residents who attend two- or four-year programs in the University of Minnesota or Minnesota State system or in-state tribal colleges.
The DFL-led Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved the plan in a higher education budget bill on a party-line vote of 34-30.