Top Draheim priority is “college affordability”

On November 14, the Minnesota State Board of Trustees voted to request an increase of $246 million in funding for Minnesota State colleges and universities from the state legislature. This follows a $210 million increase in higher education funding supported by Senator Rich Draheim [R-Madison Lake] and signed into law by Governor Dayton in 2017.

“While Minnesota State provides excellent instruction to students, we need to continue to prioritize college affordability,” said Senator Draheim, Acting-Chair of the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee. “In 2017, the state legislature froze tuition costs at both two- and four-year Minnesota State institutions for the 2018-19 academic year. Recognizing that student debt is at a historical high, reducing the financial burden on students is a top priority.”

Minnesota State’s budget request includes new funding for: $169 million for “operational costs”, which is largely personnel costs;  $37 million to replace Minnesota State’s 30 year-old computer operating system that controls academic, student, and staff functions; $25 million for a new scholarship program targeted at students who are most at-risk of not attending a higher education institution or dropping out due to financial hardship; and $15 million to address the workforce skills gap, prioritizing new innovative technical and career education pathways that work directly with K-12 districts and the business community.

“Another important aspect of higher education funding is recognizing the various educational needs and desires of our student population,” added Senator Draheim. “For that reason, last session I supported an increase in the Minnesota State Grant program, which provides need-based financial aid for students at any Minnesota institution of higher learning, including two-year colleges, four-year universities, and private institutions. Everyone deserves the chance to pursue a higher education, and by investing in the State Grant, students who best fit at institutions like Carleton and St. Olaf will be able to lower their financial burden.”

In 2017, Senator Draheim and his Senate colleagues passed into law a $27.5 million increase in funding for the Minnesota State Grant program. Over 81,000 students receive a State Grant, which is roughly 1 in 4 students at Minnesota private and public colleges. The program targets low and middle-income families, with 93% of grant recipients having a family income of less than $80,000 per year.