Minnesota HF 1802: Students formerly in foster care grant and waiver program established, money transferred, and reports required.

Status: Author added Koznick (as of 2021-03-17)

State: Minnesota · Session: 2021-2022 · Bill: HF 1802

Subjects: Children-Child Care and Facilities, Education-Higher

Sponsors: Her, Keeler, Koznick

Bill Text

1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to higher education; establishing grant and waiver programs for certain
1.3 students formerly in foster care; transferring money; requiring reports; proposing
1.4 coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [136A.1241] FOSTERING HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS.
1.7 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section
1.8 and section 136A.1242.
1.9 (b) "Adoption" means adoption of an individual who has been in the care and custody
1.10 of a responsible social services agency or tribal social services agency and in foster care.
1.11 (c) "Cost of attendance" means tuition, fees, books and supplies, meal plan, and room
1.12 and board.
1.13 (d) "Eligible state institution" means an institution operated by the state or the Board of
1.14 Regents of the University of Minnesota.
1.15 (e) "Eligible private institution" means an institution eligible for state student aid under
1.16 section 136A.103, paragraph (a), clause (2).
1.17 (f) "Foster care" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 18.
1.18 (g) "Responsible social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260C.007,
1.19 subdivision 27a.
1.20 (h) "Tribal social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260.755, subdivision
1.21 21.
1Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/BM 21-0112201/14/21
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1802
NINETY-SECOND SESSION
Authored by Her, Keeler and Koznick03/01/2021
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy

2.1 Subd. 2.Establishment.(a) The office must establish a grant program for individuals
2.2 who satisfy the eligibility requirements under subdivision 3. Each eligible state institution
2.3 shall award a grant for undergraduate courses at the institution for an individual who is
2.4 eligible under subdivision 3. The grant amount equals the cost of attendance minus the
2.5 amount of any federal grants, state grants, or other scholarships or grants the individual
2.6 receives. An individual shall receive a fostering independence grant under this act for five
2.7 years, whether or not consecutive, or until the individual reaches 27 years of age, whichever
2.8 occurs first, as long as the individual remains eligible under subdivision 3.
2.9 (b) The fostering higher education account is established in the special revenue fund for
2.10 depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner for the program. Money
2.11 deposited in the account is appropriated to the commissioner, does not cancel, and is
2.12 continuously available for grants under this section.
2.13 Subd. 3.Eligibility.(a) In order to receive a grant under this section, an individual must:
2.14 (1) meet the definition of a resident student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8;
2.15 (2) be at least 13 years of age but under 27 years of age;
2.16 (3) after the individual's thirteenth birthday, be in or have been in foster care in Minnesota
2.17 before, on, or after the effective date of this section, including any of the following:
2.18 (i) placement in foster care at any time while 13 years of age or older;
2.19 (ii) adoption from foster care at any time after reaching 13 years of age; and
2.20 (iii) placement from foster care with a permanent legal custodian at any time after
2.21 reaching 13 years of age;
2.22 (4) have graduated from high school or completed the equivalent as approved by the
2.23 Department of Education;
2.24 (5) have been accepted for admission to, or be currently attending, an eligible state
2.25 institution;
2.26 (6) have submitted a FAFSA; and
2.27 (7) have maintained satisfactory progress after admission as defined by the eligible state
2.28 institution attended.
2.29 (b) Using available FAFSA data, the office shall identify eligible students and inform
2.30 them and the institutions they have applied to or are attending of their eligibility for the
2.31 grant. Eligibility for assistance in applying for the program or eligible state and private
2.32 institutions under this section begins before meeting the requirements of paragraph (a),
2Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/BM 21-0112201/14/21

3.1 clauses (4) and (5), if it is anticipated that the requirement under paragraph (a), clause (4),
3.2 will be fulfilled within the next 12 months.
3.3 Subd. 4.Accessibility.The office shall work with the Department of Education, the
3.4 Department of Labor and Industry, and the Department of Human Services to assist
3.5 individuals eligible for the program under subdivision 3 to apply for all available federal
3.6 and state grants, including Chafee and Education and Training Voucher programs.
3.7 Subd. 5.Dissemination of information.The office, in conjunction with

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