Upcoming Info Sessions | Grant Updates | OHE in the News





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OHE Monthly Newsletter Update




*March 2025*






In this issue:

* Upcoming Virtual Information Session for Parents [ #link_5 ]
* Inclusive Higher Education Grants Opening April 3 [ #link_10 ]
* Student Parent Support Initiative Opens April 21 [ #link_6 ]
* Currently Open Grants [ #link_9 ]
* Direct Admissions Webinar Recording Now Available [ #link_3 ]
* Ready, Set, FAFSA! Webinars Are Live [ #link_2 ]
* 2025-26 FAFSA Updates [ #link_4 ]
* New Heritage Language Teacher Licensure Pathway Finds Success [ #link_1 ]

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Upcoming Virtual Information Session for Parents

An adult and teen looking at a computer.

Minnesota Goes to College has an exciting new virtual information session this spring. Thanks to feedback collected over the last year, we are offering a session that is specifically geared towards parents and other adults who are supporting a student in their transition to college. Register yourself, or pass this information along!

If you’re a parent/guardian with a high school senior heading to college this fall, join us *virtually on Tuesday, April 22nd from 7:00-8:00 p.m.* to learn more about how to best prepare your child for their next educational journey. This sessions will cover some of the key conversations to have with your child before they start college. From understanding finances, to navigating a college campus, to making sure your child knows how to do their laundry, we will help you feel prepared to send your child to college! 



*Register online now →* [ [link removed] ]


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Inclusive Higher Education Grants Opening April 3

Inclusive Higher Education Grants

Established in the 2023 Minnesota Legislative session, the Office of Higher Education will administer a new Inclusive Higher Education competitive grants program for Minnesota postsecondary institutions to develop new or enhance existing initiatives with the purpose of increasing overall enrollment and access for students with an intellectual and developmental disability.

Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $200,000 per year for up to four years. Applicants may apply annually for and receive awards up to $100,000 per year in subsequent years for up to a total of ten years of funding.



*Learn more →* [ [link removed] ]


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Student Parent Support Initiative Opens April 21

Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative

The Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) will provide much-needed support to entities and institutions to assist college-age pregnant and current parenting students in successfully earning a postsecondary credential.

As a new competitive grant program, to be administered in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health [ [link removed] ], postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, and community-based organizations may apply for funds to develop and implement services and programs that would support the unique needs of parenting students across the state.

Grants will be used to offer services to support the academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. Secured in the 2023 Legislative Session, $3 million was allocated over the next biennium to fund SPSI.



*Learn More →* [ [link removed] ]


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Currently Open Grants

Intervention College Attendance Program [ [link removed] ]

* Providing funding to programs offered to encourage college attendance of historically underserved students, bridging the gap between K12 education and the student’s first year of postsecondary education.
* Information session and proposal workshop video [ [link removed] ]
* Proposals due by 12:00 p.m. *April 7th, 2025*

Dual Training Grant [ [link removed] ]

* Pairing on-the-job training with related instruction to generate a comprehensive platform for learning.
* Request for proposal workshop video [ [link removed] ]
* Proposals due by 4:00 p.m. *April 15, 2025*

Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research  [ [link removed] ]

* SCI-TBI provides funding for research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
* Request for proposal workshop video [ [link removed] ]
* Proposals due by 4:30 p.m. *April 23, 2025*

Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students [ [link removed] ]

* Improving college retention and completion for students experiencing food/housing insecurity or an unforeseen financial emergency.
* Grant proposal workshop on April 9th, 2025
* Proposals due by *May 8, 2025* 

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Direct Admissions Webinar Recording Now Available

Every student is “college material.” This core belief is the driving idea behind the Office of Higher Education's  Direct Admissions program. The deadline to register your high school for Direct Admissions *is April 15*. If you missed any of the informational webinars, we now have a recording available. If you are ready to apply, find more information on the Direct Admissions page. [ [link removed] ]

Computer siting on a desk with a slide featuring a play button.

*Watch →* [ [link removed] ]


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Ready, Set, FAFSA! Webinars Are Live

The 2025 Ready, Set, FAFSA! sessions might have wrapped but that doesn't mean you missed out on the information. All the sessions were recorded and available for viewing when you are ready. 

Topics include:


* Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA
* Apply for Financial Aid: MN Dream Act
* Search for Scholarships
* Understand Your Aid Offer 
Ready Set FAFSA. Woman yelling with her hand next to her face and words all around.

*Learn More → * [ [link removed] ]


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2025-26 FAFSA Updates

fafsa graphic 2

The 2025-26 FAFSA is open now! It is never too early to apply for aid. We want ALL students to have access to the information they need to make the best decisions about how to pay for college education.

The MN Office of Higher Education has a financial aid resource page [ [link removed] ] that will be updated regularly with any relevant information for students, families, and professional staff across the state. This page also has resources for students who are eligible to file the MN Dream Act to receive state financial aid. Every student will complete either the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act, not both. 

The first step to submitting your FAFSA is to create your studentaid.gov account [ [link removed] ]. If you are unsure how to get started, sign up to attend the virtual Ready, Set, FAFSA! series below. 



*Read More →* [ [link removed] ]


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New Heritage Language Teacher Licensure Pathway Finds Success

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is committed to ensuring that all Minnesota students have access to high quality educators in their schools. With over 300 home languages spoken by Minnesota students and their families, there is a clear need for more opportunities for language instruction across the state. To address this need, PELSB launched the Heritage Language Pathway (HLP) cohort program in May 2024, providing an alternate route to educator licensure via portfolio. Reaching licensure candidates teaching in more than 20 districts across the state, the program has already demonstrated success, with 20 teaching licenses issued, or in the process of being issued, to members of HLPs Inaugural Cohort.

*Read More →* [ [link removed] ]






OHE in the News

* Minnesota students looking for financial support have "plenty of options" even if federal education cuts are coming [ [link removed] ] | WCCO Radio
* How to go back to school as a working parent [ [link removed] ] | Star Tribune
* More high school seniors finding out which Minnesota colleges they’re admitted to — before they apply [ [link removed] ] | Star Tribune
* Minnesota selected for national cohort for dual enrollment policy [ [link removed] ] | Hometown Focus
* Minnesota’s P-20 educational partnership receives grant funding [ [link removed] ] | Hometown Focus
* More state colleges are admitting students — before they apply [ [link removed] ] | Washington Post







 

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