office of higher education


EVERY FIFTEEN DAYS



"June 15, 2022"

Fostering Independence Grants
New Grant Covers Tuition and Living Expenses for Minnesotans in the Foster Care System

Starting this fall, a new state grant is available to Minnesotans who were in the foster care system. If you are 27 years of age or younger, and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after the age of 13, you may be eligible to receive the grant. Costs covered include tuition, fees, books, housing, and transportation.

Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants are available to eligible Minnesota students attending any eligible institution in the state. Eligible institutions [ [link removed] ] include Minnesota State universities and colleges, the University of Minnesota, public community and technical colleges, participating tribal colleges and private institutions. Foster Grants may not be used at out-of-state schools.

*How to apply*

To be considered for a Fostering Independence Higher Education grant, simply fill out the FAFSA or MN DREAM ACT application. If self-identify as a someone who has been in the foster care system and meet all eligibility, the grant will be factored into your financial aid package.

For more information on the grant, including eligibility criteria, visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website [ [link removed] ].

Read our recent press release [ [link removed] ].?

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$3.3 million in Dual Training Grants Awarded to Minnesota Employers

Minnesota employers will benefit from $3.347 million in Dual Training Grants from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to fund related instruction of dual-training programs. Of the funds awarded, $1.9 million was awarded to employers located in greater Minnesota.

The funding will help 56 employers located throughout Minnesota provide educational advancement and career pathways to a total of 644 current and new employees. Grant applications for this year?s funding was the most competitive round to date with nearly $4.5 million requested, leaving over $1.1 million in requests from 20 employers unfunded.

Read the recent news release to learn more and see which employers were awarded the grant [ [link removed] ].?

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Future Together Grants Now Available
Future Together Grants

Are you considering college this fall, but unsure how you will afford your education? At the Office of Higher Education, we believe cost should not be a barrier to achieving your dreams.

This fall, students will have access to Minnesota Future Together Grants. These grants create tuition-and-fee-free pathways for eligible students at any Tribal College or public institution in Minnesota. Made possible through a $35 million investment of American Rescue Plan funds, these grants seek to increase the number of qualified workers for careers in the following areas: health care, business, STEM, industry and technology, education, and public service.?

Learn more about the Future Together Grants and if you might be eligible on our website [ [link removed] ].

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Introducing MyHigherEd: a One-Stop Shop for Your College Search
MyHigherEd

We are proud to introduce a new online resource for those considering college: MyHigherEd. This new website serves as a one-stop shop in your postsecondary search.?

Visitors will find information on any higher education institution in the state, including including net price, admissions, and financial aid. They can also search institutions by location,?area of study, and award level. If you want to customize your experience, visitors can also create a profile which will personalize results and save searches.

In addition to information on institutions, MyHigherEd also includes information on how to prepare, plan for, apply to, and pay for college.?

Visit www.myhighered.mn.gov [ [link removed] ] and start your college search today.




Frontline Worker Pay

To thank Minnesotans who worked on the frontlines during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, Gov. Tim Walz signed Frontline Worker Payments into law April 29, 2022, enabling those workers to apply for Frontline Worker Pay.?The 45-day Frontline Worker Pay application period is now open?through* July 22, 2022*.?

Learn more and apply online [ [link removed] ].

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No-Cost ID for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Young people can get a no-cost standard Minnesota ID card if they are 24 years old or younger and experiencing homelessness. This is not a driver?s license and does not give youth the authority to drive. There is no minimum age for obtaining a standard Minnesota ID and the card expires every four years on the cardholder?s date of birth.

To obtain the ID, youth can apply in person at a regional DVS exam station, deputy registrar or driver?s license agent office that accepts first-time applications. The application includes having a photo taken. A parent or guardian does not need to sign the application. Office locations and service information are available on the Department of Public Safety - Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DPS-DVS) website [ [link removed] ]. Please contact DPS-DVS at 651-297-3298 or email [email protected] for more information.

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Directories for Organizations Serving Diverse Communities

The Refugee and International Health (RIH) program and the Infectious Disease Equity and Engagement (IDEE) unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are happy to announce that the Directories for Organizations Serving Diverse Communities [ [link removed] ] have been updated.

MDH has published a survey [ [link removed] ] that is meant to collect and update information on organizations in their Refugee and International Health and Infectious Disease Equity and Engagement Resource Hub. Organizations wishing to either be added to the directory or update existing information in any of the three Directories may submit the information using this form and MDH will follow up accordingly

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New Report Offers Recommendations for Addressing Child Care Crisis

Early care and education (ECE), a critical part of the economic infrastructure in Minnesota, is dealing with a long-standing crisis. Under the State?s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), a working group charged by DEED?s Minnesota Business Vitality Council (MBVC) [ [link removed] ] has released a final report and recommendations [ [link removed] ] to support the creation and sustainability of child care businesses.




OHE in the News

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Here are the first steps for seeking financial aid for college in Minnesota - Star Tribune [ [link removed] ]


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State announces grant program to cover higher education tuition for Minnesotans in foster care - KSTP [ [link removed] ]


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56 employers in Minnesota receive dual-training grants - Grand Forks Herald [ [link removed] ]


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Dual-Training Pipeline Program awarded $3.3 million in funding for employers - KEYC [ [link removed] ]


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Six Central Minnesota Companies Get Funds to Train, Educate Workers - KNSI [ [link removed] ]




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