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House passes higher ed bill with grant program fixes, added fraud safeguards

By Margaret Stevens
(House Photography file photo)
(House Photography file photo)

Lawmakers are handing in a higher ed package that may not get top marks across the board, but it did receive a passing grade.

On a 101-33 vote, the House approved the higher education conference committee report carrying updates to financial aid programs, new fraud-prevention measures, and several provisions aimed at improving transparency and protections for students.

However, some may grade the report as incomplete because it is missing proposals to update the state’s educational attainment goals, ensure legislative involvement in selecting regents to the University of Minnesota and addressing a $130 million expected shortfall in state financial aid programs.  

“It’s disappointing we didn’t have a target to address that gap,” said Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud), who sponsors the HF4252 with Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-Mpls).
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