Purpose

This bill would change who can receive state-funded financial aid for higher education in Minnesota. It aims to prohibit undocumented noncitizens from getting any state-funded aid.

Main provisions

• Prohibition for undocumented noncitizens: Notwithstanding any other law, noncitizens of the United States who are undocumented or not lawfully present in the United States must not receive from the commissioner any payment, grant, loan, subsidy, or any other form of financial aid or assistance funded by state tax revenue.
• Scope of aid: Applies to financial aid programs funded by state tax revenue related to higher education.
• Legal changes: The bill would amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 136A.1465 subdivision 1 and create a new provision (state-funded financial aid to undocumented noncitizens prohibited) codified as 136A.099.

Significant changes to existing law

• New eligibility rule: Undocumented noncitizens would be ineligible to receive state-funded financial aid for higher education.
• Overrides other laws: The language uses “Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,” meaning this prohibition would take precedence over conflicting provisions.
• Administrative role: The prohibition would be enforced through the commissioner (who administers state financial aid programs) and funded by state tax revenue.

Potential impact (contextual)

• Students: Undocumented noncitizens would likely lose access to state-funded grants, loans, or subsidies for higher education.
• Institutions: Colleges and universities would adjust eligibility determinations for state aid.
• State policy: Reflects a shift toward restricting state-funded financial aid based on immigration or present-status criteria.

Relevant terms undocumented noncitizens; noncitizens of the United States who are undocumented; not lawfully present in the United States; not receive; commissioner; payment; grant; loan; subsidy; other form of financial aid or assistance; funded by state tax revenue; state-funded financial aid; higher education; Minnesota Statutes 2024; section 136A.099; section 136A.1465 subdivision 1; Notwithstanding any law to the contrary.