WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 4672

In-state residency and work requirement for recipients of North Star Promise scholarships imposed, and scholarships limited to students enrolled in programs of study that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Schomacker and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires North Star Promise recipients to establish Minnesota residency and later work in Minnesota, and limits scholarships to programs that lead to employment in high-de

Introduction and first reading, referred to Higher Education Finance and Policy
#education-higher #students
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 4672

Summary of HF 4672 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Overview

HF 4672 proposes changes to the North Star Promise scholarship program. The bill would require in-state residency and work obligations for recipients and limit scholarship eligibility to students pursuing programs that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations.

  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Minnesota
  • Title: In-state residency and work requirement for recipients of North Star Promise scholarships imposed, and scholarships limited to students enrolled in programs of study that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations
  • Introduction/First Reading: March 25, 2026
  • Referred to: Higher Education Finance and Policy
  • Senate/House Sponsors:
    • Co-sponsors: Chris Swedzinski, Roger Skraba, Joe Schomacker

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to modify the North Star Promise (NSP) scholarship program to ensure that funds serve Minnesota residents and align with workforce needs.
  • Core goals: encourage in-state residency and local employment after graduation; prioritize funding for programs tied to high-demand industries and occupations.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Residency and Work Requirements

  • In-state residency requirement for NSP scholarship recipients. The bill would require recipients to establish and maintain Minnesota residency to receive or continue receiving NSP funds.
  • Post-graduation work obligation (explicit or implied) to work in Minnesota after completing a program funded by the NSP, aligning scholarships with state workforce needs.

B. Program Eligibility and Focus

  • Limitation to high-demand programs: Scholarships would be restricted to students enrolled in programs of study that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations identified by the state.
  • This narrows NSP eligibility from potentially broad fields to targeted paths that address labor market shortages.

C. Administration and Compliance

  • The bill likely would place new eligibility criteria and monitoring requirements on NSP administrators related to residency verification and post-graduation employment tracking.
  • Potential mechanisms for enforcement of residency and employment requirements, including remedies for non-compliance or repayment provisions (though specific enforcement details would be defined in the bill’s text).

3) Affected Parties and Impacts

A. Recipients

  • Current and prospective North Star Promise scholars would face new residency and post-graduation work requirements.
  • Recipients pursuing non-high-demand programs would potentially lose NSP eligibility under the new criteria.

B. Institutions

  • Postsecondary institutions offering NSP-supported programs would need to ensure programs align with high-demand fields and facilitate compliance with residency/work requirements.

C. State and Workforce

  • The state would benefit from a more targeted use of NSP funds, aiming to retain graduates in Minnesota and reduce skill gaps in high-demand sectors.
  • Potential impact on local economies through increased in-state retention and employment in priority industries.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction/First Reading: 2026-03-25
  • Referral: Higher Education Finance and Policy
  • As a bill in the introduction stage, further amendments, committee hearings, and votes are expected to shape the final version. Specific dates for committee action, amendments, and floor votes would be determined in subsequent legislative steps.

5) Notes and Considerations

  • The exact definitions of “in-state residency” and “high-demand industries and occupations” would be critical to interpret the bill’s scope.
  • Details about anticipated exemptions (e.g., military service, out-of-state students currently residing near the border, or special cases) and enforcement mechanisms (repayment, penalties) would be found in the full bill text.
  • Fiscal impact, including cost of implementing residency verification and tracking post-graduation employment, would be assessed in fiscal notes during committee reviews.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison with the current North Star Promise program provisions or monitor subsequent amendments and provide an updated summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.