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SF 4907

North Star Promise Program in-state residency and work requirement imposition provision, and North Star Promise scholarships limited to students enrolled in programs of study that lead to employment in high-demand industries and occupations provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Howe

Bill restricts North Star Promise scholarships to in-state residents in high-demand job fields and adds work requirements, narrowing access and educational choices.

Referred to Higher Education
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Bill Summary · SF 4907

Legislative bill overview

SF 4907 modifies Minnesota's North Star Promise scholarship program by imposing an in-state residency requirement and a work requirement on recipients, while restricting scholarships to students pursuing degrees in high-demand industries and occupations. The bill narrows the scope of eligible programs from the current broader access model to workforce-aligned fields determined by state criteria.

Why is this important

The North Star Promise is a signature state affordability program, and these changes would fundamentally alter who qualifies and what they can study. This directly affects college access for lower-income students, labor market strategy, and the state's ability to attract/retain talent in non-designated fields like humanities, arts, and some sciences.

Potential points of contention

  • Workforce micromanagement: Restricting scholarships to "high-demand" fields may create labor market distortions, reduce educational freedom, and limit funding for fields that develop critical thinking but aren't immediately job-focused
  • Residency barriers: In-state requirements reduce mobility for students, may disadvantage rural/border communities with limited local programs, and could conflict with interstate education compacts
  • Work requirements: Adding work mandates increases barriers for low-income students already balancing finances and may extend time-to-degree, counteracting affordability goals and potentially reducing program completion rates

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

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