Student loan debt counseling funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nathan Coulter and 2 co-sponsors

HF 2061 would authorize Minnesota state funding to support student loan debt counseling programs, expanding access for borrowers and oversight by higher education agencies.

Author added Rehrauer

#education-higher

HF 2061 — Student loan debt counseling funding provided, and money appropriated

A concise overview of the bill, its intent, and potential effects based on available information.

What the bill is and why it exists (Purpose and intent)

The bill, titled HF 2061 and classified as a Higher Education/Finance and Policy measure, appears to provide funding specifically for student loan debt counseling and to appropriate state funds for that purpose.

Based on the title, the primary goal is to enhance access to debt counseling for student loan borrowers, with state funding to support counseling programs or services.

What the bill would do (Key provisions)

The text provided does not include the full provisions. Based on the title, the bill would:

Authorize funding for student loan debt counseling programs or services.
Appropriate money from state resources to support these counseling efforts.

Specific details such as eligible entities (e.g., colleges, universities, financial aid offices, non-profits), program requirements, administration, matching fund rules, reporting, and oversight would be laid out in the full bill text and related fiscal notes.

The companion Senate bill is SF 1611, which may contain parallel or related provisions.

Who would be affected

Minnesota student loan borrowers seeking counseling and financial literacy resources.

Postsecondary institutions, financial aid offices, and other providers that offer debt counseling or partner with state programs.

State agencies responsible for higher education and student financial aid administration that would implement or oversee the funded programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: HF 2061 introduced March 10, 2025.

Legislative actions to date:

March 17, 2025: Author Wolgamott added.
March 26, 2025: Author Rehrauer added.

Current status: Referred to the committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy (as of the first reading and subsequent actions).

Next steps in the process would include committee consideration, potential amendments, passage by the House, and eventual reconciliation with the Senate companion (SF 1611) or passage through the final conference process, followed by gubernatorial action.

Fiscal and operational considerations

The bill would involve an appropriation from state funds to support student loan debt counseling. Specific dollar amounts, duration (per year or multiyear), and funding priorities would be defined in the full text and fiscal note.

Oversight, reporting requirements, and performance metrics would typically accompany such funding to ensure accountability and effectiveness, but those details require the final bill language.

Related legislation

Companion bill: SF 1611 (Senate).

Next steps for readers

Review the full text of HF 2061 for exact provisions, funding amounts, eligible programs, and administration details.

Monitor committee hearings and fiscal notes to understand the proposed funding level, timeline, and implementation plan.

Compare HF 2061 with SF 1611 to see parallel provisions and potential differences between the House and Senate versions.