Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 136A — Higher Education
Section 136A.1241 — Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The office must establish a grant program for individuals who satisfy the eligibility requirements under subdivision 3. Using available FAFSA or other state aid data, the office shall identify and inform eligible individuals, and the institutions for which the individuals have been accepted or are attending, of their eligibility for the foster grant. This program is established to provide an individual who is currently or was formerly in foster care with foster grants for up to five years for higher education costs.
Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given.
(b) "Adoption" means adoption of an individual who has been in the care and custody of a responsible social services agency or Tribal social services agency and in foster care.
(c) "Eligible institution" means an eligible public institution or an eligible private institution.
(d) "Eligible private institution" or "private institution" means an institution eligible for state student aid under section 136A.103, paragraph (a), clause (2).
(e) "Eligible public institution" or "public institution" means an institution operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.
(f) "Foster care" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 18.
(g) "Foster grant" means a grant under this section.
(h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education.
(i) "Recognized cost of attendance" means the amount calculated under subdivision 4.
(j) "Responsible social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 27a.
(k) "Tribal social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260.755, subdivision 21.
Subd. 3. Eligibility. (a) An individual who is eligible for the Education and Training Voucher Program is eligible for a foster grant.
(b) If the individual is not eligible for the Education and Training Voucher Program, in order to receive a foster grant, an individual must:
(1) meet the definition of a resident student under section 136A.101, subdivision 8;
(2) be at least 13 years of age but fewer than 27 years of age;
(3) after the individual's 13th birthday, be in or have been in foster care in Minnesota before, on, or after June 27, 2021, including any of the following:
(i) placement in foster care at any time while 13 years of age or older;
(ii) adoption from foster care at any time after reaching 13 years of age; or
(iii) placement from foster care with a permanent legal custodian at any time after reaching 13 years of age;
(4) have graduated from high school or completed the equivalent as approved by the Department of Education;
(5) have been accepted for admission to, or be currently attending, an eligible institution;
(6) have submitted a FAFSA; and
(7) be meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 10.
Subd. 4. Cost of attendance. (a) The recognized cost of attendance for a public institution has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll.
(b) The recognized cost of attendance for a private institution equals the lesser of:
(1) the cost of attendance for the institution as calculated under Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, chapter 28, subchapter IV, part F, section 1087ll; or
(2) for two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest recognized cost of attendance charged at a public two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest recognized cost of attendance at a public university.
Subd. 5. Foster grant amount; payment; opt-out. (a) Each student shall be awarded a foster grant based on the federal need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid. The amount of the foster grant must be equal to the applicant's recognized cost of attendance after deducting:
(1) the student aid index as calculated by the federal need analysis;
(2) the amount of a federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible;
(3) the amount of the state grant;
(4) the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant;
(5) the sum of all Tribal scholarships;
(6) the amount of any other state and federal gift aid;
(7) the Education and Training Voucher Program;
(8) extended foster care benefits under section 260C.451;
(9) the amount of any private grants or scholarships, excluding grants and scholarships provided by the private institution of higher education in which the eligible student is enrolled; and
(10) for public institutions, the sum of all institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and tuition remission amounts.
(b) The foster grant shall be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is enrolled.
(c) An eligible private institution may opt out of participating in the foster grant program established under this section. To opt out, the institution shall provide notice to the office by September 1 for the next academic year.
(d) An eligible private institution that does not opt out under paragraph (c) and accepts the student's application to attend the institution must provide institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, or tuition remission in an amount equal to the difference between:
(1) the institution's cost of attendance as calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1); and
(2) the sum of the foster grant under this subdivision and the sum of the amounts in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (9).
(e) An undergraduate student who is eligible may apply for and receive a foster grant in any year of undergraduate study unless the student has obtained a baccalaureate degree or previously has been enrolled full time as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 7a, or the equivalent for eight semesters or the equivalent, or received a foster grant for five years, whichever occurs first. A foster grant must not be awarded to a student for more than three years for a two-year degree, certificate, or diploma, or five years for a four-year undergraduate degree.
(f) Foster grants may be awarded to an eligible student for four quarters, three semesters, or the equivalent during the course of a single fiscal year. In calculating the award amount, the office must use the same calculation it would for any other term.
Subd. 6. Dissemination of information. (a) The office shall, by September 1, 2022, and September 1 each year thereafter, prepare and provide the information to be disseminated by responsible social services agencies, Tribal social services agencies, the office, the Department of Human Services, and eligible state and private institutions that:
(1) describes the availability of the program established under this section;
(2) explains how to participate in the program; and
(3) includes information on all available federal and state grants identified under subdivision 5.
(b) The office shall maintain and annually update the list of eligible private institutions that opt out under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), and post the list of the institutions on the office's website.
Subd. 7. Assistance from the Office of Higher Education. The office shall assist foster grant applicants eligible under subdivision 3 by providing assistance in:
(1) completing the foster grant application; and
(2) accessing and applying for available federal and state financial aid resources under subdivision 5.
Subd. 8. Report. (a) The office shall prepare an anonymized report to be submitted annually to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education that contains:
(1) the number of students receiving foster grants and the institutions attended; and
(2) annual retention and graduation data on students receiving foster grants.
(b) The report required under this subdivision may be combined with other legislatively required reporting. If submitted as a separate report, the report must be submitted by January 15.
[See Note.]
History: 1Sp2021 c 2 art 2 s 7
NOTE: The first report under subdivision 8 must be submitted by January 15, 2024, unless included in other legislatively required reporting. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 7, the effective date.

Structure Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Statutes

Chapters 135A - 137 — Postsecondary Education

Chapter 136A — Higher Education

Section 136A.002 — Definitions.

Section 136A.01 — Office Of Higher Education.

Section 136A.03 — Executive Officers; Employees.

Section 136A.031 — Student Advisory Council.

Section 136A.032 — Community And Commissioner Participation In Postsecondary Education Of American Indians.

Section 136A.0411 — Collecting Fees.

Section 136A.0412 — Acceptance Of Private Funds; Appropriation.

Section 136A.05 — Cooperation Of Institutions Of Higher Education.

Section 136A.051 — Student Records And Data.

Section 136A.055 — Developmental Education Reporting.

Section 136A.057 — Student Transfer Reporting.

Section 136A.06 — Federal Funds.

Section 136A.08 — Reciprocal Agreements Relating To Nonresident Tuition With Other States Or Provinces.

Section 136A.091 — Summer Academic Enrichment Program.

Section 136A.095 — Grants-in-aid; Purpose.

Section 136A.096 — Financial Aid Goals.

Section 136A.101 — Definitions.

Section 136A.103 — Institution Eligibility Requirements.

Section 136A.1201 — Minnesota Promise.

Section 136A.121 — State Grant Program.

Section 136A.1215 — Grants For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities.

Section 136A.123 — Mn Reconnect Program.

Section 136A.1241 — Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants.

Section 136A.125 — Child Care Grants.

Section 136A.126 — Indian Scholarships.

Section 136A.1274 — Underrepresented Student Teacher Grants.

Section 136A.1275 — Student Teacher Grants In Shortage Areas.

Section 136A.1276 — Alternative Teacher Preparation Grant Program.

Section 136A.131 — Accounting And Records.

Section 136A.1311 — Cash Flow.

Section 136A.1312 — Financial Aid Administrator, Professional Judgment.

Section 136A.1313 — Financial Aid Audits.

Section 136A.15 — Definitions.

Section 136A.155 — Additional Institution Eligibility Requirements.

Section 136A.16 — Powers And Duties Of Office.

Section 136A.162 — Classification Of Data.

Section 136A.1701 — Supplemental And Additional Loans.

Section 136A.1702 — Legislative Oversight.

Section 136A.1704 — Student Loan Refinancing.

Section 136A.171 — Revenue Bonds; Issuance; Proceeds.

Section 136A.172 — Negotiable Notes; Issuance; Conditions.

Section 136A.173 — Negotiability; Bond Anticipation Notes; Payment; Conditions.

Section 136A.174 — Security For Bonds.

Section 136A.175 — Refunding Revenue Bonds; Proceeds; Investments.

Section 136A.176 — Bonds Not State Obligations.

Section 136A.177 — Rights Of Bondholders.

Section 136A.178 — Legal Investments; Authorized Securities.

Section 136A.1785 — Loan Capital Fund.

Section 136A.1787 — Self Loan Revenue Bonds Annual Certificate Of Need.

Section 136A.1788 — Student Loan Debt Counseling.

Section 136A.1789 — Aviation Degree Loan Forgiveness Program.

Section 136A.1791 — Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program.

Section 136A.1792 — Promotion Of Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programs.

Section 136A.1793 — Promotion Of Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs.

Section 136A.1794 — Agricultural Education Loan Forgiveness Program.

Section 136A.1795 — Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Forgiveness Program.

Section 136A.1796 — Tribal College Supplemental Grant Assistance.

Section 136A.18 — Legislative Finding, Declaration, And Directive.

Section 136A.23 — Trustees Of Incorporated Colleges May Prescribe Course Of Study; Annual Report.

Section 136A.231 — Education; Postsecondary Students; Work-study Programs.

Section 136A.232 — Administration; Agreements With Educational Facilities.

Section 136A.233 — Work-study Grants.

Section 136A.246 — Dual Training Competency Grants.

Section 136A.25 — Creation.

Section 136A.26 — Memberships; Officers; Compensation; Removal.

Section 136A.27 — Policy.

Section 136A.28 — Definitions.

Section 136A.29 — Powers; Duties.

Section 136A.30 — Source Of Payment Of Expenses.

Section 136A.31 — Notes Of The Authority.

Section 136A.32 — Bonds Of The Authority.

Section 136A.33 — Trust Agreement.

Section 136A.34 — Revenue Refunding Bonds.

Section 136A.35 — Bonds Are Not State Obligation.

Section 136A.36 — Revenues.

Section 136A.37 — Remedies Of Bondholders And Trustees.

Section 136A.38 — Bonds Eligible For Investment.

Section 136A.39 — Exemption From Taxes And Other Restrictions.

Section 136A.40 — Administration.

Section 136A.41 — Conflict Of Interest.

Section 136A.42 — Annual Report.

Section 136A.61 — Policy.

Section 136A.615 — Citation.

Section 136A.62 — Definitions.

Section 136A.63 — Registration.

Section 136A.64 — Information Required For Registration.

Section 136A.645 — School Closure.

Section 136A.646 — Additional Security.

Section 136A.65 — Approval Of Degrees And Name.

Section 136A.653 — Exemptions.

Section 136A.657 — Exemption; Religious Schools.

Section 136A.658 — Exemption; State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Schools.

Section 136A.66 — List Of Registered Institutions.

Section 136A.67 — Registration Representations.

Section 136A.672 — Student Complaints.

Section 136A.675 — Risk Analysis.

Section 136A.68 — Records.

Section 136A.685 — Private Institutions; Adjudication Of Fraud Or Misrepresentation.

Section 136A.69 — Fees.

Section 136A.705 — Penalty.

Section 136A.71 — Injunction.

Section 136A.82 — Citation.

Section 136A.821 — Definitions.

Section 136A.822 — Licensure.

Section 136A.8225 — School Closure.

Section 136A.823 — License Renewal.

Section 136A.824 — Fees.

Section 136A.825 — Permits For Solicitors.

Section 136A.826 — Information To Students.

Section 136A.827 — Refunds.

Section 136A.828 — Prohibitions.

Section 136A.829 — Revocation Of License Or Permit.

Section 136A.8295 — Student Complaints.

Section 136A.83 — Inspection.

Section 136A.831 — Injunction.

Section 136A.832 — Penalty.

Section 136A.833 — Exemptions.

Section 136A.834 — Exemption; Religious Schools.

Section 136A.861 — Intervention For College Attendance Program Grants.

Section 136A.87 — Planning Information For Postsecondary Education.

Section 136A.901 — Spinal Cord Injury And Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program.

Section 136A.902 — Spinal Cord And Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council.

Section 136A.91 — Concurrent Enrollment Grants.