Navigating Higher Education in Minnesota: Programs and Resources from the Office of Higher Education
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) plays a pivotal role in connecting students and families with the resources they need to access and succeed in postsecondary education. As a cabinet-level state agency, OHE administers financial aid programs, provides vital information, and works to remove barriers to higher education for all Minnesotans.
OHE's Mission: Connecting Minnesotans to Higher Education
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is dedicated to making college possible for every Minnesotan. OHE recognizes that additional education after high school increases career opportunities and lifetime earning potential. To that end, the agency strives to create a highly educated workforce, seen as the cornerstone of a strong economy.
Financial Aid Programs: Making College Affordable
A core function of OHE is managing state financial aid programs. The Minnesota State Grant Program stands as the largest of these, awarding need-based grants to Minnesota residents attending eligible colleges, universities, and career schools within the state. The Minnesota State Grant Program awards up to $180 million in need-based grants to Minnesota residents attending eligible colleges, universities and career schools in Minnesota.
The Importance of FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial tool for accessing financial aid. FAFSA helps you access more than federal and state student loans! It also assesses your eligibility for money that you DO NOT pay back, including federal, state, and college-based scholarships, grants, and work study programs.
SELF Loan Program
OHE also administers the Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF) Loan program, a long-term, low-interest student loan option. SELF Loan's variable rate options are often lower than private or even some federal loans.
Read also: University of Minnesota Data
Addressing Barriers to Education: Reduced-Credit Bachelor's Degrees
OHE recognizes that traditional four-year programs can be a barrier for some students. We have released new academic standards for reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees. By reenvisioning what a bachelor’s degree can look like, OHE aims to remove that barrier and ensure Minnesotans have the option of earning a credential.
Supporting Specific Student Populations
OHE is committed to reducing structural barriers and achievement gaps for students of color, persons of low income, persons with disabilities, and other groups. In 2013, the state legislature passed the Minnesota Dream Act, which allowed undocumented students to be eligible for in-state tuition.
Key Initiatives and Resources
- Direct Admissions Minnesota: This program works to increase college application and FAFSA completion rates statewide.
- MyHigherEd: This online platform serves as a one-stop shop for students preparing for, searching for, applying to, and paying for college. Applying for college is complicated. MyHigherEd is a one-stop shop for preparing, searching, applying, and paying for college.
- 529 Savings Plans: OHE encourages families to explore 529 savings plans, which offer a flexible and tax-advantaged way to save for college. Learn more and open a 529 savings plan, which offers a flexible and tax-advantaged way to save for college.
- College Planning Series: OHE hosts virtual college and financial aid events, offering information and live Q&A sessions with professionals. Join us for virtual college and financial aid events, Tuesday evenings starting January 20. The College Planning Series will cover important college and financial aid topics with professionals and live Q & A. The events are free for Minnesota students and families. Interpreters are available in Hmong, Spanish, Somali.
- Resources for Undocumented Students and MN Dream Act: OHE provides specific resources for undocumented students, including information about the Minnesota Dream Act.
OHE's Structure and Operations
OHE is a small state agency with approximately 50 employees, offering diverse job opportunities for individuals with a wide range of education and experience levels. Every state agency is comprised of a diverse group of employees who are all performing different functions to do the work assigned to that agency. At OHE, we have teams managing state financial aid programs, administering multi-million-dollar grant programs, overseeing our finances, conducting research, and participating in the state legislative process.
The agency maintains relationships with external stakeholders, including other state agencies, legislators, community organizations, and other community partners.
Leadership
Commissioner Dennis Olson Jr. was reappointed to a second term as Commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) by Governor Tim Walz in November.
Read also: Guide to UMN Merit Scholarships
Statewide Goals and Policies
The agency has set a statewide policy goal of increasing the percent of Minnesota citizens to that have attained a collegiate certificate or degree to 70 percent by 2025.
Physical Presence Policy
Degree granting institutions: “All schools located within Minnesota and all schools located outside Minnesota which offer degree programs or courses within Minnesota shall register annually with the office.” Minn. Stat.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No, but OHE utilizes surety requirements.
Contact Information
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is located at:
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN.
Read also: UMN Cost of Attendance
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