S.F. 2045 creates workforce development scholarships to encourage new students to enter high-demand occupations in the fields of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care, and information technology.
Section 1. Workforce development scholarships.
Subdivision 1. Program established. Requires the MNSCU Board of Trustees to develop a workforce development scholarship program aimed at encouraging students to enter high-demand occupations upon graduation.
Subdivision 2. Scholarship awards. $2,500 scholarships will be awarded at the beginning of an academic term, to be distributed evenly between two terms.
Subdivision 3. Program eligibility. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be (1) eligible for resident tuition; (2) enrolled in an advance manufacturing, agricultural, health care, or information technology program; and (3) enrolled for at least nine credits at a two-year MNSCU institution.
Subdivision 4. Renewal; cap. Students who have been awarded a scholarship, may reapply for another award, but total lifetime awards per student may not exceed $5,000. Student may only receive their second award after completion of two academic terms.
Subdivision 5. Administration. Requires the board to establish an application process and give preference to students in financial need.
Subdivision 6. Report required. Requires the board to submit an annual report to the higher education committees of the legislature. The report should contain specific data listed in this subdivision, including number of awards and employment statistics for award recipients.
Section 2. Appropriation. Provides an unspecified appropriation for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for workforce development scholarships.
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