Lt. Governor Smith highlighted Governor Dayton’s budget plans to invest $255 million in strategies to reduce student debt and hold down tuition costs, including $26.3 million for St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College

The Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest over $315 million to ensure students have modern campuses and classrooms, including $22.9 million for critical projects at St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College

ST. PAUL, MN – Joined by students and university administrators, Lt. Governor Tina Smith and Higher Education Commissioner Larry Pogemiller today held a roundtable discussion about restoring the partnership between state government and higher education institutions. Recent Minnesota college graduates currently bear some of the heaviest debt loads in the country, ranking fourth highest in the United States. This year, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed robust investments to reduce debt and ensure all Minnesotans have access to quality, affordable higher education.

“Half of all Minnesota college graduates leave schools with over $27,000 in student loans. That means they can’t pursue dream jobs, start new businesses, or buy homes – harming the economy for everyone,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “Our budget invests in strategies to make higher education and career training at St. Cloud State University and schools across Minnesota more affordable. I encourage students and families to contact their legislators about the importance of investing in higher education.”

Accessing good economic opportunities increasingly requires college or career training, but paying for school can be challenging. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed a $62 million investment for the State Grant Program – increasing grants for 82,400 students and allowing 6,400 additional students to receive them. An estimated 136 additional students and a total of 3,870 students at St. Cloud State University would be eligible for grants under the plan. These students would receive total aid total of more than $8.6 million a year beginning in 2018. Approximately 175 additional students and a total of 1,900 students at St. Cloud Technical & Community College would be eligible – receiving total aid total of more than $2.3 million a year beginning in 2018.

“Strengthening need-based aid is one of the most effective ways to close opportunity gaps and reduce student debt,” said Higher Education Commissioner Larry Pogemiller. “The Governor’s proposed increase in the State Grant program, directed at both equity and middle-income affordability, will make it easier for thousands of Minnesota students to finish college.”

To hold tuition costs down for students, the Dayton-Smith Administration has proposed a $255 million investment to help Minnesota State schools and the University of Minnesota pay for inflationary cost increases in their daily operations. Under the plan, St. Cloud State University would receive an estimated $12.7 million. St. Cloud Technical & Community College would receive about $2.7 million. Despite recent investments, state support for higher education remains 23 percent below 2002 funding levels adjusted for inflation.

“Governor Dayton’s proposal acknowledges the statewide significance of St. Cloud State, which delivers a half-billion dollars in annual economic impact and improves tens of thousands of lives,” said St. Cloud State University Interim President Ashish Vaidya. “I am grateful for our campus to have the opportunity to meet with Lt. Governor Smith and discuss the importance of this work and its impact on our university and community.”

Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would further ensure that Minnesota college students have access to modern learning facilities, helping them get the training necessary for 21st century job opportunities. The Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest over $315 million both to maintain current campus buildings and to make strategic investments across the state.

At St. Cloud State University, the Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest $18.6 million to transform the largely vacant, 85-year-old Eastman Hall building into a modern health services facility. The new facility would consolidate the student health services office and create a learning environment for students in health related fields to be trained in multiple disciplines – meeting the demand of professional communities and better preparing students for careers after college. The bill also includes $4.3 million for the maintenance and basic repair of current facilities at St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College.

More About Dayton-Smith Higher Education Proposed Investments
Learn more about the Dayton-Smith Administration’s Jobs Bill proposal here. Read more about Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith’s proposed investments to improve higher education access and affordability here.