[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6361685,"mediaKeyId","2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00","parentId",2170345,"title","Students United asks legislature to boost hunger supports, naloxone access and FAFSA outreach for Minnesota State universities","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2922000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00&start=2922&end=2922","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00/thumbnail_2922000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361685/Minnesota/Students-United-asks-legislature-to-boost-hunger-supports-naloxone-access-and-FAFSA-outreach-for-Minnesota-State-universities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361685-c21000fb129072bd53b178a0c5c04e2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739554&Signature=GbTKBxwnLp4jHZWRDtXKRKizQ~DT~qtJuoSZvPaukuM0UeTNO67SdvFKDtWgq9aqeQLi7nxhJO-SgbmCmQoLXBtFhY8DF2LvA7w5AhIYHl~wfjwGwkW795DEdqdxv~dybEjxRxS1fbvt~yNiuakKQoZ0fjlQgyYf6z1s0znWzYOy4pd7XjwWVf7od1rAF1i71E-dSa8HJryZkIVmXS1aMWL6~xLs2XP2UpSlDWzANrs8R1eJBM6wCUV5CWqwXEOxvQu5nqIyp4QioimZSmKsy819LedDZ9zL~vO4IHvpxL9gFl22DnQEzqof2CHQA-RN717nWeZgCECR8BzJObIUVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate Media Services","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Emily Hodge and Emma Gabbard testified for Students United, the statewide student association for Minnesota State’s four‑year universities, and presented a legislative agenda focusing on access, affordability and basic needs.

Hodge said Students United will work on hunger and basic needs issues and described her role as a legislative fellow. Emma Gabbard, student body president at Metro State University and a Students United board member, said that more than a quarter of students across Minnesota State universities face food insecurity and urged the legislature to raise Hunger Free Campus grant caps so more campuses can access existing funds for staffing, equipment and food ordering.

Gabbard also urged improved access to naloxone (Narcan), telling the committee she had used naloxone in 2023 and asked the legislature to require colleges and universities to stock naloxone in residential campus buildings and to add institutions to the Department of Human Services standing order portal to access cost‑effective supplies.

Students United also recommended scaling the Office of Higher Education’s Minnesota Direct Admissions program statewide to improve FAFSA completion; witnesses noted Minnesota ranks low nationally for FAFSA completion and that Direct Admissions has improved FAFSA completion where implemented.

Finally, Students United voiced support for Minnesota State’s fiscal‑year 2026‑27 budget request, emphasizing investments in mental health, basic needs, and open educational resources to help students graduate and enter the workforce.

No formal committee votes were taken during the testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Higher Education - 01/30/25","oneSentenceSummary","Students United outlined priorities including increased Hunger Free Campus funding, broader access to naloxone on campuses, scaling the Direct Admissions (Minnesota Direct Admissions) program to improve FAFSA completion, and support for the Minnesota State System budget request.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361690,"LeadMN urges continued investment in MinnState, emergency grants and hunger supports",562,2179000,2741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00&start=2179&end=2741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","/articles/6361690/Minnesota/LeadMN-urges-continued-investment-in-MinnState-emergency-grants-and-hunger-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361690-106bdffb225aa7bb12a4d0bd5e626b46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739554&Signature=ZI51OUXwGzGxSe5Rn11Hq-rk7uZHnqt34eSPy6atiD49IjpGwBOhkQK8hsVookh3zPD-Kldp4BwuDTCSThraJ8-lVMV62DCHrQPAnibwwMxRYjOcfRyBWffYGcmtidagpVkTR6jbWYkLZlb56-B7bfckBnmEh7gyCJ5R3VVM3s-Vqt1AteFcGytoJNhB91yquMZ4QOkfr8UrLsQbY3Dx30OA0xl8yazdHvmDwaYN0vszinbNDCsTlnuUXbaZrR7z7tkKtXKaxhlq4s4oV~zpZM0-smABnD9RQMVWVo7Os79buyQTECmHLVXEJU21aYMFKA-m1riJCMTSNcYqS~Qwww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christian Catano, vice president of LeadMN, and Grace Horn, LeadMN treasurer and a student at Minnesota State College Southeast, spoke about needs in Minnesota’s two‑year college system and requested support for MinnState’s budget request and emergency assistance programs.

Catano said LeadMN represents students across the MinnState system’s 26 public two‑year community and technical colleges and that MinnState serves over 105,000 students at 47 campuses. He described LeadMN’s scholarship program that awards “over $200,000 in scholarship every single year” to reduce financial barriers.

Horn said MinnState has the most affordable tuition option in the state but that affordability challenges remain because students must cover costs beyond tuition. “Nearly every single application that we receive is requesting emergency funding for food,” she testified, adding that more than 30% of LeadMN students reported experiencing food insecurity in the prior month. She urged the committee to fully fund hunger and emergency assistance programs and to remove barriers that prevent campuses from accessing Hunger Free Campus grant funds; Horn noted that fewer than half of the hunger grant funds were accessed in the last biennium and that only 11 MinnState schools received the Hunger Free Campus designation.

Both witnesses said state appropriations are vital to keeping tuition low, maintaining academic programs — including high‑cost workforce programs — and supporting student basic needs. They told the committee LeadMN will bring 120 students to the capitol for an advocacy day in February.

No formal committee action was recorded during the testimony.","LeadMN representatives told the committee that MinnState’s low tuition makes two‑year colleges accessible but that emergency grants and Hunger Free Campus funding must expand to meet student need; LeadMN also said state appropriations are essential to keep tuition low and maintain workforce programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361695,"University of Minnesota student government calls for tuition freeze, expanded scholarships and better campus emergency planning",447,1442000,1889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00&start=1442&end=1889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","/articles/6361695/Minnesota/University-of-Minnesota-student-government-calls-for-tuition-freeze-expanded-scholarships-and-better-campus-emergency-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361695-828b000ceb09fe62ef67754fc4e10d5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739554&Signature=gm--Gm7qejhh9NKW9kkcaO-AkkniKnN5a2W~KmjjgEtO8-avR6guanZwpSaW29l4mMtB~cIKQqXdsB0KLfXjuNWvZy04Yiyf6U8JBv2Sv6UOFehqUcZH2bRn2mhY8ciYNiFWY5InJZ~Bo9woFpPuO3IZo2Au-Ulg~7Noqphn4LLrBi9II-fZlzCKvFMsvakt1p-YuCBQUAw6h2U2QviNuaJrbi8OxeG5JakP7KadylscuzD86CNDMVR4XTtxuJOe1r96aZ8zbzmC51ccUmkl0hARaZMSqdZrGmz7qkOmX7OSBpsuuhEalYN1AQ3UXdujyRtEEkeo-sNL96QwMCt~kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shay Horning, director of state affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, told the Senate Higher Education Committee that state policy decisions have “a direct and profound impact” on students and urged action on affordability, safety and basic needs.

Hornig praised the North Star Promise scholarship as a major affordability step but asked the legislature to expand the program so middle‑class families can also benefit and urged a mandated tuition freeze after noting that the University raised tuition by 4.5% this year and 3.5% the year before despite receiving additional state funding.

“Every student deserves to feel safe on campus,” Horning told the committee, and said campus emergency plans are often outdated and difficult to access. She described participating in a Big Ten student government conference where other student leaders were “utterly shocked” to learn how many U buildings lack clear, accessible emergency instructions. She recommended including mass‑threat preparedness in required university training and updating building‑level plans.

Hornig also highlighted basic‑needs challenges: she cited a University of Minnesota figure that roughly 19.1 percent of students experience food insecurity and urged full funding of the Hunger Free Campus grants and emergency assistance programs. She asked the legislature to require a biannual basic‑needs assessment so the state can measure progress.

Her testimony included national and state data on public perceptions of affordability and urged the committee to treat higher education funding as an economic priority.","The University of Minnesota undergraduate student government urged the legislature to expand the North Star Promise scholarship, mandate a tuition freeze, fully fund hunger‑related grants and require updated, accessible emergency preparedness plans across campus buildings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361700,"Foster student describes how Foster Independence Grant enabled college enrollment",419,839000,1258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00&start=839&end=1258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00/thumbnail_839000.jpg","/articles/6361700/Minnesota/Foster-student-describes-how-Foster-Independence-Grant-enabled-college-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361700-bcb73da460ea194c2a14ae3c2f962f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739554&Signature=HlOFpH7IMzpQl7rxTG2zqR9PCmG6aPbW~iJ5AU6L~bGeht79PQQax-z88pZ7U4ia0NHk3nEHJuZ2uBFSW5CJ6XcDfdJK3Yn5ICbkMX2Onr~Sk1hRMf37tpTg4CgBE9aiXpPQYnzs9sytPjO3unTluvirPNE4SnyH-QOdSGRUc20zLR6oPsmjHOhw9wNqH6IrmbkCu6iqB8Mge1v91jgtnqpPMySutQ~d1HDXyb-e-KDrOwr5HB2Zz8lqROk4ySB6WSo36lwtBaE4gb31x9EAvjWeGXa6vqqE2z4lrIYJG5uED6E2oroX5zaC0eY061kMqvI-AiWQmhGXIIsBfHwuMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vivian Dudley, identified to the committee as a state government coordinator with Foster Advocates, described how the Foster Independence Grant (FIG) enabled her to enroll in college and pursue a social work degree.

Dudley said she completed an associate degree at Saint Paul College and began studies at the College of Saint Catherine (St. Kate's). “Without FIG without the gift of FIG, I would not be in front of you today,” she told the committee, and she described paying a $300 enrollment deposit when she first enrolled and relying on FIG funds to cover housing and basic needs while studying.

Dudley said FIG allowed her to reduce work hours, focus on classes and build a budget. She told the committee that she received a FIG award of $11,000 two years earlier and said the program has helped “679 students, other fosters in Minnesota who have also benefited.” She also said she was 27 and no longer eligible for FIG and told senators that the expiration of eligibility was an ongoing concern as she continues toward a bachelor’s degree and a career in social work.

Committee members thanked Dudley for her testimony and asked questions about her education and career plans; no formal action was recorded during her testimony.","A former foster youth said the Foster Independence Grant (FIG) allowed her to enroll and focus on school; she urged continued support and noted she was no longer eligible at age 27 and that the program had helped hundreds of foster students in Minnesota.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6361705,"Private college students urge full funding of Minnesota State Grant",331,8000,339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00&start=8&end=339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170345-c7ced6b7ce311de79589331aaf60cc00/thumbnail_8000.jpg","/articles/6361705/Minnesota/Private-college-students-urge-full-funding-of-Minnesota-State-Grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361705-14d30ef64c9c9b0cf8d6227b1821228c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739554&Signature=oMMMWIv5WItUG4Tq7Fi46h09lLZfC2cxkgyYL5VqtSVkQc55h7jNjiLY7ApFYY6in4ac9u8OvXT~B7EooDGsPUQ~ga7ORqzYRnhwSr42VcPOwwf0jwh-nua2f6pkRoR1b-P-PZxy6SnwWpBnR7bkVq6QCwN9gkATPqTvbzrUj~cxa5yIErchacoOEP4bRe8igfbDMg4QzDQpBlih-~bNtSmcdb-f4WMunr1Z6noIEJQf9y467YEU-uxNkLt1ndDRwa5COECFJykRZ05PRXsMfkbSkFzeKpQ905pD06JPfbMj0B6RyrZCXhP7cuXXWroxjr2EiDIoJFWUZTotw1JK1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Bugbee, Elena Osmanlari and Victor Mokanna testified to the Senate Higher Education Committee on behalf of the Minnesota Association of Private College Students (MAPS), asking lawmakers to fully fund the Minnesota State Grant.

MAPS co-chair Elena Osmanlari said the association brings together student leaders from private nonprofit colleges across Minnesota to advocate on “issues that matter most to our students.” She described MAPS’ prior work on “hunger free campuses, data capital, and … support[ing] the Minnesota state grant program.”

“ The state grant is a lifeline for students from low and moderate income families, helping them achieve higher education and have access to greater opportunities and a brighter future,” MAPS co-chair Ben Bugbee told the committee. He framed full funding as an investment in Minnesota’s future workforce and in students’ ability to attend institutions that fit them.

Victor Mokanna, who identified himself as a Legislative Affairs Senator at the University of St. Thomas and a MAPS co‑legislative affairs senator, described his family’s financial challenges after arriving as refugees and said the Minnesota State Grant was “a crucial part of my college journey.” He warned that “the cut to the Minnesota state grant would impact students who attend private institutions the most as they are not part of the North Star program.”

The witnesses noted MAPS represents students from 18 nonprofit colleges across the state and asked the committee to treat the grant as essential to students who would otherwise be unable to enroll or would be forced to choose less appropriate institutions for financial reasons.

No formal action or vote on the Minnesota State Grant was recorded during this panel of testimony.","Representatives of the Minnesota Association of Private College Students told the Senate Higher Education Committee the Minnesota State Grant is a lifeline and urged the legislature to fully fund it so low- and moderate-income students can afford college, especially at private institutions not covered by North Star Promise.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students United asks legislature to boost hunger supports, naloxone access and FAFSA outreach for Minnesota State universities

LeadMN urges continued investment in MinnState, emergency grants and hunger supports

University of Minnesota student government calls for tuition freeze, expanded scholarships and better campus emergency planning

Foster student describes how Foster Independence Grant enabled college enrollment

Private college students urge full funding of Minnesota State Grant