Without the Minnesota state grant, you would not have oat milk

OK, perfect, now that I have your attention, let me explain why you should care about the Minnesota State Grant & Promise Equalization Scholarship. Also, now would be a good time to clear whatever plans you have on Tuesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have you ever felt left out of a tailgate or deliberately forgotten by the Link when you’re standing right there at the Flynntown bus stop and even made direct eye contact with the driver?

That is what is happening to private nonprofit colleges and universities in Minnesota. Last year the state government created a program called the North Star Promise with the tag line, “Earn your degree tuition free.” According to the Office of Higher Education, “Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions as a ‘last-dollar’ program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.”

This program is forward-thinking, generous and truly a one-of-a-kind scholarship program. Never heard of it? It’s because you don’t qualify. This state-funded program is for public higher education or tribal colleges only. And that’s totally OK, we’re not mad—just wondering where the one-third of the low- and middle-income students in our state who attend private nonprofit colleges come in.

As a private nonprofit college, schools like ours can be left out of legislation. What we do have access to is the Minnesota State Grant & Pell Grant given to students from low-and middle-income families. Are you not a recipient? I bet you an iced matcha from the Perk that someone you know is.

The MN Private College Council highlights that two in five of all Minnesota students receive the state grant, but let’s look at CSB+SJU’s stats. On campus in the 2022-23 academic year, there were 814 State Grant recipients—that’s 27% of all Bennies and Johnnies. Last year, the average state grant award given was $6,100.

Altogether, more than $4.9 million in state grant awards were made to St. Ben’s and St. John’s students last year. How does this impact oat milk in my coffee? I’m getting there.

The Minnesota State Legislature is now in session, and there is a proposed bill on legislators’ and Governor Walz’s agenda. The Promise Equalization Scholarship is hoping to add a similar component in higher education like the North Star Promise investment. This scholarship for state grant recipients at nonprofit colleges would be an investment of $13.9 million and would mirror how much the state is investing through North Star Promise in students at the University of Minnesota, restoring financial aid parity for students at nonprofit colleges.

So, why did I make you clear your calendar and accept this verbal Outlook invite for a random Tuesday next month?

Calling all Bennies and Johnnies! On Tuesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you have the chance to join hundreds of other students for a powerful day of advocacy training, skill building, meeting with your legislators and networking at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Not only do you get to be seen in the Link outside the glistening marble walls of the State Capitol, but you can sit in your representatives’ offices, joining conversation and advocating for the MN State Grant and more. You’ll be side by side with other private college students in these meetings, but as a Bennie or Johnnie you have exclusive access to a networking reception with alumnae and alumni who work in government as well.

Transportation is provided, talking point paper materials will be provided and I cannot emphasize enough… lunch is provided. Whether you receive the state grant, your roommate received the state grant or you just know how to spell ‘state grant,’ I encourage you to register for Day at the Capitol by March 12 either through the email sent out by Institutional Research, Minnesota Private College Council Website or the link in the CSB or SJU Senate Instagram bios.

Put simply, without the Minnesota State Grant, I would not be able to afford to attend these institutions. This sentiment is shared across the state from St. Scholastica to Augsburg, from Bethel to Macalester, and the list goes on. By receiving the State and Pell Grants, I was able to enroll in 2020, get hired as a barista at the Perk, become operational manager in 2021, make the decision to switch from coconut milk to oat milk and now you can enjoy it in your coffee on campus all because of a state grant … I had to get you to read the whole thing somehow.