Minnesota Senate Bill SF431

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Refer: 1/19/23

Caption

Postsecondary student grants income tax subtraction authorization; emergency assistance for postsecondary student program appropriation

Impact

The approval of S.F. No. 431 is expected to have a significant positive impact on postsecondary education funding and support for students in crisis. By allocating $800,000 for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the bill provides necessary resources to institutions that cater to homeless or at-risk students, ensuring they have access to emergency funds for housing, food, and transportation. This funding is designed to prevent students from dropping out due to financial hardship, thereby supporting retention rates and the completion of higher education degrees.

Summary

S.F. No. 431 proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes relating to higher education, specifically introducing a tax subtraction for certain emergency assistance grants provided to postsecondary students. This bill intends to alleviate the financial burden on students facing emergency situations by allowing a portion of these grant funds, not used for tuition or related expenses, to be subtracted from their income when calculating taxes. This could encourage more students to seek necessary financial aid without the fear of tax implications affecting their overall financial aid eligibility.

Contention

While the bill aims to support students in critical need, there may be contention surrounding the allocation of these funds and the bureaucratic processes involved in distributing grants. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about how effectively these emergency funds will be used and whether the proposed tax subtraction will sufficiently incentivize institutions to address the urgent needs of their students. There may also be discussions on how this initiative aligns with broader budgetary goals and priorities within the state's higher education sector.