MN House Proposes Budget Boost For Some Tribal Colleges

Tribal colleges in Minnesota could have an extra $6-million coming in the next two years.

Minnesota state Representative Heather Keeler from Moorhead, authored a bill that would direct $3-million each fiscal year for 2024 & 2025. The state Office of Higher Education would then distribute grants to pay for general operations and maintenance.

The bill does not detail how the grants would be divided among the tribal colleges in Minnesota. But, the bill does name Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Tribal Colleges as expected grant destinations. There is no mention of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, in Cloquet, Minnesota.

These state grants must be used to add to the colleges’ planned operations and maintenance spending. And, not money to fill in budgeting gaps from redirecting funds to other areas.

House Bill 750 should get its second reading in an upcoming Education Finance and Policy committee hearing. It’s companion bill is expected to be taken up by the Senate Higher Education committee.

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