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Minnesota Office of Higher Education

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Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Department overview
Formed1965 [1]
JurisdictionMinnesota
Headquarters1450 Energy Park Dr, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Department executive
  • Dennis Olson, Commissioner
Websitewww.ohe.state.mn.us

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is an executive branch agency that is responsible for the coordination of higher education information, financial aid programs, statistics, and policy in the U.S. state of Minnesota.[2] The agency does not run or administer the two public systems of higher education in Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system or the University of Minnesota system.

Functions

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In contrast to many other states, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education primarily functions as a policy and coordination role between the state's public, private non-profit and for-profit colleges and universities.[3] It is the designated state higher education executive office or SHEEO organization.[4] The agency also participates with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity or NC-SARA.

It also administers financial aid on behalf of the state with respect to state and federal student loans and aid. It also provides general counseling on student loans and finances to the public.[5] Annually it administers up to $150 million of state grants and the state loan program called SELF to students attending schools in Minnesota.[6]

The agency also provides research on higher education spending for the state legislature and advises the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the administration of the state and federal G.I. Bill.[7] In addition to these functions it also licenses higher education programs in Minnesota.

Initiatives

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The agency has set a statewide policy goal of increasing the percent of Minnesota citizens to that have attained a collegiate certificate or degree to 70 percent by 2025.[8] It is also working to research ways of reducing structural barriers and achievement gaps for students of color, persons of low income, persons with disabilities and other groups. In 2013, the state legislature passed the Minnesota Dream Act which allowed for undocumented students to be eligible for in-state tuition. The agency administers the funding and determines eligibility for the dream act and for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival students.[9]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Office of Higher Education". Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  2. ^ "About Us". Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  3. ^ "SHEEO State Authorization Surveys". State Higher Education Executive Officers Association Surveys. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Minnesota Office of Higher Education". State Offices. State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  5. ^ Murphy, Esme (21 Jan 2016). "Franken Introduces Bill To Allow Refinancing Of Federal Student Loans". CBS Minnesota. WCCO. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  6. ^ Davis, Angela (9 April 2014). "MN Office Of Higher Ed Gives College Financial Aid Advice". CBS Minnesota. WCCO. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  7. ^ "2015 Agency Profile Office of Higher Education" (PDF). Minnesota Management and Budget Legislative Requests. Minnesota Department of Management and Budget (MMB). Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Educational Attainment Goal 2025". Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Resources for Undocumented Students and MN Dream Act". Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Retrieved 20 October 2017.


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