All Minnesota college students deserve financial aid fairness

In a recent op-ed published by MinnPost, President Barbara McDonald, Ed.D., along with her fellow presidents from the Minnesota Private College Council, emphasized the vital need for greater investment in need-based financial aid for all students, regardless of their choice of institution.

They argue that two of Minnesota’s most pressing challenges — workforce demands and social mobility for young people — can be addressed through effective financial aid programs, such as the Minnesota State Grant. This initiative assists students facing the greatest barriers to accessing and completing higher education, ultimately leading to improved economic and social outcomes.

The op-ed further outlines that while Minnesota has historically supported need-based financial aid, the recently established North Star Promise program overlooks a significant portion of students with demonstrated need, particularly those attending private nonprofit colleges. The authors advocate for a comprehensive approach to financial aid, including investment in the Minnesota State Grant program, to ensure fairness and equitable support for all students.

They propose a unified effort to fully fund the Minnesota State Grant program, which is currently facing a $211 million deficit, to enhance access to higher education across the state. As stated in the op-ed, “this approach would deliver financial aid fairness for all students with need and is the best path to improving social mobility and making Minnesota economically strong in the decades ahead.”