The Minnesota Senate has approved a bill that would grant free college tuition to families with lower incomes. This move, however, has raised concerns in North Dakota as officials fear a decline in enrollment from Minnesota students who can receive a better deal in their home state. At a recent meeting, college leaders in North Dakota expressed their worries about the situation.
David Cook, the president of North Dakota State University, stated that this issue could have catastrophic implications and called it a serious situation. Minnesota recently passed the North Star Promise scholarship program, which will cover college tuition and fees for in-state residents with family incomes of $80,000 or less. The program is set to launch in 2024 and is estimated to cost $117 million, benefiting around 15,000 to 20,000 students.
According to estimates shared at the meeting, more than half of North Dakota State University’s incoming class and 45% of its undergraduate student body consists of students from Minnesota. At North Dakota State College of Science, 24% of undergraduates are Minnesota natives, while at the University of North Dakota, this figure stands at 28%.
Rod Flanigan, the president of the North Dakota State College of Science, emphasized the impact on their football team, as about half of the players come from Minnesota. Students themselves are concerned about costs and are eager to take advantage of free education. The outflow of Minnesota students from North Dakota could result in a loss of $12 million per year in tuition and state funds for state universities.
Beyond the financial implications, officials from the University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) are concerned about the effect on the state’s workforce. Those who move to North Dakota for education and then settle for work play a significant role in the state’s population growth. However, with national college enrollment declining and demographic trends suggesting further drops in the next 10 years, Minnesota’s goal of boosting enrollment in its state universities is understandable.
Education officials in North Dakota proposed the idea of creating a scholarship for students from both North Dakota and Minnesota, which would cost $17 million annually. However, some Republican legislators are cautious due to concerns about potential abuse of the system. State Rep. Bob Martinson expressed fear that individuals earning more than the aid cap would work less to qualify for free tuition.
To address these challenges, UND President Andrew Armacost suggested pooling advertising costs among the state’s schools or offering Minnesota students in-state rates at North Dakota colleges. North Dakota’s higher education board plans to request a special session to find solutions, which might include funding an in-state or regional student scholarship.
Overall, this situation highlights the complexities surrounding education and the impact it has on neighboring states. The effects of Minnesota’s free college tuition program on North Dakota’s enrollment and workforce demonstrate the need for collaboration and creative solutions to ensure equal opportunities for all.
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