Section 1 (136A.1202, subd. 1) defines the terms “college,” “eligible individual,” and “grant.”  “College” means a public postsecondary institution in the University of Minnesota or Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  “Eligible individual” means a current or incoming resident student or a prior resident student who has between six and 59 college credits, and is a dependent student reporting on the FAFSA an income of $125,000 or less, or is an independent student reporting on the FAFSA an income of $75,000 or less.  “Grant” means a scholarship for undergraduate instruction granted under this section.

Subdivision 2 requires the Commissioner of the Office of Higher Education to implement a college promise grant program to provide grants to eligible individuals to attend college.

Subdivision 3 requires that the grant application be made by a FAFSA and on any additional form required by the commissioner and on a schedule set by the commissioner.

Subdivision 4 requires the commissioner to grant awards in the amount of the actual cost of tuition, fees, and course materials, less federal Pell grants, state grants, and scholarships. Students eligible for Pell grants shall receive the grant amount plus an additional $2,000 to over other expenses.

Subdivision 5 requires the student to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for the grant.

Subdivision 6 allows the grant to be renewed annually for up to two academic years.   A student who transfers is authorized to renew the grant for a third academic year.

Subdivision 7 states that the amount necessary to implement the grant program is annually appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner.

Section 2 (136A.1212) requires the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to develop and implement accelerated study in associate programs at each community and technical college by July 1, 2022.  The program requirements are listed in this section, and include meeting with the program adviser twice per month, meet with an on-campus career adviser or participate in career services event once each semester, and tutoring three hours per month for students enrolled in developmental education courses.

Section 3 appropriates funds for purposes of section 2.