University of Minnesota considers waiving tuition for MN families with $50K or less in annual income
University of Minnesota officials are considering waiving tuition for Minnesota students whose families have an annual income of $50,000 or less.
The proposal, reported by the Star Tribune Wednesday, goes before the Board of Regents on Friday. It's part of President Joan Gabel's broader long-term plan, which is broken down on page 79 in the documents for Friday's meeting. The plan suggests beginning the tuition-free program by 2021.
The program would not cover the cost of boarding, supplies or student fees; it would apply only to in-state tuition, which is currently about $13,000 per year at the University's Twin Cities campus. Including student fees, that number goes up to about $15,000.
Many students whose families make $50,000 or less annually already qualify for various need-based scholarships and government grants. The University's program would cover the rest of the tuition.
President-elect Joe Biden's platform includes a proposal to cover tuition for public college students whose families earn up to $125,000. If that were to go into effect, the University could instead cover non-tuition expenses like food and housing, Gabel told the Star Tribune.
