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MinnesotaHF 374194th Legislature, 2025-2026HouseWALLET

Educational assistance for veterans' children and spouses modified, and money appropriated.

Sponsored By: Josiah Hill (Democratic)

Became Law

Veterans and Military Affairs DivisionRules and Administration for comparison with SF3957

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Broader college aid with student eligibility rules

Minnesota expands education aid for children and spouses of prisoners of war, missing service members, and veterans whose deaths were service-related. Covered children include natural, adopted, and stepchildren of deceased veterans. For prisoner-of-war or missing-person cases, birth, adoption, or legal custody must occur before or during the relevant period. Students must meet Minnesota residency rules, make satisfactory academic progress, attend an eligible school, and apply before the term ends. The deceased veteran no longer needs to meet the former Minnesota residency requirement, and students need not exhaust federal education benefits. Applicants must document military service and, as applicable, residency, service-connected disability, or a service-related death confirmed by federal authorities. Approved benefits reach back to the application date, and the commissioner must notify applicants and schools. Eligibility based on a prisoner-of-war or missing-person status continues after the service member returns or is reported dead. The law replaces the former separate program for dependents of prisoners of war and missing service members.

Veterans’ families get college aid with limits

Eligible children and spouses get tuition-and-fee-free admission at covered Minnesota public colleges until earning a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The program includes state colleges, the University of Minnesota, qualifying tribally controlled colleges, and eligible schools licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education. Approved children and spouses also receive $750 each year when funds are available; students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent cannot receive these benefits. The commissioner can pay schools or individuals directly. Minnesota’s general fund pays the specified benefits, but payments are capped at $6 million per fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2012.

Veterans lose their one-time $750 education payment

Eligible veterans no longer receive the former one-time $750 education payment. The revised stipend program serves eligible children and spouses instead.

Colleges must explain and report veterans’ aid

Minnesota public colleges must participate in the education-aid program during peace and war. Other participating eligible schools can suspend or end participation at the end of a term. Eligible schools must report annually by September 30 on students served, enrollment, graduation, tuition costs, and tuition waivers. Covered public and regionally accredited private colleges must post program and college-selection information for eligible children and spouses. Their veterans education benefits pages must link to federal and state education-benefit programs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Josiah Hill

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Mary Frances Clardy

    Democratic • House

  • Xp Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Kari Rehrauer

    Democratic • House

  • Seeberger

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jay Xiong

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Third Reading

Yes: 66 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

Passage

Yes: 134 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Secretary of State Chapter 49

    4/21/2026Senate

  2. Governor's action Approval

    4/21/2026Senate

  3. Presentment date

    4/20/2026Senate

  4. Returned from Senate

    4/16/2026House

  5. Third reading Passed vote: 66-0

    4/14/2026Senate

  6. Special Order

    4/14/2026Senate

  7. Second reading

    3/26/2026Senate

  8. Comm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders SF3957

    3/26/2026Senate

  9. Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF3957, now on General Orders

    3/25/2026Senate

  10. Introduction and first reading

    3/25/2026Senate

  11. Received from House

    3/25/2026Senate

  12. Bill was passed vote: 134-0

    3/23/2026House

  13. Third reading

    3/23/2026House

  14. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, March 23, 2026

    3/18/2026House

  15. Second reading

    3/12/2026House

  16. Committee report, to adopt

    3/12/2026House

  17. Introduction and first reading, referred to Veterans and Military Affairs Division

    2/25/2026House

Bill Text

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