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Previous Competitive Grant Programs

Sections

The following competitive grant programs were previously offered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education but are no longer active. 

ECFE Teacher Shortage Grant

The Early Childhood and Family Education Teacher Shortage Grant program (ECFE Teacher Shortage Grant) was established by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature through a one-time funding appropriation. The program provided grants to postsecondary institutions to address the early childhood and family education teacher shortage. The ECFE Teacher Shortage Grant reimbursed grantees for eligible expenses related to providing tuition relief and other supports for students enrolled in early childhood and family education teacher preparation programs in Minnesota.

Grants were awarded in 2024. Funding for this program is no longer available. 

ICAP: Formerly Incarcerated Students

The Intervention for College Attendance Program: Formerly Incarcerated Students Grants program was established by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature with a one-time funding appropriation through Minnesota Statutes 136A.861. The intent of the program was to foster postsecondary attendance and retention by providing outreach services to students who have formerly been incarcerated. Grant funds are awarded to programs providing significant opportunities for formerly incarcerated students to have available resources, skills, and guidance to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Grants were awarded in 2024. Funding for this program is no longer available. 

Student Loan Debt Counseling Grant Program

Providing individual student loan repayment counseling to borrowers who are Minnesota residents.

The 2023 Minnesota Legislature allocated $200,000 per year in the 2024-25 biennium for the Student Loan Debt Counseling Grant Program. The grant is available to eligible Minnesota-based nonprofit qualified debt counseling organizations to provide individual student loan debt repayment counseling to borrowers who are Minnesota residents concerning loans obtained to attend a postsecondary institution. 

This program is inactive as of July 1, 2025.