Saint Paul, MN – To enable more colleges and universities in Minnesota to develop or enhance existing inclusive higher education pathways, the Office of Higher Education (OHE) has awarded three campuses with Inclusive Higher Education grants, totaling over $550,000.
“Breaking down barriers to higher education requires increasing accessibility,” OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said. “I want to thank Lake Superior College, Central Lakes College, and Normandale College for their commitment to supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I look forward to seeing their work to make their campuses a place where all Minnesotans can thrive.”
Established in 2023, the Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program seeks to increasing inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Minnesota. Inclusive higher education pathways enable students with IDD to have all the rights, responsibilities, privileges, benefits, and outcomes that result from higher education, including academic growth, career advancement, and improved self-determined living. All grantees must be developing or enhancing a sustainable inclusive higher education initiative that adheres to the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Standards.
Eligible colleges may be awarded an initial annual grant of up to $200,000 for up to four years and $100,000 for an additional six years. In subsequent years, eligible colleges may annually apply for continuing grants of up to $100,000 for a total of up to 10 years of funding.
Colleges that received awards for Fiscal Year 2026 include:
- Lake Superior College: Received a continuing grant award to support their Program for Accessible College Education (PACE) Program. This program is expected to welcome its first cohort of students with IDD to campus in Spring 2026.
- Central Lakes College: Received an initial grant to support the development of their planned Student Runway for Academic Success (SRAS) Program. This program is expected to welcome its first cohort of students with IDD to campus in Fall 2026.
- Normandale College: Received an initial grant to support the development of their inclusive higher education pathway program. This program is expected to welcome its first cohort of students with IDD to campus in Fall 2026.
For more information on the Inclusive Higher Education Grants, visit the OHE website.
