Thousands of Minnesota Students Will Be Eligible For Free College Tuition Starting July 1st

Governor Tim Walz signed several new bills this year including two that will drastically impact Minnesota students. When he approved a new law granting free meals to all K-12 students in Minnesota back in March he said, "I’m honored and I do think this is one piece of that puzzle in reducing both childhood poverty and hunger insecurity.”

The school meal law and one that will give qualifying Minnesota students free college tuition and automatic admission will go into effect on July 1st. Read more about both below.

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Free School Meals For All Minnesota Students Starting July 1st, 2023

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says this was the most important thing she’d ever worked on.

Starting this fall all Minnesota K-12 students will receive free breakfast and lunch at school each day.

These meals will be paid for using state and federal funds.

Governor Walz told CBS News, "As a former teacher, I know that providing free breakfast and lunch for our students is one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support Minnesota's working families, and care for our young learners and the future of our state."

Free College Tuition and Automatic Admission For Qualifying Minnesotans

The North Star Promise financial aid program will provide free college tuition & automatic admission for qualifying students attending classes starting in the fall of 2024. Read more about the qualifications below.

To qualify for free tuition and automatic admission students must come from families that make less than $80,000 a year and attend an in-state public college or university.

These students will get help covering any tuition and fees that remain after scholarships and grants are applied.