# Minnesota Office of Higher Education *Executive branch agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota responsible for higher education coordination, financial aid, statistics, and policy* The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is an executive-branch agency of [[Minnesota]]. Its remit covers higher-education information, statistics and policy, and the state's financial aid programs.[^1] It does not operate either of the state's two public higher-education systems, the [[Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system]] and the [[University of Minnesota]] system.[^1] Its work centers on coordination among public, private non-profit and for-profit institutions. It also distributes state grants, runs the SELF loan program, licenses higher-education programs, and determines eligibility under the Minnesota Dream Act, which the state legislature passed in 2013.[^2][^3] ## Functions Unlike its counterparts in many states, the office serves chiefly in a coordinating and policy capacity across Minnesota's public, private non-profit and for-profit colleges and universities.[^2] It holds the state's designation as the state higher education executive office (SHEEO) organization. It also takes part in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity (NC-SARA).[^2] On the state's behalf, the office handles financial aid connected to state and federal student loans and aid. It also offers the public general counseling on student loans and finances.[^2] Each year it distributes as much as $150 million in state grants and runs SELF, the state's loan program, for students enrolled at Minnesota schools.[^2] The office conducts research on higher-education spending for the state [[Legislature]]. It also advises the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on administering the state and federal G.I. Bill.[^2] The office is the licensing body for higher-education programs in Minnesota.[^2] ## Initiatives The office has set a statewide target: 70 percent of Minnesota citizens holding a collegiate certificate or degree by 2025.[^3] It also describes research into reducing structural barriers and achievement gaps for students of color, low-income persons, persons with disabilities and other groups.[^3] The record assembled for this article does not establish whether the 2025 target was met. It also does not establish what that research produced.[^3] The state legislature enacted the Minnesota Dream Act in 2013, which made undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition.[^3] The office administers the associated funding. It also decides eligibility under the act and for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival students.[^3] ## In the Minnesota record ### What - An executive-branch agency covering higher-education information, financial aid, statistics and policy in Minnesota; it does not run the state's two public systems.[^1] - The licensing body for higher-education programs in Minnesota.[^2] ### How much - Up to $150 million in state grants a year, plus administration of the SELF state loan program.[^2] ### Why - Stated goal: 70 percent attainment of a collegiate certificate or degree by 2025. The record assembled here contains no attainment figure measured against that goal.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Minnesota Office of Higher Education* (revision 1368464009, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lead section: the agency's coordination remit and its non-operation of the two public systems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Office_of_Higher_Education [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Minnesota Office of Higher Education*, "Functions" section (revision 1368464009, retrieved 2026-10-25) — the coordinating role, SHEEO designation, NC-SARA participation, financial aid administration and counseling, and up to $150 million in annual state grants and SELF. It also covers legislative research, G.I. Bill advising and program licensing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Office_of_Higher_Education [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Minnesota Office of Higher Education*, "Initiatives" section (revision 1368464009, retrieved 2026-10-25) — the 70 percent attainment goal for 2025, barrier and achievement-gap research, the 2013 Minnesota Dream Act, and Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival eligibility administration. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Office_of_Higher_Education