Minnesota Senate Backs 'U' & MNSCU Tuition Freezes
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Senate has voted to freeze tuition rates at the state's public colleges and universities for the next two years.
The Senate passed a state higher education budget by a bipartisan, 44-22 vote on Friday that includes a $250 million spending increase. More than half the increase goes to pay for the tuition freezes at University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses. The bill also includes new money to increase the number of students who get state grants to help pay for college.
The bill also makes children of immigrants who are undocumented eligible for resident tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Republicans who voted against the bill say the University of Minnesota hasn't demonstrated responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
The bill awaits a final vote in the House.
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