Military-Friendly Policies
State Statutes
Minnesota state statutes for veterans and service members inform the policymaking for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The statutes of most interests to veterans and service members are as follows:
Minnesota Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program
Minnesota State Statute 197.585 directs the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Minnesota’s public colleges and universities to collaborate on establishing the Higher Education Veterans Program.
Minnesota State Higher Education Fairness
Minnesota State Statute 197.775 guides all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in developing veteran- and military-friendly policies on courses, tuition rates, and delayed payments.
Minnesota State Higher Education Fairness
Minnesota State Statute 195.502 specifies the minimum protections that public colleges and universities must provide to active duty military and veterans with a service-connected disability or related medical treatment when course participation is disrupted. These individuals may: (1) withdraw from one or more courses for which tuition and fees have been paid that are attributable to the courses (2) be given a grade of incomplete and be allowed to complete the course upon release from active service, upon completion of medical treatment, or upon sufficient medical recovery under the postsecondary institution's standard practice for completion of incompletes (3) continue and complete the course for full credit. Class sessions the student misses due to performance of active military service or due to the person's medical treatment or medical condition must be counted as excused absences and must not be used in any way to adversely impact the student's grade or standing in the class.
The following military-friendly policies reflect the spirit of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company Status awarded to Minnesota State.
Application Fee Waiver
Colleges and universities can waive application fees for active-duty military service members deployed overseas. Many institutions will also waive application fees for veterans; check with your campus of interest for more information.
“Call to active duty” Procedure
Special provisions are available to military personnel called to active duty while attending college. Options include (1) Full refund of tuition; (2) grade of incomplete with the opportunity to complete coursework through independent study or by retaking the course at no charge; or (3) a passing grade if warranted by coursework completed prior to departure.
Deferral Procedure for Tuition, Fees, and Books
Consistent with Minnesota State Statute 197.775, students who are eligible and have applied for but not yet received veterans benefits are exempt from being charged a late fee. The law says: “A state college or university may not assess late fees or other late charges for veterans who are eligible to receive federal or state educational assistance and who have applied for that assistance but not yet received it, nor may they prevent these students from registering for a subsequent term because of outstanding tuition charges that arise from delayed federal or state payments.”
Military Credit for Prior Learning
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will consider prior learning attained in non-credit or experiential settings such as the military. Credit will be awarded for prior learning that is assessed as college-level learning as it applies to your chosen program and degree.
In-state Tuition Rates
Active duty military in Minnesota, veterans, and their spouses and dependent children pay tuition at the Minnesota in-state resident rate.
Transfer Credit
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities consider academic credit earned at accredited public, private, and military colleges and will award transfer credit when courses from the accredited provider apply to your chosen program and degree.