Public policy

The private colleges and universities have cooperated on public policy efforts for more than 50 years. The Council represents the collective interests of its members in both federal and state government activities. It also strives to improve Minnesotans’ understanding of higher education policy and involve them in advocacy activities.

What we do

We’re actively working to make college possible for students of all backgrounds and incomes through legislative advocacy and community outreach.

• 2008 Legislative agenda — we support policies that improve affordability and access for low- and middle-income students. We are especially supportive of the Minnesota State Grant Program — the keystone of our state's need-based financial aid system.
• Sign up for the Legislative Action Network to find out about issues being debated at the Capitol and help advocate for our agenda by communicating your views to legislators.
• Community initiative — a grant-funded program to increase student diversity on our campuses

Just the facts

Since good public policy decisions are based on reliable information supported by research, we provide the following resources:

• Research and Facts — an overview of information provided by the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation
• The Facts — an annual summary of facts about our 17 colleges and universities
• Higher education enterprise — learn about the systems that make up higher education in Minnesota
• Reports and presentations by topic and title — from the Minnesota Private Colleges Research Foundation (MPCRF)
• Financial aid — the basics of grants, scholarships, loans and more
• Financial aid policy — a primer on need-based financial aid

Contact information

• Legislative contacts — view names, e-mails and phone numbers for council and campus legislative staff

• Sign up for the Legislative Action Network