As a Minnesota parent, I’m deeply worried. My child—and thousands of others—are heading to college just as public universities across our state are raising tuition, cutting staff, and shrinking support services.

At the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus, students face a 6.5% tuition hike and a wave of layoffs that will eliminate more than 350 jobs. Departments are being asked to slash budgets, cancel programs, and reduce access to libraries and student services.

The reason? Federal education funding has been slashed—and our state hasn’t stepped in to help.

Families like mine are already struggling to afford college. Now we’re being asked to pay more for less. Meanwhile, students who rely on financial aid, student workers, and first-generation college-goers are especially at risk.

That’s why I’m calling on Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature to act now:

• Use state emergency funds or budget reserves to reduce or pause these tuition hikes
• Offer bridge funding to help campuses avoid layoffs and protect student resources
  
  

Please don’t let higher education become another thing families in Minnesota can’t afford.