Download the FY16-17 Biennial Budget Request Summary
The 2015 higher education budget bill provided $52.2 million in funding for University of Minnesota requested initiatives, including $22.3 million for tuition relief and $30 million for the Medical School.
View a comparison of proposals and the outcome.
Increase Access & Affordability for Students
FY16: $21.5 million; FY17: $43.7 million; Biennial total: $65.2 million
- Freeze for two years the Minnesota resident tuition rate for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on all U of M campuses - approximately 53,000 students.
- The freeze will reduce the average cost of a degree.
- For undergraduate students by $2,100 - $2,600 over four years.
- For graduate students by $1,600 over two years.
- For medical students by $5,000 over four years.
Facility Condition Improvement Strategy
FY16: $5 million; FY17: $10 million; Biennial total: $15 million
- Reduce the cost of facility repair and renewal by providing stable funding that allows critical projects to be addressed more efficiently.
- The University will decrease its HEAPR capital request in exchange for this General Fund allocation.
Healthy Minnesota and the Medical School
FY16: $12.5 million; FY17: $43 million; Biennial total: $55.5 million
- Address current and future projected workforce shortages by training the next generation of health care professionals to serve our aging and increasingly diverse population.
- Strengthen U of M research in cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.
- Create a Minnesota Electronic Health Library with resources for all Minnesotans.
Vibrant Communities
FY16: $3.5 million; FY17: $9 million; Biennial total: $12.5 million
- Improve the environmental, health, and safety impacts of mining in Minnesota, and examine economic development opportunities and challenges related to mining in northern Minnesota.
- Promote the economic prosperity and integrated lives of Minnesota’s diverse communities through research and partnership.
- Expand service learning and community engagement for students.
State Appropriation Trend
By 2017 the U's request would restore funding to about the same level the State provided in 2008 without adjusting for inflation.
The University's Commitment to Cutting Costs Continues
Reforming our practices to better serve our mission
Reducing administrative costs has been a top priority for U president Eric Kaler
- The University is on track to reduce administrative costs by $90 million by FY19.
- $36 million in administrative costs have already been eliminated.
- In FY16-17, President Kaler is committed to reducing administrative costs by $30 million.
- These savings, in addition to state revenue and other revenue increases will be used to
- Freeze resident tuition rates
- Increase four-year graduation rates.
- Strengthen research, innovation and service throughout Minnesota.
- Support competitive salary and wage increases to recruit and retain top faculty and staff.
- Address infrastructure cost increases critical to maintaining excellence in teaching and research.
More Information
- Comparison of budget proposals (PDF)
- Biennial Budget Request presentation (PDF) - Board of Regents, September 2014
- Biennial Budget Request presentation (PDF) - MMB, October 2014
- Biennial Budget Request presentation (PDF) - House Higher Education Policy and Finance, February 2015