American Indian students in Minnesota may soon be able to attend a public college or university for free.

 
With the passage of their higher education omnibus bills, the Minnesota House and Senate recently approved $24 million to establish the American Indian Scholars Program, providing for a full tuition and fee waiver for American Indian students to pursue an undergraduate education at Minnesota’s public two- and four-year colleges and universities.

 
Though a conference committee now must reconcile the different House and Senate bills, the American Indian Scholars Program is likely to make it through the changes. Gov. Tim Walz, who included a version of the program in his initial budget pitch to legislators, is expected to sign the bill into law.