(St. Paul, MN)--The Minnesota Senate has approved a $4.2 billion higher education package that includes free public college tuition for some students. This will include students from families earning less than $80,000 a year. Students from qualifying families would receive full financial assistance following any grants or aid to attend any of the University of Minnesota’s five campuses or one of the state colleges and universities.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers say free tuition will help turn around declining enrollment at state colleges and universities and address racial disparities in higher education.