Minnesota State Approves $10 Million in Transitional Funding for St. Cloud State University

(KNSI) — On Wednesday, the Minnesota State Board of Trustees approved $10 million in transitional funding for St. Cloud State University.

A press release from the school says the funding, which also allocated $4.8 million to Bemidji State University, “was approved for financially challenged institutions to support core university operations as they continue to work toward long-term financial sustainability.”

School officials say since 2010, SCSU has reduced its workforce by approximately 40% and its physical footprint by nearly 20%. Since 2023, 189 academic credentials have been discontinued or suspended admission.

The university says it has also reworked its approaches to enrollment, transfer, retention and student success while still funding programs students and local employers want most. SCSU is the second largest university in the Minnesota State system with over 9,000 students. A release from the school on Wednesday says enrollment is up over 6% this fall.

“We recognize that this funding represents a significant commitment by Minnesota State at a difficult time across the system, and we will be responsible stewards of that investment,” said SCSU President Dr. Gregory Tomso. “SCSU today is leaner, more efficient and more strategically focused than it has been in many years,” Tomso added. “This temporary support will help ensure that we can continue serving our students, our region, and the state as we have for more than 150 years.”

School officials say the university has a local economic impact of nearly $600 million.

___