--- title: "Minnesota State Considers Shifting $25 Million Annually from Colleges to Universities" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi" category: "Business & Economy" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-14T02:46:03.180Z" source_reported: "2026-10-13T20:42:46.000Z" updated: "2026-10-14T02:46:03.180Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 12 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-14T06:15:15.544193+00:00" --- # Minnesota State Considers Shifting $25 Million Annually from Colleges to Universities *A proposal to reallocate funds faces a Board of Trustees vote amid a systemwide financial deficit.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Many named officials and a memo document provide corroborated details across 19 outlets, raising trust to 86. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from multiple stakeholders, specific figures, and clear next steps give the report a high craft score of 95. - Hype 12 of 100, lower is better. The article presents facts without sensational language, resulting in a low hype score of 12. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Minnesota State is considering reallocating up to $25 million annually for four years from its two-year colleges to financially unstable universities. - The proposal is intended as a temporary measure to address a systemwide deficit of $31.5 million, projected to more than triple by summer 2028. - The Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the plan on October 14. - College presidents, students, and employees have expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns about its impact on two-year institutions. The Minnesota State system is contemplating a plan to transfer up to $25 million each year for four years from its two-year colleges to universities experiencing financial difficulties. This proposal is scheduled for a vote by the Board of Trustees on October 14. System officials describe the measure as a 'stopgap' intended to bridge a $31.5 million systemwide deficit, which is projected to increase significantly by summer 2028. The plan would direct funds to 'financially challenged institutions,' with a majority of the money coming from two-year schools. St. Cloud State University and Bemidji State University are identified as recipients, together expected to receive approximately $15 million. St. Cloud State University, in particular, has faced declining enrollment and has already suspended admissions for nearly 200 academic programs. Its reserve funding is projected to be depleted by summer. ## Disagreement on the plan's impact Washington Top News reported that college presidents, students, and employees condemned the proposal. Bill Maki, the system’s vice chancellor for facilities and finance, acknowledged the plan is 'somewhat unprecedented' but stated it is a matter of 'crisis for a couple of institutions.' He added that 'action needs to be taken' and that it is 'not by any means a perfect solution. It is temporary.' Rose Sargent, treasurer for the student organization LeadMN, stated in June that reallocating resources away from colleges 'risks creating similar financial pressures for the very institutions that are currently serving students effectively.' Lori Kloos, president of St. Cloud Technical and Community College, told trustees in June that a 5% budget reduction would be 'extremely challenging' due to salary costs. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated digests mention the specific figure of $25 million that Washington Top News reported would be reallocated annually. They also do not mention that reapproval is required each spring for the reallocation. ## Who covered it Shares of the 20 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 55% (11) - Centre: 35% (7) - Right: 10% (2) 1 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-14T06:15:15.544193+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 15 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-14T06:30:09.516Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports highlighted the condemnation of the proposal by college presidents, students, and employees. These reports noted that the plan is seen as a 'stopgap' measure and that it risks creating similar financial pressures for two-year institutions. They also included statements from student leaders and college presidents expressing concerns about the impact of budget reductions on operating costs, particularly salaries. The reports mentioned that St. Cloud State University has lost about 5,400 students in two decades and suspended admissions to nearly 200 academic majors, minors, and certificates since 2023. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the details of the proposal, including the amount to be reallocated annually and the timeframe. They noted the systemwide deficit and its projected growth. These reports also included statements from system officials describing the plan as a 'stopgap' and acknowledging its unprecedented nature. They mentioned that St. Cloud State University and Bemidji State University would together receive about $15 million and that St. Cloud State will have depleted its reserve funding by summer. ### Right - The right-rated reports mentioned that Minnesota State is considering reallocating millions from its colleges to support two financially unstable universities. They stated that the Board of Trustees is set to vote on the plan and that it is for the 270,000-student system which includes 26 colleges and seven universities. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 10 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 9 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/national/2026/10/13/minnesota-state-budget-deficit-colleges-universities-funding/243539cc-c736-11f1-aefb-abe4112d087e_story.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Yankton Press & Dakotan](https://yankton.net/news/national_ap/article_aebbfba2-a405-5a38-bf38-45498ae3563a.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Mankato Free Press](https://mankatofreepress.com/news/state_national_news/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_1738932b-a81f-571e-87fe-394b477c394f.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [The Lawton Constitution](https://swoknews.com/ap/national/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_bf767f30-556a-5a17-8409-af24632e145a.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Southernminn.com](https://southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/news/state/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_cf771a6e-a831-517d-99cd-858d1e32ed33.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/action-fargo-b3066205.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/action-fargo-b3066205.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Beloit Daily News](https://beloitdailynews.com/news/national-news/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_2846b2b5-4b70-52f7-b02a-32bda8b1c112.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_d42c35e7-1df4-5af6-b705-d7bc62355d21.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_a59eaec9-858e-55a2-b52a-e51f0e905e10.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities – WTOP News - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/minnesota-state-budget-deficit-colleges-universities-funding-d19886) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-state-budget-deficit-colleges-universities-funding-3a216db804410aad7c82cf575b1cf4ee) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_a790fed0-f0b4-52bd-92f0-e980235f0d09.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_9947df3f-6669-570c-ab43-0d0a600d16ea.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [opencampus.org](https://opencampus.org/2026/10/13/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-shore-up-struggling-universities) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to shore up struggling universities - Open Campus - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_0d347af6-9516-5cc6-a185-f61df988b868.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/news/world/united-states/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_c7461309-e45b-51b2-9b93-b5534a1c5b85.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/10/13/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/ap_national_news/minnesota-state-weighs-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-help-struggling-universities/article_5bead584-593b-58c5-9a35-bd285e9401ac.html) — Minnesota State weighs plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to help struggling universities - [MinnPost](https://minnpost.com/education/2026/10/minnesota-state-weighing-plan-to-transfer-money-from-two-year-colleges-to-shore-up-struggling-universities) — Minnesota State weighing plan to transfer money from two-year colleges to shore up struggling universities ## Questions **What is the proposed plan for Minnesota State?** Minnesota State is considering a plan to reallocate up to $25 million annually for four years from its two-year colleges to financially challenged universities. This is intended as a temporary measure to address a systemwide deficit. **When will the Board of Trustees vote on the proposal?** The Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the proposal on October 14. This vote will determine whether the funds can be shifted from two-year colleges to universities. **What is the financial situation facing Minnesota State?** The system is grappling with a $31.5 million deficit, which is projected to more than triple by summer 2028 if left unaddressed. Several universities are identified as financially unstable. **Who has expressed opposition to the plan?** College presidents, students, and employees have voiced opposition to the proposal. Concerns include the potential negative impact on the two-year institutions from which funds would be reallocated. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Minnesota State Considers Shifting $25 Million Annually from Colleges to Universities", https://mediabias.news/business/minnesota-state-considers-shifting-25-million-annually-from-colleges-to-universi