Director Larry Pogemiller of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) addressed the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee Thursday. Pogemiller provided an overview of the office's activities, including administration of the Minnesota State Grant program and higher education research. He also focused on the need for more collaboration between MOHE, higher education systems, K-12, and industry. Pogemiller also outlined the current financial projections for the state grant program, projecting a balance of 6.9 million this year. The actual balance will be clear in February, and MOHE recommends using unspent funds to make up for a reciprocity deficit with North Dakota and the Living and Miscellaneous Expense allowance (LME) that are provided as part of state grant awards.

The Office of Higher Education also released their 2011 "Minnesota Measures" report at the committee hearing.  The publication details student data from across the public, private, and for-profit sectors in Minnesota, tracking information such as credit transfer, demographics, tuition rates, and financial aid trends. Of particular note, the report illustrated a significant increase in student borrowing in Minnesota, especially compared nationally. Between FY1999 and FY 2009, educational borrowing in Minnesota rose 218 percent. The amount students borrow has also grown, faster than tuition and fees.

Pogemiller is new to the agency, having been appointed to the Director position by Governor Dayton in October.