Day at the Capitol

Gustavus students meet with Sen. Dick Day during Day at the Capitol event to advocate for need-based aid

Students — meet with your legislators at the State Capitol to advocate for the Minnesota State Grant program! This program provides financial aid for more than 84,000 Minnesota college students and has a $42 million projected deficit this biennium. Thousands of students will lose their grants and those who keep them will see the value shrink. Help urge legislators to consider options that will soften the impact on students.

Day at the Capitol 2010 has now concluded.

Besides students — professors, parents, or administrators are welcome to attend Day at the Capitol too. Check out the photo album or watch a video.

What happens at Day at the Capitol?

You'll receive a policy and lobbying briefing including comments from House and Senate members who represent your campus. Then you'll meet with legislators and attend a Q&A session. The Minnesota Private College Council provides training and materials and makes legislative appointments for participants. See two schedule examples.

Hamline students meet with State Rep. Paul Gardener

The State Grant program
Find out about the key facts, background or benefits of the State Grant program.

What students say about Day at the Capitol
"As a State Grant recipient, I want to support the continuation and growth of the program."
—Student, St. Mary's

"As a private college student and a political science major, I am concerned with lowering the cost of college."
—Mary Gleich ’10, St. Mary's

"I attended to support the cause.  I am an education major and feel passionately about gaining funding for higher education."
—Bethany Berg '08, Gustavus Adolphus

"It really made me realize how much I am affected by state aid and that I am able to contribute and make a difference."
—Student, College of St. Scholastica

"This was a wonderful experience.  I learned a great deal and it felt good to make a difference in college financial aid."
—Michelle Johnson ’09, College of Saint Scholastica

"This was a great experience.  I would recommend this event.  Thank you."
—Stacy Desmond ‘08, College of Saint Scholastica

"Anybody interested in politics should attend."
—Aaron Wickboldt ’10, College of Saint Scholastica

"I feel I have learned a lot and am proud to represent private schools.  It's important that we all are a part of this in order to secure a good future."
—Student, College of St. Scholastica

"It was a spectacular experience to be able to speak up for private schools!"
—Student, College of St. Scholastica

Augsburg College

• Located in Minneapolis with abundant opportunities to gain experience both inside and outside the classroom.
• National recognition for an effective first-year program and for combining learning with service.
• Top majors are business, science, teaching
• A diverse community of 3,000 students

Bethany Lutheran College

• Located in Mankato overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
• A community of 540 students -- most live on campus
• Popular majors include business administration, communication, psychology, and elementary education
• Focus is on a solid, Christian education

Bethel University

• Located on a residential, wooded campus in a Twin Cities suburb
• Enrolls 5,600 students in 100 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs
• Integrates faith, learning and the translation of Christian belief into global service
• 20 international programs; top 3 percent ranking of students who study in foreign countries

Carleton College

• Residential campus in the small community of Northfield
• Ranked one of the country's top liberal arts colleges
• Noted for its bright and talented students and strong faculty
• Enrollment of 2,000 students of diverse backgrounds

College of Saint Benedict

• Together with Saint John's -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
• Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud
• A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
• A commitment to experiential learning, research and internships

St. Catherine University

• Largest and most comprehensive Catholic college for women in the U.S.
• Beautiful campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Committed to meeting the educational needs of women of all ages; offers liberal arts, healthcare and professional programs in traditional and weekend formats
• Serves 5,000 students

College of St. Scholastica

• Main campus in Duluth; also in St. Paul, St. Cloud, Brainerd
• Undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional, accelerated and online formats
• Top majors: Health information management, management, education, nursing
• 3,200 students; 1,940 undergraduates on Duluth campus
• U.S. News ranking in top tier of Midwestern universities

Concordia College

• Located in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area that includes 20,000+ college students
• Serves more than 2,700 students
• Top programs include the sciences, education and music
• Recipient of NAFSA Simon Award for Campus Internationalization
• Home of world-renowned Concordia Language Villages

Concordia University

• Located in the St. Paul metro area
• Serves 1,500 undergraduate and 300 graduate students of all ages and backgrounds
• Top majors include Christian education, business and teacher education
• A laptop university with 24/7 Web access

Gustavus Adolphus College

• Oldest Lutheran college in Minnesota; Swedish heritage; home of the Nobel Conference
• Beautiful residential campus located in St. Peter, overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
• Prepares 2,500 undergraduates for lives of leadership, service and lifelong learning
• Recognized science, writing, music, athletics, study-abroad, and service-learning programs

Hamline University

• Ranked first in Minnesota among comprehensive universities according to U.S. News
• 4,400 undergraduate, graduate, and law students
• Located in residential neighborhood of St. Paul
• Intimate environment of small classes and personal attention along with the opportunities of a comprehensive university

Macalester College

• 1,900 undergraduates come from every state and 90 countries
• Located in a friendly St. Paul neighborhood
• Emphasis on global perspectives; more than half study abroad
• Produced many Fulbright and Rhodes scholars

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

• 700 students; 14 majors in fine arts, media and design
• Located next to the Children's Theater and Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• Studio-based and business-oriented programs; BFA, BS and MFA degrees
• Only art and design school to be named a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review

Saint John's University

• Together with Saint Benedict -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
• Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud.
• A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
• A commitment to experiential learning, research, internships

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

• Values-based, results-oriented education in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition
• Outstanding environment for learning, living and recreation
• 400-acre Winona campus in the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley
• 1,300 traditional undergraduates, with 4,100 graduate and professional students at other locations

St. Olaf College

• Environmentally aware, 300-acre residential campus in historic Northfield
• 3,000 students; top majors are music, mathematics and the sciences
• Nation's top liberal arts college for study abroad
• College of the Lutheran church -- where conversations about faith are part of daily life

University of St. Thomas

• Minnesota's largest private university with 10,500 students (5,500 undergraduates)
• 95 undergraduate majors
• Main campuses located in a stately St. Paul neighborhood and in downtown Minneapolis (other campuses in Owatonna, Minn. and Rome, Italy)

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• MinnPost story: College students get firsthand lesson in Capitol lobbying
• 2010 Legislative Agenda