MN Office of Higher Education

About Our Organization
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is a cabinet-level state agency that connects students and families with financial aid programs, information, and resources to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency collaborates with public, private, and tribal colleges and universities to enhance the distribution and effectiveness of need-based aid and competitive grant programs and provides the public with access to research about the higher education landscape in Minnesota.

What We Do
OHE manages state financial aid programs for students, including state grants and a state loan program. We also conduct research that is free to the public, manage competitive grants to fund important services at colleges and universities in Minnesota, and oversee licensing and registration standards for postsecondary institutions and programs.

What a Typical Workday Looks Like
Every state agency is comprised of a diverse group of employees who are all performing different functions to do the work assigned to that agency. At OHE, we have teams managing state financial aid programs, administering multi-million-dollar grant programs, overseeing our finances, conducting research, and participating in the state legislative process. Most employees work typical business hours on weekdays, but some employees work late into the night or on weekends, depending on their role and the time of year.

Careers
We are a small state agency with approximately 50 employees. While small, we offer diverse job opportunities and hire individuals with a wide range of education and experience levels. Positions range from entry-level roles to advanced professional roles. Most employees have at least four years of working experience in their field before joining our agency. Many people who begin working at OHE have experience working in state government or higher education prior to applying.

Employees here continue to build on the skills in their specific field, like financial aid or IT, while also learning and developing skills in state government. Many employees leave OHE to take more advanced jobs in their field within state government. The specific training or certifications needed will depend on the field someone works in.

Community & Partnerships
We maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including other state agencies, legislators, community organizations, and other community partners. We conduct a variety of projects with complex tasks, and some employees have worked here for over 15 years.