141.01 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.02 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.03 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.04 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.05 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.06 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.07 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.08 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.09 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.10 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.11 [Repealed, 1969 c 866 s 17]

141.19 APPLICATION OF LAWS 2005, CHAPTER 56, TERMINOLOGY CHANGES.
State agencies shall use the terminology changes specified in Laws 2005, chapter 56, section
1, when printed material and signage are replaced and new printed material and signage are
obtained. State agencies do not have to replace existing printed material and signage to comply
with Laws 2005, chapter 56, sections 1 and 2. Language changes made according to Laws 2005,
chapter 56, sections 1 and 2, shall not expand or exclude eligibility to services.
History: 2005 c 56 s 3

141.20 CITATION.
Sections 141.20 to 141.35 may be cited as the Private Career School Act.
History: 1999 c 214 art 3 s 1

141.21 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Words, terms and phrases. The following words, terms and phrases shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section.
    Subd. 1a. Office of Higher Education or office. "Office of Higher Education" or "office"
means the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 1 s 28]
    Subd. 3. Solicitor. "Solicitor" means a person who for a salary or for commission, acts as
an agent, independent contractor, salesperson, or counselor in recruiting students for a program
using any method, at any place except on the actual business premises of the school, other than
only providing public information at the invitation or permission of a school or educational
organization.
    Subd. 4. Person. "Person" means any individual, partnership, company, firm, society, trust,
association, or corporation or any combination thereof.
    Subd. 5. School. "School" means any person, within or outside the state, who maintains,
advertises, administers, solicits for, or conducts any program at less than an associate degree
level and is not registered as a private institution under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 and is not
specifically exempted by section 141.35 or 141.37. School also means any person, within or
outside the state, who maintains, advertises, administers, solicits for, or conducts any program at
less than an associate degree level, is not registered as a private institution pursuant to sections
136A.61 to 136A.71, and uses the term, "college," "institute," "academy," or "university" in
its name.
    Subd. 6. Course. "Course" means any classroom or distance instruction; any subunit of a
program; or any combination thereof.
    Subd. 6a. Multiple location. "Multiple location" means any site where classes or
administrative services are provided to students and which has a street address that is different
than the street address found on the school's private career school license.
    Subd. 7. Placement service. "Placement service" means a service offered or advertised by a
school for the purpose of assisting the student in obtaining employment.
    Subd. 8. Program. "Program" means any course or grouping of courses that is advertised or
listed in a school's catalog, brochures, electronic display, or other publications, or for which the
school grants a formal recognition.
    Subd. 9. Distance education school. "Distance education school" means a school that
establishes, keeps, or maintains a facility or location where a program is offered through distance
instruction.
    Subd. 10. Distance instruction. "Distance instruction" means any method of instruction
outside the traditional in-classroom instruction, including, but not limited to, the use of the United
States mail and other correspondence; Internet and other online computer-based education; or
CD-ROM self-instruction.
    Subd. 11. Electronic display. "Electronic display" means text, images, or sound rendered
via any electronic device designed to present information, whether generated by the device
or transmitted from another source.
History: 1969 c 866 s 1; 1973 c 714 s 1,2; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 18; 1995 c 212 art
3 s 59; 1999 c 214 art 3 s 2-8; 2005 c 107 art 2 s 60; art 3 s 1; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 16,17

141.22 [Repealed, 1999 c 214 art 3 s 36]

141.23 RULES.
The office may adopt rules according to chapter 14 to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
History: 1969 c 866 s 3; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1Sp1985 c 11 s 66; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 27;
1995 c 212 art 3 s 59

141.24 [Repealed, 1983 c 260 s 68]

141.25 LICENSURE.
    Subdivision 1. Required. A school must not maintain, advertise, solicit for, administer, or
conduct any program in Minnesota without first obtaining a license from the office.
    Subd. 2. Contract unenforceable. A contract entered into with a person for a program by or
on behalf of a person operating a school to which a license has not been issued under sections
141.21 to 141.35, is unenforceable in any action.
    Subd. 3. Application. Application for a license shall be on forms prepared and furnished by
the office, and shall include the following and other information as the office may require:
(1) the title or name of the school, ownership and controlling officers, members, managing
employees, and director;
(2) the specific programs which will be offered and the specific purposes of the instruction;
(3) the place or places where the instruction will be given;
(4) a listing of the equipment available for instruction in each program;
(5) the maximum enrollment to be accommodated with equipment available in each specified
program;
(6) the qualifications of instructors and supervisors in each specified program;
(7) a current balance sheet, income statement, and adequate supporting documentation,
prepared and certified by an independent public accountant or CPA;
(8) copies of all media advertising and promotional literature and brochures or electronic
display currently used or reasonably expected to be used by the school;
(9) copies of all Minnesota enrollment agreement forms and contract forms and all
enrollment agreement forms and contract forms used in Minnesota; and
(10) gross income earned in the preceding year from student tuition, fees, and other required
institutional charges, unless the school files with the office a surety bond equal to at least $250,000
as described in subdivision 5.
    Subd. 4. Certification. Each application shall be signed and certified to under oath by
the proprietor if the applicant is a proprietorship, by the managing partner if the applicant is
a partnership, or by the authorized officers of the applicant if the applicant is a corporation,
association, company, firm, society or trust.
    Subd. 5. Bond. (a) No license shall be issued to any school which maintains, conducts,
solicits for, or advertises within the state of Minnesota any program, unless the applicant files with
the office a continuous corporate surety bond written by a company authorized to do business
in Minnesota conditioned upon the faithful performance of all contracts and agreements with
students made by the applicant.
    (b) The amount of the surety bond shall be ten percent of the preceding year's gross income
from student tuition, fees, and other required institutional charges, but in no event less than
$10,000 nor greater than $250,000, except that a school may deposit a greater amount at its
own discretion. A school in each annual application for licensure must compute the amount of
the surety bond and verify that the amount of the surety bond complies with this subdivision,
unless the school maintains a surety bond equal to at least $250,000. A school that operates at
two or more locations may combine gross income from student tuition, fees, and other required
institutional charges for all locations for the purpose of determining the annual surety bond
requirement. The gross tuition and fees used to determine the amount of the surety bond required
for a school having a license for the sole purpose of recruiting students in Minnesota shall be only
that paid to the school by the students recruited from Minnesota.
    (c) The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota and to any person who may have a cause of
action against the applicant arising at any time after the bond is filed and before it is canceled
for breach of any contract or agreement made by the applicant with any student. The aggregate
liability of the surety for all breaches of the conditions of the bond shall not exceed the principal
sum deposited by the school under paragraph (b). The surety of any bond may cancel it upon
giving 60 days' notice in writing to the office and shall be relieved of liability for any breach of
condition occurring after the effective date of cancellation.
    (d) In lieu of bond, the applicant may deposit with the commissioner of finance a sum equal
to the amount of the required surety bond in cash, or securities as may be legally purchased
by savings banks or for trust funds in an aggregate market value equal to the amount of the
required surety bond.
    (e) Failure of a school to post and maintain the required surety bond or deposit under
paragraph (d) shall result in denial, suspension, or revocation of the school's license.
    Subd. 6. Resident agent. Schools located outside the state of Minnesota that offer, advertise,
solicit for, or conduct any program within the state of Minnesota shall first file with the secretary
of state a sworn statement designating a resident agent authorized to receive service of process.
The statement shall designate the secretary of state as resident agent for service of process in the
absence of a designated agent. If a school fails to file the statement, the secretary of state is
designated as the resident agent authorized to receive service of process. The authorization shall
be irrevocable as to causes of action arising out of transactions occurring prior to the filing of
written notice of withdrawal from the state of Minnesota filed with the secretary of state.
    Subd. 7. Minimum standards. A license shall be issued if the office first determines:
    (1) that the applicant has a sound financial condition with sufficient resources available to:
    (i) meet the school's financial obligations;
    (ii) refund all tuition and other charges, within a reasonable period of time, in the event of
dissolution of the school or in the event of any justifiable claims for refund against the school
by the student body;
    (iii) provide adequate service to its students and prospective students; and
    (iv) maintain and support the school;
    (2) that the applicant has satisfactory facilities with sufficient tools and equipment and
the necessary number of work stations to prepare adequately the students currently enrolled,
and those proposed to be enrolled;
    (3) that the applicant employs a sufficient number of qualified teaching personnel to provide
the educational programs contemplated;
    (4) that the school has an organizational framework with administrative and instructional
personnel to provide the programs and services it intends to offer;
    (5) that the premises and conditions under which the students work and study are sanitary,
healthful, and safe, according to modern standards;
    (6) that the quality and content of each occupational course or program of study provides
education and adequate preparation to enrolled students for entry level positions in the occupation
for which prepared;
    (7) that the living quarters which are owned, maintained, recommended, or approved by the
applicant for students are sanitary and safe;
    (8) that the contract or enrollment agreement used by the school complies with the provisions
in section 141.265;
    (9) that contracts and agreements do not contain a wage assignment provision or a confession
of judgment clause; and
    (10) that there has been no adjudication of fraud or misrepresentation in any criminal, civil,
or administrative proceeding in any jurisdiction against the school or its owner, officers, agents,
or sponsoring organization.
    Subd. 8. Fees and terms of license. An application for an initial license under sections
141.21 to 141.35 shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as provided in section
141.255 that is sufficient to recover, but not exceed, the administrative costs of the office.
All licenses shall expire one year from the date issued by the office, except as provided in
section 141.251.
    Subd. 9. Catalog, brochure, or electronic display. Before a license is issued to a school, the
school shall furnish to the office a catalog, brochure, or electronic display including:
    (1) identifying data, such as volume number and date of publication;
    (2) name and address of the school and its governing body and officials;
    (3) a calendar of the school showing legal holidays, beginning and ending dates of each
course quarter, term, or semester, and other important dates;
    (4) the school policy and regulations on enrollment including dates and specific entrance
requirements for each program;
    (5) the school policy and regulations about leave, absences, class cuts, make-up work,
tardiness, and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance;
    (6) the school policy and regulations about standards of progress for the student including
the grading system of the school, the minimum grades considered satisfactory, conditions for
interruption for unsatisfactory grades or progress, a description of any probationary period allowed
by the school, and conditions of reentrance for those dismissed for unsatisfactory progress;
    (7) the school policy and regulations about student conduct and conditions for dismissal
for unsatisfactory conduct;
    (8) a detailed schedule of fees, charges for tuition, books, supplies, tools, student activities,
laboratory fees, service charges, rentals, deposits, and all other charges;
    (9) the school policy and regulations, including an explanation of section 141.271, about
refunding tuition, fees, and other charges if the student does not enter the program, withdraws
from the program, or the program is discontinued;
    (10) a description of the available facilities and equipment;
    (11) a course outline syllabus for each course offered showing course objectives, subjects or
units in the course, type of work or skill to be learned, and approximate time, hours, or credits
to be spent on each subject or unit;
    (12) the school policy and regulations about granting credit for previous education and
preparation;
    (13) a notice to students relating to the transferability of any credits earned at the school
to other institutions;
    (14) a procedure for investigating and resolving student complaints; and
    (15) the name and address of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
    A school that is exclusively a distance education school is exempt from clauses (3) and (5).
    Subd. 9a.[Repealed, 1999 c 214 art 3 s 36]
    Subd. 9b.[Repealed, 1999 c 214 art 3 s 36]
    Subd. 10. Placement records. (a) Before a license is reissued to a school that offers,
advertises or implies a placement service, the school shall file with the office for the past year
and thereafter at reasonable intervals determined by the office, a certified copy of the school's
placement record, containing a list of graduates, a description of their jobs, names of their
employers, and other information as the office may prescribe.
    (b) Each school that offers a placement service shall furnish to each prospective student,
upon request, prior to enrollment, written information concerning the percentage of the previous
year's graduates who were placed in the occupation for which prepared or in related employment.
    Subd. 11.[Repealed, 1999 c 214 art 3 s 36]
    Subd. 12. Permanent records. A school licensed under this chapter and located in
Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years from the last date of
the student's attendance. A school licensed under this chapter and offering distance instruction to
a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student
for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. Records include school transcripts,
documents, and files containing student data about academic credits earned, courses completed,
grades awarded, degrees awarded, and periods of attendance. To preserve permanent records, a
school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:
    (1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository;
    (2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of records or
a transcript upon request;
    (3) an alternative method, approved by the office, of complying with clauses (1) and (2) must
be established if the school ceases to exist; and
    (4) a continuous surety bond must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed $20,000
if the school has no binding agreement approved by the office, for preserving student records.
The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota.
History: 1969 c 866 s 5; 1971 c 781 s 1,2; 1973 c 714 s 3-9; 1980 c 559 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 11 s
67-70; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 329 art 12 s 4; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 9,10; 1991 c 265 art 8 s 10; 1992 c
513 art 1 s 27; 1Sp1993 c 2 art 2 s 21; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 43,59; 1996 c 366 s 2; 1999 c 214 art 3
s 9-18; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2005 c 107 art 2 s 60; art 3 s 2-6; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 18-23

141.251 LICENSE RENEWAL.
    Subdivision 1. Application. Application for renewal of a license must be made at least
60 days before expiration of the current license on a form provided by the office. A renewal
application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as provided in section 141.255 that is
sufficient to recover, but does not exceed, the administrative costs of the office.
    Subd. 2. Conditions. The office shall adopt rules establishing the conditions for renewal of
a license. The conditions shall permit two levels of renewal based on the record of the school.
A school that has demonstrated the quality of its program and operation through longevity and
performance in the state may renew its license based on a relaxed standard of scrutiny. A school
that has been in operation in Minnesota for a limited period of time or that has not performed
adequately on performance indicators shall renew its license based on a strict standard of scrutiny.
The office shall specify minimum longevity standards and performance indicators that must be
met before a school may be permitted to operate under the relaxed standard of scrutiny. The
performance indicators used in this determination shall include, but not be limited to: degree
granting status, regional or national accreditation, loan default rates, placement rate of graduates,
student withdrawal rates, audit results, student complaints, and school status with the United
States Department of Education. Schools that meet the requirements established in rule shall be
required to submit a full relicensure report once every four years, and in the interim years will
be exempt from the requirements of section 141.25, subdivision 3, clauses (4), (5), and (8), and
Minnesota Rules, parts 4880.1700, subpart 6; and 4880.2100, subpart 4.
History: 1999 c 214 art 3 s 19; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 7

141.255 FEES.
    Subdivision 1. Initial licensure fee. The office processing fee for an initial licensure
application is:
(1) $1,500 for a school that will offer no more than one program during its first year of
operation;
(2) $2,000 for a school that will offer two or more nondegree level programs during its
first year of operation; and
(3) $2,500 for a school that will offer two or more degree level programs during its first
year of operation.
    Subd. 2. Renewal licensure fee; late fee. (a) The office processing fee for a renewal
licensure application is:
    (1) for a category A school, as determined by the office, the fee is $865 if the school offers
one program or $1,150 if the school offers two or more programs; and
    (2) for a category B or C school, as determined by the office, the fee is $430 if the school
offers one program or $575 if the school offers two or more programs.
    (b) If a license renewal application is not received by the office by the close of business at
least 60 days before the expiration of the current license, a late fee of $100 per business day, not
to exceed $3,000, shall be assessed.
    Subd. 3. Degree level addition fee. The office processing fee for adding a degree level to
an existing program is $2,000 per program.
    Subd. 4. Program addition fee. The office processing fee for adding a program that
represents a significant departure in the objectives, content, or method of delivery of programs
that are currently offered by the school is $500 per program.
    Subd. 5. Visit or consulting fee. If the office determines that a fact-finding visit or outside
consultant is necessary to review or evaluate any new or revised program, the office shall be
reimbursed for the expenses incurred related to the review as follows:
(1) $300 for the team base fee or for a paper review conducted by a consultant if the office
determines that a fact-finding visit is not required;
(2) $300 for each day or part thereof on site per team member; and
(3) the actual cost of customary meals, lodging, and related travel expenses incurred by
team members.
    Subd. 6. Modification fee. The fee for modification of any existing program is $100 and is
due if there is:
(1) an increase or decrease of 25 percent or more, from the original date of program approval,
in clock hours, credit hours, or calendar length of an existing program;
(2) a change in academic measurement from clock hours to credit hours or vice versa; or
(3) an addition or alteration of courses that represent a 25 percent change or more in the
objectives, content, or methods of delivery.
    Subd. 7. Solicitor permit fee. The solicitor permit fee is $350 and must be paid annually.
    Subd. 8. Multiple location fee. Schools wishing to operate at multiple locations must pay:
(1) $250 per location, for two to five locations; and
(2) an additional $50 for each location over five.
    Subd. 9. Student transcript fee. The fee for a student transcript requested from a closed
school whose records are held by the office is $10, with a maximum of five transcripts per request.
    Subd. 10. Public office documents; copies. The office shall establish rates for copies of
any public office document.
History: 2005 c 107 art 3 s 8; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 24

141.26 PERMITS FOR SOLICITORS.
    Subdivision 1. Required. A solicitor representing a school must obtain a solicitor's permit
from the office before soliciting students to enroll in such school. Such permit shall expire one
year following the date of issuance. Application for renewal of permit shall be made annually.
    Subd. 2. Application for permit. (a) The application for the permit shall state the full name,
address, previous employment, and such other information concerning the solicitor applicant
as the office may require.
(b) The application shall have attached to it a certified affidavit signed by a school official
and the solicitor attesting to the fact that the applicant has been furnished a copy, has read and has
knowledge of the provisions of this chapter and Minnesota Rules.
    Subd. 3. Refusal of permit. No permit shall be issued to any solicitor unless such solicitor
files with the office a continuous corporate surety bond in the sum of $2,000 conditioned upon the
faithful performance of all contracts and agreements with the students made by the solicitor. Such
bonds shall run to the state of Minnesota and to any person who may have cause of action against
the applicant arising at any time after the bond is filed and before it is canceled for breach of any
contract or agreement made by the solicitor with any student. The aggregate liability of the surety
for all breaches of the conditions of the bond shall not exceed the principal sum of $2,000. The
surety of any such bond may cancel it upon giving 60 days' notice in writing to the office and shall
be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after the effective date of cancellation.
In lieu of bond, the solicitor may deposit with the commissioner of finance the sum of $2,000.
    Subd. 4. Additional permits. A solicitor representing more than one school must obtain a
separate permit for each school represented; however when a solicitor represents schools having a
common ownership, only one permit shall be required.
    Subd. 5. Fee. The initial and renewal application for each permit shall be accompanied by
a nonrefundable fee under section 141.255.
    Subd. 6. Contract; validity. Any contract entered into by a solicitor for a licensed school
shall be unenforceable in any action brought thereon if the solicitor does not hold a valid permit
as required by this section.
History: 1969 c 866 s 6; 1971 c 781 s 3; 1973 c 714 s 10,11; 1Sp1985 c 11 s 71,72; 1989 c
329 art 12 s 5; 1991 c 265 art 8 s 11; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 27; 1Sp1993 c 2 art 2 s 22,23; 1995 c 212
art 3 s 59; 1996 c 366 s 3; 1999 c 214 art 3 s 20; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 9

141.265 INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.
    Subdivision 1. Catalog, brochure, or electronic display. A school or its agent must provide
the catalog, brochure, or electronic display required in section 141.25, subdivision 9, to a
prospective student in a time or manner that gives the prospective student at least five days to read
the catalog, brochure, or electronic display before signing a contract or enrollment agreement or
before being accepted by a school that does not use a written contract or enrollment agreement.
    Subd. 2. Contract information. A contract or enrollment agreement used by a school
must include at least the following:
    (1) the name and address of the school, clearly stated;
    (2) a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the agreement is a legally binding instrument
upon written acceptance of the student by the school unless canceled under section 141.271;
    (3) the school's cancellation and refund policy that shall be clearly and conspicuously
entitled "Buyer's Right to Cancel";
    (4) a clear statement of total cost of the program including tuition and all other charges;
    (5) the name and description of the program, including the number of hours or credits of
classroom instruction, or distance instruction, that shall be included; and
    (6) a clear and conspicuous explanation of the form and means of notice the student should
use in the event the student elects to cancel the contract or sale, the effective date of cancellation,
and the name and address of the seller to which the notice should be sent or delivered.
The contract or enrollment agreement must not include a wage assignment provision or a
confession of judgment clause.
    Subd. 3. Contract copies. Immediately upon signing of the enrollment agreement or the
contract by a prospective student, the school or agent shall furnish to the prospective student an
exact duplicate copy of the enrollment agreement or contract.
History: 1999 c 214 art 3 s 21; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 25

141.27 [Repealed, 1973 c 714 s 21]

141.271 REFUNDS.
    Subdivision 1. Student. For the purposes of this section, "student" means the party to the
contract, whether the party is the student, the student's parent or guardian, or other person on
behalf of the student.
    Subd. 1a. Notice; right to refund. Every school shall notify each student, in writing, of
acceptance or rejection. In the event that the student is rejected by the school, all tuition, fees
and other charges shall be refunded.
    Subd. 1b. Short-term programs. Licensed schools conducting programs not exceeding 40
hours in length shall not be required to make a full refund once a program has commenced and
shall be allowed to prorate any refund based on the actual length of the program as stated in the
school catalog or advertisements and the number of hours attended by the student.
    Subd. 2. Schools using written contracts. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
a school that uses a written contract or enrollment agreement shall refund all tuition, fees and
other charges paid by a student, if the student gives written notice of cancellation within five
business days after the day on which the contract was executed regardless of whether the program
has started.
(b) When a student has been accepted by the school and has entered into a contractual
agreement with the school and gives written notice of cancellation following the fifth business
day after the date of execution of contract, but before the start of the program in the case of
resident schools, or before the first lesson has been serviced by the school in the case of distance
education schools, all tuition, fees and other charges, except 15 percent of the total cost of the
program but not to exceed $50, shall be refunded to the student.
    Subd. 3. Schools not using written contracts. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
a school that does not use a written contract or enrollment agreement shall refund all tuition, fees
and other charges paid by a student if the student gives written notice of cancellation within five
business days after the day on which the student is accepted by the school regardless of whether
the program has started.
(b) When a student has been accepted by the school and gives written notice of cancellation
following the fifth business day after the day of acceptance by the school, but before the start of
the program, in the case of resident schools, or before the first lesson has been serviced by the
school, in the case of distance education schools, all tuition, fees and other charges, except 15
percent of the total cost of the program but not to exceed $50, shall be refunded to the student.
    Subd. 4. Resident schools. When a student has been accepted by a school offering a resident
program and gives written notice of cancellation, or the school has actual notice of a student's
nonattendance after the start of the period of instruction for which the student has been charged,
but before completion of 75 percent of the period of instruction, the amount charged for tuition,
fees, and all other charges shall be prorated based on number of days in the term as a portion of the
total charges for tuition, fees, and all other charges. An additional 25 percent of the total cost of
the period of instruction may be added, but shall not exceed $100. After completion of 75 percent
of the period of instruction for which the student has been charged, no refunds are required.
    Subd. 5. Distance education schools. When a student has been accepted by a distance
education school and gives written notice of cancellation after the first lesson has been completed
by the student and serviced by the school, but before completion of 75 percent of the program, the
amount charged for tuition, fees and all other charges for the completed lessons shall be prorated
as a portion of the total charges for tuition, fees and all other charges. An additional 25 percent
of the total cost of the program may be added but shall not exceed $75. After completion of 75
percent of the program, no refunds are required.
    Subd. 6. Combination distance education-resident schools. When a student has been
accepted by a school that offers a combination distance education-resident program and gives
written notice of cancellation after the start of the program or after the first lesson has been
completed by the student and serviced by the school, whichever phase comes first, the school
shall refund all tuition, fees and other charges as provided in subdivision 4 if cancellation occurs
during the resident portion, and as provided for in subdivision 5 if cancellation occurs during the
distance instruction portion. If the cancellation occurs before the student has commenced one of
the phases, the price of that phase shall not be considered in making the proration and the student
shall be entitled to a full refund of the charges. Conversely, if the student has completed a phase
of the program before cancellation, the charges may be retained by the school provided that the
total tuition, fees and other charges for each phase have been stated separately in the school's
catalog or electronic display and contract or enrollment agreement.
    Subd. 7. Equipment and supplies. The fair market retail price, if separately stated in the
catalog and contract or enrollment agreement, of equipment or supplies furnished to the student,
which the student fails to return in condition suitable for resale, and which may reasonably be
resold, within ten business days following cancellation may be retained by the school and may be
deducted from the total cost for tuition, fees and all other charges when computing refunds.
An overstatement of the fair market retail price of any equipment or supplies furnished the
student shall be considered inconsistent with this provision.
    Subd. 8. Time of refund. Each school shall acknowledge in writing any valid notice of
cancellation within ten business days after the receipt of such notice and within 30 business days
shall refund to the student any amounts due and arrange for termination of the student's obligation
to pay any sum in excess of that due under the cancellation and refund policy.
    Subd. 9. Limitation. A school cannot make its refund policy conditional upon compliance
with the school's regulations or rules of conduct.
    Subd. 10. Cancellation occurrence. Written notice of cancellation shall take place on the
date the letter of cancellation is postmarked or, in the cases where the notice is hand carried, it
shall occur on the date the notice is delivered to the school. If a student has not attended class for
a period of 21 consecutive days without contacting the school to indicate an intent to continue
in school or otherwise making arrangements concerning the absence, the student is considered
to have withdrawn from school for all purposes as of the student's last documented date of
attendance.
    Subd. 11. Date of execution. The date of execution of the contract or enrollment agreement
shall be presumed to be the date of delivery of the notice of acceptance; and if delivered by mail,
the postmark date of the letter of acceptance.
    Subd. 12. Instrument not to be negotiated. A school shall not negotiate any promissory
instrument received as payment of tuition or other charge prior to completion of 50 percent of
the program, except that prior to that time, instruments may be transferred by assignment to
purchasers who shall be subject to all defenses available against the school named as payee.
    Subd. 13. Cancellation of enrollment. If a student's enrollment in a school is canceled for
any reason, the school shall notify any agency known to the school to be providing financial aid to
the student of the cancellation within 30 days.
    Subd. 14. Closed school. In the event a school closes for any reason during a term and
interrupts and terminates classes during that term, all tuition for the term shall be refunded to the
students or the appropriate state or federal agency or private lender that provided any funding for
the term and any outstanding obligation of the student for the term is canceled.
History: 1973 c 714 s 12; 1980 c 559 s 2,3; 1986 c 444; 1996 c 366 s 4; 1999 c 214 art 3
s 22-28; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 10-14; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 26,27

141.28 PROHIBITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Disclosure required. A school, agent, or solicitor may represent in
advertisements and shall disclose in catalogues, applications, and enrollment materials that the
school is duly licensed by the state by prominently displaying the following statement:
"(Name of school) is licensed as a private career school with the Minnesota Office of Higher
Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 141.21 to 141.32. Licensure is not an
endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other
institutions."
    Subd. 2. Unlawful designation. No school organized after November 15, 1969, shall apply
to itself either as a part of its name or in any other manner the designation of "college" or
"university" unless such school applies for and receives certification from the office that it meets
appropriate standards and is entitled to such designation. Operating schools now using such
designation may continue use thereof.
    Subd. 3. False statements. A school, agent, or solicitor shall not make, or cause to be
made, any statement or representation, oral, written or visual, in connection with the offering or
publicizing of a program, if the school, agent, or solicitor knows or reasonably should have
known the statement or representation to be false, fraudulent, deceptive, substantially inaccurate,
or misleading.
    Subd. 4. Acceptance of contracts. No school shall accept contracts, enrollment agreements
or enrollment applications from an agent or solicitor who does not have a current permit.
    Subd. 5. Improbable program completion or employment. A school, agent, or solicitor
shall not enroll a prospective student when it is obvious that the prospective student is unlikely to
successfully complete a program or is unlikely to qualify for employment in the vocation or field
for which the preparation is designed unless this fact is affirmatively disclosed to the prospective
student. If a prospective student expresses a desire to enroll after such disclosure, a disclaimer
may be obtained by the school. The disclaimer shall be signed by the student and shall state
substantially one or both of the following: "I am fully aware that it is unlikely I will be able to
successfully complete the program" and "I am fully aware of the improbability or impossibility
that I will qualify for employment in the vocation or field for which the program was designed."
    Subd. 6. Financial aid payments. (a) All schools must collect, assess, and distribute funds
received from loans or other financial aid as provided in this subdivision.
(b) Student loans or other financial aid funds received from federal, state, or local
governments or administered in accordance with federal student financial assistance programs
under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, United States Code, title 20,
chapter 28, must be collected and applied as provided by applicable federal, state, or local law or
regulation.
(c) Student loans or other financial aid assistance received from a bank, finance or credit
card company, or other private lender must be collected or disbursed as provided in paragraphs
(d) and (e).
(d) Loans or other financial aid payments for amounts greater than $3,000 must be disbursed:
(1) in two equal disbursements, if the term length is more than four months. The loan or
payment amounts may be disbursed no earlier than the first day the student attends class with the
remainder to be disbursed halfway through the term; or
(2) in three equal disbursements, if the term length is more than six months. The loan or
payment amounts may be disbursed no earlier than the first day the student attends class, one-third
of the way through the term, and two-thirds of the way through the term.
(e) Loans or other financial aid payments for amounts less than $3,000 may be disbursed as a
single disbursement on the first day a student attends class, regardless of term length.
(f) No school may enter into a contract or agreement with, or receive any money from, a
bank, finance or credit card company, or other private lender, unless the private lender follows the
requirements for disbursements provided in paragraphs (d) and (e).
History: 1969 c 866 s 8; 1973 c 714 s 13-15; 1Sp1985 c 11 s 73; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 513
art 1 s 27; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1999 c 214 art 3 s 29,30; 2005 c 107 art 2 s 60; art 3 s 15,16;
2007 c 144 art 3 s 28

141.29 REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PERMIT.
    Subdivision 1. Grounds. The office may, after notice and upon providing an opportunity for
a hearing, under chapter 14 if requested by the parties adversely affected, refuse to issue, refuse to
renew, revoke, or suspend a license or solicitor's permit for any of the following grounds:
(1) violation of any provisions of sections 141.21 to 141.35 or any rule adopted by the office;
(2) furnishing to the office false, misleading, or incomplete information;
(3) presenting to prospective students information relating to the school that is false,
fraudulent, deceptive, substantially inaccurate, or misleading;
(4) refusal to allow reasonable inspection or supply reasonable information after written
request by the office;
(5) the existence of any circumstance that would be grounds for the refusal of an initial or
renewal license under section 141.25.
    Subd. 2. Appeal. Any order refusing, revoking, or suspending a school's license or a
solicitor's permit is appealable in accordance with chapter 14. Where a school has been operating
and its license has been revoked, suspended, or refused by the office, the order is not effective
until the final determination of the appeal unless immediate effect is ordered by the court.
    Subd. 3. Powers and duties. The office shall have (in addition to the powers and duties now
vested therein by law) the following powers and duties:
(a) To negotiate and enter into interstate reciprocity agreements with similar agencies in
other states, if in the judgment of the office such agreements are or will be helpful in effectuating
the purposes of Laws 1973, chapter 714;
(b) To grant conditional school license for periods of less than one year if in the judgment
of the office correctable deficiencies exist at the time of application and when refusal to issue
school license would adversely affect currently enrolled students;
(c) The office may upon its own motion, and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of
any person setting forth fact which, if proved, would constitute grounds for refusal or revocation
under Laws 1973, chapter 714, investigate the actions of any applicant or any person or persons
holding or claiming to hold a license or permit. However, before proceeding to a hearing on the
question of whether a license or permit shall be refused, revoked or suspended for any cause
enumerated in subdivision 1, the office shall grant a reasonable time to the holder of or applicant
for a license or permit to correct the situation. If within such time the situation is corrected and the
school is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, no further action leading to refusal,
revocation, or suspension shall be taken.
History: 1969 c 866 s 9; 1973 c 714 s 16,17; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1983 c 247 s 61; 1985 c
248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 27; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1996 c 366 s 5; 1999 c
214 art 3 s 31; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 17

141.30 INSPECTION.
(a) The office or a delegate may inspect the instructional books and records, classrooms,
dormitories, tools, equipment and classes of any school or applicant for license at any reasonable
time. The office may require the submission of a certified public audit, or if there is no such audit
available the office or a delegate may inspect the financial books and records of the school. In
no event shall such financial information be used by the office to regulate or set the tuition or
fees charged by the school.
(b) Data obtained from an inspection of the financial records of a school or submitted to
the office as part of a license application or renewal are nonpublic data as defined in section
13.02, subdivision 9. Data obtained from inspections may be disclosed to other members of the
office, to law enforcement officials, or in connection with a legal or administrative proceeding
commenced to enforce a requirement of law.
History: 1969 c 866 s 10; 1973 c 714 s 18; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 27; 1995 c 212
art 3 s 59; 1999 c 227 s 13; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 18

141.31 INJUNCTION.
Upon application of the attorney general the district courts shall have jurisdiction to enjoin
any violation of sections 141.21 to 141.35.
History: 1969 c 866 s 11; 1999 c 214 art 3 s 32

141.32 PENALTY.
    The director may assess fines for violations of a provision of this chapter. Each day's failure
to comply with this chapter shall be a separate violation and fines shall not exceed $500 per day
per violation. Amounts received under this section must be deposited in the special revenue fund
and are appropriated to the Office of Higher Education for the purposes of this chapter.
History: 1969 c 866 s 12; 1971 c 23 s 13; 1973 c 714 s 19; 1Sp1985 c 11 s 74; 1999 c
214 art 3 s 33; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 29

141.33 [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

141.34 [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

141.35 EXEMPTIONS.
    Sections 141.21 to 141.32 shall not apply to the following:
    (1) public postsecondary institutions;
    (2) postsecondary institutions registered under sections 136A.615 to 136A.71;
    (3) schools of nursing accredited by the state Board of Nursing or an equivalent public board
of another state or foreign country;
    (4) private schools complying with the requirements of section 120A.22, subdivision 4;
    (5) courses taught to students in a valid apprenticeship program taught by or required by a
trade union;
    (6) schools exclusively engaged in training physically or mentally disabled persons for the
state of Minnesota;
    (7) schools licensed by boards authorized under Minnesota law to issue licenses;
    (8) schools and educational programs, or training programs, contracted for by persons, firms,
corporations, government agencies, or associations, for the training of their own employees, for
which no fee is charged the employee;
    (9) schools engaged exclusively in the teaching of purely avocational, recreational, or
remedial subjects as determined by the office;
    (10) classes, courses, or programs conducted by a bona fide trade, professional, or fraternal
organization, solely for that organization's membership;
    (11) programs in the fine arts provided by organizations exempt from taxation under section
290.05 and registered with the attorney general under chapter 309. For the purposes of this clause,
"fine arts" means activities resulting in artistic creation or artistic performance of works of the
imagination which are engaged in for the primary purpose of creative expression rather than
commercial sale or employment. In making this determination the office may seek the advice and
recommendation of the Minnesota Board of the Arts;
    (12) classes, courses, or programs intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements
for licensure or certification in a profession, that have been approved by a legislatively or
judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession,
and that are offered exclusively to an individual practicing the profession;
    (13) classes, courses, or programs intended to prepare students to sit for undergraduate,
graduate, postgraduate, or occupational licensing and occupational entrance examinations;
    (14) classes, courses, or programs providing 16 or fewer clock hours of instruction that are
not part of the curriculum for an occupation or entry level employment;
    (15) classes, courses, or programs providing instruction in personal development, modeling,
or acting;
    (16) training or instructional programs, in which one instructor teaches an individual student,
that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or are not intended to prepare a person for
entry level employment; and
    (17) schools with no physical presence in Minnesota, as determined by the office, engaged
exclusively in offering distance instruction that are located in and regulated by other states or
jurisdictions.
History: 1969 c 866 s 15; 1973 c 714 s 20; 1977 c 59 s 1; 1980 c 559 s 4; 1989 c 209 art 1 s
13; art 2 s 1; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 11; 1992 c 513 art 1 s 27; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1998 c 397 art
11 s 3; 1999 c 214 art 3 s 34; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2005 c 107 art 3 s 19; 2007 c 144 art 3 s 30

141.36 [Repealed, 1999 c 214 art 3 s 36]

141.37 EXEMPTION; RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.
    Subdivision 1. Exemption. Any school or any department or branch of a school:
    (1) which is substantially owned, operated, or supported by a bona fide church or religious
organization;
    (2) whose programs are primarily designed for, aimed at, and attended by persons who
sincerely hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of that church or religious
organization; and
    (3) whose programs are primarily intended to prepare its students to become ministers of, to
enter into some other vocation closely related to, or to conduct their lives in consonance with the
particular faith of that church or religious organization,
is exempt from the provisions of sections 141.21 to 141.32.
    Subd. 2. Limitations. (a) An exemption shall not extend to any school, department or branch
of a school, or program of a school which through advertisements or solicitations represents
to any students or prospective students that the school, its aims, goals, missions, purposes, or
programs are different from those described in subdivision 1.
    (b) An exemption shall not extend to any school which represents to any student or
prospective student that the major purpose of its programs is to:
    (1) prepare the student for a vocation not closely related to that particular religious faith; or
    (2) provide the student with a general educational program recognized by other schools or
the broader educational, business, or social community as being substantially equivalent to the
educational programs offered by schools or departments or branches of schools which are not
religious in nature and are not exempt from chapter 141 and from rules adopted under this chapter.
    Subd. 3. Scope. Nothing in this chapter or the rules adopted under it shall be interpreted as
permitting the office to determine the truth or falsity of any particular set of religious beliefs.
    Subd. 4. Descriptive language required. Any certificate, diploma, degree, or other formal
recognition awarded upon completion of any religiously exempt program shall include such
descriptive language as to make the religious nature of the award clear.
History: 2007 c 144 art 3 s 31