MN · Credential

Minnesota Credential Reimbursement Programs for Employers

Minnesota's Dual Training Grant, run by the Office of Higher Education, reimburses employers for tuition, fees, books and materials when employees earn an industry-recognized degree, certificate or credential in approved occupations. It pays up to $6,000 per trainee in a grant period and $24,000 in a lifetime. The 2026 round closed April 8, 2026, and future rounds depend on funding.

Check my Minnesota eligibility How Credential works nationally

Reimbursa Eligibility Scanner

Tell us your state, industry, and recent training spend. We'll show you which workforce-reimbursement programs you likely qualify for — with estimated recoverable dollars — in about 30 seconds. No email required.

State pre-filled: MN
Program type pre-filled: credential_reimbursement

Run My Free Scan

HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Pick an approved occupation and a training provider
2
Apply in the annual round with your training plan and OJT plan
3
If awarded, sign the contract and begin training
4
Pay the provider, report, and get reimbursed

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Minnesota money comes from.

Run by Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), with the Department of Labor and Industry's Dual-Training Pipeline. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Dual Training Competency Grants (Dual Training Grant)

$6,000 per trainee per grant period, $24,000 lifetime

CLOSED, NEXT ROUND NOT ANNOUNCED

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of related instruction costs (tuition, fees, required books and materials) and trainee support costs, for employees pursuing an industry-recognized credential while getting on-the-job training.

HOW MUCH

Up to $150,000 for related instruction plus up to 10% of that for trainee support, $165,000 maximum per application. Up to $6,000 per trainee in a grant period and $24,000 per trainee in total. Employers with more than $25,000,000 in gross revenue pay at least 25% of related instruction cost.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer or organization of employers, after it shows it paid the training provider. If the employer cannot pay in advance, DEED may pay the provider directly.

WHO QUALIFIES

Employer, nonprofit, local government or organization of employers
Employee works in, or is to be trained for, an approved occupation in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, child care, health care services, information technology, legal cannabis or transportation
Training from an eligible provider that leads to a degree, certificate or credential
An on-the-job training plan paired with the instruction

Before you start: Yes. Costs count only after the grant contract is fully executed and effective.

AVOID THESE

What gets Minnesota Credential claims denied.

Training costs incurred before the grant contract is effective.
SOURCE: OHE.MN.GOV
Applying for an occupation not on the approved list.
SOURCE: OHE.MN.GOV
Employee was not on your payroll when training began.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MN.GOV
Large employers skipping the 25% match.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MN.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Minnesota Credential questions.

Does the grant pay for wages?

No. It reimburses related instruction and trainee support costs. Wages are part of the on-the-job training the employer provides.

SOURCE: OHE.MN.GOV

When is the next round?

Not announced as of September 2026. The 2026 round was the fifteenth, and any future round depends on available funds.

SOURCE: OHE.MN.GOV

Who is a large employer?

A business with more than $25,000,000 in annual gross revenue in the previous calendar year.

SOURCE: REVISOR.MN.GOV

Does the money reach me before I pay the school?

The commissioner pays after you show you paid the provider. If you cannot pay in advance, payments can go directly to the provider.

SOURCE: REVISOR.MN.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA

Reimbursa monitors workforce-reimbursement programs across every state and writes machine-checkable rules packs that prevent claim rejections. See membership pricing.