Higher education institution unused student meal plan balances refund requirement

SF 2816 requires Minnesota colleges and universities to refund unused balances from student meal plans within 45 days after the spring term ends or if a student withdraws. It directly affects students who have unused meal plan funds and all Minnesota higher education institutions offering meal plans. The bill mandates that institutions must refund cash values of unused meal credits or apply them to future terms at a student's request, and prohibits requiring students to forfeit these funds. Institutions must also provide regular balance updates to students and annually report their compliance to the Office of Higher Education. This policy change ensures unused meal plan funds are returned to students rather than retained by institutions.