A group of Christian parents and schools on Monday filed a lawsuit over a Minnesota law that excludes faith-based colleges from a state program that helps high school juniors and seniors earn free college credits.
The Post Secondary Enrollment Options program has operated for 40 years. Last year, the state barred participating schools from requiring students to sign a statement of faith — a common practice for Christian universities such as the University of Northwestern-St. Paul and Crown College.
“We raise our children to put their faith at the center of everything they do,” parents Melinda and Mark Loe said, according to a press release from Becket, the religious liberty firm representing the families.
“Unfortunately, Minnesota is depriving kids like ours of the opportunity to get a head start on college at schools that embrace their faith. We hope the court will strike this law down and protect all religious students and the schools they want to attend,” they added.
The lawsuit Loe v. Jett was filed last year in federal court, arguing the law unfairly discriminates against religious institutions and limits options for faith-based education.
And Minnesota has agreed not to enforce the rule while litigation continues, allowing Northwestern and Crown to remain in the program for now — though the state is reportedly advocating the schools be excluded.
The families contend that Minnesota is violating their rights by punishing religious schools.
“Minnesota wants to single out our university because of this unique campus culture which integrates faith and learning,” Corbin Hoornbeek, president of the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, said, according to the Becket press release. “We pray the court will recognize that and continue to allow us to help on-campus PSEO students flourish in their faith and education.”
An official ruling is expected in the coming months, bringing with it broader implications for religious freedom within American education.
The Washington Times has reached out to Minnesota officials for comment.
• Emma Ayers can be reached at eayers@washingtontimes.com.
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