A federal judge has ruled that Minnesota cannot bar religious colleges from participating in a popular state-funded college credit program for high school students. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel found that a 2023 law excluding schools requiring a statement of faith violates the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom.
Religious Colleges Win Access to State Education Funds
The ruling marks a legal victory for Crown College and the University of Northwestern, two conservative Christian institutions in Minnesota. Both require students to commit to religious conduct codes, which critics argue exclude LGBTQ+ students and non-Christians. Brasel’s decision allows these schools to remain part of Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
Lawmakers Sought to Expand LGBTQ+ Protections
The 2023 law was enacted after Democrats gained full control of Minnesota’s government. It was part of a larger education funding bill and aimed to prohibit schools with discriminatory admissions practices from accessing state funds. LGBTQ+ advocates and the Department of Education supported the change, saying it protected non-Christian and LGBTQ+ students from exclusion.
Families and Religious Groups Sued Over Exclusion
Parents and high school students who wanted to take courses at the religious colleges filed a lawsuit, claiming the law restricted their freedom to choose institutions aligned with their faith. Represented by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the plaintiffs argued the policy violated their First Amendment rights. “This ruling is a win for families who won’t be strong-armed into abandoning their beliefs,” said Becket senior counsel Diana Thomson.
Judge Cites Supreme Court Precedents on Religious Freedom
Judge Brasel emphasized that once a state funds private education, it cannot discriminate against schools solely because they are religious. She also struck down a related provision that banned program discrimination based on religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Her ruling reflects recent Supreme Court decisions favoring religious institutions in education funding cases.
Political and Legal Fallout Continues
The Minnesota Department of Education did not immediately comment. The state had previously agreed not to enforce the law during the lawsuit. In a related development, another judge last week overturned a 2024 gun control provision, highlighting legal scrutiny of recent laws passed under Democratic leadership.
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Judge strikes down Minnesota law banning religious tests for college credit program
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