Religious parents & schools take state to court for punishing faith-based education Minnesota continues efforts to block religious schools from pre-college credit program

WASHINGTON – A group of Christian parents and schools were in federal court today challenging a Minnesota law that bars some faith-based universities from offering free college credits to high school students within Minnesota’s pre-college credit program. In Loe v. Jett, a group of Christian families and schools, with Becket’s help, sued Minnesota last year for excluding universities that require students to sign a statement of faith from the state’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. While Minnesota promised not to enforce the law while the case is ongoing, it continues to argue that these families and schools should be left out of the program. 

Minnesota created the PSEO program almost 40 years ago to enable high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit for free. Through this program, students have been able to attend any eligible public or private school of their choice. Melinda and Mark Loe and Dawn Erickson are parents in Minnesota who have used PSEO funds for their older children to attend two outstanding Christian schools, University of Northwestern – St. Paul and Crown College, that uphold their religious values. Their younger children want to do the same. But last year, Minnesota passed a law that excludes religious schools like Northwestern and Crown from participating in the PSEO program because they require on-campus students to sign a statement of faith.  

These families and schools challenged Minnesota’s law in federal court last year to stop the state from punishing religious students and faith-based schools. Soon after, Minnesota’s attorney general agreed not to enforce the law while the case is ongoing, allowing schools like Crown and Northwestern to continue shaping their campus environments according to their beliefs, and allowing students to have the choice of an education that aligns with their faith. However, the state continues to argue that the students and families should be cut out of the program. A ruling from the court is expected in the coming months.  

Statements for media use: 

Mark and Melinda Loe: 

“We raise our children to put their faith at the center of everything they do. 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.” 

Corbin Hoornbeek, president at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul: 

“For over a century, Northwestern has existed to offer students a Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve in the home, church, community, and the world. Minnesota wants to single out our university because of this unique campus culture which integrates faith and learning. We pray the court will recognize that and continue to allow us to help on-campus PSEO students flourish in their faith and education.” 

Andrew Denton, president of Crown College: 

“Crown College is committed to providing all our students the tools they need to excel intellectually and spiritually through our biblically-integrated education. For decades, we have been grateful to extend this opportunity to young students who seek to join our Christian community through the PSEO program. We pray that the court will continue to allow every student in Minnesota to use PSEO funds at the school that best meets their needs and matches their values.” 

Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket: 

“Politicians in St. Paul are slamming the door on thousands of high schoolers who want to get a head start on college simply because they’re religious. That’s disgraceful: the state should be helping educate its students, not cutting them off from opportunities that will allow them to grow. We’re confident the court will strike down Minnesota’s ban for good.” 

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at  [email protected]  or 202-349-7219.