NEW Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

New FAFSA applicants will be available by December 31, 2023

STUDENTS and PARENTS will need to create a FAFSA account and get their account verified BEFORE applying for student aid.

Visit the FAFSA website for complete information and establish student and parent accounts to obtain your FSA ID which is needed to complete both the student and parent FAFSA form.

Applying for FAFSA:

Establish a student and parent FAFSA account to obtain a FSA ID before being able to apply for FAFSA. 

• Complete and submit a free application for federal student financial aid and to apply for most state and college aid.
• Applications beginning in January 
• Download and print the FAFSA Worksheet to assist with the application
• Apply online at FAFSA.gov starting by December 31, 2024

HELPFUL Website Links:

Federal Student Aid online information

CREATE an FSA ID with FAFSA

FAFSA Checklist

FAFSA Presentation

FAFSA Question Form

Who is Eligible for FAFSA?

Students with family incomes up to $65,000 may be eligible for Pell Grants. However, most Pell awards go to students with family incomes below $30,000 but this depends on the family size too! It is FREE to apply for Federal Pell Grants.

FAFSA quick estimate:   Estimator

The U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program has four types of Direct Loans available:

• Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need.
• Direct PLUS Loans are loans made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is not based on financial need, but a credit check is required. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify.
• Direct Consolidation Loans allow you to combine all of your eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer.

Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)

Students can apply for financial aid to help pay for college. They can use their MCIS account to research and learn more about government financial aid, scholarships, grants and more.

• Log into MCIS  (Log in with Clever, using student Gmail account user and password)  
• Go to Financial Aid, Scholarships, Grants and Information

Tuition Reciprocity Programs

Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota for the cost of tuition at state colleges and universities.

Midwest Student Exchange Program students attending school at state colleges in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, & Nebraska may be eligible for reduced tuition rates. Students will pay 150% of regular in-state tuition under this program. A 10% tuition discount may apply at certain private colleges in these states.

Military Financial Aid Resource

Financial Aid for Military Service Members and student veterans information is available with Best Colleges. Military Tuition Assistance Programs, federal student aid for service members and veterans with additional resources for financial assistance visit:  Best Colleges