College Financial Aid
College Financial Aid Information
2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
AVAILABLE: DECEMBER 1, 2024
STUDENTS and PARENTS will need to create a FAFSA account and get their account verified BEFORE applying with FAFSA. This can be done at any time before December.
Visit the FAFSA website to establish both a student and parent account to obtain your FSA ID which is needed to complete both the student and parent FAFSA forms.
US Department of Education FAFSA information
Who is Eligible for FAFSA?
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