10 Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Minnesota

There's no argument that higher education can be expensive. While Minnesota isn't one of the top ten states for highest tuition costs, it sits right on the outside at number 11, according to the Education Data Initiative; however, students can still find affordable online colleges in Minnesota to complete their degrees.

Luckily, financial aid is available to Minnesota students, even those attending online schools. Keep reading to discover the best online colleges that accept FAFSA for students in Minnesota.

10 Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Minnesota

Students who submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could have up to their full tuition costs covered under Minnesota's North Star Promise program. This is a last-dollar scholarship program that covers remaining tuition costs after other grants and scholarships have been applied if you meet the following criteria:

• you're a Minnesota resident
• you're enrolled in an undergraduate degree program
• you're studying at a public Minnesota college or university
• your family has an Adjusted Gross Income of less than $80,000

Even if you don't qualify for this program, there are many other financial aid options, and several online colleges in Minnesota accept FAFSA so students can access financial aid. Find an affordable online college in Minnesota that accepts FAFSA with our top picks below, all of which hold regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1. Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University is a public university in Bemidji, MN, and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It offers online degrees at the bachelor's and master's levels in fields like:

• business administration
• criminal justice
• nursing
• social sciences

Students who fill out their FAFSA may be eligible for a range of financial aid opportunities, including the North Star Promise Scholarship. The university's FAFSA code is 002336.

2. College of St. Scholastica

At the College of St. Scholastica, students can earn bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even doctoral degrees on campus or online. CSS is a nonprofit Catholic institution in Duluth, MN.

Students can take online programs in business management, computer science, nursing, and social work. Because CSS is private, students cannot use the North Star Promise Scholarship here, but the school offers several institutional scholarship programs. Its FAFSA code is 002343.

3. Concordia University St. Paul

The online programs at Concordia University Saint Paul include associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Programs are available in fields like business administration, criminal justice, education, and information technology.

First-year undergraduate students who are Pell Grant-eligible may qualify for the CSP Pell Commitment, which covers the recipient's full tuition balance remaining after the Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, and other scholarships have been applied. Other financial aid options are available as well, once students enter the school's code of 002347 into their FAFSA.

4. Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a public university in the Minneapolis-St. Paul ''Twin Cities'' metro area. It's another member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like:

• business administration
• criminal justice
• human services
• psychology

As Metro State is public, Minnesota residents may qualify to have their tuition covered under the North Star Promise. The school's FAFSA code is 010374.

5. Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Mankato is another member of the Minnesota State University system, and as a result, the North Star Promise is available here as well. The university is located in Mankato, MN, and its FAFSA code is 002360.

Online learners can assess online bachelor's degrees and online master's degrees in areas of study such as communication, education, information technology, and more. A handful of graduate certificates are also available to online students.

6. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Students at Minnesota State University Moorhead will find numerous online education programs in fields such as business administration, education, healthcare management, and nursing. The university primarily offers bachelor's and master's degrees through online learning, but a few doctoral degrees as well.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public university in Moorhead, MN, and a member of the Minnesota State University System. Its FAFSA code is 002367, and qualifying students can use this to access aid like the North Star Promise.

7. Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is part of the Minnesota State University System and is located in Marshall, MN. It offers online bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in fields like:

• computer science
• education
• nursing
• psychology

As a public university, Minnesota students at SMSU will get in-state tuition and may qualify for the North Star Promise or other types of financial aid. The school's FAFSA code is 002375.

8. St. Catherine University

At St. Catherine University, college students can find online academic programs, primarily associate and bachelor's degrees, but also a few graduate programs. It is a private, nonprofit, Catholic university in Saint Paul.

Online undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in areas of study such as business, healthcare management, nursing, and social work. The university offers various scholarship programs to students, and its FAFSA code is 002342.

9. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public university system in Minnesota. The main campus, and the largest university by enrollment in the state, is based in the Twin Cities; however, it offers online undergraduate degrees primarily through its Crookston, MN campus.

Distance education programs for undergraduate students include majors in fields like agriculture, business, criminal justice, and information technology. Graduate programs are offered through the system's various graduate schools, and include options like business administration, computer science, and education.

Because the University of Minnesota system is public, Minnesota students can get in-person tuition rates and use the North Star Promise. The FAFSA code will depend on which specific campus you're taking online courses through.

10. Winona State University

Winona State University is another member of the Minnesota State University System. It's based in Winona, MN, and offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Students can earn degrees in areas of study such as business administration, education, and healthcare leadership. The university's FAFSA code is 002394.

Applying for FAFSA in Minnesota

Below, we've offered a brief rundown of applying for FAFSA in Minnesota.

Eligibility

The only eligibility requirements to submit the FAFSA are that you are a U.S. citizen (or eligible noncitizen) and you have a high school diploma or equivalent, with plans to pursue higher education at an accredited institution.

Other than that, there are no eligibility restrictions to apply for FAFSA in Minnesota � the purpose of FAFSA is to determine your eligibility for different types of financial aid. All students who might need financial aid should apply for FAFSA.

Steps To Apply

There are a few general steps you'll need to follow to apply for FAFSA:

• Step 1: Create an account at StudentAid.gov.
• Step 2: Gather all the documents you'll need. If you're a dependent, this includes your parents' Social Security numbers, and if you're married, your spouse's. You'll also need things like your family's tax returns, as well as balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts.
• Step 3: Fill out the form with all the information you have, including the FAFSA code for all schools you're applying to, even if you haven't been accepted yet. This step usually takes about an hour.
• Step 4: Sign and submit your FAFSA.

Once you've submitted your FAFSA, you can check the status of your application through your StudentAid.gov account.

FAQs About Using FAFSA for College in Minnesota

We've answered a few frequently asked questions about using FAFSA for college in Minnesota.

Can I Use FAFSA for Online College?

Minnesota online students can use FAFSA for their programs just as those studying in person can. As long as your college or university is accredited, you should have no problem using FAFSA for online college.

How Can I Check if an Online College Accepts FAFSA?

If a college or university is accredited, especially regionally accredited, it should accept FAFSA. However, you can double-check by looking at the financial aid page of the college or university's website or by contacting the college's financial aid office.

What Degrees Will Financial Aid Cover?

Financial aid can cover all types of degrees, both online and on-campus. These include:

• associate degrees
• bachelor's degrees (including degree completion programs)
• master's degrees
• doctoral degrees

Note that some types of aid are specific to individual degree levels.

Earn Your Bachelor's Degree Online Today

If you're a Minnesota resident ready to earn an online bachelor's degree, check out the many accredited online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their online programs and financial aid today.