How To Get Free College in Minnesota

Historically, Minnesota has been one of the more expensive states for college in the United States. However, the state government, and several colleges and universities, have taken steps to make college more affordable.

The North Star Promise Scholarship Program was recently instituted to help Minnesota students pay for college, but it's not the only program available. Along with these great options, students may attend tuition-free online colleges in Minnesota.

Keep reading to learn how to get free college in Minnesota.

Is Community College Free in Minnesota?

Community college isn't inherently free in Minnesota, but there are ways to reduce or cover the tuition you pay at a Minnesota community college. One of the best ways to reduce costs is the North Star Promise Scholarship. This scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that helps students cover expenses that aren't covered by federal and state grants and scholarships. It's available to students at all public colleges and universities in Minnesota, including community colleges.

Who Qualifies for Free College in Minnesota?

Because there are numerous types of financial aid, there are no specific criteria for free college in Minnesota. However, most free tuition programs are based on financial need.

Specific eligibility requirements vary between programs, but you'll typically need to be a Minnesota resident with a family income that falls under a certain threshold. You may also need to be a full-time student and show that you're making satisfactory academic progress to maintain your tuition-free status.

What Is the Minnesota State Grant?

The Minnesota State Grant is a state-sponsored grant that helps students from low- and moderate-income families pay for their degree programs at Minnesota colleges and universities. These grants can't be used for out-of-state schools. However, many Minnesota colleges and universities accept the Minnesota State Grant, including public universities, private universities, community colleges, and trade schools.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility requirements for the Minnesota State Grant are pretty simple. They include:

• be a Minnesota resident
• be enrolled as an undergraduate for at least three credits
• be enrolled at one of the eligible Minnesota colleges or universities

Additionally, students can not have already received a baccalaureate degree and cannot be in default on a student loan or be more than 30 days behind on child support owed.

Eligible Institutions

More than 130 schools in Minnesota allow students to use the Minnesota State Grant for their college education. This is the majority of accredited institutions in the state. The types of schools that are eligible for the Minnesota State Grant include:

• public universities, like the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State University
• private non-profit universities, like Augsburg University and Hamline University
• public community colleges, like Normandale Community College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College
• cosmetology schools, like Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute Minneapolis and Empire Beauty School
• Tribal Colleges like Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College and White Earth Tribal & Community College

How To Apply

The application process for the Minnesota State Grant is fairly simple; you apply for the state grant by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Undocumented students can apply for a Minnesota State Grant by completing the Minnesota Dream Act application.

What Is the North Star Promise Program?

The North Star Promise Program is a scholarship program meant to help students cover the cost of their college tuition. It's a 'last-dollar scholarship,' meaning it covers whatever the student's other grants and scholarships do not.

Who Is Eligible?

There are a few standard eligibility requirements for the North Star Promise Scholarship. These include:

• be a Minnesota resident
• have a family-adjusted gross income of under $80,000 as reported on FAFSA or the Minnesota Dream Act Application
• attend a Minnesota public higher education or Tribal College
• not be in default on a state or federal student loan
• be enrolled taking at least one credit
• meet satisfactory academic progress standards
• have not already earned a bachelor's degree
• be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate

Eligible Institutions

All Minnesota public higher education institutions and Tribal Colleges accept the North Star Promise Scholarship. Four-year universities include:

• University of Minnesota (all campuses)
• Bemidji State University
• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State College Southeast
• Minnesota State University Moorhead
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• St. Cloud State University
• Winona State University

Students attending state community colleges can also utilize the North Star Promise Scholarship, as can students at the four Tribal Colleges:

• Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
• Leech Lake Tribal College
• Red Lake Nation College
• White Earth Tribal & Community College

How To Apply

Like the Minnesota State Grant, the North Promise Scholarship has no specific application instructions. Ensure you complete your FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application. The college or university you're attending will assess your eligibility. Schools will award these scholarships to all eligible students.

Tips for Making College Affordable

There are several things Minnesota students can do to make college more affordable. These include:

• fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible
• take advantage of state and federal grants, like the Pell Grant
• look for grants and scholarships to cover your tuition
• speak to a financial aid advisor

Tuition-Free Colleges in Minnesota

A few colleges and universities in Minnesota offer additional tuition-free programs beyond the Minnesota State Grant and the North Star Promise Scholarship Program. We've broken them down below.

Minnesota State College Southeast

Minnesota State College Southeast is a public technical and community college with Red Wing and Winona campuses. It's part of the Minnesota State system and offers additional ways to cover tuition.

The first is the Red Wing College Promise, which covers up to 70 college credits and offers $500 per year towards the cost of books and materials. Students must:

• be a recent graduate of a Red Wing public high school
• be a Red Wing school district resident
• have a minimum average high school GPA of 2.0 in junior and senior year or complete an academic success contract

Another option is the College Opportunity Program for Winona residents, which covers tuition and offers $500 per year toward the cost of books and materials. Students must be recent graduates and Winona Area Public Schools district residents to be eligible. The college also accepts the American Indian Scholars program, in which students who are enrolled members or citizens of any federally recognized tribe or Canadian First Nation can attend a Minnesota State institution or the University of Minnesota for free.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public university system. There are multiple University of Minnesota campuses: Twin Cities, Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and Waseca. The university system offers the Promise Plus Free Tuition Program that helps students cover tuition not covered by federal, state, and university grants and scholarships. Students must be Minnesota residents with a family income of $50,000 or less.

There's no specific application for the Promise Plus Free Tuition Program. Minnesota residents who are admitted to the University of Minnesota and fill out their FAFSA will automatically be considered for the University of Minnesota Promise Plus Free Tuition.