by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
The North Star Promise program provides a tuition-free pathway for Minnesota residents to attend any Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, or Tribal College in Minnesota. To be eligible, students must have a family income below $80,000 and must not have previously earned a bachelor's degree.
Text courtesy of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
North Star Promise provides free college tuition to help make education after high school possible for more Minnesota students and families. Free tuition is available at all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, all University of Minnesota campuses, and all Tribal Colleges.
The North Star Promise program is open to all Minnesota residents with a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below $80,000, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application. Completing one of these forms is all you have to do for North Star Promise funds.
Going to college doesn't have to mean going into huge debt.
Continuing your education can help you go further and do more in life, especially without the burden of debt to hold you back. The North Star Promise covers up to 100% of your tuition and required fees and helps you get the education you want without massive debt.
The exact amount of funding you can receive is calculated on a "last-dollar" basis. This means it covers your remaining costs for tuition and fees after all other aid has been awarded (such as scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers). Loans and work study programs do not count against the amount of funding you can receive. North Star Promise does not cover the cost of items such as housing, food, transportation, books and supplies.
How to apply for free college tuition through North Star Promise
To apply for North Star Promise funds, complete the FAFSA OR Minnesota Dream Act. Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens will complete the FAFSA. Students who are undocumented will complete the Minnesota Dream Act. The application will require you to list the institutions that you are planning to attend to earn your degree or certification. If you and your family are eligible, and you are attending an eligible college or university, your institution will award you with free tuition and fees as part of your financial aid offer. The only academic requirement to continue receiving free tuition is that you continue to meet your school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meaning you stay on track to earn your intended degree or certification.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible students must:
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income* (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000.
- Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution 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 (SAP) standards
- Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree (including those earned in a foreign country)
- 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 will be eligible.
- All Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- All University of Minnesota campuses
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
- Leech Lake Tribal College
- Red Lake Nation College
- White Earth Tribal and Community College
An institution may offer programs that are not eligible for Federal Title IV Aid and Minnesota financial aid.
Typically, this is because the program length is too short to meet requirements for federal and state financial aid.
More information
To learn more, visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education's North Star Promise website. And take advantage of their promotional toolkit to spread the word about the program to your patrons.
