Freshman Admission Requirements

Freshman Admission

Students who have graduated from high school or completed the GED and who have not attended a post-secondary institution since completing their high school education are classified as freshmen in the admission process. Students who may have attended post-secondary institutions while still in high school are also classified as freshmen in the admission process. International/non-immigrants: see International Students/Non-immigrant Admissions.

Freshman Application Procedures

Applying for admission and financial aid are two separate procedures. Prospective students MUST complete the appropriate applications for each office. Freshman applicants are required to submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

• Application for Admission
• $20 non-refundable Application Fee
• Official High School Transcript or Official GED Scores
• ACT or SAT scores

Applicants should request that their high school send an official transcript to the Admissions Office at the time of application. Students must also have a final transcript sent after graduation. FAX (facsimile) copies are not considered official. If transcripts are not in the same name as the application (due to a legal name change), it is the responsibility of the applicant to have the name corrected on the transcripts so that the application and transcripts can be matched. Students wishing to begin classes in the fall are encouraged to apply for admission as early as the previous fall. Once the application is complete, notification of the decision will be mailed within two weeks.

Freshman Admission Requirements

High school graduation or the GED and the following qualifications are necessary for admission to MSUM. Applicants not meeting these criteria are reviewed on an individual basis.

1. High school rank in the upper one-half of the graduating class with a minimum composite score of 17 on the ACT or 830 on the SAT
   OR
   Achieve the following score(s) on any one of the standardized college admissions tests (ACT is preferred):
• ACT Composite Score of 21 or above (The ACT writing will not be required)
• SAT Verbal and Math Combined Re-centered Score of 1000 or above
  
  AND
2. Complete Preparation Standards as described below. New entering freshmen who have met preparation standards for university admission in their respective states will be deemed to have met Minnesota preparation standards.
   • 4 years of English (including composition and literature)
   • 3 years of mathematics (two years of algebra, of which one is intermediate or advanced algebra, and one year of geometry)
   • 3 years of science (at least one year of a biological and a physical science and at least one course including significant laboratory experiences)
   • 3 years of social studies (including American history and at least one course that includes significant emphasis on geography)
   • 2 years of world language
   • 1 year of world culture or the arts 

Appeals. View an appeal form and find out how to appeal a denial of admission.

How to Apply

Applying to Minnesota State University Moorhead is easy. You can submit your application online or by mail. We encourage you to apply for admission as soon as possible---preferably a year before the semester you plan to attend. The earlier you apply, the higher your scholarship and housing priority, (which you will need to apply for separately).

We will review your admission as soon as all of the following materials have been received in the Office of Admissions:

• Application for admission
• $20 non-refundable application fee
• High school transcript
• ACT or SAT scores

Please note that you must request that your high school send an official transcript to the MSU Moorhead Office of Admissions at the time of application; you also must have a final transcript sent after graduation. Transcripts send by fax cannot be accepted. If transcripts are not in the same name as the application because of a legal name change, you must have the name on the transcripts corrected so that the names on the application and transcripts match.

The financial aid application process consists of several steps.  At each step we may ask for information or additional documentation.  The entire process can take 6-12 weeks.  Please keep this in mind and respond to any requests promptly.  The information listed below is a summary of the steps in the financial aid application process.

STEP 1: Apply and be accepted for admission to MSUM in a degree program as early as possible, or be a continuing student in good standing

STEP 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all types of financial aid (i.e., loans, grants, Work Study)

• Apply for a PIN to sign your FAFSA electronically www.pin.ed.gov.  The student and one parent will need a PIN
• Submit your application online for faster processing www.fafsa.gov 
• List MSUM School Code: 002367
• Apply as soon after January 1 as possible to be considered for campus-based aid (Perkins loan, SEOG, Work Study)
• Priority date is February 15th for Work Study, SEOG and Perkins loan.
• Keep a copy of your FAFSA information for future reference

STEP 3: Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR)

• SAR will be mailed if the student did not provide an email address on the FAFSA; otherwise, SAR will be sent by email
• Review SAR for incorrect or missing information

STEP 4: Additional Documents

• Submit any requested documentation (see Forms) to MSUM
• Signed copies of federal tax returns, W-2's, and a Verification Worksheet may be requested
• Resolve discrepancies by responding to clarification and information requests from our office
• Students may also be requested to provide documentation to verify unique circumstances
• Complete the MSUM Information Release and Authorization form listing who, besides yourself, may have access to your financial aid file.  MSUM follows the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and releases information only to those you provide access.

STEP 5: Receive Official Award Notice

• Notification that your award notice is ready will be sent by email using the official mnstate.edu email address assigned to all registered students.
• Review your Award Notice by logging on to eservices 
• Enter your Dragon ID and Dragon PIN
• Click on "Financial Aid" tab
• Click on the appropriate semester at the top of the screen (For information concerning the 2011-2012 academic year select "Fall 2011" or "Spring 2012"
• Choose from the options to check awards or reprint the original award notice.
• Determine your costs for fall and spring semesters
• Summer 2011 is considered a part of the 2010-2011 academic year.  Keep this in mind when budgeting for your entire school year needs.
• Summer financial aid requires an additional application which is available on our website in mid-March each year.
• Accept, reduce, or decline your student loans on Eservices.
• First time borrowers must complete Entrance Loan Counseling at www.studentloans.gov (Click on "sign in").
• First time borrowers must complete and sign a Master Promissory Note indicating you understand your rights & responsibilities as a borrower.

STEP 6: Apply for Alternative Loans, if necessary

• If additional loans are necessary to fund your educational costs, review the alternative loan options available.
• Calculate what you need to borrow for the full academic year.  Half of the funds will arrive in the fall semester and the other half in the spring semester.  This means less paperwork and more timely receipt of the loan funds.  If you will only be enrolled for one term at MSUM, the loan period should be only for the term for which you are enrolled.
• After reviewing the terms of each loan program, apply online or request a paper loan application from the Lender.  By applying online you will quickly know if you are pre-approved for the loan.
• Submit completed alternative loan application/promissory note and disclosure statements to the Lender at least one month prior to the start of the semester, if possible.  Alternative loans can take up to 6 weeks to process.
• Follow up immediately with your lender if they require additional information or documentation.

STEP 7: Disbursement of your aid

• No financial aid is disbursed to students who are on financial aid or academic suspension.
• No financial aid is disbursed to students not enrolled in a degree seeking program or to students with "SPECIAL" status.
• There is a five day free drop/add period at the beginning of each semester.
• All tuition and fee balances not covered by grants and/or loans must be paid to the MSUM Business Office by the 5th day of the semester.
• Fall 2011 balances must be paid by September 26, Spring 2012 balances must be paid by February 13.  For more information visit the MSUM Business Office website.
• Financial Aid overage amounts will be available starting August 31, 2011.
• For direct deposit of your financial aid overage funds, complete and return the Direct Deposit Authorization to the Business Office.

Registration

Once you’ve been accepted at MSU Moorhead, your next step is to register for classes. We make registration easy with Dragon Registration Day, a required one-day program in which you’ll:

• Meet with faculty and student advisors
• Register for your classes
• Receive your MSU Moorhead photo ID
• Get answers to your financial aid questions
• Tour campus, visit residence halls and learn about courses and student services

Sign up for a Dragon Registration Day

Guests are welcome to attend! Be sure to bring your parents and guests so they can learn more about MSU Moorhead. They’ll attend a program designed specifically for them.

Please plan for a full day of activities from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You’ll receive additional information about scheduled events, parking and a map to campus two weeks before your Dragon Registration Day. If you’ve taken any classes for college credit while in high school, bring a copy of your transcripts to ensure that we create the right academic plan for you.

If you’re looking for accommodations while visiting the Fargo-Moorhead area, please visit www.fargomoorhead.org for hotel/motel information and options.

• Campus Map

Admitted Students

To ensure that you make a successful transition to MSU Moorhead, be sure you’re able to check the following activities off your to-do list:

• Financial aid. Complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for priority funding. Be sure to select MSU Moorhead (FAFSA Code 002367) as one of your college choices.
• Housing. Submit your Housing and Dining Contract and pre-payment for preferred room placement.
• Register for classes. Attend Dragon Registration Day, a required one-day program in which you’ll register for classes, tour campus, meet with advisors, receive your photo ID and learn more about financial aid.
• Visit campus. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for a campus visit.
• E-mail. Set up your Dragon e-mail address.
• Pay tuition and fees. Bills for tuition and fees are not mailed; rather, once you’ve registered for classes or applied for housing, you’ll find your bill online at eservices.
• Health. Fill out the mandatory health care insurance and immunization forms.
• Books. Visit the bookstore to reserve or purchase your textbooks before classes begin.

Orientation

Orientation is a four-day program that can help you become acquainted with campus, meet new friends and make smooth transition into college life. Typically held before classes begin, Orientation provides an outstanding opportunity for you to meet with academic advisors, faculty advisors and peer advisors and become familiar with faculty and staff. You’ll be able to tour campus, learn more about financial aid, discover ways to get involved in campus activities—and even get your student ID (if you haven’t already).

Attendance isn’t mandatory, but Orientation is a great way to kick-start your academic career. Learn more about Orientation.