Every student has a somewhat different financial situation.  A financial aid award package consists of funding from one or more financial aid programs and is designed to help meet each student’s financial needs.

Students must meet eligibility criteria for each of the programs available at MSUM.  Private scholarships, MSUM scholarships, and outside agencies such as the Department of Rehabilitation Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs establish their own individual guidelines for student eligibility.  Assistance such as Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant and other federal programs require that students:

1. Demonstrate financial need.
2. Have a high school diploma or GED or pass an independently administrated test approved by the Department of Education or standards established by your state.
3. Are not suspended from receiving assistance due to a drug conviction.
4. Are not in default on federal or SELF loans; or owe a repayment on federal grants.
5. Be enrolled as a regular student in a degree program.
6. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
7. Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
8. Have a valid Social Security number.
9. Receive financial aid at only one school (most types of aid).
10. Apply annually.

Students who complete their first undergraduate degree are no longer eligible for Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Minnesota State Grant, and Minnesota Child Care Grant, but may be eligible for College or State Work Study or student loans.  Students who are admitted to graduate programs may be eligible for Federal Perkins Loans, College or State Work Study, Federal Direct Loans or alternative educational loans.

Award notices are usually based on the enrollment reported on the FAFSA (undergraduate full time is 12 or more credits, three-quarter time is 9-11 and half time is 6-8 credits).  If the application indicates less than full time enrollment or enrollment for less than an academic year, the award and budget will be adjusted.

Estimate your college costs with the Net Price Calculator.