In order to determine financial aid eligibility, all students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to www.fafsa.gov. For the 2013-2014 year, students may apply beginning January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. However, to be considered for most types of aid, apply by the MSUM priority date of February 15, 2013. To ensure aid is available when the fall term bill is due, apply no later than June 15, 2013.
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 summary of the steps in the financial aid application process can be found at here.
If you have graduated from high school or completed the GED and not yet attended a post-secondary institution, you are classified as a freshman in the admission process. Also, you are classified as a freshman if you have attended a post-secondary institution while still in high school.
A First Year student is one who has graduated from high school or completed the GED but decided to sit out a semester or more before beginning college.
Transferring can be a confusing process. Here at Minnesota State University Moorhead, we hope that the following information will help ease the confusion when transferring between schools. Click on the following links for specific information on transferring between schools.
Transferring to MSUM
Transferring from MSUM to another institution
Tri-College Transfers
We welcome students who have left Minnesota State University Moorhead for one or more semesters and would like to return. A returning student is not someone who was admitted but never registered for classes at MSUM.
Students who return to school for a second bachelor’s degree or teacher certification have limited eligibility for financial aid. Students must identify their courses and degree program using the Degree Certification form. Second degree students must be seeking a second undergraduate degree which is different from the first degree; pursuing teacher certification; preparatory work for a graduate program at MSUM. Students seeking a second major or minor are not eligible for federal aid buy may apply for SELF and private educational loans.
Funding is available through College or State Work Study, Federal Perkins, Federal Direct, Federal PLUS, SELF, or private loan programs. Priority for work and Perkins goes to first degree students. Requirements in those programs may limit eligibility.
Students who continue their education beyond the first undergraduate degree must assume more financial responsibility than is expected of undergraduates. Financial aid for MSUM graduate students is usually a form of self-help such as College or State Work Study or loans.
Graduate students must be admitted to a graduate degree program to be considered for graduate level funding. Awards are based on full time enrollment in graduate level courses (not undergraduate). Full time for graduate students is 8 credits; half time is 6 credits.
Summer is considered a third term in the academic year and uses the same FAFSA and financial information that was used during the preceding year. A separate summer application is required. All summer class registrations must be completed by the end of the drop/add period designated for each class. Undergraduate full-time enrollment for summer is 12 credits; graduate full-time enrollment is 8 graduate credits. Financial aid is disbursed starting in June based on all registered credits.
Summer financial aid cost of attendance and awarding is based on the number of credits and length of enrollment reported by the student on the Summer Financial Aid application. Cost of attendance and award amounts are adjusted prior to disbursement to actual credits enrolled. Summer 2013 Work Study Authorization form
Summer semester funding is available in the following programs: Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, Work Study, Federal Direct Loans, and private educational loans.
Federal Pell Grant: Summer Pell Grant is limited to the remainder of eligibility unused the previous fall and spring semesters. If enrolled full-time in prior semesters, remaining eligibility is zero for summer.
Work Study: Awards for summer are limited and awarded on a "first-applied" basis. Students enrolled fall and spring semesters who were ineligible for Work Study are usually eligible for Work Student during summer, if registered for at least 6 credits during summer semester. Maximum Work Study award for summer is $2,200.
Federal Direct Loan (and SELF Loan): Eligibility is determined by grade level and is limited to one annual maximum per year (Fall, Spring AND Summer).
