Free college tuition makes education possible for more Minnesotans.
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.
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) below $80,000 (FAFSA or MN Dream Act application).
- Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College.
- Not be in default on a state or federal student loan.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.
- Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree.
- Be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Application Process
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application
Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens will complete the FAFSA. Students who are undocumented will complete the Minnesota Dream Act.
There is no additional application beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application.
The eligible college or university you are attending will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and award North Star Promise Scholarships to all eligible students.
North Star Promise Frequently Asked Questions
There is not a limit on the maximum term, yearly, or lifetime dollar amount of an award you can receive. The amount you receive is based on the “last-dollar” calculation of your eligibility on a term-by-term basis. You can receive up to 100% of the amount charged in tuition and required fees per term, minus all other sources of gift aid you receive.
For students earning 2-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 60 credits. For students earning 4-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 120 credits.
If funds are available, the highest need students may also receive North Star Promise Plus funds. The details on this provision of the program are still being determined.
The college or university you are attending will calculate your award amount based on the eligibility requirements and award calculation. They will determine your tuition and required fee charges, subtract all other sources of gift aid (scholarships, grants, waivers and stipends) and award the remaining amount in a North Star Promise scholarship.
Students are notified of their scholarship through the college or university’s standard awarding process.
Before calculating your award, “last-dollar” programs consider any other sources of gift aid funding that you receive. “Gift aid” is financial aid that does not require repayment, such as scholarships, grants, stipends, third-party payments and tuition waivers. Loans and work study are not sources of gift aid. The goal of this strategy is to utilize available program funds to provide as many eligible students as possible a tuition and fee-free pathway to a college education.
As a last-dollar scholarship, this award is calculated on a term-by-term basis. If new sources of gift aid are awarded to you, the North Star Promise scholarship will be recalculated.
You must continue to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at your school.
There is no maximum length of time for which you can receive the award. However, for students earning 2-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 60 credits. For students earning 4-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 120 credits. The maximum credits for which any student is eligible is a total of 120 credits.
Yes. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, but the total of your other sources of “gift aid” already covers the amount of your tuition and required fees, you will not be awarded the North Star Promise. This is because the sum of your other aid has already provided you with enough funds to cover your tuition and required fees charges.
However, if you do not receive a North Star Promise Scholarship because other financial aid already covers your tuition and fees, you will still be considered for the North Star Promise Plus funds. The details on this provision of the program are still being determined.
No, there is no age criteria used for eligibility for the program.
More information about dependent and independent students can be found on the North Star Promise Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
No, the program is open to new and returning students who meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information, please visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s North Star Promise page.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please contact the Northland financial aid office.