Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions as a "last-dollar" program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
By making college accessible and affordable, NSP is intended to have a positive impact on multiple fronts:
We estimate this program will impact 15,000-20,000 students in the first academic year.
All Minnesota public higher education institutions and Tribal Colleges will be eligible.
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.
The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) comes from the Federal 1040 Income Tax Return. The first year of the program is the 2024-2025 academic year and the corresponding FAFSA or Minnesota dream Act application asks about prior, prior year AGI. In other words, the AGI from 2022. This can be found on line 11 of the 1040.
Dependent students will have the AGI of their parent(s), and stepparent if applicable, considered for the program’s family AGI threshold of below $80,000. The AGI of dependent students will not be considered. When parents are divorced, separated or never married, and do not live together, the parent who provides more financial support to the student should be the parent of record for the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act. This is the parent whose income will be reviewed when determining eligibility for North Star Promise. If the parent who provides more financial support has remarried as of the date the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act is filed, the stepparent’s AGI will also be taken into account when determining eligibility.
Independent students will have the AGI of the student considered for program eligibility. If the student is married, the student and spouse's combined AGI must be below $80,000 in order to be eligible for the North Star Promise Scholarship. You can review what makes a student either dependent or independent here.
Note: The 2024-25 FAFSA and Minnesota Dream Act are now available for students to complete.
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Calling all MN High School Seniors: If you're considering college, but worried about cost, the North Star Promise program may cover the FULL COST of your tuition & fees. Students must attend a public college in MN & have an annual income of <$80k. Learn more: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Starting in fall 2024, the new North Star Promise Scholarship program will cover the FULL COST of tuition and fees for students attending a MN public college w/an annual income of <$80k. Learn more: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Are you currently a student at @MinnStateEdu, @UMNews, or Tribal College? Starting in fall 2024, the North Star Promise may cover the FULL COST of your tuition and fees. This new scholarship is available to students w/an annual income of <$80k. Learn more: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Are you a Minnesotan who wants to go back to college and finish your degree? Starting in fall 2024, North Star Promise may cover the FULL COST of your tuition and fees. This new scholarship is available to students w/an annual income of <$80k. Learn more: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Everyone deserves the chance to pursue higher ed. That's why we're breaking down financial barriers w/ North Star Promise. If you enroll in a public college & have an annual income of <$80k, North Star may cover the FULL COST of your tuition & fees: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Earn your degree TUITION FREE in MN. With the new North Star Promise, you may have the full cost of tuition and fees covered. You must earn an annual income <$80k and be working toward a certificate, diploma or degree at a public college. Full eligibility: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Does your family earn less than $80K annually? Earn your certificate, diploma or degree and we'll pick up the cost of your tuition and fees. The new North Star Promise Scholarship makes college dreams attainable for more Minnesotans. Learn more: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise
Use the 1920 x 1080 px graphic to share information about the North Star Promise program on your college campus or high school tv monitors. To download to image, right click on the graphic and select "Save Image As."