Join the FAFSA Week of Action in Minnesota: April 15-19

4/15/2024

 

The U.S. Department of Education and the Biden-Harris administration have announced that April 15-19, 2024 is the National FAFSA Week of Action. To date, Minnesota FAFSA submissions are down 20 percent from last year. This decreasing statistic comes at a time when more students than ever will qualify for Federal Pell Grants and be able to access game changing state financial aid programs, including the North Star Promise, the new scholarship program offering a tuition- and fee-free pathway for eligible students whose families make less than $80,000 per year. 

Minnesota school leaders, high school counselors, college-bound organizations and stakeholders are encouraged to take action and get involved by:  

• Hosting a FAFSA submission event, either in-person or virtually. 
• Helping to spread the word by sending out emails, texts, or push notifications with info about the FAFSA and how to complete the form.  
• Incorporating FAFSA content and details into newsletters, webinars, and events to increase outreach. 

The Minnesota Dream Act, the state’s application financial aid application for students with undocumented status, is also available for students to complete. Like the FAFSA, the application must be completed each academic year. Students who complete the Dream Act are eligible for state-based financial aid, including the Minnesota State Grant and North Star Promise. 

For assistance with the FAFSA, Federal Student Aid offers students and families the ability to call, email or live chat on their Contact Center webpage. 

For general application or process questions, the Office of Higher Education Financial Aid staff can also assist and provide information or guidance. Please contact 651-642-0567. Select option 2. The line is answered Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Educators are invited to reference and use the following resources to share information about the FAFSA: 

Federal Student Aid resources: 

• National FAFSA Week of Action flyer 

• VIDEO: How to Submit a 2024-25 FAFSA 

• 2024-25 Federal Student Aid FAFSA Video Series 

• Pro Tips for the 2024-25 FAFSA Form 

• What You Will Need to Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA 

Ready, Set, FAFSA! webinar recordings: 

• VIDEO: Create Your FSA ID  

• VIDEO: Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA 

• VIDEO: Apply for Financial Aid: MN Dream Act 

• VIDEO: Understand Your Financial Aid Offer 

Minnesota Dream Act: 

• Benefits and requirements for Minnesota Dream Act applicants 

Resources for Educators:

Educators and college-bound organizations are invited to use the following text and images to promote FAFSA completion.

Call to Class of 2024 seniors: Don’t miss out on financial aid to make college affordable this fall. Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA as soon as possible to maximize your awards! The newly updated form has increased the number of Federal Pell Grant recipients and will provide access to new Minnesota financial aid programs, including the North Star Promise, which fully covers the cost of tuition and fees for eligible students. Complete the FAFSA at: https://studentaid.gov/

Call to students and families: The time is NOW to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. To maximize your financial aid, it is important to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. This is the first and most important step to accessing money for college, which includes federal, state and institutional aid. We encourage all Minnesotans who plan to attend college or career school this fall to complete the FAFSA during this Week of Action! Complete the FAFSA at: https://studentaid.gov/

Access the North Star Promise Scholarship: Did you know? Completing the 2024-25 FAFSA will allow eligible Minnesotans to access the state’s exciting new North Star Promise Scholarship program, which fully covers the cost of tuition and fees at any public college in Minnesota. Complete your FAFSA today: https://studentaid.gov or learn more about the North Star Promise: www.ohe.state.mn.us/northstarpromise