2025-26 FAFSA Completion Resources

 

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education wants ALL college-going students to apply for financial aid! Billions of dollars are awarded every year, and we want you to know all your options to help pay for college. Use the information below to help guide you through the process to apply for financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Why is the FAFSA important?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is an online application used to award state, federal, and college-based financial aid. Whether you are attending a 2-year college, 4-year university, or a career or trade school, filling out the FAFSA is the most important step in accessing money for college. The 2025-26 FAFSA application is open now to all students. 

For Minnesotans with undocumented status, the state’s Dream Act application is an online form that is also used to apply for state and college based financial aid. See if you are eligible for the MN Dream Act and apply today. 

FAFSA and Dream Act applications are used to award the Minnesota State Grant, North Star Promise and more, so apply early to learn more about what you are eligible for!

Don’t think you’ll qualify? Think again!

The majority of students will receive some type of aid, so it is always worth the time to complete this free application. There are a lot of myths about applying for financial aid, so continue to review the resources here to learn more.

FAFSA Information 

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is open now! Don't wait to apply. Here are some important resources.

• Follow the steps to submit your FAFSA.
• Use the Parent Wizard to determine who else needs to include their information when you apply.
• Unsure what you might qualify for? Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see an estimate of how much federal aid you may be eligible for. Please note, this does NOT include state aid you might be eligible for. 
• FAFSA support is available in other languages! You can acess FAFSA guides and interpreter services in 10 languages through the studentaid.gov website. 

MN Dream Act Information 

Eligible undocumented students can access state financial aid by submitting the 2025-2026 MN Dream Act. This application is open now! Here are some important resources. 

• Read more about the MN Dream Act to see if you are eligible. 
• Review the application and apply now. 
• Check out our resource page for additional supports and scholarship information. 

Need Help? Connect via the resources below. 

• Federal FAFSA hotline: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
• Minnesota Office of Higher Education hotline: 1-651-642-0567 or 1-800-657-3866, Press 2
• Contact your high school college and career counselor
  • Students attending a Minneapolis Public School or Saint Paul Public School can also utilize Achieve Twin Cities services. 
• Contact the financial aid or admissions office at the college(s) you applied to
  • Are you attending a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system campus (includes state community and technical colleges and state universities)? Contact your college's financial aid office for assistance.
  • Are you attending a private college in Minnesota? Access the resource and financial aid contact page here.
  • Are you attending a University of Minnesota campus? Access the resource and financial aid contact page here.
• Make a one-on-one virtual appointment with College Possible. This service is open to all students and families in Minnesota.