North Star Promise

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.

Going to college doesn't have to mean going into huge debt.

Continuing your education can help you go further and do more in life, especially without the burden of debt to hold you back. The North Star Promise covers up to 100% of your tuition and required fees and helps you get the education you want without massive debt.

The exact amount of funding you can receive is calculated on a "last-dollar" basis. This means it covers your remaining costs for tuition and fees after all other aid has been awarded (such as scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers). Loans and work study programs do not count against the amount of funding you can receive. North Star Promise does not cover the cost of items such as housing, food, transportation, books and supplies.

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) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000.
Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College
Not be in default on a state or federal student loan
Be enrolled taking at least one credit
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree (including those earned in a foreign country)
Be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate

Eligible Institutions

All Minnesota public higher education institutions and Tribal Colleges will be eligible.

All Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
All University of Minnesota campuses
All Tribal Colleges

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.

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.

Access the FAFSA Access the MN Dream Act

Note: The 2024-25 FAFSA and Minnesota Dream Act are now available for students to complete.

Free college tuition helps you continue your education on your terms.

North Star Promise is not program- or major-specific, and awards are not prioritized based on specific fields, trades or degrees.

You can use North Star Promise free tuition to:

Pursue a four-year degree
Pursue a two-year degree
Learn a trade
Attain a certification

Part-time and evening classes are included. You just need to enroll and take at least one credit to qualify. North Star Promise is open to both new and returning students who meet the eligibility criteria.

Get the education you want. No strings attached.

North Star Promise isn't a contest or a competition. Everyone who meets the requirements for the program can receive free tuition.

There's no age limit to receive free college tuition through North Star Promise, and family or household size are not considered in determining awards.

North Star Promise is not a loan: You don't have to repay the tuition funding you receive.

Once you complete your education, you can get any job you want, anywhere you choose to live. There is no requirement to live or work in Minnesota or for a specific company or state agency.

There is no specific yearly or lifetime dollar limit to North Star Promise funds. Students earning a two-year degree can receive the award for up to four full-time semesters or the equivalent. Students earning a four-year degree can receive the award for up to eight full-time semesters or the equivalent.

Minnesota believes higher education makes a better future possible.

The State of Minnesota is committed to creating more opportunities to learn and thrive for Minnesotans because we recognize that education is the foundation of our state's economic strength. Providing free college tuition to eligible students and families through North Star Promise is a reflection of our mission to support the pursuit of higher education by every Minnesotan, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

About the North Star Promise Plus (NSP+) Award

North Star Promise Plus (NSP+) is a supplemental financial aid award given to students who are North Star Promise (NSP) eligible and who receive a Federal Pell Grant.

Student must meet all NSP eligibility requirements listed above;
Receive a Federal Pell Grant

The NSP+ award is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Pell grant the student received or will receive during the term. The 2024-25 NSP+ percentage Pell match is 15 percent. For example, a student who meets all NSP eligibility requirements, and has a Pell Grant of $2,000, will receive an NSP+ award of $300, in addition to any NSP base award.

NSP+ funds can be used for non-tuition and fees expenses such as books, required supplies, housing, food, etc.

Students who receive NSP awards via the MN Dream Act are also eligible for NSP+ awards. The campus financial aid administrator will calculate the NSP+ amount based off information they find in MNAid.

If a student is eligible for NSP+, the student will be notified via the financial aid offer from their college. The college will award a student with NSP+ at the same time as the North Star Promise Scholarship.

For More Information

Be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional details about North Star Promise. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please contact us at NorthStarPromise.OHE@state.mn.us.

For High Schools, Colleges and Universities

Please visit our Promotional Toolkit page for social media graphics and sample text, digital signage, printable materials and other resources to help you promote North Star Promise to your students and applicants. Contact Libby Fahrenkamp for additional information: libby.fahrenkamp@state.mn.us.

For Community Members

Help us spread the word about North Star Promise to students and families in your community by using our Promotional Toolkit

For Applicants

North Star Promise Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

We continue to plan for this exciting new state financial aid program and will update this website as more information becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at NorthStarPromise.OHE@state.mn.us.

Media

If you are a member of the media and have questions about the program, please email OHE Director of Communications Keith Hovis, keith.hovis@state.mn.us