Emergency Assistance
M State emergency assistance provides grant funding to support eligible students at risk of dropping out of college due to an unexpected financial emergency. Emergency assistance is intended as a one-time award per academic year for unforeseeable emergency situations. Assistance up to $750 is available to eligible students experiencing a financial emergency - defined as an unforeseen expense that, if not resolved quickly, could lead to the student’s departure from the college and a loss of momentum toward completion.
2026 funding update
As of January 2026, M State student emergency assistance funding is NOT available. We understand that unexpected financial challenges can create stress and uncertainty. M State students are encouraged to connect with their campus social worker to explore additional basic‑needs resources, community supports, and other assistance options available while attending M State.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and remain committed to supporting students in accessing the resources they need.
Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses include housing/rent, childcare, food/meals, gas, medical/dental expenses, personal automobile expenses, public transportation/bus pass and utilities.
Ineligibility
Expenses that are NOT eligible are expected school expenses such as parking, fines, fees, tuition, books, laptop, laptop/computer equipment, course supplies and program required tools/equipment.
Students who are NOT eligible:
- Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or concurrent enrollment students
- Students who are concurrently enrolled at another institution and M State is not the home institution (i.e. consortium students)
- Students (who are M State employees and not dependents) who have their tuition paid via employee waiver through Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Apply for assistance
NOTE: Emergency assistance funds are NOT available as of January 2026. Please contact your campus social worker for options.
- Create an account using your school email (firstname.lastname@go.minnesota.edu) on the Beam portal. Check school email messages and verify your account.
- Login to Beam to complete an application. Be as descriptive of your situation as possible to help the review team get a complete understanding of your situation. Upload any supporting documentation of expenses or estimates that demonstrate the need for assistance. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- Housing (eviction notice, mortgage foreclosure, past due, etc.)
- Transportation (vehicle repair estimate, etc., cannot assist with purchasing another vehicle.)
- Food
- Medical/dental
- Childcare (bill/statement from provider)
- Be enrolled in courses for the academic term in which the Emergency Assistance grant is awarded.
- Be a degree-seeking student and meet your institution’s satisfactory academic progress requirements as of the date of the award. (not on academic suspension of any kind.) Please visit Satisfactory Academic Progress for details.
Please contact a campus social worker for more information or questions about M State Emergency Assistance or additional supportive resources to help your situation.
Moorhead campus - Tyler Strand
Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and Wadena campuses - Lori Hinrichs