Financial Aid Checklist

Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID username and password at either Student Aid or Apply for Aid. A parent must also create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) username and password.

Dependent student - A student under the age of 24

Independent student - A student aged 24 or older, and/or has a child, and/or is married, and/or is a ward of the court, and/or is serving active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and/or if both parents are deceased.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at Student Aid. Tax year is always prior-prior year, according to U.S. Department of Education requirements.

• Use M State school code 005541 (Fergus Falls, Minn.)
• For dependent students, parent information is required
• Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 term - complete 2025-2026 FAFSA and use 2023 tax information

Need FAFSA help?

If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, attend a virtual student support session at MState:

1. Log into SpartanNet
2. Under the Virtual Student Support heading, find the Zoom link and see Financial Aid for session days and times

• Please respond to all requests for information from the college
• All correspondence regarding financial aid is sent via email
• Requests are sent to your M State student e-mail account, found in SpartanNet  under Email and Microsoft 365

Financial aid status

Check E-Services for your financial aid status, also known as your status letter:

1. Log into SpartanNet
2. Go to E-Services
3. Go to Financial Aid and see Aid Application Status

Please review and respond to your award notification.

Grants

Grant funding will automatically apply as payment to your student account.

Federal direct student loans

Apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan if you're planning to use loans.

Complete these steps to apply loan funds as payment to student accounts:

1. Submit the loan request:
   1. Log into SpartanNet -- E-Services -- Financial Aid -- Review & Respond to Award Notifications -- Loans
   2. Follow steps to accept and submit
2. Complete mandatory loan counseling (entrance) at Student Aid
3. Complete mandatory Master Promissory Note (subsidized and unsubsidized loans) at Student Aid

1. Go to minnesota.edu
2. Click on SpartanNet (in Quick Links menu, top right of page)
3. Log in using your Star ID and Star ID password
4. Click on E-Services (top left of page)
5. Click on Bills & Payment (menu on left)
6. Select Account Detail (menu on left)

1. Go to minnesota.edu.
2. Click on SpartanNet (in Quick Links menu at top right of page).
3. Log in using your Star ID and Star ID password.
4. Click on E-Services (left on page).
5. Click on Financial Aid (menu on left).
6. Select Awards (menu on left).
7. Click on Awards by Credit Level as an alternative way to review by enrolled active credits.

1. Apply for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA.
2. Check your financial aid status and award letter through your SpartanNet account.
3. Review work-study positions and complete application at On-Campus Student Employment.
4. Meet with the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility.

1. Once admitted to M State, go to Scholarships
2. Click on the scholarship link for the MState college you are attending
3. Click on Apply Here

Note that applications are open Dec. 15, 2023 – July 14, 2024, for academic year 2024 scholarships

1. Go to minnesota.edu
2. Click on Employee/Student Email under the Quick Links menu at top right
3. Log in using your StarID@go.minnstate.edu
4. Enter your StarID password