North Star Promise at M State
M State is now even more affordable
The North Star Promise Scholarship program creates a tuition- and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions, of which M State is one (see complete list below). North Star Promise Scholarships cover the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
The North Star Promise Scholarship program is intended to:
- Help stabilize enrollment at Minnesota State system colleges and universities
- Serve as an economic driver for Minnesota by educating qualified workers who are much needed to fill vacancies in the state's labor force
- Create a viable higher education path for Minnesota residents who may have previously thought education was not a possibility for them.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year for purposes of the North Star Promise award calculation, the definition of eligible tuition will no longer include tuition differentials or tuition surcharges. Eligible tuition includes resident undergraduate tuition charged to students who began attendance in aid-eligible courses.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: For the 2026-2027 academic year, the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application must be submitted by June 1, 2026 in order to be eligible to receive North Star Promise funds.
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
- 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 are eligible.
- All Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- All University of Minnesota campuses
- All tribal colleges
Some programs are not eligible for Federal Title IV Aid and Minnesota financial aid, usually because the program length is too short to meet the requirements for federal and state financial aid.
Starting with the 2026-2027 award year, the definition of family AGI for dependent students will include both the student and parent AGI combined. To be eligible for North Star Promise, a student must have a family AGI below $80,000.
For dependent students, the AGI of the student, their parent(s) and stepparent (if applicable) is used.
For independent students, the AGI of the student and their spouse (if applicable) is used.
Review what makes a student dependent or independent at "Do I Have to Provide my Parents' Information on the FAFSA?"
Application Process
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application. On your FAFSA application, enter M State's FAFSA code: 005541.
There is no additional application beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application. M State will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and award North Star Promise Scholarships to all eligible students.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: For the 2026-2027 academic year, the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application must be submitted by June 1, 2026 in order to be eligible to receive North Star Promise funds.
North Star Promise Overview
There is not a limit on the maximum term, yearly, or lifetime dollar amount of an award you can receive. The amount you receive is based on the "last-dollar" calculation of your eligibility on a term-by-term basis. You can receive up to 100% of the amount charged in tuition and required fees per term, minus all other sources of gift aid you receive.
For students earning 2-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 60 credits. For students earning 4-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 120 credits.
If funds are available, the highest-need students may also receive North Star Promise Plus funds. Details on this provision of the program are still being determined.
The college or university you are attending will calculate your award amount based on the eligibility requirements and award calculation. They will determine your tuition and required fee charges, subtract all other sources of gift aid (scholarships, grants, waivers and stipends) and award the remaining amount in a North Star Promise scholarship.
Students are notified of their scholarship through the college or university’s standard awarding process.
Before calculating your award, “last-dollar” programs consider any other sources of gift aid funding that you receive. “Gift aid” is financial aid that does not require repayment, such as scholarships, grants, stipends, third-party payments and tuition waivers. Loans and work study are not sources of gift aid. The goal of this strategy is to utilize available program funds to provide as many eligible students as possible a tuition- and fee-free pathway to a college education.
As a last-dollar scholarship, this award is calculated on a term-by-term basis. If new sources of gift aid are awarded to you, the North Star Promise scholarship will be recalculated.
You must continue to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at your school.
There is no maximum length of time for which you can receive the award. However, for students earning 2-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 60 credits. For students earning 4-year degrees, you can receive the award for a total of 120 credits. The maximum credits for which any student is eligible is a total of 120 credits.
Yes. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements but the total of your other sources of “gift aid” already covers the amount of your tuition and required fees, you will not be awarded a North Star Promise Scholarship. This is because the sum of your other aid has already provided you with enough funds to cover your tuition and required fees charges.
However, if you do not receive a North Star Promise Scholarship because other financial aid already covers your tuition and fees, you will still be considered for the North Star Promise Plus funds. Details on this provision of the program are still being determined.
No, there is no age criteria used for eligibility for the program.
More information about dependent and independent students can be found at North Star Promise Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions.
No, the program is open to new and returning students who meet the eligibility criteria.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the North Star Promise Scholarship program, contact M State's financial aid office at 877.450.3322 or financialaid@minnesota.edu.
