Unlocking Higher Education: Understanding the North Star Promise Scholarship Eligibility

A college degree can be within reach-tuition-free-through the North Star Promise Scholarship. This program aims to make higher education accessible for Minnesota residents by covering tuition and required fees for eligible students. Going to college doesn't have to mean going into huge debt. The North Star Promise covers up to 100% of your tuition and fees and helps you get the education you want without massive debt.

Core Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the North Star Promise Scholarship, students must meet several key criteria:

Minnesota Residency: Applicants must be Minnesota residents.
Income Cap: The family's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application, must be below $80,000.
Loan Status: Students must not be in default on any state or federal student loans.
Enrollment Status: Enrollment in at least one credit is required to qualify. Part-time and evening classes are included. You just need to enroll and take at least one credit to qualify.
Academic Progress: Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards is essential for maintaining eligibility. You must continue to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at your school in order for the scholarship to renew.
Degree Status: Applicants must not have already earned a bachelor's degree.
Eligible Program: Enrollment must be in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

Application Process: Simple and Straightforward

There’s no separate application for the North Star Promise Scholarship. To apply, simply complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application. There are no other steps for you to take. Completing one of these forms is all you have to do for North Star Promise funds. For 2025-26, complete the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application by the 30th day of the term. citizens or eligible noncitizens will complete the FAFSA.

Award Details and Calculation

The North Star Promise Scholarship operates on a "last-dollar" calculation. The amount you receive is based on the "last-dollar" calculation of your eligibility on a term-by-term basis. This means that the scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition and required fees per term, after subtracting all other sources of gift aid you receive. 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. 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.

Note: Book purchases are not included as “required fees” that are covered by this grant.

Read also: Rhode Island Tuition Guide

Credit Limits

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. Students earning a two-year degree can receive the award for up to four full-time semesters or the equivalent.

North Star Promise Plus Funds

If funds are available, the highest need students may also receive North Star Promise Plus funds. The details on this provision of the program are still being determined. 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. The details on this provision of the program are still being determined.

How Awards are Determined and Distributed

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 (this does not include books and supply purchases), 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.

Understanding "Last-Dollar"

As a "last-dollar" scholarship, the North Star Promise covers the remaining costs of tuition and fees after all other gift aid has been applied. This ensures that students maximize all other forms of financial assistance before the scholarship funds are used. 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.

Program Specifics and Flexibility

No Program or Major Restrictions: North Star Promise is not program- or major-specific, and awards are not prioritized based on specific fields, trades or degrees.
Open to New and Returning Students: The program is open to new and returning students who meet the eligibility criteria.
No Age Limit: 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.
Not a Loan: North Star Promise isn't a loan: You don't have to repay the tuition funding you receive.
No Post-Graduation Restrictions: 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.
No Specific Yearly or Lifetime Dollar Limit: There is no specific yearly or lifetime dollar limit to North Star Promise funds.

North Star Promise free tuition to:

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

Commitment to Higher Education in Minnesota

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. The Promise Programs are part of the University of Minnesota’s unparalleled commitment to the success of our students and make a U of M education possible for Minnesota resident students across the University's five system campuses. Under the programs, eligible Minnesota resident undergraduate students meeting the family income levels outlined below and who enroll at the U of M will be guaranteed funds to support their collegiate aspirations. No separate application necessary, except for the Native American Promise Tuition Program and American Indian Scholars Program. For the other programs, Just apply for admissions at any U of M system campus and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Read also: Emory University Tuition

M State and North Star Promise

M State has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state, and thanks to generous grant, scholarship and sponsorship programs, more than half of all M State students attend tuition-free. Now, a new state scholarship program stands to improve that affordability factor even more. 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.

Further Information and Transparency

North Star Promise program spending is projected every February and November. Read current and historical projections. OHE publishes an annual report to the Legislature on North Star Promise implementation.

Read also: Affording Temple

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