Students need to apply for financial aid as early as January for the following academic year. Even if you do not anticipate a financial need based on your current circumstances, it is safer to have an application on file early than to wait four to six weeks if an unexpected crisis occurs. To apply, go to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. This is the starting point for all financial aid awards. Other types of federal student aid include Federal Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Loans. Most campus-based scholarships and work study employment funds are awarded early and are limited, so applying after the March 15 priority date may mean a missed opportunity for those types of aid.
Your financial aid eligibility is determined from a formula used by the United States Department of Education using the information you provide on the FAFSA. You will receive a notice that tells you the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for meeting college costs. This amount is not the amount you must pay Minnesota State Mankato, but it is used to determine the amount of federal financial aid you are eligible to receive wherever you would choose to attend college.
The financial aid award notice you receive takes into consideration the average cost of attendance as well as the EFC. You may receive grants and scholarships, which are free and do not need to be paid back. You may receive a work study award, which means you will be employed on campus and will receive that money as biweekly payroll earnings based on the actual hours you work. You may receive loan awards, which are usually at lower interest rates than private loans and do not have to be paid back until you graduate. There is usually extra paperwork involved with loans because of the repayment agreement involved.
Grants awarded are based on family income guidelines and are subject to program maximum limits. The Minnesota State Grant program also has residency and application deadline requirements. For instance, your FAFSA must be received by the Federal Processing Center no later than 30 days into the Fall term to be considered for a Minnesota State Grant for Fall. Applications received after the 30 day point in Fall will be reviewed for State Grant funding for Spring term. This deadline is subject to change.
You may be awarded work study, which is an offer for on-campus employment. You must accept this award in order to be assigned to a campus department, and you must report to work during your scheduled hours to earn your work study funds. To be considered for work study employment, you must have submitted the FAFSA to the Federal Processor by mid-March. Work study is a need-based program and your eligibility depends on your financial situation. Many University departments employ students who are not required to qualify on the basis of financial need, and you may contact them to inquire about available positions. The Career Development Center's website also posts on-campus job openings.
Minnesota State Mankato wants to help students find and apply for scholarship funds. The Office of Admissions can provide incoming students with information about scholarship opportunities at Minnesota State Mankato. Some scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the applicant must demonstrate financial need. Other scholarships awarded by various campus departments do not require evidence of need. Most scholarships are publicized on the Minnesota State Mankato website within the College and/or Department pages. You should contact your academic department directly by early January. Scholarship recipients are usually selected and notified in the spring.
All scholarships are part of the financial aid package for the academic year. Minnesota State Mankato is required to record all scholarships on your financial aid records, so if you receive a scholarship from an outside source, you must notify the University so it can be processed appropriately. International students should check with the International Student & Scholar Services for In-State Tuition and other scholarship information. Scholarship searches are also available on the FinAid website.
There are a number of areas that may have scholarships available:
| Accounting and Business Law | 507-389-2965 | History | 507-389-1618 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | 507-389-6504 | Human Performance | 507-389-6313 |
| Art | 507-389-6412 | International Center | 507-389-1281 |
| Aviation | 507-389-6116 | Marketing | 507-389-2967 |
| Biological Sciences | 507-389-2786 | Mass Communications | 507-389-6417 |
| Business, College of | 507-389-2963 | Mathematics and Statistics | 507-389-1453 |
| Business Education | 507-389-6116 | Military Science | 507-389-6229 |
| Chemistry & Geology | 507-389-1963 | Modern Language | 507-389-2116 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 507-389-2968 | Multicultural Affairs | 507-389-6300 |
| Construction Management | 507-389-6385 | Music | 507-389-2118 |
| Cultural Diversity Programs | 507-389-6125 | Nursing, School of | 507-389-6022 |
| Dental Hygiene | 507-389-1313 | Political Science and Law Enforcement | 507-389-2721 |
| Disability Services | 507-389-1819 | Science, Engineering & Technology, College of | 507-389-5998 |
| Education, College of | 507-389-1215 | Social Work | 507-389-6504 |
| Special Education | 507-389-1122 | Sociology & Corrections | 507-389-1561 |
| English | 507-389-2117 | Speech Communication | 507-389-2213 |
| Family Consumer Science | 507-389-2421 | Speech, Hearing and Rehabilitation Services | 507-389-1414 |
| Finance | 507-389-1319 | Theatre and Dance | 507-389-2118 |
| Geography | 507-389-2617 | Women's Center | 507-389-6146 |
| Gerontology Program/Center on Aging | 507-389-5188 | Women's Studies | 507-389-2077 |
Most departments with graduate programs have graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantship vacancies are posted on Minnesota State Mankato's Human Resources website, under Job Postings - Academic and Administrative Vacancies. Information may also be available through the Office of Graduate Studies or the individual departments.
Although you will eventually have to pay them back, loans can be an important source of assistance to you as you finance your college education. In addition to the Federal loan programs, there are a number of alternative loan programs available to you as a student. Most will require a co-signer with a good credit history. In order to apply for educational loan programs that can be certified by the school, you must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first. Information about all of the alternative loan programs is available on the Campus Hub Web site at www.mnsu.edu/campushub
Short-term or emergency loans may be available if you need access to your financial aid funds before they are disbursed. If your financial aid award is finalized and you are receiving more than is needed to pay your bill with the University, you may apply for up to $300 in a short-term loan. There are program restrictions on when these are available, so you need to check at the Campus Hub if you want to fill out an application. It is expected that your financial aid funds will be used to pay back a short-term loan.
If you need additional help with personal budgeting or money management, be sure to ask. You can make an appointment with a financial services advisor if you want to sit down and talk about your concerns. Just stop in at the Campus Hub, and they will be glad to set you up with someone who can answer your questions and give you some good tips. We want you to be in good shape with your finances so you can focus your time and energy on your academic pursuits.
Tuition, fees, and other University charges are recorded to your student account each term and have payment due dates. You can check your account balance online at the e-Services Web site, www.mnsu.edu/eservices. This is the same place you log in when you register for classes. This is also where you can pay your bill online, with an electronic check or credit card, or you can enroll in a monthly payment plan. Bills are not mailed out, so it is important that you monitor your account balance online to be sure you know how much you owe and make payments by the due dates to avoid late fees or loss of campus services. In addition to online payments, you may mail check payments to the University Cashier's Office or you may pay by cash, check, or credit card in person at the University Cashier's Office.
You are responsible for tuition and fee charges for all courses you are enrolled in by the final registration date each term, which is generally the fifth day. Dropping courses after these dates does not automatically reduce your financial obligation. Consult the Office of the Registrar's Web site for specific deadline dates and instructions for each term.
Refunds and/or credits of charges owed are based on the guidelines set forth by the MnSCU Board of Trustees. If you are dropping a course after the final registration deadline and wish to appeal for a refund or credit of charges owed, you must submit a Tuition Refund Request appeal form before the end of the semester. If you want to terminate your enrollment in all registered courses for the term, you must complete an Official Withdrawal form, whether or not you have made payment, in order to qualify for a full or partial refund or credit.
Veterans, dependents of veterans, National Guardsmen, or Reservists who are eligible for educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must contact the School Certifying Official on campus for certification. Recipients will be given instructions and the forms necessary to apply for benefits. Contact should be made at least 45 days prior to the first day of attendance as processing time may take ten to twelve weeks. Please contact the School Certifiying Official in the Office of the Registrar, 132 Wigley Administration Center, or call 507-389-5251 for further information.
