Minnesota State Grant
The annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by the federal processing center within 30 days of the start of the semester for which the student is applying.
To be considered for Minnesota State Grant, for the applicable terms, students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, must submit their annual Financial Aid application (FAFSA) to the federal processor no later than the dates corresponding to the semester you are attending.
Applications received at the federal processing center after the dates indicated above will not receive State Grant funding for that term. Apply on-line now, if you have not already done so, at https://studentaid.gov.
The Minnesota State Grant provides undergraduate students, who demonstrate financial need, with assistance in meeting the cost of attendance at eligible Minnesota public and private post-secondary institutions. It is funded through the MN Office of Higher Education. Program funds are allocated to MOHE by the State Legislature. The Minnesota State Grant is money that does not have to be repaid.
What are the requirements of the Minnesota State Grant?
Students must meet Minnesota Resident criteria as defined by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The most common criteria are: dependent students must have graduated from a Minnesota high school, and independent students must have resided in Minnesota for 12 months prior to becoming a post secondary student. Students who have been granted reciprocity from another state do not qualify for the Minnesota State Grant.
Minnesota State Grants are available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students may only receive state grant funds for the equivalent of 12 quarter terms or 8 semester terms of full-time attendance. The student's terms of attendance at other colleges, universities or technical colleges will be counted regardless of whether or not the student received the Minnesota State Grant at those institutions.
The Minnesota State Grant on your financial aid award is based on 15 credits of attendance per term. The amount of the Minnesota State Grant will be pro-rated if the student is enrolled for fewer than 15 credit hours per semester. If you are awarded a Minnesota State Grant and enroll in 12-14 credits, the actual amount disbursed may be lower than the full award amount provided at 15 credits.
What is the monetary amount of the grant?
Minnesota State Grant award amounts vary and are dependent on the Expected Family Contribution as determined by the FAFSA and number of credits taken each semester.
Do Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or military service credits affect eligibility?
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and military service credits are not counted when calculating eligibility for the Minnesota State Grant.
What is the application process to receive a Minnesota State Grant?
To apply for a Minnesota State Grant you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. Eligibility for the Minnesota State Grant is based upon Federal Pell Grant eligibility and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined from the FAFSA. Apply online at https://studentaid.gov.
Minnesota State Grant eligibility expires after you have attended a post secondary institution longer than the equivalent of 12 full-time quarter terms or 8 full-time semester terms (even if you did not receive financial aid all those quarters/semesters). Transfer credits count towards maximum timeframe of eligibility.
