Applying for Financial Aid

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  • Create Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) www.studentaid.gov.
  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.studentaid.gov.
    • A FAFSA needs to be completed each year you are in college.
    • This application is free and is the first step in the process of applying for federal and state aid. The Minnesota North College financial aid academic year is Fall through Summer.
    • Minnesota North College (Minnesota North) federal school code is 002355 for all 6 campuses.
    • The FAFSA is available in alternative formats and languages. You may find alternative formats online at Financial Aid Toolkit.
      • Click on “SEARCH TOOLS AND RESOURCES”.   From the next page, select your parameters and then click on “GET RESOURCES”.
  • IRS Data Retrieval Tool is now available for FAFSA
    • It allows many students and/or parents to electronically upload tax return data from the IRS directly into the FAFSA.  This is a safe, secure and accurate way to insure the correct tax data is used.
    • This video will offer a FAFSA overview from Federal Student Aid.
  • FAFSA processing time at the Department of Education (DOE) depends on how you apply:
    • A FAFSA on the web using an FSA ID, as fast as 3 days.
    • A paper FAFSA up to 6 weeks.
    • “What Happens Next” video will give general information about processing after the FAFSA is submitted.
  • The DOE notifies you when your FAFSA has been processed.
    • Your FAFSA is also sent to Minnesota North College. If corrections are needed, we recommend that you contact the Financial Aid Office.
  • Minnesota North College may be required by the DOE to verify your FAFSA information.
    • To inform you of verification the Financial Aid Office will use email(check your junk mail) directing you to your E-Services.
      • Click on “Financial Aid” to view your “Aid Application Status” in Next Step(s).
      • Note: If you have not used your E-Services account you will have to work through the process of signing up for a StarID and password to view the “Aid Application Status”.
  • Students with a complete financial aid application on file by June 1streceive priority consideration for campus based aid such as Federal SEOG and work study
    • Files are reviewed on a first-come, first served basis. Students must be accepted for admission into an aid eligible program and be enrolled at Minnesota North College to be eligible for financial aid.
  • Separate or additional applications are needed for:
    • Federal Student Loans for student and/or parent.
    • Work study
    • Scholarships