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11/16/2009 - Winter Quarter Registration Begins
11/26/2009 - Thanksgiving (School Closed)
11/27/2009 - Thanksgiving Friday (School Closed)
12/4/2009 - Winter Quarter Registration Ends
12/23/2009 - Fall Quarter Ends
12/24/2009 - Christmas Eve (School Closed)

Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid


Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions of Financial Aid:

What types of financial aid are available?

We participate in the Federal Stafford loan, Parent loan, Pell Grant, The Academic Competitiveness Grant, The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, National Smart Grant, SEOG Grant programs, the Minnesota State Grant and SELF loan programs and multiple alternative loan programs. We are also an eligible institution for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds as well as other outside agency funding, tribal funding and scholarships.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. We use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal, state and private grants and loans. Even if you think you may not be eligible, we encourage everyone to apply. Please submit your FAFSA as soon as possible!

When should I apply for financial aid?

FAFSA forms are available each year after January 1. Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible! The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive notification of your financial aid eligibility. You must apply for financial aid every year you are in school.

How is eligibility determined?

The amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive will be based on:

  • your FAFSA results
  • the number of credits you are registered for
  • the amount of financial aid money available
  • criteria for individual programs

Nearly all aid programs require you to be registered for a minimum of 6 credits per quarter, and many require a minimum of 12 credits.

Am I required to report my parent's tax information on the FAFSA?

You are required to report your parent's information on the FAFSA unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • at least 24 years old
  • a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • in a graduate program (MBA)
  • married
  • have dependents for whom you provide at least half of their support
  • an orphan or ward of the court or were until the age of 18

My parents are divorced. How does this affect my financial aid?

Financial aid is based on the income of the parent with whom the student lives. If that parent has remarried, the income of the stepparent is also taken into consideration in accordance with federal regulations.

If you do not live with either parent, you should report the income of the parent that last provided at least half of your support or with whom you last lived.

What if my financial situation has changed since I last filed my taxes?

If you have had a reduction in your income due to a job loss, job change, divorce, separation or death, you may be eligible to apply for a professional judgment income reduction. Original tax information must always be reported on the FAFSA. Once you have filed the FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional paperwork.

Do I need to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?

No. In order to be eligible for Stafford Loans, you must be registered at least half-time (6 credits undergraduate) each quarter. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, you may be eligible for a partial grant even if you enroll less than half time.

Am I eligible for financial aid?

In order to be eligible for most sources of financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen, have a valid Social Security number, and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. If you are a male, you must be registered with the Selective Service. In addition, you must not be in default on a student loan or owe an overpayment on a grant.

What is a Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN)?

"The PIN serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the personal identification number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Because your PIN serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone." (From the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site.)

Should I apply for financial aid even if my parents make a lot of money?

It is recommended that you fill out a FAFSA regardless of your or your parent's income. Financial aid is based on more factors than income level alone. For instance, family household size, number of people in college and the age of your parents all impact your financial aid eligibility.

I have been selected for verification; what does that mean?

Over 30% of all students will have their FAFSA selected for the verification process. These applicants will be required to submit specific documents requested by the Financial Aid Office. These documents will be used to verify information on the FAFSA. This process must be completed before students can receive a financial aid award offer.

How do I apply for financial aid if my parents are divorced or separated?

You should complete the FAFSA using the information from the parent that provided the majority of financial support during the past year. This is typically the parent that you lived with during the past year. Remember, if the parent whose information you are reporting has remarried, you must include the income and asset information of the stepparent.

I completed the FAFSA a while ago, but I haven't heard anything back. What should I do?

If you have not received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID or go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to find out if your FAFSA has been processed or to request a duplicate copy of your SAR.