Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is the first step in the college financial aid process. This is required for any student seeking federal student aid for college.  The quickest way to apply is online using FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov

You will need the following information to complete your FAFSA:

  Your Social Security Number. Be sure it is correct!

  Your driver's license (if any)

  Your 2008 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned

  Your (and your spouse´s, if you are married) 2008 Federal Income Tax Return. IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ, Foreign Tax Return, or Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau

  Your Parents´ 2008 Federal Income Tax return (if you are a dependent student)

  Your 2008 untaxed income records- Social Security or SSI, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Welfare (MFIP), and Veterans benefits records

  Your current bank statements

  Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records

  Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Financial aid offices use information from the FAFSA to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid from grants, loans and work-study programs.  So be sure to fill out a FAFSA even if you think you won't qualify.

State Reciprocity Program

State Reciprocity Program is designed for Minnesota residents the opportunity attend college at one of the following public institutions in  Wisconsin,  North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Manitoba.  This program allows students to pay tuition at a rate lower than non-resident or, in some cases, comparable to resident rates.

If you are a Minnesota student, the fastest way to apply is by using our online application if you apply electronically, you do not need to complete a paper application. If you are not able to apply online, you can get a paper application at your high school guidance counselor's office or from participating reciprocity colleges or universities. You can print or download a paper application from our web site, or request it by writing to:

Reciprocity Office of Higher Education 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55108 Tel: (651) 642-0567 or (800) 657-3866

Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

The Midwest Student Exchange Program www.mhec.org enables residents of Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Nebraska to enroll in designated institutions and programs at reduced tuition levels outside of their home state. Some schools in the province of Manitoba also participate. The Midwest Student Exchange Program is an interstate initiative established by the Midwestern Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to increase educational opportunities for students in its member states. This program enables residents at reduced tuition (150% of resident tuition) levels. The basic core college prep courses apply for many of these schools' requirements.