Beginning in Fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at SMSU. The NSP Scholarship is a “last-dollar” program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after all other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers have been applied.
See the question and answer section below for further details.
The North Star Promise is a program of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). The OHE also has a great North Star Promise Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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Am I eligible for the North Star Promise?
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SMSU students eligible for the North Star Promise:
- Are Minnesota Residents
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application
- Are not in default on a state or federal student loan
- Are earning at least one credit
- Are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
- Have not already earned a four-year degree
- Are enrolled in a course that applies to a degree, diploma or certificate
SMSU students DO NOT need to be first-time students to be eligible.
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What does “last dollar” mean?
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The scholarship will cover the balance of your tuition and fees after all gift aid has been applied to your account. Gift aid includes any grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, stipends, etc. that you are receiving.
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How does the North Star Promise Scholarship work?
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- If an NSP-eligible student enrolls in 15 credits with tuition totaling $4,420.
- The student is already receiving $3,000 in grants and $420 in scholarships which means the remaining balance is $1,000.
- The North Star Promise Scholarship would cover the $1,000 outstanding balance.
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How do I apply for the North Star Promise Scholarship program?
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- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application.
- There is no additional application beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application. The Financial Aid Office will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and award the North Star Promise Scholarship, if you are eligible.
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How much money could I receive?
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There is not a limit on the maximum term, yearly, or lifetime dollar amount of an award you can receive. The amount received is based on the "last-dollar" calculation of your eligibility on a term-by-term basis. You can receive up to 100% of the amount charge in tuition and required fee per term, minus all other sources of gift aid your receive. You may receive the award for a total of 120 credits.
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Is the North Star Promise Scholarship renewable?
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Since this is a last-dollar scholarship, this award will be calculated on a semester-by-semester basis. If you receive new sources of gift aid, we will need to recalculate the amount of the North Star Promise Scholarship funds you qualify for. There is no time limit on the award, however the North Star Promise Scholarship will only cover a maximum of 120 credits to each eligible student.
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