SMSU Family Portal
Stay connected with Southwest Minnesota State University through our Family Portal, your one-stop spot for everything you'll need to know.
The Family Portal is where you'll find all the latest information about:
- Support services and resources
- Key dates and deadlines
- Campus and family events
- Ways to get involved
- And much more
Parents and Family of SMSU
Applying and going to college can be a stressful time for students and their families. Many students are overwhelmed by the options, so you might wonder how you can help them. Whether this is your first or last student to go to college, we can tell you that what you are experiencing is normal.
To help you make your decision, we’ve collected some helpful resources for you to explore. We’ll try to answer some of the most common questions we hear from parents and families:
- How does the application process work?
- Do we really need to visit?
- How much does it cost?
- What about financial aid?
- How will your students be supported when they’re here?
We have answers. And if you don’t find the answers you need, you can email admission@smsu.edu at any time. You’ll be connected to a caring admission counselor who will guide you and support you every step of the way. We are the Mustang Family and want you to be a part of it.
Visit
Why is a visit important? Can’t we just pick a school? You could, but at SMSU we know you get the best feel for our campus by coming to see us, meeting your counselor, connecting with a professor or talking with our current students. When it’s the right fit, you just know it. We’re small and personal, and the in-person visit will show you what that one-on-one attention feels like.
Apply
How do I apply? Hop on our website at www.smsu.edu/go/apply to get started. We have all the steps listed out for you so you can be ready to hit submit. If you visit campus, we’ll waive your fee. You can contact us for a promo code and applying won’t cost a thing. Haven’t taken the ACT or SAT? That’s okay, scores are optional and you can submit them later. We really do want to make it as stressless as possible. If you have questions, email us admission@SMSU.edu
Accessibility Services
Students come to college with different needs and starting points - some are physical, some not as easy to see. We call it accessibility because everyone should have the tools they need to access the education they deserve. Accessibility services are for all students who have a hurdle to overcome so they can successfully earn a degree. We have the support your student needs.
Cost
College is an investment. SMSU is a great investment because we provide a high-quality education, amazing support programs, and one-on-one attention, which all add up to an incredible value. With tuition, fees, housing and food, the average cost to attend is $20,970**. If you consider the average financial aid, scholarships and support programs, the final cost is much less for most students. We want a degree from SMSU to make financial sense while your student is here and long after your student is done. Learn more at www.smsu.edu/admission/paying-for-college.html
Financial Aid
SMSU is already a great value, but our in-state tuition for all and financial aid packages make it an even bigger value. Did you know our average financial aid package is $10,923? That’s right! And if you checked out the cost information above, you know what a difference that will make! The first thing you should do is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. It uses your income and asset details to calculate your student’s financial need. If you’re not sure what to prepare, contact our awesome Financial Aid staff at financialaid@smsu.edu. Or visit www.smsu.edu/go/financialaid
Scholarships
At SMSU we have one of the most generous scholarship offerings among schools our size and in our region. We call this our Southwest Guarantee. We can take your student's GPA or ACT and guarantee they will receive a scholarship to match their scores. The SMSU Foundation offers even more dollars to new incoming students. www.smsu.edu/scholarships
More Ways We Support Your Student
We want your student to succeed. We know college can be stressful, but your student will have resources to support them in all the steps of their journey. SMSU is small and caring, you can rest easy; they will be okay.
Health Services
Free and confidential services for medical evaluations and support for general student wellness.
Mental Health Counseling Center
Licensed, caring mental health professional available on campus to provide one-on-one counseling services to enrolled students.
Deeann Griebel Student Success Center
Our dedicated staff assists students in achieving their educational goals by bringing a collection of services together in one location.