Completing student aid applications can be a long, arduous process for students beginning — and continuing — their transition to college. Minnesota offers state and local resources to make the process just a bit easier.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is hosting two virtual sessions on June 25 aimed at incoming college students and their families to provide information and resources for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
“We wanted to help families get across the finish line when completing the FAFSA with the roll-out of the new FAFSA from the government,” said Keith Hovis, the director of communications for the Minnesota Department of Higher Education.
The “FAFSA Completion Parties” will start with a 15-minute Q&A presentation detailing the common challenges students face when filling out the financial aid application — and their solutions followed by an interactive Q&A session and one-on-one support sessions with financial aid professionals. Sessions are available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
Students can register for the 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. session at ecmc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrfuuqrT0oG9Zn-dNWjaGisAEtpsnMXsbS#/registration.
Local colleges also offer support for students and families working through the application process for the FAFSA as well as other forms of student financial aid.
Minnesota State University, Gustavus Adolphus College and South Central College host events at area high schools for incoming students to learn more about, and even complete, the FAFSA in real time.
“Last year we put on nine FAFSA information or completion events in high schools,” said Rachel Sherlock, the associate director of financial aid at MSU.
During these events, people are able to ask questions to staff members in the college’s financial aid departments as well as complete their FAFSA application in real-time with the help of staff for any questions that arise.
“While the form is the same for everyone,” Hovis said. “The individual circumstances are different, which is why one-on-one support is so important.”
Gustavus Dean of Financial Aid Mark Bauer recognizes the complexity that comes with applying for all types of financial aid, including the FAFSA, especially since the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“With all the changes that have taken place with the FAFSA application process, our resources are more on a one-on-one basis either in-person or virtually using Google Meet,” Bauer said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all anymore.”
At all three campuses, students incoming and current, are encouraged to visit the office of financial aid’s website as well as in-person offices for on-the-spot questions and application assistance.
“Our website is the best place for students to find information,” said Judy Endres, the vice president of student affairs at South Central College. Here, students are able to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment or view other resources for applying for financial aid.
Additionally, at their respective new student orientations, students and families can attend informational sessions with the financial aid departments that cover different types of financial aid and their applications.
The federal deadline to submit the FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year is June 30, 2025, which is also the deadline to access the main state financial aid program of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Grant, although Hovis encourages prospective students to apply for aid as soon as possible.