Minnesota’s North Star Promise covers remaining base tuition and mandatory fees after Pell, grants, and other gift aid. It is available at participating public institutions and tribal colleges. It does not cover room, board, transportation, books, or personal expenses, so a balance outside tuition may remain.
General eligibility requires Minnesota residency, family adjusted gross income below $80,000, FAFSA or a state application, satisfactory academic progress, and an eligible college program. Students who cannot use FAFSA may use the state application identified by OHE. Each campus verifies residency, income, enrollment, and prior aid before calculating an award.
The 2026–27 application date was June 1, 2026, and has passed. The program has no separate form beyond FAFSA or the applicable state form; apply annually. If the date passed, you can still ask to be considered for Pell and campus aid, but do not assume North Star will accept a late application.
Aid is calculated term by term after other grants and changes with credits. OHE limits eligibility duration: its guide describes up to four semesters for an associate and up to eight for a bachelor’s, subject to progress and continued eligibility. Colleges may set minimum enrollment and satisfactory-progress requirements; confirm the semester and credit limits for your program.
Before enrolling, compare total attendance cost with North Star’s coverage. Ask financial aid to distinguish mandatory fees from excluded charges and explain how the award coordinates with other grants. The North Star profile summarizes coverage and deadlines, and the OHE profile provides campus resources.
Before budgeting, request a written offer separating tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals, books, and transportation. State grants often reduce only eligible charges and may change after Pell or other scholarships are applied. Do not commit money based on a chart maximum.
Your campus office should confirm missing documents, institutional eligibility, and disbursement timing. The program profile expands on the criteria; the public-agency profile links to applications, deadlines, and official help.
North Star Promise FAQs — Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Campus resources — Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Minnesota OHE — Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Research checked on October 12, 2026 against official or institutional sources. Past deadlines are identified, and eligibility is distinguished from an actual award. Confirm the cycle, your file, and available funds with the agency and your college financial-aid office.
North Star may reduce net tuition to zero but does not pay living costs; confirm income, deadline, institution, and duration with your college.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Minnesota North Star Promise
Family income below $80,000; covers remaining base tuition/mandatory fees at participating schools after other grants.
State last-dollar scholarship for tuition and mandatory fees
Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Publishes North Star Promise, state aid, applications, and college materials.
State higher-education and financial-aid agency
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Minnesota OHE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Minnesota North Star Promise ↗
Primary source
Minnesota OHE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) ↗
Primary source
OHE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.