Applying for Financial Aid
Two questions most families ask are how much is it going to cost and how can we afford it? Many families rely on assistance through the many Federal and State Student Financial Aid programs to help them pay for their student’s education. To apply for financial aid, start with the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Fall 2025 - Summer 2026
- Gather all the necessary documents for your application.
- Submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA as soon as possible, starting December 1, 2024.
Fall 2024 - Summer 2025
- Gather all the necessary documents for your application.
- Submit your 2024-2025 FAFSA as soon as possible, starting December 2023.
- 2024-2025 FAFSA Changes
Remember to send your FAFSA information to Minnesota State University, Mankato (School code 002360)
Be aware of the most common FAFSA errors so you can prevent delays or potentially costly issues.
Learn to recognize and avoid getting tricked by financial aid scams
Applying for Financial Aid Steps
Step 1: Apply Each Year
2024-2025 FAFSA (Fall 2024-Summer 2025)
2025-2026 FAFSA (Fall 2025-Summer 2026)
Available Now to Apply
- For more information on the launch of the 2025-2026 FAFSA, please visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support
- Information About the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Student/Family Financial Data
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Inex (SAI)
- Adjustment to EFC/SAI for Approved Special Circumstances
- Review General Financial Aid Information at the University
Step 2: Check Your Application Status with the University
Starting 5 days after filing
Expand Show Less –- Log in with StarID to your Financial Aid Portal to view your Aid Application Status
- Your Student Student e-Services Financial Aid Application Status - What the Status Codes Mean
Step 3: Provide Additional Information If Requested
As soon as possible after request
Expand Show Less –- Check your email inbox for message from FAFSAVerify@mnsu.edu
- Log in with StarID to your Financial Aid Portal to view Document Request details
- What Might Be Requested
- Verification of FAFSA Information
- Residency Status Documentation
- Dependency Status Documentation
- Submit documentation via forms provided or upload using this link: https://link.mnsu.edu/upload
- Check your email inbox for a message from campushub@mnsu.edu
- Log in with StarID to your Financial Aid Portal to view Preliminary Award Letter (new First Year Students Only)
- View Financial Aid Awards when available on Student e-Services
- View and Respond to Your Awards through the Financial Aid menu on Student e-Services
- Complete all additional acceptance steps as instructed
- Review Financial Aid Award Checklist Information
- 2024-2025 (PDF)
- Learn more about Accepting Your Awards
Step 6: Receive Your Financial Aid
Disbursement begins after the first week of the semester
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