North Star Promise Scholarship

The North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program creates a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota Residents at eligible institutions.  The NSP scholarship is considered a “last-dollar” program by covering the remainder of eligible tuition and fees after other scholarships, grants, stipends, and tuition waivers have first been applied for eligible students. Note that NSP does not go towards housing, food, books, tuition differentials, specialty course fees, or other miscellaneous expenses.

The North Star Promise program is open to all Minnesota resident students with a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below $80,000, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application. Completing one of these forms is all you have to do for North Star Promise funds.

For information on the application process, the eligibility requirements, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: Minnesota North Star Promise Scholarship Program.

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Important Updates and Changes

June 1, 2026 is the deadline for the 2026-27 FAFSA to be considered for the North Star Promise Scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year (Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027).

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What does "last dollar" mean?

The scholarship covers the balance of your tuition and fees after other gift aid funding (scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, certain veterans' benefits, etc.). Any grants or scholarships you already have (from the university, private companies, community scholarships, etc.) would first be applied to your tuition and fees balance before the North Star Promise Scholarship is calculated. Loans and work-study are not sources of gift aid.

Other costs, such as housing, food, books, supplies, and transportation, are not considered for the North Star Promise Scholarship.

Will North Star Affect VA Educational Benefits?

Some VA education benefits can be affected by scholarships that are applied directly to your tuition and fees, such as the North Star Promise Scholarship. This scholarship is based on your FAFSA information and your Minnesota residency. Please reach out to the Campus Hub to schedule an appointment with one of our financial aid advisors so we can review your aid offer with you and explain how this may impact your VA education benefits.

North Star Promise Scholarship Examples

Here are a few examples of what some hypothetical North Star Promise award calculations could look like on our campus:

Example A

Amount	Description
$10,280	Tuition/fees
-$7,300	Pell Grant
-$3,000	MN State Grant
=$0	North Star Promise Scholarship (the full tuition and fees are paid for)

Example B

Amount	Description
$10,280	Tuition/fees
-$5,500	Pell Grant
-$2,700	MN State Grant
-$1,000	Other Grant, Scholarship, or Waiver
=$1,080	North Star Promise Scholarship

Example C

Amount	Description
$10,280	Tuition/fees
$13,376	Housing/food(student living on campus)
$23,656	Total charges
-$7,300	Pell Grant
-$3,000	MN State Grant
$1,000	Maverick Scholarship (or other grant, scholarship, or waiver)
$0	North Star Promise Scholarship (the full tuition & fees are paid for)
=$12,356	Net Price (The bill is still owed because North Star Promise does not go towards living expenses)

 

NORTH STAR PROMISE PLUS (NSP+) AWARD

North Star Promise Plus (NSP+) is a supplemental financial aid award given to students who are North Star Promise (NSP) eligible and who receive a Federal Pell Grant.

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For more information please visit: Minnesota North Star Promise Scholarship Program

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See If You Qualify for Financial Aid & Scholarships