Ready, Set, FAFSA! Virtual Financial Aid Events
Free virtual Financial Aid events for students
This January, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC's The College Place Minnesota, and Minnesota Goes to College are launching a series of financial aid webinars for Minnesota students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Attendees will be entered to win a $1,000 scholarship.
The series, which runs four Tuesday evenings in January, will focus on applying for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the MN Dream Act application.
- January 7, 2025, 7pm — Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA
- January 14, 2025, 7pm — Apply for Financial Aid: MN Dream Act
- January 21, 2025, 7pm — Scholarship Search
- January 28, 2025, 7pm — Understand Your Aid Offer
For more information on each session and to register, visit https://bit.ly/RSFAFSA
"The cost of attending higher education is a significant barrier for many Minnesotans, which makes raising awareness about available financial aid a vital part of our outreach," said Minnesota Commissioner for Higher Education Dennis Olson. "Regardless of family income, numerous grants are available to help make college more affordable, and filing out the FAFSA is an important first step in accessing these funds and being able to pursue a postsecondary degree."
“As a first-generation college student, I am extremely passionate about sharing tools and resources to help students find their path to and through the postsecondary process,” said Tara Pribnow, director of ECMC’s The College Place Minnesota, who is helping to lead the virtual events. “Our goal with this collaboration is to help the most in-need students in Minnesota gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate the often confusing and intricate application and financial aid process.”
Visit https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/ for information about each of Minnesota's financial aid programs. Questions can be directed to the state's financial aid hotline: (651) 642-0567.
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The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education.
The Minnesota Department of Education is a cabinet-level state agency that works to provide an excellent education for Minnesota students by striving for excellence, equity, and opportunity.
ECMC is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed by lowering student loan default rates, sponsoring college access initiatives and financial literacy programs, and providing resources to support student loan borrowers to successfully repay their loans. ECMC's The College Place locations are college access centers where students of all ages can get information, assistance and encouragement to achieve their educational goals. Free assistance is provided in-person and virtually.
Minnesota Goes to College is our state's effort to provide graduating high school seniors with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply and enroll in college. It is a collaborative effort composed of K-12, higher education, and nonprofit partners.