At a glance
Free if eligible- What it covers
- The college covers remaining base tuition and mandatory fees after other gift aid, such as scholarships, grants, waivers and stipends. The calculation is term-by-term, and your North Star award can be zero if other gift aid already covers those charges.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- Income / financial rules
- Family federal AGI must be below $80,000. For 2026–27 the application uses 2024 AGI. Dependent students include their own and applicable parent/stepparent AGI; independent married students combine student/spouse AGI. This is not a household gross-income band or an $80,000-inclusive threshold.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- Who to check first
- Be a Minnesota resident student attending a Minnesota public institution or Tribal College; private colleges are excluded. There is no age limit, and returning students may qualify.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- Application timing
- June 1, 2026 for 2026–27 — passed. No next-year deadline or late-filing exception is established here; check the college and OHE.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
Check the official page for the next window or renewal instructions.
Check your eligibility
Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.
How to apply
- 1Check the academic year and its official deadline first. For 2026–27, ask the college about your previously submitted application or other aid if you missed June 1, 2026; this page does not establish an exception or next-year filing deadline.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- 2For the applicable eligible year, complete FAFSA or the Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application. There is no extra North Star Promise application; the college communicates eligibility and the award through its normal aid process.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- 3Ask the college to confirm resident status, the exact programme, counted credits and its term-by-term base-tuition/mandatory-fee calculation. Keep separate provision for uncovered tuition differentials, course fees and living expenses.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
- 4Refile financial aid each year and maintain SAP. If family income has changed, ask financial aid whether a professional-judgment review of current circumstances is appropriate; approval is not automatic.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Minnesota Office of Higher Education ↗
What to watch for
Common questions
What is the main benefit?
The college covers remaining base tuition and mandatory fees after other gift aid, such as scholarships, grants, waivers and stipends. The calculation is term-by-term, and your North Star award can be zero if other gift aid already covers those charges.
Is there an income limit?
Family federal AGI must be below $80,000. For 2026–27 the application uses 2024 AGI. Dependent students include their own and applicable parent/stepparent AGI; independent married students combine student/spouse AGI. This is not a household gross-income band or an $80,000-inclusive threshold.
When should I apply?
June 1, 2026 for 2026–27 — passed. No next-year deadline or late-filing exception is established here; check the college and OHE.
Sources & verification
Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.