FAFSA updates and trainings, NSP update, and Survey for students.





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FAFSA, FAFSA and More FAFSA





* 2026–27 FAFSA® Form Now Available! [ #link_2 ]
* Upcoming FAFSA for Professionals Training [ #link_3 ]
* College Planning Series [ #link_1 ]
* Calling High School Students and Families! [ #link_4 ]
* North Star Promise Benefitted Over 53,000 Minnesotans During 2024-25 School Year [ #link_5 ]
* Student Parent Awareness Month Recap [ #link_6 ]

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2026–27 FAFSA® Form Now Available!

fafsa graphic 2

The 26-27 FAFSA is out of beta and ready for the all applicants. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete the FAFSA. This includes grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.



*Apply* [ [link removed] ]


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Upcoming FAFSA for Professionals Training

A professional sitting at a computer.

Minnesota Goes to College offers free, virtual trainings for educators across the state. Sign up to attend future trainings, or review previously recorded sessions. 

School Counselor Trainings 

These sessions are designed to support Minnesota Goes to College site coordinators (i.e. high school counselors, college/career center coordinators, college access program staff) with their college application and financial aid events. 


* *October 2, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. *

FAFSA Trainings

This training is about the 2026-2027 FAFSA, and is designed for educators with focus on getting information to high school counselors and community partners who assist families with FAFSA completion. Training is by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). Both sessions provide the same content.


* *October 9, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. *
* *October 15, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.*

MN Dream Act Training

This is a comprehensive training for the 2026-2027 MN Dream Act, presented by OHE. This training is for educators who assist families with MN Dream Act completion. Presenters will cover eligibility, the application process, and explain who should file as well as the benefits of filing. 


* *October 23, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. *


*Register* [ [link removed] ]


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College Planning Series

the college planning series

If you or someone you know is looking for more information on the college and financial aid process, we are here to help! Join us during the months of October and November for a series of college and financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families to walk through components and steps of apply for college and financial aid. Sign up and attend to be entered into a drawing to win one of two $1,000 scholarships! 

Session Dates and Topics:

* *September 30 - Explore College Options*
* *October 7 - Applying to College*
* *October 14 - Understand Financial Aid*
* *October 21 - FAFSA 101*
* *October 28 - Dream Act 101*
* *November 18 - Scholarships 101*

Each session will have live interpretation in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. 



*Register* [ [link removed] ]


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College Planning During Your Senior Year

Calling High School Students and Families!

In partnership with Minnesota P-20, we are working to gather information on dual enrollment. As part of that work, we gathering input on how students/parents across the state get information about and make choices regarding dual enrollment opportunities in high school. If you are a parent of a high school student or a current high school student, please take a few minutes to fill out the appropriate survey.

Students Survey [ [link removed] ] | Parents Survey [ [link removed] ]
Mother and daughter smile while working together at a table with a laptop and notebook.

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North Star Promise Benefitted Over 53,000 Minnesotans During 2024-25 School Year

Black and white photo with multi colored triangles.

According to a new preliminary report from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), 53,567 Minnesota students benefitted from the new North Star Promise program during the 2024-25 school year.

*“The success of North Star Promise is truly remarkable,”* OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said. *“By investing in our students and eliminating the financial barrier of tuition, we are making college possible for more Minnesotans. This preliminary report shows that in the first year of implementation, we exceeded projections for how many people would benefit from the program. I believe North Star Promise is playing a key role in the positive enrollment trends happening across the state and look forward to seeing more students benefit during the 2025-26 school year.”*



*Read the Full Release* [ [link removed] ]


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Student Parent Awareness Month Recap

Student parents are individuals who are parenting, pregnant, or caring for children while attending postsecondary institutions; and in the US nearly 1 in 5 undergraduate students is also a parent. In recognition of this, Governor Walz proclaimed September 2025 as Student Parent Month. [ [link removed] ] Inviting Minnesotans to learn about, support, and celebrate student parents and their families for their resilience, dedication, and the valuable contributions they bring to our postsecondary institutions.

In recognition of student parents, we partnered with the Department of Health (MDH) to highlight different student parents across social media. Read the individual stories:


* Bailey [ [link removed] ]
* Heather [ [link removed] ]
* Naidine [ [link removed] ]
* Samantha [ [link removed] ]

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature allocated $3 million over the next biennium to support the Minnesota's Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI), providing much-needed support to entities and institutions to assist college-age pregnant and parenting students in successfully completing secondary education. OHE manages the grant program and MDH provides health expertise and guidance for the grantees. 

*Learn More About SPSI* [ [link removed] ]













 

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