Minnesota State Grant Program: Facts & Background

Download the State Grant Fact Sheet PDF (361 KB)

Who receives Minnesota State Grants?

Minnesotans who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at a public or private college in Minnesota can qualify for a Minnesota State Grant to help with their college expenses. Dependent, independent, full-time and part-time students can qualify.
Students qualify based on their financial need, determined when they fill out the FAFSA.

Why is the Minnesota State Grant Program important?

State Grants are a targeted, cost-effective way to fund the higher education aspirations of the people of Minnesota. For students from low- and middle-income families, receiving a Minnesota State Grant significantly increases access to college.
The State Grant Program gives low- and middle-income students a choice among different types of postsecondary education institutions that will best fit the student’s interests and needs, rather than having to choose the school with the lowest tuition.

Program & Budget Highlights

The State of Minnesota spent about $156 million last year on the State Grant Program, about 11 percent of the $1.4 billion in general fund spending on higher education.
During the 2006-2007 school year, more than 80,000 lower- and middle-income Minnesotans attending public and private colleges in the state received a State Grant.
Through the State Grant Program, qualifying MPCC students receive $33 million per year in assistance from the State of Minnesota. This represents 2 percent of all state higher education spending.
9,751 MPCC students (23 percent) receive a State Grant. The average State Grant award for MPCC students is $3,400.
Contrary to what some believe, private college students have about the same family income as students who attend public colleges and universities. Also, the State Grant Program doesn’t help wealthy students — only those who qualify on the basis of need.
Each student who chooses to attend a private college saves Minnesota taxpayers as much as $5,900 each. The state would have to spend an additional $300 million per year to educate private college students at state-funded institutions.
The state has an interest in the success of private college students, who make up more than 30 percent of all of Minnesota baccalaureate recipients each year. The state doesn’t work without private college graduates.

Located in Minneapolis with abundant opportunities to gain experience both inside and outside the classroom.
National recognition for an effective first-year program and for combining learning with service.
Top majors are business, science, teaching
A diverse community of 3,000 students

Located in Mankato overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
A community of 540 students -- most live on campus
Popular majors include business administration, communication, psychology, and elementary education
Focus is on a solid, Christian education

Located on a residential, wooded campus in a Twin Cities suburb
Enrolls 5,600 students in 100 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs
Integrates faith, learning and the translation of Christian belief into global service
20 international programs; top 3 percent ranking of students who study in foreign countries

Together with Saint John's -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud
A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
A commitment to experiential learning, research and internships

Largest and most comprehensive Catholic college for women in the U.S.
Beautiful campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis
Committed to meeting the educational needs of women of all ages; offers liberal arts, healthcare and professional programs in traditional and weekend formats
Serves 5,000 students

Main campus in Duluth; also in St. Paul, St. Cloud, Brainerd
Undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional, accelerated and online formats
Top majors: Health information management, management, education, nursing
3,200 students; 1,940 undergraduates on Duluth campus
U.S. News ranking in top tier of Midwestern universities

Located in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area that includes 20,000+ college students
Serves more than 2,700 students
Top programs include the sciences, education and music
Recipient of NAFSA Simon Award for Campus Internationalization
Home of world-renowned Concordia Language Villages

Located in the St. Paul metro area
Serves 1,500 undergraduate and 300 graduate students of all ages and backgrounds
Top majors include Christian education, business and teacher education
A laptop university with 24/7 Web access

Oldest Lutheran college in Minnesota; Swedish heritage; home of the Nobel Conference
Beautiful residential campus located in St. Peter, overlooking the Minnesota River Valley
Prepares 2,500 undergraduates for lives of leadership, service and lifelong learning
Recognized science, writing, music, athletics, study-abroad, and service-learning programs

Ranked first in Minnesota among comprehensive universities according to U.S. News
4,400 undergraduate, graduate, and law students
Located in residential neighborhood of St. Paul
Intimate environment of small classes and personal attention along with the opportunities of a comprehensive university

700 students; 14 majors in fine arts, media and design
Located next to the Children's Theater and Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Studio-based and business-oriented programs; BFA, BS and MFA degrees
Only art and design school to be named a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review

Together with Saint Benedict -- 3,800 undergraduate students have many opportunities
Located on 3,200 acres of woods and lakes west of St. Cloud.
A focus on globalism includes an extensive international study program
A commitment to experiential learning, research, internships

Values-based, results-oriented education in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition
Outstanding environment for learning, living and recreation
400-acre Winona campus in the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley
1,300 traditional undergraduates, with 4,100 graduate and professional students at other locations

Environmentally aware, 300-acre residential campus in historic Northfield
3,000 students; top majors are music, mathematics and the sciences
Nation's top liberal arts college for study abroad
College of the Lutheran church -- where conversations about faith are part of daily life

Minnesota's largest private university with 10,500 students (5,500 undergraduates)
95 undergraduate majors
Main campuses located in a stately St. Paul neighborhood and in downtown Minneapolis (other campuses in Owatonna, Minn. and Rome, Italy)