The Financial Aid and Student Services Offices offer virtual sessions to help you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MN Dream Act Application.
We're happy to help you apply for financial aid and answer your questions.
Attend a workshop with our staff for help to complete your FAFSA or MN Dream Application!
There are currently two types of application for financial aid:
Learn more about the completing the financial aid application process (recording from 2022-23 FAFSA session)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available, but some students and families are experiencing issues accessing and completing the application. The 2024-25 MN Dream Act application release has also been delayed. Also, changes to the FAFSA form mean that Normandale won't see the results until mid-March.
What does this mean?
It is important to remember that all students nationwide are in this same situation. We hope to start giving students award estimates for the fall 2024 term shortly after FAFSA data is released to Normandale. In the meantime, we have some options to help you estimate your eligibility for financial aid.
The Net Price Calculator allows you to estimate your eligibility for grant assistance at Normandale based on average awards.
Are you eligible for North Star Promise? If your family’s 2022 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is less than $80,000 and you meet the other eligibility requirements, North Star Promise will cover tuition and fees at Normandale! You can find AGI on the 2022 Federal 1040 tax form, line 11. You'll need to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA or 2024-25 MN Dream Act application in order to determine your eligibility.
Where to go for help
While these challenges have made the process more difficult for some, Normandale wants to provide support! If you have not completed your 2024-25 FAFSA and would like assistance navigating the new process, consider attending a financial aid completion session or stopping by Student Services during business hours (no appointment needed).
The Student Services department is Normandale’s one-stop for all questions related to financial aid, scholarships, payment, billing, records, and registration. Student Services is available to answer your questions at 952-358-8100, through live chat, email, or in-person during drop-in hours.
Additional Information
If you have already submitted your FAFSA, it may show as “In Review” with a tracking status of “Submitted.” That status may not change until mid-March. We understand that you cannot make any changes/corrections to your FAFSA until that point.
If you haven’t started or completed your 2024-25 FAFSA yet, please be aware of some known issues with the process:
FAFSA contributors (parent or spouse) with no Social Security Number (SSN) may have issues completing their section of the FAFSA until they have an FSA ID. All contributors must now have an FSA ID, even without an SSN. This process may require a separate verification process with Federal Student Aid. You can find a guide to creating your FSA ID here or get help at Student Services.
Under the “Apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan Only” section, if you answer “yes” the question that your parents are unwilling contribute to your FAFSA and submit it, it will lock them out of the process until corrections can be made. Do not answer “yes” to these questions if your parents will be able to include their information but aren’t available when you are completing the FAFSA. Naming them as “contributor” will allow them to go in later to add their information. This question is meant for students who have no contact with their parents.
Error messages have appeared when a student reports that their parent lives out of the country or provides an international phone number or address.
If you are able to complete the FAFSA, don’t forget to add our school code – 007954! This way we can log into your FAFSA as soon as the data is available to us.
While the Federal Student Aid list of known issues is most up to date, if you need help understanding if your FAFSA is impacted, or need help completing your application, Normandale wants to be a resource to help you to prepare for the 2024-25 school year. We encourage you call, email, chat or stop in our student services office if you have any questions.
Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature. For fastest processing, we encourage you to get your FSA ID before you file the FAFSA (you can also request your FSA ID before you submit).
Your parents should also apply for an FSA ID.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line at FAFSA on the Web for the year that you plan to attend Normandale. Normandale's Title IV School code is 007954.
You must complete a new FAFSA each year you want to receive financial aid. Your name and social security number must be reported just like they appear on your Social Security card or it will cause delays.
NEW! For the fastest processing time, we recommend that you use the IRS Data Retrieval (IDR) process. IDR allows you to transfer your federal tax data directly from the IRS to your FAFSA.
If you are unable to use IDR, you should request a copy of your Federal Tax Transcript in case you are selected for verification. If you will not file a federal tax return, keep a copy of your W2s from all jobs worked.
For an online tutorial on using IDR, please visit the YouTube video created by the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Turn in all documents requested by the Normandale Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Make sure that all documents are signed by you, your spouse, and parents (if applicable).
It is your responsibility to complete your application file, so take a proactive approach to make sure that you have done all that you need to do.
Please feel free to call us at 952-358-8100 at any time to check on the status of your file! We want to make this process as easy and understandable as possible.
Verification requirements have changed. Students who do not use the IRS Data Retrieval may be asked to provide copies of their Federal Tax Transcripts and/or W2s from all jobs worked.
If you did not file taxes, you may also be required to provide a Verification of Non-Tax Filing form from the IRS. If these documents are needed, we will send you the request via mail and email - do not submit these documents unless we have requested them.
When your file is complete (i.e. all documents requested have been submitted) it will be reviewed. If we need additional information, a request for that information will be emailed to you. If we have all the information we need, we calculate your awards and email you when your awards are ready for you to review on e-services.
Your award letter will tell you what types of funds you are eligible for and the amount you are eligible for at your enrollment level.
Be sure to read all required documents to be aware of important information regarding your rights and responsibilities!
If you are interested in student loans, see LoanAPPS Online.
For opportunities to work on-campus, go to Student Employment.
Visit Scholarship Opportunities to explore information on scholarships.
For information regarding purchasing books, tuition deferment, disbursement of funds, satisfactory academic progress and other financial aid related questions, refer to General Information and Policies.
To apply for the Post-Secondary Child Care Grant (MNCCG), you must have received an award letter, and turned in a completed Post-Secondary Child Care Grant application. A notification of your eligibility will be mailed to you.
Applications are available at the Student Services Office and online.
For more information please contact the Student Services at 952-358-8100.