Applying for Financial Aid

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.