Success through Advising and Resources Program (STAR)

The STAR Program Provides Personalized Support Services, Academic Advising and Career Counseling to Students Pursuing Certain Degrees or Certificates Who Are Also on SNAP (Food Stamps).

Program participants can apply for a $500 student support grant every semester.

Purpose of the Program

Provide basic needs support and career-focused training to students on SNAP during the Fall and Spring Semesters
Assist participants in identifying barriers to academic success and defining achievable goals
Help students graduate with the skills needed to find eventual employment through personalized career development services

Why Join?

Receive personalized career development and academic planning support 
Take free career assessments  
Get help accessing and applying for Normandale’s Emergency Grant and scholarships, including a $500 STAR Program student support grant every semester that is only available to STAR Program students
Get help finding basic needs support and other resources  
Identify roadblocks to academic success  
Develop achievable goals 
Learn job-seeking strategies  
Have a dedicated counselor to help navigate college

 Am I Eligible?

 1. You must be Enrolled in Qualifying Degree Program

 Students pursuing an Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Arts in Pre-Nursing or Pre-Dental, or most Certificates are eligible. See the dropdown menu below to find if your major qualifies.

2. You must be Enrolled in SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also sometimes referred to as food stamps or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), is a food assistance program which provides monthly benefits to help you pay for groceries. Nationwide, SNAP programs are under-utilized by college students. There have been recent changes to SNAP eligibility so more college students qualify. If you are interested but are not enrolled in SNAP, see the dropdown menu below for resources to help you sign up.

Find Out More and Apply

If you are interested in the STAR Program, please review the information, including Program Requirements and then fill out our STAR Program Interest Form.   

For more Information about the program contact:  

Normandale STAR Program Counselor  
Valerie Dean 
valerie.dean@normandale.edu 
952-358-8253 

Fill Out STAR Program form

How to Enroll in SNAP

To participate in the STAR Program you must be enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).    
SNAP is a federal food assistance program which provides monthly benefits to help individuals and families pay for groceries. SNAP is also sometimes referred to as food stamps or EBT. 
Apply for SNAP in MN.
If you need help determining if you qualify for and applying to SNAP you can:
- Visit the Food Helper website to see if you qualify for SNAP and connect with a specialist to help you apply to SNAP.
- Contact Second Harvest Heartland.
- Contact the MN Food Helpline.

If you need additional food support Normandale has an on-campus food shelf the Campus Cupboard and the Student Resource Center.

Program Requirements

Be an enrolled student at Normandale pursuing one of the degrees, certificates, or no-credit credentials from this list.
- Associate of Arts
  
  · Pre-Dental Hygiene
  
  · Pre-Nursing

- Associate of Science Degrees
  
  ANY Associate of Science Degrees. But, especially the following options:
  
  · Criminal Justice
  
  · Data analytics
  
  · Dental hygiene (and pre-dental hygiene)
  
  · Education
  
  · Engineering broad field
  
  · Food science
  
  · Health science broad field
  
  · Individualized studies
  
  · Law Enforcement
  
  · Nursing (and pre-nursing)
  
  · Public Health (formerly the A.S. in Community health education)
  
  Associate of Applied Science Degrees
  
  · Business – Marketing & Management
  
  · Computer technology
  
  · Computers/information management
  
  · Dietetic technology
  
  · Healthcare systems technology
  
  · Hospitality management
  
  · Vacuum & thin film technology
  
  Certificates
  
  Most Normandale certificates (besides Creative Writing and Religious Studies):
  
  · Accounting
  
  · Business Enrichment
  
  · Community Health Worker-Navigator
  
  · Computer Technology
  
  · Computers/Info Management
  
  · Exercise Specialist
  
  · Family Studies
  
  · Field Archaeology
  
  · Global Studies
  
  · Hospitality Management
  
  · International Experience
  
  · Law Enforcement
  
  · Nursing Assistant
  
  · Nutrition Studies
  
  · Spanish
  
  · Vacuum Maintenance Technician
  
  · Vacuum Technology
  
  Continuing Education and Customized Training
  
  Normandale’s CECT division is experienced at helping individuals prepare for and/or transition to a career through a range of no-credit credentials (many eligible for academic credit through credit for prior learning). CECT’s programs that offer certificates, industry credentials and college credit include:
  
  · Human Services Pathway (Integrated Education)
  
  · Community Health Worker
  
  · Paraprofessional to Teacher
  
  · Supervision and Management
  
  · Medical Careers
  
  · Quality-oriented programs (e.g. Six Sigma)
  
  · Business Acumen type programs (e.g. Data Analytics, Web Design, Graphic Design, and more)
Be enrolled in SNAP (food stamps).
Not receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (in MN called MFIP, cash assistance).  
Be 16 or older.

Program Components

Get monthly support from a Normandale Counselor focusing on specific areas of academic planning and career exploration.  
Assistance accessing emergency grants and referrals to support services. 
Eligible for a $500 STAR Program student support grant every semester that is only available to STAR Program students.