School highlights

• More than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal arts, science and engineering, business, education, health and human services, and public affairs.
• Thirty years ago, the Herberger Business School became nationally and internationally accredited.
• Minnesota's largest producer of teachers with a national award-winning co-teaching model to enhance classroom-training experience.
• $11.3 million facility holds chemistry, biochemistry, biology, anatomy, immunology, advanced DNA and mammalian cell culture labs.
• Multicultural focus includes nearly 1,000 students from 83 countries on campus and study-abroad programs in 20 countries.
• Award-winning school newspaper, radio station and television station.
• More than $126 million in scholarships, grants, loans and work opportunities are distributed to students each year. In 2010-2011, St. Cloud State had 5,188 Pell Grant recipients and 13,792 students receiving $126.7 million in financial aid.
• Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.
• One hour northwest of the Twin Cities in a metropolitan area of 189,000.
• Successful graduates abound, including concept designer TyRuben Ellingson, a 1982 graduate who had a creative hand in developing the visual effects that helped catapult the movie “Avatar” to unparalleled box-office success, and John Stumpf, a 1976 graduate, president and chief executive officer of Wells Fargo, one of the country’s largest banks with 275,000 employees and 6,650 locations.

Admissions

Admissions requirements

St. Cloud State University generally will accept you as a first-year student if you can answer “yes” to at least one of these questions:

• Did you graduate in the top half of your high school graduating class?
• Did you score 21 or higher on the ACT standardized test?
• Did you receive a combined score of 1,000 or higher on the SAT standardized test?

Check with the admissions office for details. Even if you don’t meet the minimum requirements, you may be considered for admission under special provisions.

What courses do I need to take in high school?

You should have completed these courses in high school:

• Four years of English, including composition, literature and speech
• Three years of math, including two years of algebra, one of which is intermediate or advanced algebra, and one year of geometry
• Three years of science, including one year each of a biological and a physical science, all with significant laboratory experience
• Three years of social studies, including one year each of geography and U.S. history
• Two years of a single world language, including non-English native languages and American Sign Language
• One year of arts (visual arts and the performing arts of theater, music, dance and media arts)

When should you apply?
Apply early in 12th grade for the best chance of being admitted. Some programs do not have room for all qualified applicants.
 

Tuition & finance

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $7,179

FAFSA Code: 002377

How to apply for financial aid

Your key to receiving financial aid to help pay your college costs is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form. Many students don’t realize they could qualify for grant money and federally guaranteed loans, so be sure to find out by filling out the form.

Complete the FAFSA after Jan. 1 of your senior year. Find the form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up the form at your school counselor’s office. For help with completing the form, go to your high school counselor or the financial aid office at the college or university you plan to attend.

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for one or more of the following types of financial aid:

Scholarships
Scholarships are a great source of aid, and you do not need to pay them back. Many scholarships are available for students with special interests and backgrounds. Talk to your guidance counselor about what kind of scholarships you can get.

Grants
You may be eligible to receive federal and state grants of $300 to more than $7,000 per year. You do not need to pay these back.

Work study
Work study programs give you the opportunity to work on campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college. Work study jobs are often very flexible, allowing you to work around your classes and personal schedules.