Minnesota State Colleges & Universities

School highlights

• Nationally ranked: Winona State University is ranked as the second public institution in Minnesota by U.S. News & World Report, has been listed among the “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review for nine years in a row and has been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best College Buys for 17 consecutive years.
• Academically focused: Winona State University offers 83 academic majors, 10 preprofessional options, nine master’s options and one doctoral program at its campuses in Winona and Rochester.
• e-Warrior Digital Life and Learning program: Winona State is the first public university in the Midwest to offer a tablet and a laptop to all students. Students are provided an iPad mini or Android-based tablet along with a Mac or PC laptop, and enjoy wireless access from anywhere on campus.
• Health and wellness: The university’s new Integrated Wellness Complex aligns health, wellness, academic and recreational programs and services into a single state-of-the-art facility on the university’s tobacco-free campus.
• Distinguished programs: In 2011, the College of Business earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. This specialized accreditation provides a “stamp of approval” recognizing the value of a Winona State University education.
• Winona State University Goes Green: Sustainability is a core universitywide commitment. The university is a signatory of the American Colleges and Universities Presidents Climate Commitment and a partner in Sustain Winona, a community-based initiative dedicated to energy conservation, renewable energy technologies and pollution prevention strategies.
• Transforming education: As one of 14 institutions partnering with the Bush Foundation, Winona State University’s Teach 21 is set to receive up to $4 million over the next decade to increase educational achievement in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Path to Purple: The university works with Rochester Community and Technical College to offer programs in which students are able to begin their undergraduate education at the college and transfer to the university’s Winona or Rochester campus.
• Rochester campus: In addition to offering upper-division undergraduate degree programs and courses, the Rochester campus also offers an array of graduate programs in the colleges of education and nursing, including a doctorate in nursing practice.
• Come to visit: Daily campus visits at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visits include tours of the campus and residence halls and a meeting with an admissions counselor.

Admissions

Admissions requirements

Winona 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 of U.S. history
• Two years of a single world language, including non-English native languages or American Sign Language
• One year of elective (may be in visual arts, performing arts, computer courses or world culture courses)

When should you apply?
You may begin applying after Sept. 1 of your 12th grade year. We suggest that you apply during the fall for your best opportunities.
 

Tuition & finance

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $7,418

FAFSA Code: 002394

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.

Campus life

College is more than textbooks, classes, labs and studying. The Winona State community boasts plenty of clubs and program-related organizations, sports and recreational activities to help you meet new friends, develop leadership and team skills, stay fit and share the fun of working together on projects. WSU supports student government and more than 210 social, service and professional clubs and organizations for academics, fine arts, athletics, media, culture and cultural issues, and religion. The university also sponsors professional cultural programs and student theatrical, musical and dance performances.