Minnesota State Colleges & Universities

School highlights

Minnesota State Community and Technical College offers more than 120 career and liberal arts programs at locations in the heart of Minnesota’s beautiful lakes country and the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.

• Options – Twenty-five online majors and hundreds of online courses lead to degrees, diplomas and certificates. The Associate of Arts degree is offered on all campuses and online and transfers easily toward a bachelor’s degree.
• Experience – Students enjoy a rich college experience through a wide array of student life activities and travel abroad programs, an opportunity often available only on four-year campuses.
• Support – The college ranks among the top three two-year Minnesota colleges in fundraising and has awarded $207,000 in scholarships for 2011-2012.
• Focus – Student-centered education, with small class sizes, personal instruction and hands-on learning.
• Partnerships – Community partnerships provide on-the-job experience so students see career options early in their college life, rather than in the final years of a degree program.
• Connections – Nearly 750 industry and business representatives serve on advisory boards, ensuring curriculum meets industry standards.
• Innovation – Business and Entrepreneurial Services assists new or aspiring business owners.
   

Admissions

Admissions requirements

Minnesota State Community and Technical College has an open admissions policy. This means:

• You can enroll if you have a high school diploma or a GED. Even without those, you may be admitted if you demonstrate potential for success in college.
• You don’t have to take a standardized test to be admitted, and your high school grades and class rank are not considered.
• After you are admitted, you will take a placement test. That will tell you if you need to take remedial or developmental courses, which will not count toward a degree, before you can take college-level courses. Many students need just one developmental course, often in math or English. If you have taken these subjects every year in high school, you are more likely to do well on the placement test.

You can complete your studies in less time and for less total cost if you come well prepared for college-level work, especially by taking math, English, science and social studies classes every year in high school. Also, some programs of study require more math and science, so your high school preparation makes a difference.

Apply early in 12th grade. That increases your chances of being admitted to the specific program you want when you enter college. Some programs are more popular than others and fill early.
 

Tuition & finance

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $5,328

FAFSA Code: 005541

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. Getting involved in student life activities pays off in so many ways. College students who join campus activities do better both in their college courses and in their careers. Employers increasingly look at a student’s college involvement when they’re making hiring decisions. By joining a club or team, you’ll have a chance to expand your skills and interests, learn to work as part of a group, polish your leadership skills and serve your campus and community. Most important, you’ll have fun! There are a variety of opportunities at M State including student organizations, clubs, fine arts, collegeiate and intramural sports. The options vary a bit by campus so be sure to inquire when you visit one of M State's four campuses.