School highlights

Anoka-Ramsey Community College offers unique campuses on the Rum River in Cambridge and the Mississippi River in Coon Rapids. Call (763) 433-1300 or visit www.anokaramsey.edu for a tour.

Anoka-Ramsey offers:

• The most affordable tuition and fees among Minnesota state colleges and universities, with free tutoring, personal attention, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty and staff. Ask about scholarships and financial aid packages.
• Advanced degrees through other system institutions on its campuses, including bachelor’s degrees in business administration, FasTrack license for secondary teacher certification, nursing, special education, teacher education K-8 license, DLiTE program (undergraduate major in teaching).
• More than 100 online courses and complete online programs: Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degrees in accounting and business; certificates in business computer applications and business generalist.
• 10 off-campus locations in Blaine, Columbia Heights, Elk River, Fridley, Monticello, New Brighton, North Branch High School and Primary School/Learning Center, Saint Francis, YMCA-Emma B. Howe (free day care)

* Anoka-Ramsey Community College is aligned with Anoka Technical College.
 

Admissions

Admissions requirements

Anoka-Ramsey Community 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): $5,589

FAFSA Code: 002332

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.