Minnesota Goes to College Newsletter

Happy March! We had a successful third round of Ready, Set, FAFSA. In case you missed it, all resources, recordings, and Q&A documents are available for download.

What's Inside

• Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• News and Research

• Resources

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Ready, Set, FAFSA Scholarship Winners Announced

Congratulations to the students from the following schools on winning $500 toward your postsecondary education! 

• Senior from Shakopee High School

• Junior from Lakeville North High School

Ready, Set, FAFSA Series Recordings 

Thank you to all who attended this spring's version of Ready, Set, FAFSA! You can find the recordings, presentation, resources, and Q&A for all session. 

1. Understand & Prepare to Apply: Recording | Presentation | Resources & Links | Session Q & A

2. Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA: Recording | Presentation | Resources & Links | Session Q & A

3. Apply for Financial Aid: Dream Act: Recording | Presentation | Resources & Links

4. Understand Your Offer Letter: Recording | Presentation | Resources & Links | Session Q & A

5. Search for Scholarships: Recording | Presentation | Resources & Links |
   Session Q & A

Financial Aid Trainings

Audience: Financial aid administrators or others interested in detailed financial aid

The Office of Higher Education will host virtual trainings via MS Teams on Wednesday March 29th.  Although the trainings are geared toward new aid administrators, anyone who would like a refresher or who has recently changed roles is welcome to attend. The morning track will be held from 9am-noon and be dedicated to the Minnesota State Grant.  In the afternoon, from 1-2:30pm, attendees can choose between a training on the Postsecondary Child Care Grant or the Minnesota Dream Act (focused on eligibility and the application process).

Attendees can attend one or multiple sessions.  Please sign up for the training by completing this Microsoft Form by Friday March 24th.

News and Research

Changes to FAFSA

There are major changes coming for FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year. Learn more using the resources below!

• Better FAFSA® Better Future Overview Video Video highlighting what Better FAFSA® Better Future will mean for you, our partner.

• Infographic on FAFSA® Changes** Infographic outlining important data points and resources related to Better FAFSA® Better Future.

• Financial Aid Toolkit Information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, nonprofit mentors, and other advisors.

• FSA Knowledge Center Policy guidance, training, announcements, and links to other Federal Student Aid resources geared toward financial aid administrators.

Updated listing on how private colleges give credit for high school level work

Find out how each of 18 private colleges in Minnesota give credit, higher level course placement or advanced standing, based on what students did in high school. The Minnesota Private College Council updated this information in February; it includes web content and handouts.

Students Report Appreciation for Their Teachers and Education Due to Pandemic Experiences

A new report from ACT takes a look at students' perspectives about the pandemic's efforts on their learning. We share this to hope help make school staff feel seen, but also, not alone. Read the press release and research to learn more.

• 50%+ students appreciate their teachers and education more due to COVID-19 experiences.

• 85% students agree that pandemic-related circumstances hindered their academic knowledge and skills development.

• 60% students reported a negative effect on their motivation to learn due to the pandemic.

• 37% students struggled with their academic grades during the first year of the pandemic.

• 54% students reported a negative effect on their relationships with friends due to the pandemic, with 48% rating the effects on their social skills as negative.

• 50% students had less involvement in extracurricular activities during the first year of the pandemic, with 39% indicating less involvement in college/career preparation activities and hobbies.

Resources

• Resources for planning group visits to colleges, considering alternatives
  As counselors and access program staff know, bringing groups of students onto college campuses is a great way to help kickstart a college search. To help those planning visits — and considering virtual options — the Minnesota Private College Council has just updated its resources. There are details here for visit planning and alternatives at 18 private colleges.

• 2023 summer enrichment program list
  Newly updated, this list of summer enrichment programs offered at Minnesota Private Colleges can be a helpful resource for families and students looking for options.

• A list of scholarship resources, opportunities, and search engines

About Minnesota Goes to College

Minnesota Goes to College is our state's college and financial aid application completion initiative, made possible by a steering committee of K12, higher education and nonprofit partners. This newsletter provides information for schools, families and students with contributions from our steering committee partners.

January 2023

Minnesota Goes to College Newsletter

Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful break and time with loved ones. In this newsletter, you'll find updates on Ready, Set, FAFSA starting in February, resources to support your students, and more. 

What's Inside

• Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• News and Research

• Resources

• Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Ready, Set, FAFSA Series, February 2023

 Join us this February for a series of financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families to help them prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will be approximately one hour long with a short presentation from financial aid experts followed by time for questions from the audience.

 Understand & Prepare to Apply for Financial Aid | Tues, Feb 7 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Learn more about the many ways to pay for college—like grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study—and how to apply for them. Register here

 Complete the FAFSA | Tues, Feb 14 at 7:00 p.m.

• Find out more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the most important form to get you or your student money for education after high school. Register here

Complete the MN Dream Act | *Thurs, Feb 16 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Minnesota also has a form for undocumented students called the Minnesota Dream Act, which allows them to be eligible for in-state tuition. Register here

Understanding Your Offer Letter | Tues, Feb 21 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Understanding your financial aid award letter can be complicated, especially if you applied to more than one college. This session will help you understand how to read and compare them. Register here

Scholarship Search | Feb 28 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Learn more about how to get scholarships, or free money, for your education after high school. Register here

Language Interpretation Available & $500 Scholarship

All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Participants who attend at least one session will be eligible to win a $500 scholarship.

Please share this information with your friends, students, colleagues, and anyone you think may benefit from this webinar series. 

A huge thank you to the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) Group and the Minnesota Department of Education who helped make these events possible.

Making Meaningful Connections: College and Career Readiness in Minnesota

This workshop will highlight the connections between World’s Best Workforce legislation, college and career readiness standards and the ACT focusing on what these connections mean for students in your school and/or district.

Participants will engage in a variety of activities, learning experiences, and discussions designed to broaden their overall understanding of ACT offerings, how to utilize various data that can impact student decision-making, and how to directly apply information learned to inform conversations/efforts with students and families to make a positive impact.

• Rochester, Rochester Public Schools-Facilities Service Center
  Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., CT
  
  

• Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie Schools-Administrative Service Center
  Thursday, January 26, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., CT
  
  

• Alexandria, Alexandria Public Schools
  Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., CT

• News and Research

Educating for the Future Report 2022

In 2015, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a goal that 70% of Minnesota adults (ages 25-44) will have attained a postsecondary certificate or degree by 2025. In recognition of existing gaps in attainment, the law also sets 30% and 50% educational attainment benchmarks for all races and ethnicities as interim goals.

While Minnesota is making progress towards the 70% educational attainment goal, attainment gaps persist among Black, Indigenous, and persons of color. In order for Minnesota to maintain economic growth and ensure continued prosperity, the state and its colleges must engage communities of color and American Indian communities in postsecondary education.

Resources

• Get the Free Counselor's Guide 2022-2023, designed to make understanding all things ACT as simple as possible, the guide contains information about ACT test dates, fee waivers, and test prep - everything you need to set your students up for success.

• Provide students with this online College Planning Workbook to keep them organized during the college and financial aid process.
  *You will be asked to make a copy of your own version in Google Sheets*

About Minnesota Goes to College

Minnesota Goes to College is our state's college and financial aid application completion initiative, made possible by a steering committee of K12, higher education and nonprofit partners. This newsletter provides information for schools, families and students with contributions from our steering committee partners.