MN Dream Act

WHAT IS THE MN DREAM ACT? 

The MN Dream Act is a financial aid application that students who are not eligible for the FAFSA may be able to complete in order to get access to state financial aid & in-state tuition rates. 

Students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible: 

• Attend a MN High School for at least 3 years 

• Will graduate from a MN High School  

COMPLETING THE MN DREAM ACT

Step 1: Determine Dependency Status & Which Parent's Information You'll Need

Dependency Status

Your dependency status determines whose information you're required to report when completing the MN Dream Act: 

• Dependent Students: you will report your information and your parents' information 

• Independent Students: you will only report your information 

In order to determine your dependency status, review the information on the MN Office of Higher Education website HERE

If you're a Dependent Student, use the chart below to determine which parent's information you'll need to provide on the MN Dream Act: 

Step 2: Gather Materials & Information 

The following materials & information will be needed to complete the MN Dream Act: 

Student Materials & Information

• Social Security Number (if you have one) 

• I-94/Green Card (if you have one) 

• 2024 Federal Income Tax Return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) -- only needed if you filed taxes in 2024

  • Example found HERE 

• 2024 W-2 -- only needed if you worked in 2024 and received a W-2

  • Example found HERE

Parent Materials & Information (needed for both parent's if required to report both of their information) 

• Social Security Number (if they have one) 

• Date of Birth 

• Date Parent's were married (if married) -- just the month & year

• Date Parent's were divorced (if divorced)  -- just the month & year 

• 2024 Federal Income Tax Return (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) 

• 2024 W-2 

• Estimate of how much money parent's have in their checking/saving accounts 

• Records of Untaxed Income

Step 3: Complete the MN Dream Act

You can find the MN Dream Act Application HERE 

• Make sure to select the MN Dream Act for School Year 2026-27

• If you get stuck or have questions, stop by the CCRC and Ms. Baheriy or Mr. Carlson will help you out! 

Step 4: After You Complete the MN Dream Act... What Happens Now?

After completing the MN Dream Act, you will receive an email from the MN Office of Higher Education that includes information about next steps -- make sure to read that email carefully! 

If you've been accepted to a college that you listed on your MN Dream Act, the college will calculate how much financial aid you're eligible for and send you a "Financial Aid Offer". If you're not sure where to look for your financial aid offer, reach out to the college! 

Sometimes it can take awhile for colleges to share a financial aid offer with students who complete the MN Dream Act. In order to help speed up the process and make sure you're getting support, you can use the email template below to send an email to the college to let them know you've submitted your MN Dream Act.