Are you a high school student who is interested in learning more about dual credit courses and how to enroll?
Get Credit for Prior Learning
There are several ways to earn college credit for what you already know. It's called Prior Learning Assessment (pdf) and it can help shorten the amount of time it takes for you to earn a degree and save you money. Minnesota colleges vary in whether they grant credit for prior learning and how they do it. Get started with these websites:
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - Identify and document any college courses, national exams (such as AP, IB, and CLEP) or professional training you have completed.
AP Credit and Placement - Your AP scores can earn you valuable credit and placement in college. Find out how.
IB Diploma - Use the search tool to find out which universities and institutions recognize the IB Diploma and how they award credit.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - CLEP helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course.
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Shaping Your Future: Why Minnesota Families Choose College
Hear from college students around Minnesota as they share why they decided to further their education after high school. They offer advice to current middle and high school students. Watch individual videos below, or access the entire Shaping Your Future video collection.
Ashley
Vernon
Maiyer
Tylan
Shaping Your Future videos were produced by Twin Cities Public Television and presented by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Research Colleges and Majors
Nationwide
College Search
This interactive guide can help you learn about key college search categories, discover what's important to you in a school, and get advice from college students and educators. Make sure to involve your parents in the college search process.
College Confidential
Use this website to find out about college life and college admissions. Join the discussion board or view virtual campus tours.
National College Fair
The National College Fair, held each fall in Minneapolis, is one of the largest fairs of its kind and annually attracts representatives from over 350 different colleges and universities. This event is free and open to the public.
Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities
This website provides a list of colleges and universities that offer comprehensive programs designed to support students with learning disabilities.
Community College Review
Learn about community colleges, find schools, get financial aid help and college life tips.
Regionally Accredited Online Schools
A searchable directory of online colleges and universities to let you find the online accredited colleges that fit your own educational needs. Each program is ranked by size, degrees offered, tuition costs, admission, graduation, and retention rates.
Minnesota
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities - MnSCU (31 campuses)
University of Minnesota (5 campuses)
Minnesota's Private Colleges (17 campuses)
Minnesota Education Fairs (MEFs)
MEFs are college fairs held throughout the state at high schools and other sites. Anyone interested in postsecondary education and military opportunities is welcome to attend.
Minnesota Learning Commons Course Search
Use this College Program and Course Search feature to find online programs throughout Minnesota. This website also provides free online resources for college planning and financial aid information.
Minnesota Online Colleges & Universities
Find out about Minnesota's affordable online colleges using this helpful list of schools, tuition costs and links to online programs.
Transfer Information
Minnesota Transfer
This site is your connection to resources about transfer options.
Transferology
Approximately one out of three students will transfer throughout their college career. Transferology allows students to easily enter in coursework to see how their credits will transfer to member institutions.
Apply to College
College Knowledge Month for Students
October is College Knowledge Month in Minnesota. Visit this website for a great list of college planning and information to help you complete your college applications. Find out if your school is participating as a CKM site - talk to your counselor for more information.
Common Application
This website provides an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to 400+ colleges and universities.
NACAC Fee Waiver
Students who have limited financial rescources and meet the eligibility requirements may use this fee waiver. ALL Minnesota schools currently accept this waiver for qualifying students. The form is for traditional high school students applying to postsecondary institutions in the fall immediately following high school graduation.
Learn about Financial Aid
Financial Aid Basics (pdf)
This document, from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, is a great overview about paying for college. It defines and outlines the different financial aid types and how to apply for financial aid.
Paying for College: Minnesota Videos
View videos about paying for college, including ones in Somali, Spanish and Hmong. These were prepared by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Minnesota Private College Fund.
Federal Student Aid
This website provides all kinds of information about federal student aid - including videos, financial aid estimators and scholarship search tools.
Minnesota Dream Act
Undocumented students can apply for state financial aid. Visit this page for eligibility, application information and deadlines.
My College Dollars
Check out this Facebook app that uses your Facebook profile to connect you with financial aid dollars. Got questions? Get them answered! Brought to you by MTV and the College Board.
Vouchers for Foster Care Youth (pdf)
Are you currently in or have been in foster care and need help paying for college or career school? If so, you might be eligible to receive Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV).
Complete the FAFSA
Minnesota College Goal
Attend a free Minnesota College Goal workshop to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with help from knowledgeable financial aid volunteers. Workshops are held on various dates throughout the state every spring. Minnesota College Goal also has an extensive list of financial aid resources for families.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Get your FAFSA pin, learn about filing the FAFSA, and complete your online application here.
Research and Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships Offered by Minnesota Schools
View a partial list of scholarships that are given by some Minnesota schools.
Free Scholarship Searches and Resources
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education has compiled this extensive list of scholarship resources for Minnesota students.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Applying to scholarships is a lot like applying to college. You start with a large number of possibilities and cut that down to a short list of manageable choices. Here are some great tips for staying organized during the process.
How to Spot Scholarship Scams
You should never have to pay to find and appy for scholarships OR federal aid. Be on the lookout for these eight scams.
Scholarships for Minnesota Undocumented Students (pdf)
Make sure to check out this scholarship list to look for opportunities to help you pay for college. This list is updated each year with deadlines and contact information.
