College affordability remains a pressing challenge for many families across the Upper Midwest, but new initiatives in Minnesota and North Dakota are helping to reduce financial barriers for students. The North Star Promise Program, available to Minnesota residents with a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) under $80,000, covers remaining tuition costs not met by other aid, functioning as a “last-dollar” scholarship. At Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM), over 200 students are benefiting from this state-funded opportunity, contributing to a 31% enrollment increase at the start of the academic year. n nThomas Reburn, Dean of Admissions at MSUM, emphasized that while the program supports access, broader institutional strengths—such as academic offerings and campus life—are key drivers of student interest. n nBeyond Minnesota, North Dakota State University (NDSU) has implemented its own Tuition Award Program, aimed at covering mandatory student fees for residents of both North Dakota and Minnesota. Since its launch, the university has observed a 2% rise in first-year student retention and a 3% increase among transfer students who qualify for Pell Grants—indicating improved persistence among financially vulnerable populations. n nSeinquis Leinen, Senior Director of Strategic Enrollment Management at NDSU, noted that the support has strengthened enrollment stability without negatively impacting recruitment from Minnesota. In fact, new student enrollment from Minnesota has risen by approximately 4%. n nLisa Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs for the North Dakota University System, highlighted that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to sustain educational pipelines and encourage graduates to remain in the region for employment after completing their degrees. n— news from Valley News Live
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Affording college in today’s economic climate
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – College can be expensive and for some, possibly out of the question. n nMinnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM) opened the academic year with a 31% increase in enrollment. But there’s one Minnesota program giving more than 200 MSUM students the chance at an education, the North Star Promise Program. The program is offered across the state and provides free college tuition to students from Minnesota with a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below $80,000 on the FAFSA form. n n“It comes in as what is sometimes called a “last dollar program.” For some students, that gap might be $100, for some students, it might be $2,000, for some, it could be $0. But it’s that catch program to make sure that students can at least engage with the schooling process without a tuition charge,” said Thomas Reburn, the Dean of Admissions at MSUM. n nReburn says there’s been a lot of enrollment growth at MSUM recently. Not necessarily because of the North Star Promise, but the opportunities the university offers. n n“The strength of our academic programs, the interest in our campus vibrancy. Students are really seeking out the experience that we offer, and this is an added resource for some students that are in need.” n nWhile this program is only for Minnesota students, North Dakota State University (NDSU) is working to make sure everyone who wants an education can get one with its Tuition Award Program. Started a few years ago, the program is to help with mandatory student fees for both North Dakota and Minnesota students. n n“Since we’ve had the program compared to before we had the program, we’ve seen a 2% increase in first-year students coming back in their first year and about a 3% increase in transfer students coming back in their first year. Again, those are Pell-Eligible students, so in the grand scheme of things, our retention rates have actually went up across the board in large part because of this program and that we’re supporting students who may need the extra support,” said Seinquis Leinen, Senior Director of Strategic Enrollment Management at NDSU. n nLeinen says the North Star Promise isn’t hurting enrollment. Because of its respective tuition programs, Minnesota students are coming to NDSU’s campus more now than ever. n n”We haven’t seen a lot of fluctuation in enrollment. In fact, as of the first day, we are up about 4% in new students coming from Minnesota.” n nFrom NDSU to the whole North Dakota University System, opportunities for students are at the forefront. Lisa Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs for the North Dakota University System, explains: n n“It really just compels us to work even harder to come up with programs to maintain that pipeline of students through our educational system, to consider and maintain them in North Dakota. Not just for college, but for employment opportunities at the end of their college career as well.” n nFor more information on the North Dakota University System and its financial aid options, click here.