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Click any of the acronyms below to get a full definition.

Federal grant for high academic achieving first and second year students that are U.S. citizens, Federal Pell Grant recipients, enrolled full-time in a degree seeking program, and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study.

EFC Expected family contribution

Once a student has completed the FAFSA an EFC is determined to be the amount of assistance a family is expected to put forth towards higher education expenses. The financial aid office uses the EFC to determine your financial aid awards.

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Free application which must be completed annually to receive financial aid includes grants, loans and student employment. Easy online application can be completed as early as January 1 or as soon as federal taxes have been filed.

GPA Grade Point Average

Calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to a 4.0.

MPN Master Promissory Note

Legal document that a student signs promising to repay the student loan. Needs to be completed before any loan funds can be credited to a student account along with the entrance loan counseling quiz.

PIN Personal Identification Number

Used as you and your parent's electronic signature when completing the FAFSA and accessing your student loan records.

PLUS Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students

A federal student loan program for parents of dependent students.

SAP Satisfactory Academic Progress

To be eligible for continued financial assistance, all students are expected to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards on the institution, which are measured at the end of each term. Your progress will be measured by 1) grade point average, 2) completion percentage and 3) length of time is takes to complete your program.

SAR Student Aid Report

The student aid report is generated as a summary of the FAFSA results. The SAR can be accessed online using the FAFSA website.

SEOG Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Awarded to high need, early applicants, also receiving the Federal Pell Grant. Limited funds so apply early!

SELF Student Educational Loan Fund

A Minnesota state loan which requires a credit-worthy cosigner and quarterly interest payments. Online application can be completed at www.selfloan.org.

Federal grant for high achieving third and fourth year students that are U.S. citizens, Pell Grant recipients, enrolled full-time in a qualifying program such as: physical, life, or computer science, mathematics, or technology.

TEACH Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education

Grant available to graduate and undergraduate students admitted into a high-need subject area with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Within 8 years of completing/ceasing their program the student must teach full time for 4 years in their high-need area in a designated low income school or the TEACH Grant will become an unsubsidized loan with accrued interest.


  • Aid disbursement for Spring 2013 will begin on January 25, 2013.
  • 2013-2014 Priority Application Date: The 2013-2014 Financial Aid process must be completed by March 31, 2013 to be considered for Federal SEOG Grants, Perkins Loans, and Work Study funds.
  • Federal Pell Grant recipients must finalize all registration within the first 30 days of the semester. A student that withdraws from a course within the first 30 days of the semester will have their Pell award reduced to the adjusted level of enrollment.
  • A completed FAFSA must be received by the Federal Aid Processing Center within the first 30 days of the semester to be eligible for a Minnesota State Grant.