Financial aid timeline

The financial aid timeline provides an overview of the financial aid process from when you first apply for financial aid to receiving your financial aid each term before classes start. These dates are generally the same each term. More specific financial aid dates can be found in the tables below.

 

DateActivity
October

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year opens. 

We encourage you to prepare for the FAFSA and complete the FAFSA early when it becomes available. The University will review your information and start sending you notifications by the end of December. 

Mid-OctoberExplore scholarships for the upcoming academic year and apply for the ones you are eligible for based on your student profile.
February

Estimated Financial Aid Notices begin going out to first-year and transfer undergraduate students. 

If you are admitted to the University and have completed the financial aid process, you will be mailed an Estimated Financial Aid Notice.

Returning students will not receive an Estimated Financial Aid Notice. 

MaySpecial Circumstance Appeal forms are available for the upcoming academic year.
JuneFile Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 1, 2026 to be considered for the North Star Promise for fall 2026 and/or spring 2027.
Mid to Late July

One Stop Student Services emails financial aid offers with instructions on how to review your financial aid offer for the upcoming academic year. The email will be sent to your University email account. 

Please review your offer. If your offer includes loans or work study, you can accept, reduce, or decline the amount you’ve been offered. You need to complete required loan documentation before you receive any loans that are accepted with your financial aid offer. 

Gift aid, which includes any grants or scholarships, is auto-accepted and does not need a review. 

Submit your application for tuition reciprocity with your home state/province if you are a North Dakota, Wisconsin or Manitoba resident. Submit before or during the term you plan to first attend. Generally, applications will not be processed retroactively. 

Early to Mid AugustExplore additional funding for the upcoming fall semester if necessary. The private loan process can take up to six weeks to be finalized. To ensure on time payment of your student account, private loan applications should be completed by mid-August.
Approximately one week before class starts (fall and spring semesters)

During the week before classes start, your financial aid will be applied to your University student account. If you have excess funds after your tuition, fees, housing, and other authorized charges are paid, that money will be sent to you via check or direct deposit.

If you have additional tuition, fees, housing or other charges that are not covered by your financial aid, you will receive a bill for those charges.

Financial aid continues to be offered and disbursed throughout the term as students accept and respond to their offers. Please contact One Stop Student Services if you have already responded to your aid offers and need to make changes. 

Important financial aid dates

Use the tables below to find dates regarding financial aid disbursement, loan and grant deadlines, and additional information about financial aid eligibility.

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Spring 2026

DateActivity
January 7, 2026Spring 2026 financial aid disbursement begins.
January 14, 2026Spring term begins.
January 29, 2026

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility.

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment.

February 12, 2026

Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Dream Act deadline for the spring 2026 semester. 

If you did not already fill out a FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application, this is the last day to complete one and still be considered for funding for the spring 2026 semester. You must be a Minnesota resident to qualify.

April 10, 2026

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for spring semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it should be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

May 5, 2026Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only PLUS loan.
May 7, 2026Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Summer 2026

DateActivity
April 2026

The University sends financial aid offers for May and summer sessions.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to review your financial aid offer for the upcoming academic year. The email will be sent to your University email account. 

Please review your offer. If your offer includes loans or work study, you can accept, reduce, or decline the amount you’ve been offered. You need to complete required loan documentation before you receive any loans that are accepted with your financial aid offer.

May 11, 2026May session and summer 13-week classes begin.
June 1, 2026Summer financial aid disbursement begins.
June 8, 2026Summer session begins.
June 15, 2026

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment.

June 30, 2026Last day to complete your 2025-26 FAFSA for the current academic year
July 6, 2026Summer second-half sessions begin
July 17, 2026

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for summer.

If you need to submit an appeal, it should be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the summer term in which you are seeking aid.

July 28, 2026Last day to request and accept a summer PLUS loan.
July 30, 2026Last day to request and accept a summer subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Fall 2026

DateActivity
August 24, 2026Fall 2026 financial aid disbursement begins.
August 31, 2026Fall term begins.
September 16, 2026

Census date: your enrollment for financial aid eligibility.

If your credits have increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised credit enrollment.

September 29, 2026

Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Dream Act deadline for the fall 2026 semester.

If you did not already fill out a FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application, this is the last day to complete one and still be considered for funding for the fall 2026 semester. You must be a Minnesota resident to qualify.

November 20, 2026

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for fall semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it should be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

December 14, 2026Last day to complete a fall only PLUS loan application.
December 16, 2026Last day to request and accept a fall only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Spring 2027

DateActivity
January 6, 2027Spring 2027 financial aid disbursement begins.
January 13, 2027Spring term begins.
January 28, 2027

Census date: your enrollment for financial aid eligibility.

If your credits have increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised credit enrollment.

February 11, 2027

Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Dream Act deadline for the spring 2027 semester.

If you did not already fill out a FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application, this is the last day to complete one and still be considered for funding for the spring 2027 semester. You must be a Minnesota resident to qualify.

April 9, 2027

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for spring semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it should be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

May 3, 2027Last day to complete a fall/spring or spring only PLUS loan application.
May 5, 2027Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.