Free College Tuition at NHCC

• Be a Minnesota resident
• Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application below $80,000.
• Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College
• Not be in default on a state or federal student loan
• Be enrolled taking at least one credit
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Have not already earned a bachelor's degree
• Be enrolled in a program or course of study that applies to a degree, diploma, or certificate

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will calculate your family adjusted gross income when you complete the FAFSA. 

If you're considered a dependent student on the FAFSA, your parents' adjusted gross income will be pulled from their tax return. Learn more about family adjusted gross income for dependents here. 

If you're considered an independent student on the FAFSA, your family adjusted gross income will be pulled from your tax return, or your joint tax return if you filed jointly with your spouse. 

Learn more about how FAFSA determines whether you're a dependent student or independent student here. 

• Complete the 2024/2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act Application. The 2024/2025 FAFSA will be available January 1, 2024. 
• There is no additional application beyond the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application. NHCC will assess your eligibility on a term-by-term basis and award NSP Scholarships to all eligible students.

You don't need to be a "new student." The program is open to new, returning, and current NHCC students who qualify and will continue to be calculated on a term-by-term basis. 

• To be eligible, you must have an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less. 
  • If you're considered a "dependent student" on the FAFSA, you'll use your parents' income information. 
  • If you're considered an "independent student" on the FAFSA, you'll use your own income information (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s).
  • Learn more about dependent and independent FAFSA status. 

By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you'll automatically be considered for federal grants and the NSP (free college) scholarship program. 

Yes, NHCC students who meet the eligibility requirements can get their tuition and fee costs covered through the NSP. 

There are no maximum award/dollar amounts, but there are credit limits: 60 credits for an associate degree and 120 credits for a bachelor's degree.

NSP is a "last-dollar" program, which means it will cover all tuition and fee costs that remain after scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers have been applied. 

Good question. NSP is a "last-dollar" program, which means it will cover all tuition and eligible fee costs that remain after scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers have been applied. 

There are other costs that are not covered by NSP. This includes the cost of textbooks, course materials, course supplies, and other costs related to being a student.