Grants are considered gift aid that you do not have to repay and are often based on financial need. After you complete the FAFSA and are admitted to NTC, you will be considered for an array of federal and state grants.
Below is a list of what is available, including any additional criteria. If your award notification includes grants, you are not required to formally accept them; they will automatically be applied to your student bill.
Types of Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is the foundation of federal student aid, awarded to undergraduate students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The award amount varies with level of enrollment. Federal Pell Grant recipients should finalize their registration for the entire term during the first five class days (free drop add period) to maximize their funding level. Withdrawing from one or more courses within the first two weeks may cause a Pell Grant award to reduce to the adjusted level of enrollment. Pell Grant eligibility is limited to 12 full-time semesters or the equivalent.
Like the Pell Grant, the FSEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with the lowest EFC. Priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients. Very limited funds are available, so it is critical to apply as early as possible for aid to be considered for this grant.
The Minnesota State Grant is awarded to undergraduate Minnesota residents with a low EFC attending a MN post-secondary institution. Once a student has attempted the equivalent of 4 full-time years of post-secondary education, the student is no longer eligible for the grant. Awards change on a per credit basis for enrollment between 3 and 15 credits. The FAFSA has to be completed and received by the school within the first 30 days of the semester.
This program is designed to provide eligible Minnesota residents a tuition-free pathway for earning a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree in high-need careers. Funding comes from the State of Minnesota and is awarded to eligible students after grants and scholarships have been paid.
Eligible Northwest Technical College Programs:
- Accounting
- Accounting Clerk
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Business Specialist
- Administrative Support
- Automotive Service & Performance
- Business
- Business Foundations
- Business Transfer Pathway
- Child Development
- Child Development Careers
- Commercial Refrigeration/HVAC
- Community Health Care
- Computer Support
- Dental Assisting
- Electrical Construction & Maintenance
- E-Merging Computer Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Health Sciences Broad Field
- Healthcare Administrative Leadership
- Healthcare Administrative Support
- Human Resources
- Industrial Maintenance
- Medical Coding
- Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Production Technologies
- Residential Plumbing/HVAC
- Sales & Marketing
- Sales, Marketing & Management
- Welding Technology
Income Eligibility:
- Have a Family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)* reported on FAFSA or MN Dream Act Application of less than $50,000
- Have a Family AGI* reported on FAFSA or State Aid Application of less than $100,000 and have worked in a critical industry listed in Executive Order 20-74 at least part-time between March 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021; OR received unemployment benefits between March 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021
*Family AGI for a dependent student includes parent and student AGI and for an independent student it includes student and spouse AGI.
Other Eligibility Factors:
- You first enrolled during the 2021-22 or later OR you are returning to college and have not been enrolled at any college in the last three semesters
- Meet the Minnesota residency criteria
- Not have already earned a baccalaureate degree
- Not in default on a state or federal student loan
- Not on a SAP/FA suspension
- Student eligibility for the grant will be determined every semester. You will need to fill out the FAFSA each year. A student who receives a grant one semester is not guaranteed to receive funding for the next semester. Eligibility is subject to the availability of funds and any changes in your enrollment, FAFSA or other financial aid may change the amount you receive each semester.
- Details can be found at their website.
If you are eligible for a Minnesota Future Together Grant, your college will contact you with an award amount or additional questions to determine your eligibility.
If you do not receive a communication from the Financial Aid Office but believe that you are eligible, please send us an email to review your file.
Undergraduate Minnesota residents who meet income guidelines and have out of pocket child care expenses are considered for this grant. The student must have a dependent child 12 years of age or younger who will be receiving care regularly. Eligibility is restricted to those students who are not receiving Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) benefits and have not attended 4 years of post-secondary education. Funds are limited and applications are processed until all funds are awarded.
2023-2024 Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program Application
Minnesota residents with documented one-fourth or more Indian ancestry may be eligible for the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program. Students of Indian ancestry may also be eligible for a Tribal Grant. Students should contact their individual Tribal Education Office for specific information and application forms.
Veterans may earn educational benefits based on their U.S. military service.
Educational benefits are available for students with documented disabilities to help achieve their educational, employment and independent living goals.
Programs that help with a variety of services if you are job seeking, looking to improve your current employment situation or have been laid-off from your job. Educational benefits for tuition assistance may be available through the these office. These programs are income contingent.
Rural MN CEP
Inter-County Community Council Employment & Training Programs
JET Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training
WE CAN HELP: Pay for tuition and education expenses, Determine the best training program for you, Advise on local labor market and job search strategy, Provide support services such as child care reimbursement and transportation…and much more!
Either call the CareerForce location nearest you (CareerForce locations in NE Minnesota) and ask for a JET Career Counselor or send an email to Tara Helms at tara.helms@nemojt.org with your name, phone number and address with ‘Tuition Grants’ in the subject line.
Workforce Development Board of Southeast Minnesota
An Education and Training Voucher (ETV) provides up to $5,000 per award year to pay for post-secondary education, including: tuition and fees, books, housing, transportation, child care, other school-related expenses.