Future Students
High School Students
Starting to think about college? Not sure about your next steps?
Let us help!
- A College Planning Checklist can help you prepare and keep track of your next steps
- Learn about MN private colleges
- Learn about MN state colleges
- College Guide For Indigenous Students
- American Indian College Fund: Native Pathways Guidebook
Adult Learners
Not all students attend college immediately after graduating high school. Let us save you time and energy by helping you find the right options for you.
- MN Reconnect is a program designed specifically for returning adult learners. Receive $1,000 each semester through this program.
- Succeeding as an adult learner leads you through questions and concerns.
- Timeline for adult learners pursuing further education.
- College Guide For Indigenous Students
Financial Aid
Need help with your FAFSA?
or contact Student Support
- Text or Call: 218-831-3305
- Email: support@myCCHE.org
Scholarships
MN Scholarships
- Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Scholarships
- January 15th deadline
- Lloyd K Johnson Foundation Scholarship
- April 16th deadline
- MN Indian Scholarship
- July 1st deadline
- For adults returning to school: MN Reconnect Scholarships
- Deadlines vary, check with your school if they offer these scholarships
- Workforce Development Scholarships for students of all ages
- Deadlines vary, check with your school if they offer these scholarships
- For residents of Cook County, MN: CCHE Tuition Scholarships
- July 6th & November 6th deadlines
Scholarship Databases & Search Tools
For students of all ages:
Deadlines
Scholarship Application Deadlines:
- Every scholarship has a different deadline
- Hint: organize all the due dates in one place so you can keep track! Try using this College and Scholarship Application Organizer
- CCHE’s tuition scholarship information can be found here
Know your college’s due date for the FAFSA:
- Colleges have their own financial aid deadlines
- Write down their deadlines so you don’t miss them
- To keep track, try using this College and Scholarship Application Organizer
Know your state’s deadline for the FAFSA:
- MN deadline: 30 days after term starts.
- See other state deadlines here
The federal deadline for completing the 2021-22 FAFSA: June 30, 2022
View a list of MN Private Colleges application deadlines and fees here.
Testing
College Placement Tests
High school students are often expected to provide either ACT or SAT scores when applying to college. However, many colleges are going the route of test optional. Find out if a college is test optional here.
Adult students, whether returning to college or going to college for the first time, are not expected to provide SAT or ACT scores. However, colleges may ask students to take a placement test once they’ve been accepted. This helps the college determine what level of courses the student is prepared to take. Read more here.
College Planning Questions & Answers
The SAT consists of a math section, an evidence-based reading section, and an optional essay section. Check with your prospective school to learn whether you should register for the SAT with or without the essay. The test, comprised of multiple-choice questions, takes three hours plus 15 minutes of breaks. The essay portion is an additional 50 minutes. The top score on the SAT is 1600 (you can earn between 200 and 800 on each section).
The ACT has four sections (reading, math, English and science) and covers more information than the SAT. There is also an optional essay, which may be required by certain colleges. Register for the essay when you register for the ACT if required by the institution where you are applying. The ACT allows 2 hours 55 minutes (multiple choice questions) plus 40 minutes for the essay. A top score on the ACT is a 36 (each section receives a score between 1 and 36, which are then averaged together for a composite score).
Cook County Higher Education is an Accuplacer testing center.
Minnesota State universities and colleges administer the Accuplacer to assess the college readiness of incoming students. The Accuplacer tests are multiple choice, untimed assessments offered at no cost to students. Although the test is not pass/fail, results do determine what course placements are most appropriate for student success. Accuplacer scores are good for up to roughly 3 years (mathematics are good for only 2 years). The test system is computerized and individuals receive their test scores as soon as they have completed their exam.
Students not satisfied with their placements may (in most cases) retest only once (per test section) within twelve (12) months of the first testing date. Often a minimal fee will be required as part of the retest process.
Disability Accommodations: If you have a documented disability, please contact your institution’s test center for information.
What to Bring on Test Day: Take your photo ID and any special materials that your college may ask you to bring.
Accuplacer Information, including a user guide, practice tests, understanding the test
Math Practice Exams with Video Solutions, developed by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Math Department
A disability is any physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Individuals can be born with disabilities or develop them later in life.
To request accommodations for your disability, contact your school’s Student Services or Disability Services. You may be eligible for extended test-taking time, adaptive equipment, and other services. Advice for Students with disabilities
Admission & Placement Exam Accommodations:
ACT
SAT
Accuplacer
Testing adjustments, also known as accommodations, are determined by the educational institution requesting the Accuplacer test completion. Please allow time for processing and implementation of approved accommodations.
What kind of further education is right for you?
- Begin a college search
- Identify What You Want in a School
- MN Department of Ed College Programs & Profiles
Search MN State Schools Programs
Find and compare campuses, courses, and tuition for MN State schools. Search for Programs with online courses. Thirty colleges and 7 universities with 54 campuses throughout the state offer over 3,800 programs that are searchable.
Take a quiz to help show majors that may be a good fit.
- Try the ‘What’s My Major?” quiz
- Or the ‘What should I major in?’ quiz
- And take the ‘Interest Assessment’ quiz, too!
Figure out how to Plan and Complete College Visits
Cost of College formula:
Total cost of attendance at a specific school (tuition, fees, living expenses, etc.) minus
All sources of financial aid available to you at that school (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.)
= Your out-of-pocket costs for one year
Find more details how to estimate out-of-pocket costs and how to finance your schooling.
Here is a complete list of tuition and fees charged by Minnesota higher education institutions.
Use the College Board calculator to determine your expected family contribution and the amount of federal financial aid for which you may be eligible.
Cost of College
How to Apply for Reciprocity
Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, one institution in Iowa, and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
The Midwest Student Exchange Program provides reduced tuition for Minnesota residents at a limited number of Midwest public and private schools in Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Out Of State Tuition
The difference between the resident and non-resident tuition rates is significant, and the requirements can be complex. Here are some resources:
Everything You Need to Know About Out-State Tuition
In-State vs Out-State Tuition
How to Pay In-State Tuition at Out-State Colleges
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Search scholarships online:
- CCHE Scholarships
- Cappex – search for every scholarship at every college
- Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation – a list of area scholarships.
- The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Scholarship – The purpose of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Post-Secondary Scholarship Program is to
assist graduating seniors at Cook County High School in Grand Marais, Minnesota to continue their education at either Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota or Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota so that they may develop the skills and gain the experience necessary to accomplish their vocational and educational goals.
As Minnesota high school students think about applying to college, application fees should not be a barrier. There are many opportunities for students to apply to Minnesota institutions for free.
Free Application Opportunities at Minnesota Colleges and Universities (2019-2020)
College: What Should You Study
Don’t panic, choosing your area of study, and ultimately your major, is a process. Here’s a short list of quizzes and self-assessments to give you new ideas and directions.
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Russian