Promise Plus Free Tuition Program

The Promise Plus Free Tuition Program (Promise Plus) is an expansion of the U Promise Scholarship Program to support Minnesota students in being able to afford college. It provides funds in addition to the federal, state, and University grants/scholarships needed to cover the full cost of tuition for students whose families make $50,000 per year or less.

Promise Plus Free Tuition is available to eligible new freshmen Minnesota residents enrolling full time at any University of Minnesota campus (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities). Students who qualify for U Promise Scholarships are also then considered for Promise Plus as an additional support for tuition costs. To be considered, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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What does this program cover?

The Promise Plus Free Tuition Program provides financial support to cover the cost of tuition (amounts varies by campus), for four consecutive years.

Do I need to apply for the University of Minnesota Promise Plus Free Tuition?

There is not a separate Promise Plus application. Residents of Minnesota who are admitted to any of the University of Minnesota campuses and also apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will automatically be considered for the University of Minnesota Promise Plus Free Tuition.

To be considered:

  1. Apply for admission to the University of Minnesota.
    For deadline information and online applications, visit each campus' website.
  2. Apply for financial aid.

For more information about applying for financial aid or to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online go to https://fafsa.gov. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

How will I find out if I have received the Promise Plus Free Tuition?

If you are a recipient of a Promise Plus Free Tuition it will be indicated on your Estimated Financial Aid Offer. 

Please note: Promise Plus Free Tuition is only offered to eligible Minnesota resident undergraduate students who have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

What are the eligibility requirements for the Promise Plus Free Tuition?

Newly admitted University of Minnesota freshmen undergraduate students who are Minnesota residents and who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will automatically be considered for Promise Plus Free Tuition.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Apply to and be admitted as a freshman to a University of Minnesota campus, having satisfied all of the University's preparation requirements.
  • Be classified as a resident of Minnesota according to University regulations.
  • Complete the FAFSA annually. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. FAFSA must be completed within 30 days of the start of your first term at the University to be considered for Promise Plus.
  • Enroll full-time, taking at least the minimum credits outlined by campus below, per semester, in a baccalaureate degree program at the University of Minnesota, as a first time degree-seeking student. (Students who have already received an undergraduate degree are not eligible for Promise Plus.)
    • Twin Cities and Rochester campuses:  Minimum 13 credits,  15+ credits are recommended to complete your degree in 4 years.
    • CrookstonDuluth, and Morris campuses: Minimum 12 credits,  15+ credits are recommended to complete your degree in 4 years.
  • Have a family income of $50,000 or lower and demonstrate financial need.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of your degree.

Please note that the Promise Plus Free Tuition applies only to fall and spring semesters. Tuition for courses taken during May or summer terms will not be covered.

 

Is the Promise Plus Free Tuition renewable?

New freshmen recipients are guaranteed their Promise Plus Free Tuition for four consecutive years as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria above.

About Promise Plus Free Tuition

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What is Promise Plus?

Promise Plus is part of the University of Minnesota’s unparalleled commitment to the success of our students and makes a U of M education possible for Minnesota resident students across the University's five campuses. 

How do I apply for Promise Plus?

No separate application is required to be considered for this free tuition guarantee program. The application for admission as a freshman to any of the University of Minnesota campuses (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities) and also a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are all that is needed.  If you are admitted to the University and have completed the FAFSA, you will automatically be reviewed for both the U Promise Scholarship and the Promise Plus Free Tuition program.

How is Promise Plus different from U Promise?

The Promise Plus program complements the existing U Promise Scholarship by ensuring that families making less than $50,000 will have their student’s tuition covered by federal, state and University grants/scholarships. It provides the remaining funds needed to cover the full cost of tuition only (it does not include cost of attendance such as housing, fees, books, etc).

Who is eligible for Promise Plus?

New, incoming freshmen, who are Minnesota residents with a total family income of $50,000 or less and demonstrate financial need. Students must enroll full-time and have a completed FAFSA on file. Students admitted to any of the five campuses are eligible.

Are transfer students eligible for Promise Plus?

No. Students who are transferring to the University from an outside institution are not eligible for this program.

How long can a student participate in this program?

Incoming freshmen are eligible to receive eight (8) consecutive semesters (4 years) of free tuition as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

When does the program start?

The Promise Plus program will be offered to incoming students (new freshman) who will enroll in the fall semester.

Why isn’t Promise Plus available for current students?

The Promise Plus program funding is available for incoming students starting in the fall. U Promise is available to support current students who meet eligibility requirements.

Can current students appeal to be eligible for Promise Plus?

No. Promise Plus is only for incoming freshmen undergraduate students starting fall semester.

Does Promise Plus apply to graduate/professional programs?

No. Promise Plus is only for incoming freshmen undergraduate students starting fall semester.

What if a student’s family income exceeds $50,000?

The University U Promise Scholarship also supports students with family adjusted gross income of  up to $120,000.  Additionally, the U of M offers many financial aid options and encourages students to submit the FAFSA to be considered for all of these options.

How is Promise Plus funded?

Promise Plus tuition coverage will be paid for by federal, state and University grants/scholarships, not through increased tuition rates.

What if a student’s residency changes while they are a student?

In order to gain eligibility for Promise Plus, a student must have resident status in the State of Minnesota when they first enter the institution. Students must continue to meet eligibility requirements every year and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Can a student receive funding from Promise Plus for the summer term?

No. Promise Plus covers tuition during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) only.

Can a student receive funding from Promise Plus for study abroad?

No, the Promise Plus tuition program does not cover the program costs associated with study abroad.

Can a student receive funding from Promise Plus for coursework taken at an institution outside of the University of Minnesota system?

No. Promise Plus is only allocated for enrollment at the five University of Minnesota campuses.

Will students be given any support services in addition to the funding to keep them on track to graduate?

Yes, students would be eligible for any student support services that already exist at the University.

What if a student needs more time to finish their degree?

Promise Plus funding is available to eligible students for up to 8 consecutive semesters (4 years). Students who are unable to finish their degree within that time frame, will have the option to seek funding from other institutional, state, or federal sources.

Does a student have to be eligible for Promise Plus upon admission in order to receive?

Yes, eligibility for Promise Plus is established by students FAFSA for a first year (freshman) student at the U of M. Transfer students are not eligible for Promise Plus.

Is there a deadline to submit the FAFSA?

It is in a student's best interest to complete a FAFSA on or as soon as possible after October 1 when the FAFSA first becomes available to meet FAFSA Deadlines. The priority FAFSA application deadline for incoming first year students is March 1st. The FAFSA must be completed within 30 days of the start of your first term at the University to be considered.

What happens if a student’s FAFSA is not submitted by the deadline?

It is in a student's best interest to complete a FAFSA on or as soon as possible after October 1 when the FAFSA first becomes available to meet FAFSA Deadlines. The priority deadline for incoming first year students is March 1st. The application must be completed by the start of the fall term of the admit term.

Does Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) impact a student’s eligibility for Promise Plus?

Yes, students must continue to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress by successfully completing coursework to continue to receive financial aid.

Can students admitted prior to fall semester appeal to be eligible for Promise Plus?

No, students entering prior to fall semester are not eligible for the program.

Receiving Promise Plus

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Do students need to apply for Promise Plus?

No separate application is required to be considered for this free tuition guarantee program. The application for admission as a freshman to any of the University of Minnesota campuses (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities) and also a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are all that is needed.  If you are admitted to the University and have completed the FAFSA, you will automatically be reviewed for both the U Promise Scholarship and the Promise Plus Free Tuition Program.

Is the FAFSA required?

Yes. Students must complete a FAFSA for the first year and annually thereafter to verify income and financial need. The FAFSA must be completed within 30 days of the start of your first term at the University to be considered.

What if a student’s total family income was initially $50,000 or less, but in a future year is expected to be higher?

Students must qualify for the Promise Plus Free Tuition program in their first year at the University. Increases in total family income in subsequent years will impact eligibility for Promise Plus. Other need-based grants, such as the U Promise program, provides financial support for families with a household income level up to $120,000.

What if a student’s total family income initially exceeded $50,000, but is expected to drop at or below $50,000 in a future aid year?

Students must qualify for the Promise Plus Free Tuition program in their first year at the University. Students who do not qualify in the first year, will not be eligible in subsequent years, however, decreases in total family income may allow students to be eligible for other programs outside of Promise Plus.

Will there be a sliding scale for students whose total family income is just above $50,000 to be considered for Promise Plus?

Through the current U Promise program structure, the University scholarship will support eligible students whose total family income is at or below $120,000.

How is total family income defined?

Total family income is calculated by the FAFSA, please contact One Stop Student Services if you have questions.

What if a student receives a tuition waiver?

Tuition waivers are applied to cover tuition first followed by federal, state and other university grants/scholarships. Only if an eligible student has any remaining tuition balance after applying waivers, scholarship and grants would the Promise Plus funding be applied.

The Financial Aid Offer

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How will a student be notified if they are receiving a Promise Plus Free Tuition offer?

Students will be notified on their official financial aid offer. Note, the February financial aid statements will not be updated with this information.  We will send a separate email with the notification until the system is updated.  

Will the Promise Plus program cover fees, surcharges and other parts of cost of attendance?

No, the Promise Plus will only cover tuition. The University has additional financial aid available to help students with other parts of the cost of attendance such as room and board, fees, books, etc.

What are other other costs in the “Cost of Attendance” if tuition is free through this program?

Costs may vary based on your actual programs and fees, but generally “Cost of Attendance” also includes fees, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

Learn more about Cost of Attendance from One Stop Student Services: 

What grants/scholarships will a student receive?

Eligible students will receive federal, state or University grants, scholarship, or waivers equivalent to the cost of tuition.

Are scholarships from private sources used to calculate a student’s gap in tuition?

No, in most instances private scholarships are not used to calculate a student's gap in tuition.

If a student is getting a private scholarship that covers their tuition and additional fees, can they use Promise Plus for other college-related expenses?

No. Promise Plus only covers the cost of tuition. However, a student would receive Promise Plus if their tuition wasn't fully covered by federal, state and University gift aid (grants, scholarship, waiver). Other fees and services must be paid with other funds.

How does Promise Plus differ from a scholarship or grant?

Promise Plus ensures that students have their tuition covered while eligible, so it fluctuates with the students' needs year-to-year as long as students maintain eligibility requirements. Scholarships and grants tend to be fixed amounts from year-to-year as stipulated in the award letter.

I don't see Promise Plus on my financial aid notice, is this an error?

Promise Plus is a guarantee that your tuition is covered by federal, state and University scholarships, grants or waivers. If a Promise Plus dollar amount doesn't appear on a student's financial aid notice, it is likely they already have their tuition covered by other federal, state, or University gift aid. However, it is also possible that a student did not meet all the eligibility requirements of Promise Plus.