Minnesota GI Bill and Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program

MN Indian Scholarship Program – 2014 MAFAA Spring Conference

Minnesota GI Bill and Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program

Minnesota Association of Financial Aid AdministratorsFall Training Day 2014

October 28th, 2014

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MN Indian Scholarship Program – 2014 MAFAA Spring Conference 2014 MAFAA Fall Training Day

Agenda

• Overview of Programs• Questions

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Minnesota GI BillWho is eligible?

• Provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota service members and eligible spouses and children of deceased or severely disabled eligible Minnesota veterans

• In general, students must be all of the following:• A current Minnesota Resident Student• An eligible veteran, non-veteran, spouse or dependent• Enrolled in an eligible and participating postsecondary institution

located in Minnesota• Enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or degree program• Making satisfactory academic progress• Less than 62 years old at the beginning of the term• Current on child support obligations, if applicable

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Minnesota GI BillHow do students apply?

• Students apply once each award year• Best way is to complete online at www.ohe.state.mn.us • Can submit paper application to college, the Minnesota

Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office or the MN National Guard Education Office

• Eligibility as a Veteran, Non-Veteran, Spouse or Dependent will be verified by the MN Department of Veterans Affairs• MDVA may contact student to provide additional documentation

like a DD214 or other discharge documents• School may provide documentation to MDVA

• Students must apply before the end of the term in order to receive the benefit in that term

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http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/


Minnesota GI BillHow much is the award?

• Any amount student receives in (1) Pell Grant, (2) State Grant and/or (3) federal military or veterans education benefits (except VRAP) is taken into account when award is calculated

• Enrollment and program level can also impact award amount• Students may receive up to $3,000 per award year and up to

$10,000 lifetime• Maximum amount per term based on chart below:

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Undergraduate Students Graduate StudentsPart Time Full Time Part Time Full Time

Less than 12 credits 12 credits or more As defined by college As defined by college

Up to $500 per termUp to $1,000 per

termUp to $500 per term

Up to $1,000 per term


Minnesota Indian ScholarshipWho is eligible?

• Provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota Resident Students who are of ¼ or more American Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award

• In general, students must be all of the following:• A current Minnesota Resident Student• Possess ¼ or more American Indian ancestry• Making satisfactory academic progress• Have completed the FAFSA and applied for all other state and federal

grant and scholarship programs• Not be in default on a federal or state student loan• Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least ¾ time, qualify for

Pell or State Grant (some exceptions) and have unmet need• Graduate students must be enrolled at least ½ time and have unmet

need (COA-EFC)6


Minnesota Indian ScholarshipHow do students apply?

• Students apply once each award year• Best way is to complete online at www.ohe.state.mn.us • Can submit paper application to college, the Office or a tribal

scholarship office

• College submits initial school budget sheet• Estimated COA, Pell and State Grant amounts may be used if final

amounts not available

• Documentation of American Indian ancestry must be on file• Student may need to submit to the Office

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http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/


Minnesota Indian ScholarshipSchool budget sheet

• College should submit budget sheet if student:• Has completed verification and/or resolved conflicting information• Has completed application for State Grant including:

• Submitting transcripts or other documentation, if required (only if student would be eligible at any enrollment level)

• Has provided documentation to determine if a Resident Student• Has completed all necessary steps to receive aid regardless of

whether or not college can issue final award letter

• College should not submit budget sheer if student is not currently enrolled or expected to enroll

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Minnesota Indian ScholarshipHow much is the award?

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• Award amounts determined using the following calculation:

• Maximum Award Amounts:• Undergraduate: up to $4,000 per year• Graduate and Professional: up to $6,000 per year

Title IV Cost of Attendance

- EFC

- Federal Pell and SEOG

- MN State Grant

- Tribal Scholarships or Grants

- All other gift aid

MISP Award (up to maximums)


Minnesota Indian ScholarshipHow much is the award?

Other Award Parameters:• Students eligible to receive awards:• Up to 5 years of study at the undergraduate level • An additional 5 years of study at the graduate or professional level

• Students in less than 4-year programs eligible to receive awards for no more than three years • Reserves remaining two years of undergraduate eligibility for the

completion of 4-year degree

• Students eligible to receive awards for only one degree per level and one doctorate or professional degree

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Questions??

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Contact Information

Megan FitzGibbonManager of Scholarship Programs1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350Saint Paul, Minnesota [email protected] (651)355-0606(800)657-3866 (651)642-0675 (FAX)

Dave BellefeuilleMDVA Higher Ed Veterans ProgramsDirector of Veterans Education and [email protected] (651)757-1564

Lara GerhardsonMISP Outreach LiaisonBemidji State University American Indian Resource Center, Suite 110A Bemidji, MN [email protected]: (218)755-2557

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mailto:[email protected]



Documents

Minnesota GI Bill and Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program