Financial aid timeline

The financial aid timeline provides an overview of the financial aid process from when you first apply for financial aid to receiving your financial aid each term before classes start. These dates are generally the same each term. More specific financial aid dates can be found in the tables below.

DateItem description
October*

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year opens. 

We encourage you to complete the FAFSA early (see financial aid steps). The University will review your information and start sending you notifications by the end of December. 

*Note: The Department of Education (ED) made significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25. This will change how financial aid is calculated, which caused a delay as to when the FAFSA was available to students. As of January 1, 2024, the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available.

March*

Estimated Financial Aid Notices begin going out to first-year and transfer undergraduate students. 

If you are admitted to the University and have completed the financial aid process, you will receive an Estimated Financial Aid Notice from One Stop Student Services to your University email account. 

Returning students will not receive an Estimated Financial Aid Notice. 

*Note: Due to the delay of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25, the University of Minnesota and all other schools will not receive student FAFSA information until mid-March 2024. This will result in a delay of 2024-25 financial aid offers. We may start sending financial aid communications about your FAFSA in April, but will not provide estimated financial aid offers until late spring. 

Mid to Late July

One Stop Student Services sends financial aid offers.

You will receive an email from One Stop Student Services with instructions on how to review your financial aid offer for the upcoming academic year. The email will be sent to your University email account. 

Please review your offer. If your offer includes loans or work study, you can accept, decline, or reduce the amount you’ve been offered. You need to complete required loan documentation before you receive any loans that are accepted with your financial aid offer. 

Gift aid, which includes any grants or scholarships, is auto-accepted and does not need a review. 

Early to Mid AugustExplore additional funding for the upcoming fall semester if necessary. The private loan process can take up to six weeks to be finalized. To ensure on time payment of your student account, private loan applications should be completed by mid-August.
Approximately one week before class starts (fall and spring semesters)

During the week before classes start, your financial aid will be applied to your University student account. If you have excess funds after your tuition, fees, housing, and other authorized charges are paid, that money will be sent to you via check or direct deposit.

If you have additional tuition, fees, housing or other charges that are not covered by your financial aid, you will receive a bill for those charges.

Financial aid continues to be offered and disbursed throughout the term as students accept and respond to their offers. Please contact One Stop Student Services if you have already responded to your aid offers and need to make changes. 

Important financial aid dates

Use the tables below to find dates regarding financial aid disbursement, loan and grant deadlines, and additional information about financial aid eligibility.

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Fall 2023

DateItem description
August 28, 2023Fall 2023 financial aid disbursement begins.
September 5, 2023Fall term begins.
September 18, 2023

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility.

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility.

October 1, 2024*

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25 opens.


*Note: The Department of Education (ED) made significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25. This will change how financial aid is calculated, which caused a delay as to when the FAFSA was available to students. As of January 1, 2024, the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available periodically as part of Federal Student Aid’s soft launch.

December 1, 2023

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for fall 2023 semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

December 13, 2023Last day to submit your application for tuition reciprocity with your home state if you are a ND, SD, WI, or Manitoba resident and you are being charged non-resident tuition through the U of MN.
December 19, 2023Last day to request and accept a fall only PLUS loan.
December 20, 2023Last day to request and accept a fall only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Spring 2024

DateItem description
January 8, 2024Spring 2024 financial aid disbursement begins.
Mid-January 2024Special circumstance appeal forms are available for the 2024-25 aid year.
January 16, 2024Spring term begins.
January 29, 2024

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility.

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility.

April 29, 2024Last day to submit your application for tuition reciprocity with your home state if you are a ND, SD, WI, or Manitoba resident and you are being charged non-resident tuition through the U of MN.
May 1, 2024

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for spring 2024 semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

May 6, 2024Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only PLUS loan.
May 7, 2024Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Summer 2024

DateItem description
May 2024

The University sends financial aid offers for May and summer sessions.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to review your financial aid offer for the upcoming academic year. The email will be sent to your University email account. 

Please review your offer. If your offer includes loans or work study, you can accept, decline, or reduce the amount you’ve been offered. You need to complete required loan documentation before you receive any loans that are accepted with your financial aid offer.

May 13, 2024May session and summer 13-week classes begin.
May 27, 2024Summer financial aid disbursement begins.
June 3, 2024Summer session begins.
June 17, 2024

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility

June 30, 2024Last day to complete your 2023-24 FAFSA for the current academic year
June 30, 2024

Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Dream Act deadline.

If you did not already fill out a FAFSA or MN Dream Act Application, this is the last day to complete a FAFSA or MN Dream Act application and still be considered for the Minnesota State Grant for the fall term. You must be a Minnesota resident to qualify.

Note: You can still submit the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application after this deadline and be eligible for the grant in the spring. 

August 1, 2024

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for summer 2024.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

August 7, 2024Last day to request and accept a summer PLUS loan.
August 8, 2024Last day to request and accept a summer subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Fall 2024

DateItem description
August 26, 2024Fall financial aid disbursement begins.
September 3, 2024Fall 2023 term begins.
September 16, 2024

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility.

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility.

October 1, 2024The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2025-26 opens.
December 6, 2024

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for spring 2023 semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

December 11, 2024Last day to submit your application for tuition reciprocity with your home state if you are a ND, SD, WI, or Manitoba resident and you are being charged non-resident tuition through the U of MN.
December 18, 2024Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only PLUS loan.
December 20, 2024Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Spring 2025

DateItem description
January 13, 2025Spring 2024 financial aid disbursement begins.
Mid-January 2025Special circumstance appeal forms are available for the 2025-26 aid year.
January 21, 2025Spring term begins.
February 3, 2025

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility.

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility.

May 2, 2025

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for spring 2025 semester.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

May 5, 2025Last day to submit your application for tuition reciprocity with your home state if you are a ND, SD, WI, or Manitoba resident and you are being charged non-resident tuition through the U of MN.
May 8, 2025Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only PLUS loan.
May 9, 2025Last day to request and accept a fall/spring or spring only subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.

Summer 2025

DateItem description
May 2025

The University sends financial aid offers for May and summer sessions.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to review your financial aid offer for the upcoming academic year. The email will be sent to your University email account. 

Please review your offer. If your offer includes loans or work study, you can accept, decline, or reduce the amount you’ve been offered. You need to complete required loan documentation before you receive any loans that are accepted with your financial aid offer.

May 19, 2025May session and summer 13-week classes begin.
June 2, 2025Summer financial aid disbursement begins.
June 9, 2025Summer session begins.
June 23, 2025

Census date: Your enrollment is reviewed for financial aid eligibility

If your enrollment has increased or decreased by this date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted to the appropriate amount based on your revised enrollment. Learn more about financial aid eligibility

June 30, 2025Last day to complete your 2023-24 FAFSA for the current academic year
June 30, 2025

Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Dream Act deadline.

If you did not already fill out a FAFSA or MN Dream Act Application, this is the last day to complete a FAFSA or MN Dream Act application and still be considered for the Minnesota State Grant for the fall term. You must be a Minnesota resident to qualify.

Note: You can still submit the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application after this deadline and be eligible for the grant in the spring. 

July 18, 2025

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal deadline for summer 2024.

If you need to submit an appeal, it must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the end of the term in which you are seeking aid.

August 7, 2025Last day to request and accept a summer PLUS loan.
August 8, 2025Last day to request and accept a summer subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan.