Minnesota State Grant Program critical to St. Scholastica students

During the past school year, one out of every three undergraduates at St. Scholastica qualified for a State Grant, with an average award of about $3,500. The State Grant Program is built on the principle that students, parents, and federal and state taxpayers all have an interest -- and a role -- in helping our citizens attend the college program that best meets their needs. Tuition and fees have been going up at all colleges and universities, both public and private.

St. Scholastica works with other private colleges in Minnesota to advocate for the State Grant Program. Students, faculty, and staff will be traveling to the Capitol in St. Paul on February 24, 2010, for St. Scholastica Day at the Capitol. We hope you will join our efforts to inform state lawmakers about students' financial aid needs by attending our Day at the Capitol.  

Thanks, in advance, for getting involved - it will benefit nearly 900 undergraduates at St. Scholastica, as well as their counterparts at other colleges. In the end, all of Minnesota will benefit, as we prepare an educated work force to meet the challenges of the future. Feel free to contact Angie Johnson, Grant Proposal Specialist (ajohnso3@css.edu or 218/723-6185), or Nick Gigliotti, Chair of Legislative and External Affairs for Student Senate (ngigliot@css.edu or 218/723-6115), for more information.

What is the State Grant Program?

The State Grant Program, which provides millions in financial aid, awards scholarships to 1 out of 3 students at CSS. In the last academic year, more than 71,000 low- and middle-income Minnesota students received a State Grant, including about 10,000 private college and university students. More than 90 percent of these students were from families with incomes less than $60,000 per year. Minnesota students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program at a public or private college in Minnesota can qualify for a Minnesota State Grant to help with their college expenses.

Need-based awards, through the State Grant Program, should grow. But that won't happen if we don't make the case with legislators.