Most of our colleges don't charge a fee to apply, and all have online applications. Find out more about their application requirements.

Keep in mind that applying for financial aid is a separate process from applying to specific colleges and that there is never a fee to file for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine federal, state and college-specific aid. Don't assume you won't qualify for aid. Most college students receive some type of financial aid.

Most of our colleges don't charge a fee to apply, and all have online applications. Find out more about their application requirements.

Keep in mind that applying for financial aid is a separate process from applying to specific colleges and that there is never a fee to file for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine federal, state and college-specific aid. Don't assume you won't qualify for aid. Most college students receive some type of financial aid.

InstitutionWhen to applyApplication feeHow to applyAid deadline
Augsburg UniversityEarly Auggie: Feb. 1

Rolling with priority deadline of May 1

NoneOnlineMay 1 priority awarding
Bethany Lutheran CollegeFall semester: July 1

Spring semester: Dec. 1

NoneOnlineApril 15
Bethel UniversityRolling (traditional day program)NoneOnlineApril 15
Carleton CollegeEarly Decision Fall: Nov. 15

Early Decision Winter: Jan. 15

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

NoneOnlineEarly Decision I: Nov. 15

Early Decision II: Jan. 15

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

College of Saint BenedictEarly Action: Dec. 1

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

NoneOnlineMarch 15 priority deadline
The College of St. ScholasticaEarly Action: Nov. 15

Regular Decision: Feb. 1

Rolling through Aug. 31

NoneOnlineNone, but priority scholarship deadline is Dec. 1 and March 1
Concordia College, MoorheadRollingNoneOnlineRolling
Concordia University, St. PaulRollingNoneOnlineMay 1 priority awarding
Gustavus Adolphus CollegeEarly Action: Nov. 1

Rolling Dec. 1 through May 1

NoneOnlineMarch 15 priority deadline
Hamline UniversityEarly Action: Nov. 1

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

Rolling after Jan. 15

NoneOnlineMarch 1 priority deadline
Macalester CollegeEarly Action: Nov. 1

Early Decision I: Nov. 1

Early Decision II: Jan. 1

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

NoneOnlineEarly Action: Nov. 8

Early Decision I: Nov. 8

Early Decision II: Jan. 10

Regular Decision: Jan. 24

Minneapolis College of Art and DesignFall semester
Early Action*: Dec. 1

Priority: Feb. 15

Regular Decision**: April 1

Spring semester
Early Action*: Oct. 1

Priority: Nov. 1

Regular Decision**: Dec. 1

$50

Free in October during College Knowledge Month; use code MCW2024.

Accepts NACAC fee waiver all year

OnlineEarly Action, pending release date of new FAFSA; Priority, Feb. 15
Saint John’s UniversityEarly Action: Dec. 1

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

NoneOnlineMarch 15 priority deadline
Saint Mary’s University of MinnesotaRolling, except for 3+2 Physician Assistant program (Dec. 1 deadline)NoneOnlineRolling beginning Jan. 15
St. Catherine UniversityRollingNoneOnlineApril 15 priority deadline
St. Olaf CollegeEarly Action: Nov. 1

Early Decision I: Nov. 1

Early Decision II: Jan. 15

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

NoneOnlineEarly Action: Nov. 1

Early Decision I: Nov. 1

Early Decision II: Jan. 15

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

University of Northwestern – St. PaulRolling through Aug. 15 (fall term) and Dec. 15 (spring term)NoneOnlineMany scholarships have a Dec. 1 deadline.
University of St. ThomasEarly Action: Nov. 1

Regular Decision: Jan. 15

Rolling throughout the spring and summer

NoneOnlineFeb. 15 priority deadline

* Early Action application has many benefits, including eligibility for the MCAD Laptop Scholarship.

** Regular Decision applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. If space is available and if the applicant is admitted, an admission and Merit Scholarship decision will be made within two weeks, on a rolling basis.