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.
| Institution | When to apply | Application fee | How to apply | Aid deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augsburg University | Early Auggie: Feb. 1
Rolling with priority deadline of May 1 | None | Online | May 1 priority awarding |
| Bethany Lutheran College | Fall semester: July 1
Spring semester: Dec. 1 | None | Online | April 15 |
| Bethel University | Rolling (traditional day program) | None | Online | April 15 |
| Carleton College | Early Decision Fall: Nov. 15
Early Decision Winter: Jan. 15 Regular Decision: Jan. 15 | None | Online | Early Decision I: Nov. 15
Early Decision II: Jan. 15 Regular Decision: Jan. 15 |
| College of Saint Benedict | Early Action: Dec. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 15 | None | Online | March 15 priority deadline |
| The College of St. Scholastica | Early Action: Nov. 15
Regular Decision: Feb. 1 Rolling through Aug. 31 | None | Online | None, but priority scholarship deadline is Dec. 1 and March 1 |
| Concordia College, Moorhead | Rolling | None | Online | Rolling |
| Concordia University, St. Paul | Rolling | None | Online | May 1 priority awarding |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Early Action: Nov. 1
Rolling Dec. 1 through May 1 | None | Online | March 15 priority deadline |
| Hamline University | Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 15 Rolling after Jan. 15 | None | Online | March 1 priority deadline |
| Macalester College | Early Action: Nov. 1
Early Decision I: Nov. 1 Early Decision II: Jan. 1 Regular Decision: Jan. 15 | None | Online | Early Action: Nov. 8
Early Decision I: Nov. 8 Early Decision II: Jan. 10 Regular Decision: Jan. 24 |
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Fall semester Early Action*: Dec. 1 Priority: Feb. 15 Regular Decision**: April 1 Spring semester Priority: Nov. 1 Regular Decision**: Dec. 1 | $50
Free in October during College Knowledge Month; use code MCW2024. Accepts NACAC fee waiver all year | Online | Early Action, pending release date of new FAFSA; Priority, Feb. 15 |
| Saint John’s University | Early Action: Dec. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 15 | None | Online | March 15 priority deadline |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Rolling, except for 3+2 Physician Assistant program (Dec. 1 deadline) | None | Online | Rolling beginning Jan. 15 |
| St. Catherine University | Rolling | None | Online | April 15 priority deadline |
| St. Olaf College | Early Action: Nov. 1
Early Decision I: Nov. 1 Early Decision II: Jan. 15 Regular Decision: Jan. 15 | None | Online | Early Action: Nov. 1
Early Decision I: Nov. 1 Early Decision II: Jan. 15 Regular Decision: Jan. 15 |
| University of Northwestern – St. Paul | Rolling through Aug. 15 (fall term) and Dec. 15 (spring term) | None | Online | Many scholarships have a Dec. 1 deadline. |
| University of St. Thomas | Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 15 Rolling throughout the spring and summer | None | Online | Feb. 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.