Military Connected Students
Discover Your Path with Minnesota State
Minnesota State is here to support veterans, service members, and their families in achieving their educational and career goals. With a range of resources, services, and tools tailored to military-connected individuals, we make it easy to transition from service to college.
Explore education, financial, military transfer, and policy resources, or connect with any of our 33 colleges and universities.
Why Choose Minnesota State?
Minnesota State is home to 26 colleges, 7 universities, and 54 campuses, offering extraordinary educational opportunities at the lowest tuition in Minnesota.
- Diverse Student Body: We serve 270,000 students annually, including more Black, Indigenous, and students of color than all other higher education institutions in Minnesota combined.
- Affordable Education: With 55% of college students and 59% of university students receiving financial aid, Minnesota State ensures an education that fits your budget.
- Endless Options: Choose from 4,112 academic programs, including 893 fully online programs designed to meet the needs of busy learners.
Your Education, Your Way
Whether you’re just starting your educational journey or continuing your studies, Minnesota State is committed to helping you succeed.
Explore our resources and connect with a college or university near you
Our universal application makes it easy to apply to one or several Minnesota State colleges and universities.
- Open Admission: All 26 state colleges have an open admission policy, ensuring access to higher education for everyone.
- Flexible Policies: The 7 state universities each have unique admissions criteria to best serve their diverse student populations.
Take the first step toward turning your military experience into college credit!
When applying for admission, request an official copy of your military transcripts to be sent to your campus transfer specialist or registrar. Your campus will evaluate your transcript to determine if and how your military courses and military occupation can apply to your program.
- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard: Request your Joint Services Transcript (JST).
- Air Force and Space Force: Request your Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript through the CCAF website.
Minnesota State, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Higher Education Veterans Program, connects you with resources to maximize your education benefits.
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Regional Coordinators are located across Minnesota, ready to help you and your family succeed in college. These coordinators are your go-to resource for:
- Providing expert assistance with a full range of military education benefits.
- Coordinating on- and off-campus Veterans services and resources.
- Collaborating with federal, state, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive support for Veterans, service members, and their families.
Transform your military service into a successful college journey! Discover how to make the most of your earned education benefits and explore additional financial resources to help you achieve your goals. Start building your future today with expert guidance from those who understand your unique needs!
Connect with Regional Coordinators
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Higher Education Veterans Program (HEVP) Regional Coordinators are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
These dedicated professionals bring firsthand knowledge of military service and military education benefits to help you:
- Navigate and maximize your education benefits.
- Connect with your campus Veterans Resource Center for personalized support and resources.
Minnesota State is committed to your success, honoring your service with policies that ensure access, affordability, and flexibility.
Application Fee Waiver
Active-duty military service members deployed overseas and many veterans may qualify for waived application fees. Check with your campus of interest to learn more about this opportunity.
“Call to Active Duty” Procedure
If you’re called to active duty while attending college, Minnesota State offers flexible options to help you continue your education:
- Full refund of tuition.
- Incomplete grade: Complete your coursework later via independent study or by retaking the course at no additional cost.
- Passing grade: Awarded if coursework completed prior to deployment supports it.
In-State Tuition Rates
Active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses and dependents are eligible to pay in-state resident tuition rates, regardless of residency.
Deferral of Tuition, Fees, and Books
Minnesota State follows Minnesota Statute 197.775, ensuring financial flexibility for students awaiting veterans' benefits:
- Late fees or other charges cannot be assessed.
- Students cannot be prevented from registering for future terms due to outstanding tuition caused by delayed federal or state benefits.
Transfer Credit
We make it easy to transfer your academic credits, including those earned at accredited public, private, or military institutions. Transfer credit is awarded when courses align with your chosen program or degree.
Minnesota Statutes for veterans and service members.
Minnesota Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program
Minnesota State Statute 197.585 directs the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Minnesota’s public colleges and universities to collaborate on establishing the Higher Education Veterans Program.
Minnesota State Higher Education Fairness
Minnesota State Statute 197.775 guides all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in developing veteran- and military-friendly policies on courses, tuition rates, and delayed payments.
Minnesota State Higher Education Fairness
Minnesota State Statute 195.502 specifies the minimum protections that public colleges and universities must provide to active duty military and veterans with a service-connected disability or related medical treatment when course participation is disrupted. These individuals may: (1) withdraw from one or more courses for which tuition and fees have been paid that are attributable to the courses (2) be given a grade of incomplete and be allowed to complete the course upon release from active service, upon completion of medical treatment, or upon sufficient medical recovery under the postsecondary institution's standard practice for completion of incompletes (3) continue and complete the course for full credit. Class sessions the student misses due to performance of active military service or due to the person's medical treatment or medical condition must be counted as excused absences and must not be used in any way to adversely impact the student's grade or standing in the class.
Military Credit Transfer
The Veterans Education Transfer System (VETS) is an online application that helps past, present, and future military connected students determine how their military occupation can count for credit at the colleges and universities of Minnesota State.